Narrabri Gas

A gas crisis can be avoided by not exporting the gas we have. We should make every effort to move Australia away from fossil fuel energy dependency. We should protect our artesian basin from gas wells, protect our very limited forested areas for the use of animals now and in the future. Such a diffuse proposal (850 separate installations) will lead to a maze of roads and tracks, spread disease, disturb ecosystems. We should make long term plans for our energy future based on logic, and take responsibility for our effect on the environment.

Only fools could even consider these proposals by SANTOS.
ALL THEIR PROFITS AND THE GAS ITSELF IS SENT OFFSHORE......PLEASE DON'T MAKE US ALL UPROOT OURSELVES TO DECAMP AND COME OUT THERE TO STOP THIS ABSOLUTE MADNESS.

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian Basin--Australia's largest groundwater aquifer
The Narrabri gasfield poses a real risk to our two most precious water resources: the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin. The area of the Great Artesian Basin with the highest recharge rates is almost entirely contained within the Pilliga East forest. In a worst-case scenario, the water removed for CSG extraction could reduce water pressure in the recharge areas--potentially stopping the free flow of waters to the surface at springs and bores across the whole Great Artesian Basin.¹

Creeks in the Pilliga run into the Namoi River--a part of the Murray Darling Basin. This system is vulnerable to contamination from drilling fluid spills and the salty treated water produced from the proposed 850 wells.

2. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed
There are hundreds of cultural sites as well as songlines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath. Gamilaraay people are deeply involved in the battle against CSG, and have told Santos they do not want their country sacrificed for a coal seam gas field.

3. Farmers and other local community reject the project
Extensive community surveys have shown an average of 96% opposition to CSG. This stretches across a massive 3.2 million hectares of country surrounding the Pilliga forest, including 99 communities. Hundreds of farmers have participated in protest actions unlike any previously seen in the region.

4. The Narrabri Gas Project has a long history of spills and leaks of toxic CSG water--Santos cannot be trusted to manage the project safely
Santos has already contaminated a freshwater aquifer in the Pilliga with uranium at levels 20 times higher than safe drinking water guidelines, as well as lead, aluminium, arsenic and barium². In addition, there have been over 20 reported spills and leaks of toxic CSG water from storage ponds, pipes and well heads. Santos cannot be trusted.

5. The Pilliga is a haven for threatened wildlife
The Pilliga is one of 15 nationally listed `biodiversity hotspots' and is vital to the survival of threatened species like the Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Pilliga Mouse and South-eastern Long-eared Bat. The forest is home to over 200 bird species and is internationally recognised as an Important Bird Area². The Santos gasfield would fragment 95,000 hectares of the Pilliga with well pads, roads, and water and gas pipelines--damaging vital habitat and threatening the survival of endangered species.

6. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change
Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than CO². CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas.

7. Human health is compromised by coal seam gas
A range of hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds can be released into the air from coal seam gas operations, including flaring of gas wells. The effects of volatile organic compounds vary, but can cause eye, nose and airway irritation, headache, nausea, dizziness and loss of coordination⁴. These impacts have been documented in human populations nearby to existing gasfields in Queensland, Sydney and in America.

8. The nation's premier optical astronomical observatory is at risk
The Siding Springs Observatory, situated in the Warrumbungles and adjacent to the Pilliga, is under threat from the Narrabri Gas Project due to light and dust pollution⁵. The area has been internationally recognised as a `dark sky park'⁶ and the 50m high gas flares proposed by Santos threaten the viability of the facility.

9. Thousands of tonnes of salt waste will result from the project
Santos has no solution for disposing of the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of salt that will be produced. Between 17,000 and 42,000 tonnes of salt waste would be produced each year. This industry would leave a toxic legacy in NSW.

10. Risk of fires would increase throughout the Pilliga's tinder-box conditions
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is prone to severe bushfires. The project would increase ignition sources as well as extracting, transporting and storing a highly flammable gas right within this extremely fire-prone forest.

Worldwide independent scientific evidence on COAL SEAM GAS Mining Throughout the world shows us that it is and will be one of the most toxic environmental disasters ever known ,And who PAYS for that,In this area who ever passes the company to mine should be held accountable for the disasters that will happen as they all ways do with mining.it won't be SANTOS that's for sure

I am extremely concerned for the future of Australia and the Australian Environment.

Any further destruction of the Environment can only amount to destruction of natural assets, which are and should remain, of great value to the Australian Population as a whole. While enormous companies make money, they damage the future for all people.

I am old, and I am concerned for the young people of today.

The Narrabri Gas project is strongly opposed not only by the traditional land holders of the Pilliga but also by the majority of local residents and farmers.. Australia is a democracy and as such the wishes of it's people are to be respected and not put aside in favor of commercial interests. As a resident of South Australia I also oppose it as it puts at risk the health our water in the Murry Darling Basin as well as the Great Artisan Basin , never mind the contribution to global warming this project will contribute to due to escaping methane gas. Please uphold our democracy and respect the wishes of the people. As our government act to preserve our natural riches and resources and oppose this project.

This is project will cause huge damage to our water resources. The Narrabri gasfield poses a real risk to our two most precious water resources: the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin. The area of the Great Artesian Basin with the highest recharge rates is almost entirely contained within the Pilliga East forest. In a worst-case scenario, the water removed for CSG extraction could reduce water pressure in the recharge areas--potentially stopping the free flow of waters to the surface at springs and bores across the whole Great Artesian Basin.¹

Creeks in the Pilliga run into the Namoi River--a part of the Murray Darling Basin. This system is vulnerable to contamination from drilling fluid spills and the salty treated water produced from the proposed 850 wells.

Over the last thirty or more years our region has been invaded by coal and gas companies. The impact on remnant vegetation of hundreds of wells, pads, roads and connecting pipelines is devastating.
Every pipeline creates two more edges in forested country, allowing invasive weeds spread by the gas operatives, to penetrate further into the bush, and feral animals to easily access native creatures moving across the cleared land. Species variety is impacted for both plants and animals.

I submit that the Pilliga Scrub is a remnant of heritage value that should not be fragmented by gas extraction, but preserved for future heritage values that are irreplaceable.

I further submit that the contribution of extracted gas to greenhous gas emissions is unacceptable in light of the current global and local experience of increasing temperatures and climate instability that is impacting agriculture and health both here an overseas.

Do not allow this vandalism of a precious heritage by a profit driven company whose exports of gas have already driven up the domestic price to the extent that it wasn't economical for a gas-fired power station in South Australia to come on line to prevent the blackouts in that State.

It is not in the State or National interest to allow any further investment in gas extraction.

It will have a devastating effect if it goes through!

I believe it is a travesty to allow coal seam gas mining in the Pilliga region. This is directly over the great artesian basin recharge area and would be catastrophic for all Australians (and particularly farmers) if this underground water source that provideS a major percentage of irrigation to agriculture in the region were to be contaminated by fracking chemicals. There's also the matter of depletion of the water which is the life blood of our arid land.

To allow such a project to proceed is criminal. All you have to do is look at what has happened in Queensland in the western downs region. We need to stop relying on fossil fuels and look to renewable sources of energy and preserve the water, air and and land for future generations

This should absolutely not be happening. We should not be wrecking our precious environment for a commodity we DON'T need. The water in the Great Artesian Basin needs to stay where it is, and uncontaminated.
Santos does NOT have a good strong reputation for caring for the environment - I dread to think what will happen if this goes ahead - another 'accident'?
There have been so many "accidents" with coal seam gas, The technology isn't safe for any one or any thing.
For the future of the planet in general and Australia in particular, PLEASE do not allow this to happen.

The Narrabri Gas project includes plans for an eventual 850 wells. Santos have already proved they can't be trusted to manage fluid spills and salty untreated water that would run into the Pilliga creeks that feed the Namoi River in the Great Australian Artesian Basin in the Murray-Darling catchment. Indigenous Gamilaraay tribes occupying land with hundreds of cultural sites are deeply opposed to CSG invasion of their land. 99 communities of Pilliga area including hundreds of farmers have protested. Many fauna species would be threatened with extinction. Leakage of methane (72% more powerful than CO2) causing eye,nose, airway irritation, headache, nausea and dizziness, and many documented hydrocarbons would be a constant danger in CSG processing and transporting. Tall methane stacks flare 24/7 including in total fire bans! Nearby one of the world's finest observatories, Sidings Springs occupying a "sky dark park" would be permanently compromised.

I object to to installation of any gas wells in the Pilliga
The gas from here will be exported and only makes corporations wealthier.
The gas wells will be drilled though valuable aquafers of the great Artesian Basin of Australia, this may cause irrepairable damage.
The rivers /waters in this area are head waters of the greatest Australian river system and you will cause pollution and dammage to the environment.

This latest attempt by Santos to put CSG wells in the Pilliga is sheer arrogance in the face of the weight of public opinion opposed to CSG mining.

NO COAL SEAM GAS IN THE PILLIGA, PLEASE DON'T DESTROY THIS NATURAL HABITAT

5. The Pilliga is a haven for threatened wildlife
The Pilliga is one of 15 nationally listed `biodiversity hotspots' and is vital to the survival of threatened species like the Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Pilliga Mouse and South-eastern Long-eared Bat. The forest is home to over 200 bird species and is internationally recognised as an Important Bird Area². The Santos gasfield would fragment 95,000 hectares of the Pilliga with well pads, roads, and water and gas pipelines--damaging vital habitat and threatening the survival of endangered species.

6. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change
Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than CO². CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas.

7. Human health is compromised by coal seam gas
A range of hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds can be released into the air from coal seam gas operations, including flaring of gas wells. The effects of volatile organic compounds vary, but can cause eye, nose and airway irritation, headache, nausea, dizziness and loss of coordination⁴. These impacts have been documented in human populations nearby to existing gasfields in Queensland, Sydney and in America.

8. The nation's premier optical astronomical observatory is at risk
The Siding Springs Observatory, situated in the Warrumbungles and adjacent to the Pilliga, is under threat from the Narrabri Gas Project due to light and dust pollution⁵. The area has been internationally recognised as a `dark sky park'⁶ and the 50m high gas flares proposed by Santos threaten the viability of the facility

he Narrabri gasfield poses a real risk to our two most precious water resources: the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin. The area of the Great Artesian Basin with the highest recharge rates is almost entirely contained within the Pilliga East forest. In a worst-case scenario, the water removed for CSG extraction could reduce water pressure in the recharge areas--potentially stopping the free flow of waters to the surface at springs and bores across the whole Great Artesian Basin.¹

Creeks in the Pilliga run into the Namoi River--a part of the Murray Darling Basin. This system is vulnerable to contamination from drilling fluid spills and the salty treated water produced from the proposed 850 wells.

2. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed
There are hundreds of cultural sites as well as songlines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath. Gamilaraay people are deeply involved in the battle against CSG, and have told Santos they do not want their country sacrificed for a coal seam gas field.

3. Farmers and other local community reject the project
Extensive community surveys have shown an average of 96% opposition to CSG. This stretches across a massive 3.2 million hectares of country surrounding the Pilliga forest, including 99 communities. Hundreds of farmers have participated in protest actions unlike any previously seen in the region.

I am totally against your decision to frack in the pillaga, and am ashamed to live in a country that has so much opportunity to be more sustainable and smart with their ecology and economy but instead decides to think short-term profits, it is clear that these decisions are made with personal monetary incentives rather than a decision that is accepted by the public community.

There is so much evidence that coal seam gas does massive irreversible damage to our environment. Let's not make this kind of mistake for short term profit.

I strongly oppose the Narrabri Gas Project. The reasons of my opposition are quite simple. I rely on clean water, clean oxygen, healthy food (thereby from healthy soils) & healthy community connections for my physical & mental wellbeing, these things are ultimately my basic essential needs. This project not only poses a significant threat to all of the essential ingredients that I require to sustain quality of life, it in no way supports my basic essential needs. Also, I'm not the only person who has these basic essential needs. Below are some elaborations of how the proposed Narrabri Gas Project threatens & undermines my basic human needs, those of my community & those of my country.

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian Basin--Australia's largest groundwater aquifer
The Narrabri gasfield poses a real risk to our two most precious water resources: the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin. The area of the Great Artesian Basin with the highest recharge rates is almost entirely contained within the Pilliga East forest. In a worst-case scenario, the water removed for CSG extraction could reduce water pressure in the recharge areas--potentially stopping the free flow of waters to the surface at springs and bores across the whole Great Artesian Basin.¹

Creeks in the Pilliga run into the Namoi River--a part of the Murray Darling Basin. This system is vulnerable to contamination from drilling fluid spills and the salty treated water produced from the proposed 850 wells.

2. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed
There are hundreds of cultural sites as well as songlines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath. Gamilaraay people are deeply involved in the battle against CSG, and have told Santos they do not want their country sacrificed for a coal seam gas field.

3. Farmers and other local community reject the project
Extensive community surveys have shown an average of 96% opposition to CSG. This stretches across a massive 3.2 million hectares of country surrounding the Pilliga forest, including 99 communities. Hundreds of farmers have participated in protest actions unlike any previously seen in the region.

4. The Narrabri Gas Project has a long history of spills and leaks of toxic CSG water--Santos cannot be trusted to manage the project safely
Santos has already contaminated a freshwater aquifer in the Pilliga with uranium at levels 20 times higher than safe drinking water guidelines, as well as lead, aluminium, arsenic and barium². In addition, there have been over 20 reported spills and leaks of toxic CSG water from storage ponds, pipes and well heads. Santos cannot be trusted.

5. The Pilliga is a haven for threatened wildlife
The Pilliga is one of 15 nationally listed `biodiversity hotspots' and is vital to the survival of threatened species like the Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Pilliga Mouse and South-eastern Long-eared Bat. The forest is home to over 200 bird species and is internationally recognised as an Important Bird Area². The Santos gasfield would fragment 95,000 hectares of the Pilliga with well pads, roads, and water and gas pipelines--damaging vital habitat and threatening the survival of endangered species.

6. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change
Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than CO². CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas.

7. Human health is compromised by coal seam gas
A range of hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds can be released into the air from coal seam gas operations, including flaring of gas wells. The effects of volatile organic compounds vary, but can cause eye, nose and airway irritation, headache, nausea, dizziness and loss of coordination⁴. These impacts have been documented in human populations nearby to existing gasfields in Queensland, Sydney and in America.

8. The nation's premier optical astronomical observatory is at risk
The Siding Springs Observatory, situated in the Warrumbungles and adjacent to the Pilliga, is under threat from the Narrabri Gas Project due to light and dust pollution⁵. The area has been internationally recognised as a `dark sky park'⁶ and the 50m high gas flares proposed by Santos threaten the viability of the facility.

9. Thousands of tonnes of salt waste will result from the project
Santos has no solution for disposing of the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of salt that will be produced. Between 17,000 and 42,000 tonnes of salt waste would be produced each year. This industry would leave a toxic legacy in NSW.

10. Risk of fires would increase throughout the Pilliga's tinder-box conditions
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is prone to severe bushfires. The project would increase ignition sources as well as extracting, transporting and storing a highly flammable gas right within this extremely fire-prone forest.

I was disappointed to see that the energy companies and the government are once again turning to away from renewable energies to threaten the eco system of the pilliga and elsewhere in the state to make a buck. Please stop and think of the future...no not just next year but 100 years from now 1000 years. Turn away from this destructive practice and preserve our environment for future generations to come.