Narrabri Gas

I wish to make a very personal submission to your inquiry, so please forgive me for relating a little of my personal history.

I was brought up on a World War I soldier settler block on the edge of the New England batholith north of Inverell, NSW.

My father had worked 6 days a week from his 12th birthday helping my grandfather to clear most of the dry scleraphyll woodland from our 2000 acre block, and soon grasses grew in abundance and they ran 4000 merino sheep, and with wool at `a pound a pound', our family did well. However my father sold the block in 1962 because it was being overrun by woody species such as melaleucas and leptospermums, which not only greatly reduced the expanse of grasses, but also made it almost impossible to muster sheep effectively.

Even at 14 y.o. this caused me to question the wisdom of the enterprise and to share my father's regret at his lost and wasted youth. In particular, it seemed to me that 2000 acres of forest and innumerable animals and plants had been irrevocably lost from our land, including the Eastern Quoll.

After moving to nearby Inverell, I was appalled to learn that my father's best mate was co-owner of a company (L W Keft and Co) which had `chained' vast areas of vegetation, including most of the quite unique Pilliga Scrub and much of the brigalow in southern and central Queensland.

There is so little of the Pilliga left, that no amount of fossil fuel could justify its destruction, and anyone who tries to make the argument be made that extraction sites are small should fly over the CSG fields of Central Queensland where access roads + drill sites + extraction wells + pipelines seem to cover the landscape.

The Pilliga is precious and it must remain intact.

I'm opposed to the Pilliga CSG project out of 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.

We should not allow any project that can adversely affect our ground or artesian water, especially when it appears that (natural or otherwise) climate change will lead to higher temperatures & greater water requirements.
Neither should we allow anything that can increase the risk of bushfires which can cause devastation to people, stock & native fauna.

Here are 5 reasons to oppose the Pilliga CSG project:

1. 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.

I object to these proposed Coal Seam Gas Extractions and request they not be given authority to proceed for the following FIVE stated reasons:

1.. It risks supply of clean water [our most precious resource]
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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed with relevant reasons: 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, INCLUDING on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.

We hereby object to the Narrabri Gas Project as it will greatly affect this entire area for years to come. It will affect native Fauna and Flora habitat and the lives of those people who have lived all their lives in the area to be mined. Some of the results of mining any product, be it gas, coal etc is the disruption to residents and their right to peaceful existence, the pollution to waterways and subsidence and damage to homes.

I object to the project mostly because of the threat to the Great Artesian Basin, when there is less water to sustain people, plants and animals, the impacts on environment and communities are ENORMOUS. Envionmental impacts include loss of wildlife habitat, suffering experienced by native animals, increase in disease to native animals due to migtration, increased stress on endangered species, even threats of extinction, lower water levels in creeks, bores and ponds, soil loss through wind and water erosion, more wildfires (especially in presence of gas flares and pipelines and gas wells). I am also concerned about the social impacts, health problems related to gas emissions, health problems related to poor water quality, loss of human life, threat to public safety with an increased risk of bushfires, reduced income to farmers, people will move away from these rural areas depending on the availability of water especially if the GAB is compromised. Economic impacts are also a concern. Impacts to other industries reliant on water, to farmers if crops are destroyed to prolonged drought, to businesses dependent on farming. I find it objectionable that there is no social licence, that lessons have not been learnt from the gasfields in Queensland and that nobody is listening to the concerns of the community.

To who it may concern,

this is a disastrous proposal that if allowed, will destroy one of the few wildlife strongholds left in NSW. The ecological effects of CSG projects on water toxicity & overall impact on the surrounding ecosystems are catastrophic. I visited a number of CSG sites in Colorado USA wile in the country to see for myself. The impacts are truly heartbreaking.

Australia is one of the driest continents on the planet & this project threatens to permanently destroy one of only two water basins that support all life in NSW.

The short term financial gains of this project are taken as a high interest loan from our grandchildren savings account. Under no circumstances will I support this project,

Thank you for your consideration.

CSG mining will lead to extensive clearing and fragmentation of native bushland and threatened species habitat. The management of wastewater is highly problematic leading to environmental degradation. CSG mining represents as serious threat to human health from potential contamination to water used for human consumption and poor management of toxic chemicals used in the process.

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.

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.
Also: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.
and: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.

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 people do not want their land to be used for gasfields...respect their rights.

The Pilliga is a 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.

Please see below five reasons why I oppose the Pilliga coal seam gas 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.

The Pilliga is the largest temperate woodland left in the whole of Eastern Australia - as such it needs to be protected and preserved.

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. It is this because it is an 'intact ecosystem' - the csg project by Santos will damage and degrade its integrity as an ecosystem.

We should be avoiding contributors to Climate Change - not adding to them. 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.

We must protect 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.

The local indigenous peoples are opposed to this 'development'.

And finally, the methane flares burning from the csg wells will greatly increase the risk of bushfires.

We must stop seeing our precious, irreplaceable natural heritage as resources for profit. These places are ours to care for, for future generations, not destroy.

Sincerely,
Jenny Cottle

I am OBJECTING to this project on the grounds that the level of environmental degradation will far exceed any profits obtained.

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.

The thought of 850 gas wells being dug into the Piliga, not to mention the associated long-term damage they cause, fills me with sadness and dread. Gas fracking has a proven track record of wholly negative effects on the environment. We cannot continue to allow large companies with lots of money to steamroll our government to get their greedy, short-sighted way. Here are 5 good reasons to reject the Santos gas drilling 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.

Following these similar events all around the world - once the damage to the earth has been done it is irreversible, along with the natural and human related damage that comes along with it. Australia needs to urgently retain its clean water and land resources, as once we run out of these our quality of life is gone and countries abroad are certainly not going to care as they need to look after their own

I'm just a simple carpenter with a young family i will keep my submission short and to the point I'm fully against any coal seam gas being mined in this area the devastating environmental impact this has on our water, animal and vegetation far out ways any financial gain. For the future of our children and the environment i pray that you are wise enough to reject this application to mine csg

Yours faithfully
Chris mckenzie-mcharg

I object to the outrageous use of this forest for Coal Seam Gas extraction for these 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

I have serious concerns that this Government continues to ignore the experience of other regions where CSG has been implemented. If this generation does nothing to prevent the destruction of unique forest resources, future generations will pay. The only motivation that I can see for the Government to pursue this policy is financial benefit for a large corporation and the corresponding political donations.

Stop selling our gas overseas and install more renewable energy structures and leave coal seam gas in the ground!
No coal seam gas wells in Pillaga Forest