Narrabri Gas

My submission concerns the protection of the Piliga State Forest against Santos' Fracking Proposal. I am convinced it would be a very bad idea to allow Santos to build their planned 850 gas wells in the area. I suggest their proposal be not granted. Not one well. My reasons:

1. The Piliga is a safehaven 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.

2. The Methane released as a result of fracking would be an environmental disaster.
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.

3. Our clean water will be at risk.
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.

4. 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.

5. Bushfire risk will rise.
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.

Hoping these arguments will make the decision makers see reason, and reject Santos plans.

1. It is safehaven 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.
2. 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.
3. It risks our clean water
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.
4. 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.
5. Bushfire risk will rise
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.

I am opposed to coal seam gas it will devalue the property

Dear Sir(or madam).

I have toured the Gas fields in Queensland and have seen for myself the damage these gas wells cause.
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.
Water is a precious commodity in Australia, especially for our food growers, our Farmers.
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.
This proposed gas field puts at risk our water, our climate and our people.

As an environmental scientist,and as a member of the Ecological Society of Australia and the Australan Mammal Society, I object to the proposal for the following reasons:
1. It is a serious threat to endemic wildlife such as the koala, spotted-tailed quoll, black-striped wallaby, eastern pygmy-possum, pilliga mouse and south-eastern long-eared Bat.
2. The CSG field would contribute to climate change through methane leakage. .
3. There would be a serious risk of contamination of clean water, particularly in the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin. T.
4. Hundreds of cultural sites will be destroyed
5. Methane flare stacks . would increase the risk of bushfire.

I am against this project, and CSG mining altogether for the following reasons.

1. It is safehaven 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.

2. 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.

3. It risks our clean water
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.

4. 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.

5. Bushfire risk will rise
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.

Dear Sir/Madam

I strongly oppose Santos CSG proposals for the Pilliga Forest for the following principle summarised reasons:

1. It is safehaven 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.

2. It risks our clean water
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.

3. Bushfire risk will rise
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.

4. 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.

Yours faithfully

Michael Ellison

Chapter 20 of the Environmental Impact Statement assessing Aboriginal heritage only appears to consider the 'spiritual and cultural significance' of the project area. It does not even mention The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians who are opposed to the project. There is no mention in the report of the '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' (Nature Conservation Council of NSW).
The report repeatedly refers to 'avoidance of sites' containing cultural artefacts, implying that this will be sufficient to preserve the Aboriginal cultural significance. There is no way that 850 gas wells operating for over 20 years will be able to 'avoid' interfering with such a highly culturally significant region.

this development is just simply unacceptable in modern Australia .The risk to ground water & surface water the environment & leakage to atmosphere are far to great.Renewable energy in many forms including with base load capacity is where the future Is especially for regional NSW .We the people of the Northern NSW have conducted community surveys covering an area of approximately 3.2 m Ha.The results where 96% are very strongly against this CSG development.We want vision protecting our future . People & sustainable safe landscape development .Future proof Australia ,People before Profits.

I object to the Narrabri Gas Project on the following grounds:

1. The Pilliga is a safe haven 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. This forest is a prime example of Australian natives. CSG fields have ALWAYS been known affect the local area in an adverse way. It would forever be a blight on our history to allow CSG mining to ruin this beautiful and important area.
2. CSG fields are notorious for leaking methane, a greenhouse gas far more powerful than CO2. CSG is NOT a clean energy.
3. The precious water resources of the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin will be at risk. CSG mining has been proven many times over to infect local water tables and reservoirs with toxic chemicals.
4. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed to the project.
5. Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, so this project will increase the risk of ignition.
6. There are many other cleaner ways Santos can invest its money on energy production. It is time to move away from this dirty poisonous fuel resource.

I ask that the Government bodies take urgent notice of my concerns regarding the Pilliga Coal Seam Gas Project. There are numerous reasons why this project should be halted and no further coal sea gas investigations or drilling occur. The two issues causing me grief and concern are the already fragile land supporting Australias unique wildlife and the serious threat to the underground Artesian and Murray-Darling basins. Both water and our valuable birds and animals are NOT REPLACEABLE.
Please consider these are under threat when CSG projects are approved and take over the land use.

Coal seam gas is seriously harmful to health for people and animals. The Heath bill is going to far outweigh the gains made by mining.

I am horrified to learn that this project will cause a thousand hectares of our temperate woodland to be completely destroyed. How will the Earth, the birds and animals as well as humans breathe if we destroy all our trees as the mining companies seem to want. We cannot breathe the coal seam gas and live.

I along with the majority of citizens and scientists oppose this project. I am concerned about the methane that will be released from the wells which not only impacts the atmosphere, it also vastly increases the chances of bushfires in the Pilliga. Also, the risk of polluting groundwater in the Great Artesian Basin and the Murry-Darling is unacceptable. And, the Gamilaraai People, the custodians of the Pilliga, oppose the project. The future is with renewables!

1.It is a safe 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.

2. 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.

3. It risks our clean water.
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.

4. 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.

The serious damage done to farmland, forests, flora and fauna and the pollution of water is beyond doubt, attested to in the USA and in Australia. There a sacred sites in the Pilliga and there are also threatened species. The methane emissions of these projects far outdo in their effects those that emit CO2. Climate change is happening fast, as both Poles melt, storms and droughts increase. To further the gains of Santos and allow foreign companies to destroy farmland, forests, and human health is greed in the extreme and sacrifices ordinary people as well as the animals that cannot protest. Too many documents show rivers on fire, people complaining of illnesses, farmland poisoned. Surely governments must govern for the people not for foreign corporations. Please refuse these 85 CSG wells.

As an Australian, I will act to stop environmental damage. To even consider any coal seam gas in Pilliga Forest is astounding at the very least, but 850! A terrible concern. In an area that needs to be protected, you will risk water contamination, fires and causing more climate change, for dirty fossil fuel? I object strongly to polluting the precious Pilliga Forest.

I believe from personal investigation of Coal Seam Gas and Hydraulic Fracturing that the hydraulic fracturing process is grossly unsafe and a real danger and risk to human, agricultural and ecological occupations of land in perpetuity. CSG hydraulic fracturing sterilises land from other productive and natural uses. CSG also has excessive fugitive emissions of the greenhouse gas methane and other post-mix benzoic aerosols.
Non-conventional gas extraction should be banned globally.
LNG should operate so that only domestic excess is permitted for export.
I oppose the project.

Dear Sir/Madam
I strongly oppose the Narrabri coal seam gas project for the following reasons -
1. It is safehaven 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.

2. 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.

3. It risks our clean water

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.

4. 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.

5. Bushfire risk will rise

Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.
Yours Faithfully
Jim Godworth

To the Dept of Planning and Environment NSW:

I strongly object to the approval of this project in its entirety. The reasons are:

1. Coal seam gas mining has been proven to be detrimental to ground water and aquifers. The Great Artesian Basin should not be threatened with this dangerous activity. The ongoing viability of agriculture in the Basin is threatened by this activity.

2. Coal seam gas contains methane and when this is burnt or leaked from the mine causes dangerous greenhouse gases. This so-called transition fuel still causes climate change and should not be used. Australia has adequate alternate renewable sources of energy. Santos would be well advised to divest from this industry and move into providing renewable energy.

3. The traditional owners of the Pilliga lands, the Gamilaraay people are opposed to the mine. Their views should be respected. Actions like CSG mining on their lands without their consent will do nothing to help the Reconciliation process that is vital to the ongoing emergence of Australia as a vibrant multicultural nation that respects its original peoples.

4. The methane flare stacks that will be running with the mine are a serious risk to bushfire in an area that is already prone to bushfires.

5. The CSG mining in the Pilliga woodlands is a threat to biodiversity. It compromises the survival of already threatened species such as koala, spotted-tailed quoll, black striped wallaby, eastern pigmy possum, pilliga mouse and south eastern long eared bat.

my opposition stems from the inevitable strong degrading of the forest , the risk to watertable and known but not quantified yet methane leaks.