Narrabri Gas

I am lodging an OBJECTION against the application by Santos to place 850 coal seam gas wells in the heart of the Pilliga forest in North West New South Wales. Native forest will be adversely affected by the granting of licences to Santos to establish CSG wells and Australia is already under immense threat from the fracking proponents even though all the evidence points to irreversible environmental damage and more pollution. The government should instead be doing everything in its power to stop the two major pollution causes: damage to our environment and continued world overpopulation that increases the pressure on our native bushland.

In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the future generations.

A despicable act. The artesian basin flows through the Dari tree rainforest amongst so many other pristine areas and the pilots is home to so many native animals. Not on!

To whom it may concern,

I object to this project. Here are my reasons:

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.
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. Local farmers and community object to the proposal.
The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian Basin--Australia's largest groundwater aquifer and coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change through the release of methane.
Other concerns are that the Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed to it and thousands of tonnes of salt waste will result from the project.
Thank you.

I recommend that the application by Santos to mine for Coal Seam Gas (CSG) in the Narrabri region be rejected for the following reasons:
1 there are serious concerns that CSG mining is harmful to the health of individuals and communities living and working in the vicinity of the minefield. While more research is required to establish the exact nature and magnitude of the health risks, the experiences of people living near existing CSG minefields and the available scientific evidence indicate the need for extreme caution regarding exposing more people to the possibly extremely harmful health effects of CSG mining. The only safe option is not to open any more CSG fields in NSW.
2 The Secretary's Requirements for the EIS did not require an adequate investigation of the health effects of the proposed CSG minefield, rather it was limited to a narrow health risk assessment approach, concentrating on the projected exposure levels of a small number of harmful agents - eg noise and air pollutants. This is completely inadequate for assessing the true health risks to communities. At the very least, an independent, comprehensive Health Impact Assessment is required before the true health risks to local communities can be adequately taken into account. If any further consideration is being given to approval the Santos proposal I recommend that an independent, comprehensive HIA be required, with results released to the community, before final approval is given. An HIA should also be required when the Secretary issues requirements for other mining proposals.
3 CSG mining is known to present severe threats to the local environment (and further to my earlier comments to the health of local communities) from, for instance, (1) disruption and contamination of surface and underground water resources (particularly in the case of the Pilliga, the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling river system), (2) leaks of gases and contaminated waste products into the air and land, and (3) destruction of local habitats and ecosystems from the drill sites and associated infrastructure.
4 The greatest and most urgent threat to human health in Australia and globally, and even the survival of humanity, is climate change, principally arising from the burning of fossil fuels. To stand any chance at all of limiting global warming to less than 2C (a level that is far from safe) the burning of all fossil fuels must stop in the next two decades. There is no need to be developing new sources of fossil fuels; there are already more than enough coal, gas and oil mines in operation. The argument that gas produces less warming than coal is fallacious. When it is burnt, gas may produce less CO2 than coal but over the whole cycle of production and burning, particularly taking into account the release of methane, gas has roughly the same disastrous effect on global warming as coal. NSW would be better advised from health, energy security, environmental and financial security standpoints supporting the development of renewable energy sources rather than more fossil fuels.
5 The Santos proposal is strongly opposed by local communities and farmers, not surprisingly in view of the concerns I have summarised above. In addition, the destruction of people's communities by, for instance mining, has serious mental health effects and the condition has been identified as 'solastalgia'.

I strongly recommend that this proposal be rejected.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Sainsbury

I object to the proposed Santos' Narrabri Gas Project in the Pilliga forest . We have recently spent several days in the Pilliga forest as visitors. It is an important tourist attraction, and will increasingly become so. CSG will devalue its tourist attraction. The attraction is because of its biodiversity and remoteness from development. CSG mining will impact on biodiversity and its remoteness.
With huge CSG projects elsewhere there is no need for this development.
Leave the Pilliga forest free of development

We have become aware of the Santos wish to push 850 wells into the Pilliga region, including the Pilliga forest - the largest remaining box and ironbark forest in Australia.

We live in the box ironbark country of Victoria, and mercifully have a state ban on fracking. Bus we see daily the marvellous biodiversity that this ban promotes. We know the Pilliga is home to 25 nationally and 48 State endangered species, and is a refuge for these species. Fragmentation of their habitat that would be inevitable with 850 wells, their building, connection and fencing, would play havoc with the chances of these species, and many more, surviving climate change. We ask you to deny the Santos request to drill in the Pilliga on these grounds alone.

However, add to this the very real threat to the recharge of the Great Artesian Basin, which effects all Australians, and upon which much of our agricultural production depends, and I think you will see your responsibility to deny the Santos request is grave. Daily the dangers of fracking are being revealed by communities effected in areas being fracked. There is no way Santos can assure us of the safety of the life giving waters of the GAB because science cannot be marshalled to support their views. The precautionary principal requires you to reject their request to drill in the Pilliga.

I strongly urge you to NIX (Oil and gas company) Santos pushing on with its unpopular proposal to place 850 coal seam gas wells in the heart of the Pilliga forest in North West New South Wales!
It's insane to allow such needless, senseless destruction of a priceless majestic world heritage wilderness area!
Do your job- Protect our lands, waters, wildlife, health & future! You work for citizens- Not industry! Disgusted! Your attention to this most urgent matter would be much appreciated by all present & future generations of all species.
Thank you
Lydia Garvey Public Health Nurse
429 S 24th st Clinton OK 73601 USA

The government must stop funding and allowing gas (and other fossil fuel) companies from destroying our irreplaceable forests. We must not continue to support an industry that is produces such large amounts of pollution and which run high risk of contamination of precious water sources.

There needs to be more investment in renewable energy!

The department of planning and development,

Dear Sir or Madam,

In these times of global warming and adverse climate change, I cannot comprehend that governments would take any risks with the safety of our water supply, clean air, natural vegetation or native wildlife habitat. I understand that all of these have been adversely impacted by the development of CSG in other parts of Australia and in other countries. Additionally, indigenous cultural heritage sites are at risk.
I strongly urge you to seriously consider the risks and NOT allow the Narrabri gas project to go ahead.


Yours sincerely,

Kathryn Gray.

There are some places that are off limits to this kind of industry. Haven't we destroyed enough of our bush land already. To risk our water resources in the second driest continent on the planet is sheer lunacy. The resource industry reeks of corruption

Whilst I now live in Western Australia, I am originally from New South Wales and understand the environmental importance and know the beauty of, the Pilliga forest. It is incomprehensible to me why that land would be endangered to support an industry that has such a negative effect on the climate and the environment.
It is unacceptable that both major parties seem wedded to a dirty energy that pollutes our water and air and causes harmful climate change through methane leakage.
Environmental experts, local farmers, the traditional owners of the land and others who are connected to the land in that area are opposed to the project for very important reasons regarding the health and safety of individuals and the land and water. If this project goes ahead it will be a matter of pandering to big business interests who wreak havoc on the environment while gaining a short term windfall. Once they use the land and cause terrible damage to the water table, increasing salinity and endangering wildlife in what is a biodiversity hotspot, they will walk away and leave others to clean up their mess. I sincerely hope that science, reason and real environmental values will prevail and the Narrabri Gas Project will not progress.

As someone who has visited Australia many times, I believe areas of natural beauty should be left alone and not ravaged by energy companies.
There are other less invasive ways to gather energy and we as a world should be looking at these over destructing beautiful plCes like this.

There are many reasons why the Santos' Narrabri Gas Project in the Pilliga should not go ahead.
These range from:
- the traditional custodians (the Gamilaraay) are opposed to it;
- the local community/farmers are opposed to it;
- the Narrabri gasfield poses a real risk to our two most precious water resources in the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin;
- the threat to already threatened wildlife;
- Santos' track record in contaminating a freshwater aquifer in the Pilliga as well as spills and leaks of toxic CSG water from storage ponds, pipes and well heads;
- the potential threat to human health.

I am totally opposed to this project.
Please do not approve it.

I object to it because:

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian Basin; Australia's largest groundwater aquifer.
2. I am opposed to it because it disrespects the Gamilaraay traditional custodians. I do not want the country sacrificed for a coal seam gas field.
3. 96% of farmers and other community reject the project. Including myself.
4. The Narrabi Gas Project has a long history of spills and leaks of toxic CSG water. Santos cannot be trusted to manage the project safely.
5. The Piliga is a haven for threatened wildlife.
6. Coal fuel gas fuels dangerous climate change.
7. Human health is compromised by coal seam gas.
8. The nation's premier optical atronomical observatory is at risk.
9. Thousands of tonnes of salt waste will result from the project.
10. Risk of fires would increase throughout the Pilliga's tinder box conditions.

SIMPLY STOP IT. Nothing good can come out of it.

I strongly object to any CSG mining in he Pilliga as it has been proven to be detrimental not only to wild life and the environment but to Human health and farmers livelihood. The aquifers become toxic reservoirs that never recover and nothing is done by the companies to rectify this or repair the environment. Just look at Chinchilla. Look at other countries experiences with CSG, America for one where thousands of acres of once fertile farm land has now been reduced to a toxic wasteland. Thousands of people visit the Pilliga region every year for its pristine splendour. All this will change if CSG mining is allowed to take place there. It will be another environmental disaster for future generations to deal with.

I am against the Narabri gas project for the following reasons.

1. Coal seam gas is an inappropriate choice of fuel due to its contribution to dangerous climate change. In particular, the certainty of methane leaks is unacceptable.

2. Risk to water sources, especially the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin via the Namoi River.

3. Air pollution: hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds can be released into the air from coal seam gas operations. Harm to health has been documented in human populations near existing gas fields in Queensland, Sydney and in America.

4. Risk of desertification through salination of soil from the thousands of tonnes of salt waste generated by the project.

5. Risk to threatened species (Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Pilliga Mouse, South-eastern Long-eared Bat, etc.). The Pilliga is a nationally listed `biodiversity hotspot'. The Santos gasfield would fragment 95,000 hectares of the Pilliga habitat and threaten the survival of endangered species.

6. Increase in fire risk - threatening both the Pilliga's habitat and local communities. The project would increase ignition sources (gas flares) as well as extracting, transporting and storing a highly flammable gas within an extremely fire-prone forest.

7. Local communities, including farmers and the Gamilaroy people (Indigenous custodians) have rights to the land and oppose the project.

8. The company, Santos, has a poor safety record and are not fit managers of such a project. I refer to documented contamination with uranium, lead, aluminium, arsenic and barium.

I object to the Narrabri Gas Project and believe it should be rejected.

The Pilliga is the largest temperate woodland in New South Wales. Santos propose clearing nearly 1,000ha of the Pilliga, including habitat for critically endangered Regent honeyeater and for koalas, which are already in decline in the Pilliga. The gasfield will clear breeding habitat for Pilliga Mouse, endemic to the area, and breeding habitat for other wildlife. It will fragment and degrade the forest. Without specific information about where the wells and lines will be located, a proper ecological impact assessment can't be completed. The Pilliga is a cherished natural and cultural icon and must be protected from becoming an industrial gasfield.

Santos' project is expected to remove 37.5GL of groundwater over the life of the gasfield, mostly in the early years. The coal seam needs to be dewatered to release the gas, but this aquifer lies beneath the Pilliga Sandstone, part
of the Great Artesian Basin recharge. Santos' EIS admits that the project will result in a loss of water from the Great Artesian Basin recharge aquifer over time. This is unacceptable - water from the Great Artesian Basin should be available as an important resource available to local communities now and into the future, and not depleted by selected few. CSG in Queensland has drawn down Great Artesian Basin aquifers already. We can't afford to risk this crucial resource, relied upon by rural communities across western NSW.

In addition, the project entirely surrounds Yarrie Lake, and Santos propose that wells may come as close as 200m from the Lake. I do not believe the ecological, social and health impact of the location of the wells so close to this area has been adequately investigated.

I urge the Government to reject this project and make the Great Artesian Basin recharge off limits to gas mining.

Regards,
Winnie Fu

Greetings - I am against CSG exploration activities in the Pillaga. These activities are destructive above ground and below. The sandstone of the Pillaga is an important aquifer chaneling water into the Great Artesian Basin. CSG activities bear the danger of fouling this water source. Above ground, those activities dissect one of the few remaining continuous wilderness stretches and destroy natural habitats.
Experts say that Australia has sufficient energy sources without any need for new and destructive ones.
Please: no CSG exploration in the Pillaga.
Regards - Klaus Jaritz

I object to the Narrabri Gas Project.

The proposed gas field in the Narrabri region poses a great risk to the Great Artesian Basin as well as the Murray Darling Basin, two of our most precious water resources.

You will know that the in the GAB that if the water used for CSG extraction reduces the water pressure n the recharge area it would potentially stop the free flow of waters to the surface and springs as well as bores across the WHOLE GAB. The area of the GAB with the highest recharge rates is almost entirely contained within the Pilliga East Forest.The creeks in the Pilliga run into the Namoi River that is art of the Murray Darling Basin. Hence this system is vulnerable to contamination from drilling fluid spills and salty treated water that is produced by the propose 850 wells.

As there are 100's of cultural sites as well as song lines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the ground water beneath it. The traditional custodians of the Gamilaraay are opposed, they are very much involved in the battle against the CSG and have told Santos as much.

Hundreds of farmer in the country surrounding the Pilliga forest - taking in 3.2 million hectares of country, as well as 99 communities are 96% in opposition to SG. Unprecedented protest actions have been seen.

Santos has shown by prior history it cannot manage its projects safely with regard to contaminations of the fresh water aquifer in the Pilliga.

How does Santos propose to dispose of the 100's of 1000's of tons of salt that will be produced? Is that a legacy left for NSW?

Santos gas fields would threaten one of our nationally listed 'biodiversity hot spots'. The gas field would fragment 95,000 hectares of the Pilliga with its infrastructure hence damaging vital habitat and threatening the survival of endangered species. i.e. Koala, spotted tail quoll, black striped wallaby, eastern pygmy possum, Pilliga mouse and south eastern Long Eared Bat. That is besides the homes of over 200 bird species in an international recognised 'important bird area'.

Methane flare stacks operate 24 hours, even in total fire ban days. This would make the Pilliga prone to severe bush fires. Thus increasing risk of ignition together with that of extraction, transporting and storing highly flammable gas within an extremely fire prone forest is a disaster in the making.
Methane gas is 72 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, so the CSG gas fields leaks would contribute to climate change something we can't afford to worsen as shown by our summer weather this year.

The health of the surrounding human population area would be affected as proven by impacts as already shown in populations in existing gas fields in Queensland, NSW and America.

Our nearby world famous Siding Springs observatory would be affected by light and dust.

Yours faithfully,
Diana Hollway

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