Narrabri Gas

As the probable negative impacts of coal seam gas extraction are only now becoming clear it is not sensible to approve this project until they are better understood.

Those consequences include significantly for the Piliga are contamination of ground water (The Great Artesian Basin and the Murray Darling) and threat to unique and endangered species.

Most companies have already walked away from this type of project for commercial reasons which suggests that Santos is acting hastily and delay pending better research into side effects will not cost the government votes nor Santos any money beyond the losses already incurred

I wish to register my strong objection to the application for the following reasons:


1. Wildlife will suffer badly. It is safehaven for threatened wildlife
. The Pilliga is one of 15 nationally listed Â`biodiversity hotspotsÂ' 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.
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Allowing these coal seam gas mines to proceed is tantamount to a betrayal of all the Australian people. The Government needs to protect its people - not proceed with activities that are proven to be harmful to the natural environment upon which our existence depends.

We know that Climate Change has now passed the "tipping point" nominated by expert climate scientists world wide: that we are locked into what will be catastrophic effects of extreme weather. When all the various feedback mechanisms of the Earth is factored in, eg the sea currents and wind patterns, extreme eweather patternsand the release of ancient methane supplies from beneath permafrost and ocean floors, the entire planet is at risk. Some scientists have tried to project the possible feedback systems and it looks disastrous for all life.

Of course government can turn a blind eye to further destruction, further methane releases and further burning of fossil fuels which we KNOW is dangerous when the carbon emissions level is past the critical point now. If govt permission to proceed is given, the may well be held criminally negligent in the near future since they proceeded when it is known that further burning and release of fossil fuels is "adding fuel to an already out of control fire".

The government MUST take advice from the scientific experts on what is the most appropriate action in order to mitigate the worst effects of climate change on its people.

- 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 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.

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.
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 object strongly to any possibility that Santos will mine for coal seam gas in the Pilliga Forest and the regions extending from Narrabri, Gunnedah, Coonamble and south of Mendooran. Having grown up first on farmland near Baradine, then in Coonabarabran where I finished my schooling, and finally for 45 years as an adult in Dubbo, I have a heritage and homeland here that I feel very strongly I need to protect. It is not my wish to see this region become like the ugly, toxic gas-fields of Chinchilla, Qld, where methane gas has been measured escaping into the atmosphere unchecked, where farmers have been forced from their land, surrounded by gas-works, or had water resources either dry up or poisoned, where people's health has been affected with allergies, headaches and mental illness, where locals have suicided from the industry pressure, and where the diversity of flora and fauna has been severely impacted.

As a Knitting Nanna Against Coal Seam Gas in Dubbo for 2 years, every Wednesday for 3 hours on the main street, I met with hundreds of people who stopped for information or to complete our survey. Only one citizen agreed to CSG drilling in the area in all of that time, because he hoped they would pay him out on his farm.

As a loyal Coonabarabran resident, I am dismayed that a project such as Santos envisions could be allowed to proceed when the Scientists of Sidings Springs have loudly voiced their opposition due to the light pollution this gas field would produce. The scientific data of the skies that this facility gathers is of value worldwide. Sidings Springs has taken decades and millions in finances to establish itself to this renowned status. To undermine and degrade such an important academic site is ignorant and irresponsible.

Flares from Santos drilling already flare unchecked on days when fire danger is seriously high --- days when farmers would be fined for harvesting or driving a tractor. Recently the Warrumbungles suffered a most serious bushfire that set back this beautiful tourist attraction decades. The National Park has still not recovered after some 5 years. Coonabarabran suffered loss of tourism revenue, farmers were burnt out and fauna disappeared.

As a Dubbo Field Naturalist and informed citizen I am concerned for the natural world and for my planet. Climate Change is a fact. Australia needs to accept the inevitable and move away from fossil fuels to keep pace with the rest of the world, to stop emitting carbon into the atmosphere, (CSG has been reported as the worst because of unchecked leaks), and to give the renewable energy industry a positive direction for the future.

I do not want Coal Seam Gas in my backyard.

1 Santos has no incentive or vested interest to protect Australian geological structures or water quality.
2 Profits from Santos go overseas.
3 Santos probably has a favoured tax arrangement that overrides it's responsibilities to Australian citizens.
4 CSG exploration emissions are not being properly reported.

In line with a recent 4 corners program demonstrating methane gas being vented from existing pipeline and well heads I believe it is prudent to have scientific studies perhormed via non-baised individuals to determine the extent of and the probable damage this proposal will cause. This is a reasonable non-commercial request and if the evidence is demonstrated to be conclusive and incontestable to a reasonable citizen; it is logical that the project be permenantly halted and all CSG projects in NSW be audited for this very serious methane gas emission fault.

This project would be devastating to the natural environment and create untold damage to the water and air quality in this region.
The potential damage to people's health alone from the dangerous chemicals CSG uses should be enough to refuse to allow this to go ahead.
Sincerely,
Michael Brown

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 Committee members,
We understand that the Narrabri Gas Project by Santos involves the progressive development of a coal seam gas field comprising up to 850 gas wells on up to 425 well pads over 20 years, and the construction and operation of gas processing and water treatment facilities, including:
a central gas processing facility for the compression, dehydration and treatment of gas;
a water management facility for the storage and treatment of produced water;
an in-field gas compression and water management facility; and
water and gas gathering pipelines and ancillary infrastructure.
We also understand that this is the last remaining CSG proposal in NSW. We therefore encourage the NSW government to oppose this development and to introduce a BAN on the onshore gas industry as Victoria has just done. Our reasons for this are:
The Pilliga coal seam gas project would be a disaster for our climate, local bushland, wildlife, groundwater and for the Traditional Owners, farmers and rural communities who live and work here as well as for the thousands of visitors who come here each year and for the hospitality and tourism operators here.
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.
Coal seam gas fuels further climate change. Southern Cross University proved that methane concentrations were higher closer to methane production sites and that methane is by far the major component of natural gas which 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. Recently, the daily media reported the seriously high levels of methane emissions from these wells. Although we can't see it with the naked eye or smell it, specialised cameras show enormous levels of methane emissions from these projects. Further, the onshore gas industry is unable to contain these emissions anywhere in the world.
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.
The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed to this project. 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.
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.
In addition, this project will include:
a central gas processing facility for the compression, dehydration and treatment of gas and an in-field gas compression and water management facility . These facilities require 24/7 operation and create noise and disturbance for people and herds all of the time.
a water management facility for the storage and treatment of produced water; "Produced" water is a misnomer. In our dry continent, vast amounts of groundwater and aquifers will be drained, contaminated (by chemicals released naturally and by hydraulic fracturing chemicals), stored (in above ground dams that leak, flood etc.) and treated so that onshore gas companies can sell our water back to us.. Fonterra, New Zealand stopped accepting milk from farmers whose land had been treated with this so-called "produced" water and sludge. It meant substantial costs to Fonterra to ensure that their milk was not contaminated by the companies; and
water and gas gathering pipelines and ancillary infrastructure. It has been proven that this uses about 25+% of the land available, that this infrastructure is permanent and interferes with other landuses like tourism, farming, leisure and recreation etc. Santos will no doubt have exaggerated the number of new jobs created as a result of this project especially when displaced jobs and people from the agricultural, hospitality and tourism sectors are taken into account. The devastating impact on local communities of the "boom & bust" building cycle that comes with the onshore gas industry has also been well documented (see ABC Landline)
This project would cause industrialisation of a natural/rural landscape and ecosystem. The onshore gas industry is incompatible with other land uses and causes many health problems (see Doctors for the Environment & Healthy Futures) and there is no Social Licence for this project to proceed.
Given all these points and many others that will be made by 1000s of oral and written objections, we expect the government to disallow this development and put legislation in place to give people the certainty that they need over the long term as Victoria has just done - Onshore Gasfields are Banned!
Thankyou for your time and consideration
Gayle Margaret for Coal & CSG Free Mirboo North

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 greatly concerned about the future of the Pilliga because it is a safe haven for threatened wildlife, being one of 15 nationally listed `biodiversity hotspots' and 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.
Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change producing
Methane which 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.
In addition, 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.
Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians too, are opposed to CSG production in the Piliga, because 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.

If CSG production goes ahead, the bushfire risk will escalate exponentially because Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pillliga is already prone to severe bushfires; this project will increase the risk of ignition.
Therefore on all these grounds, I am totally opposed to the production of CSG in the Pilliga.
Yours sincerely,
Lyn Eggins

The Impact of CSG mining on valuable grazing and farming land has not been proven to be within safe limits. At best it is a risky enterprise and I can't understand why we would accept such a risk when the contamination of ground water would be catastrophic to agricultural production.

We lived in N.S.W. for a number of years and are familiar with the Narrabri region. It has many amazing natural features and is valued by tourists, local holiday makers and gem fossickers who spent both time and money there. It has a number of very special and unique ecosystems, not the least of which is the Pilliga Scrubs, which support a variety of native flora and fauna.

Why does the government try to convince people that 'natural' gas is clean and green? It is a fossil fuel, just like coal and would be better left underground for future generations to exploit if/when the time is right and better methods are known and available. If we keep on doing the same thing, the whole planet will continue to go downhill (as is clearly noticeable from a natural resources viewpoint right now!). Fossil fuels create greenhouse gas emissions and more and more heat.

We have clear and irrevocable evidence that our water, the most precious resource on Earth, is placed at great risk by both coal and CSG exploitation. Muck up the Great Artesian Basin and you wipe out South Australia for all time!

The risk of bushfire and oil/gas fires is not mentioned, nor the cultural sites of the Gamilaraay indigenous people who appear to have been totally ignored.

If the CSG and coal is left in the ground it is there for potential future use in less hazardous times - at the moment renewables are a far better investment both individually and for the nation. And of course it would be nice if all levels of government actually supported the construction of well designed truly sustainable houses which do not literally 'cost the Earth' do run! The current system is an absolute joke - a couple of energy 'stars' for having a 'xenoscape' garden which comprises cacti/rocks or gravel and supports no biodiversity whatever. Please get back on track to sensible energy use and exploration - not 'more of the same' which is throttling life on Earth.

Yours sincerely,
Carol Bailey

Dear Sirs/Madams;

I have five reasons to oppose the Pilliga CSG project:

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.

Thanks

For the future of our peoples drinking water and arable land all CSG proposals should be banned and any current ones closed down.We don't need this poisonous method of gas extraction destroying the land we live on.

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. Any damage to this resource would definitely give rise to legal action. To avoid such legal action and damage I request the proposal be stopped.

There is no viable justification for the proposed coal seam gas operation in the Pilliga. The short term financial gain is not in the best interests of the people of New South Wales and in particular will be detrimental to those people living locally or having an historic traditional connection to the area. Furthermore, the effects on other organisms currently present will be disastrous due to habitat destruction and subsequent pollution of the immediate environment. Lastly, the effects of adding further pressure on the global environment in terms of greenhouse gas emission makes the proposal morally objectionable. In summary, the proposed environmental devastation and ongoing/long-term issues of pollution, in disregard for human or natural interests cannot justify any assumed monetary gain over a meagre few years. Please do not allow this application to take precedent over the health of our shared environment, but instead disallow this and similar incursions by multinationals that seek to gain financially at the detriment of all others.

The Pilliga is an important habitat for many endangered species. CSG is too great a risk for our environment, and does not represent value for the community (just for Santos and investors).