Narrabri Gas

Please don't allow Coal Seam Gas in the Pilliga.

I kindly ask you do not build the 850 CSG wells. We already have a sufficient supply of CSG and therefore any new wells are not required, with the proposed development posing a threat to flora and fauna in the area.
The Pilliga is home to many threatened species. The proposed development has the potential to increase fires in the area, contaminate water supplies and would contribute to the ongoing issue of climate change.
Please do not approve this development.

I oppose the proposed CSG development for the following reasons:-
The risks to the environment are too great to permit this proposal.
There is an extreme risk to the health of people residing in the surrounding area.
The financial benefits are overstated. and are only short term.
There is no urgent need to develop this proposal.
Far greater benefits could be achieved by investing equivalent funding in the development of alternative energy projects without detrimental effects on the environment.
A cost analysis of the proposal will show that it is the most expensive option and that it has a limited life span.
Alternative energy development has a unlimited life span.

I am concerned that gas exploration and extraction has been shown to be detrimental to natural environment and farmland both here and in overseas countries. 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 this project area. There is a real danger that clean water will be compromised and sustainable use of land extending well beyond the proposed gasfield will be forfeited in the interests of short-term income. There is no guarantee that all profits from coal seam gas extraction will be returned to our country.
In addition, this particular project would affect the Pilliga which is one of 15 nationally listed `biodiversity hotspots' and is vital to the survival of at least six threatened species. Dangers are presented by the use of methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. In an area already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition, and present community costs is dealing with fires. I have also been told that the traditional owners of the land, the Gamilaraay people, are opposed to the project and have told Santos they do not want their country sacrificed for a coal seam gas field.
Finally, methane is a greenhouse gas, 72 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas. It is not acceptable that a project should be approved in the interests of a company which would make short-term profits at great expense to others, at expense and detriment to the natural environment, local people, our country and the wider world.

I am submitting this form because Coal Seam Gas is an outdated, dangerous, polluting means of rpoviding power in the 21st Century.
For fuck's sake...think about the climate. Invest in renewables and leave precious local farmland and bushland alone.

Below are my formal reasons for protesting but my anger is uppermost that we live in a country in thrall to the mining companies.


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 extremely concerned about the Narrabri Gas Project and strongly object to it going ahead. I am concerned about the affect on the wildlife, the detrimental affect that gas has on climate change. Our clean water is at risk and I support the Gamiaraay people in their battle against CSG.I am appalled that CSG is being considered at a time when our environment is threatened more than any other time in history. Such short sightedness and idiocy. When is the government going to wake up ?

I oppose the proposed Pilliga Coal Seam Gas Project for the following reasons:-
The Pilliga is a biodiversity hot spot and protects a number of vulnerable species. The project would threaten their survival.
Coal seam gas extraction would have serious impacts on ground water quality and quantity.
Coal seam gas extraction would add to green house gas emissions mostly by releasing methane but also due to the substantial clearing of vegetation required.
The area is of great significance to the Gamilaraay people and gas field development would defile their land.
Methane flares and industrial activity would increase the risk of bushfire.

I strongly object to this proposal. When are we going to wake up and stop pushing these damaging projects? We need to move towards renewable energy now.

I vehemently oppose the proposed CSG well development in the Narrabri district for the reasons detailed below and also because alternative renewable sources of energy are currently available and being adopted worldwide.
Firstly this region in particular 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.
Secondly 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. Recent well documented evidence recorded using infra red cameras in the Queensland gas fields clearly show that methane leakage both incidental and intentional is a fact of life on any gas field of this type and can not be contained or predicted in spite of the best intentions and technologies brought to bear on the problem.
A third risk is to 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.
Fourthly the Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed to this development. 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. For over 200 years the desires and aspirations of indigenous people have been ignored or actively suppressed. It is time to stop and recognise these custodians of the land and this is an opportunity to do so.
An all important fifth reason is that 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. When governments across the land are trying to address the increasing risk of wildfire it is utterly irresponsible to increase this risk by approving this project.
Just because a resource is available does not mean it must be exploited when the long term deleterious effects far outweight the short term gains. I submit the NSW government has a duty and an opportunity to leave a lasting heritage of natural environment for future generations.
Regards
Andrew Berlach

I formally object to this 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.
6. It is our responsibility to preserve our environment for future generations. It is not our right to destroy the earth and then pass on, what's left of it, to them to fix.

I object to the Piliga CSG project because
1. CSG extraction methods deleteriously affect the land both on the surface and the water table.
2.CSG extraction releases methane affecting climate change
3.the Piliga is listed as a 'biodiversity hotspot' and should be protected from development which will endanger the wildlife there.
4.the Gamilaraay, the traditional custodians are opposed.
5.Flare stacks will not be able to be put out on total fire ban days risking fires.
6.Development of renewable energy sources is the future and large projects like this are holding up resources that could be helping Australia move forward.
I cannot understand why the affected people and land in places where CSG has previously been developed, such as in the USA, is not a lesson that already has been learnt. Why is there even a question as to whether we should repeat mistakes.

This proposal should not be entertained on the following grounds:
It would contribute to climate change
It is proposed in an area of significant biodiversity
It will make a wasteland of our largest existing temperate woodland
The traditional owners of the land are opposed to the project
Clean water supply, vital to our existence, is threatened

I wish to go on record as objecting to the Piliga coal seam gas project for the following reasons:

1. 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.

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. 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.

4. 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.

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 government should be investing in, and actively promoting renewable and sustainable non-polluting energy NOT coal seam gas.

I Vanessa Hickey object to the Narrabri Gas Project, in particular I reject the conclusion of the aboriginal heritage assessment include in Chapter 20 and Appendix N1 of the Santos EIS.




I reject the assertion that "

"

My rejection is based on the following:

· I do not recognise the authority and competence of the consultant, Central QLD Cultural Heritage and Assessment Ltd to assess and analyse the risks to Gomeroi aboriginal heritage, spirituality and land ownership in the Project Area;
· I do not recognise the validity of the proponent's consultation with my people; nor the role played by Narrabri Land Council and Native Title Claimants who do not work to the best outcomes for my people and my land; and who are under court challenge;
· I do not recognise the validity of the OEH Guidelines which do not recognise the totality of the environment - land, water, animals - to the Gomeroi people and which reduces my ownership of the land to mere artefacts and places, not a total holistic spiritual basis for my being;
· I do not support the "Avoidance" mitigation approach - the drillers cannot "avoid' destruction of my spiritual and cultural place which I own as a Gomeroi. The experience of the coal seam gas industry is that the drillers are cowboys and any plans on paper are not adhered to on the ground. "Avoidance" cannot and will not be practised by drilling and land clearing operations on my Land;
· As a Gomeroi woman I am charged with protecting my land; this project will destroy my land.

Furthermore, I reject the entire Narrabri gasfield proposal on the basis that:

· The gas is not for Australians to use - it will be exported
· The Pilliga biodiversity will be reduced
· The water table under the Pilliga will drop, threatening our plants, wildlife and ground water
· Air pollution will damage plants, animals and nearby residents, as well as workers
· The project will use huge amounts of electricity to power the water treatment plant and gas field will and generate leaks of methane greenhouse gases and other air pollutants
· The project will be a Trojan horse to access Gomeroi land throughout the region and up and over the QLD border
· The bush of the Pilliga will be cut up into small pieces threatening the viability of wildlife and introducing noxious weeds
· Land and water will be poisoned by spillages, discharges and leakages of produced water and toxic Purlewaugh Formation water
· New connections between geological layers will be made by drilling and well casing failures; causing good and bad groundwater to mix, fouling our artesian water
· Residents of Narrabri will have their lives disrupted and their childrens' mental and physical health reduced from stress and pollution.

Yours sincerely
Vanessa Hickey

I strongly object to this development due to the scientifically & practically proven risks to; groundwater, air quality, global warming, public health , agricultural land, flora & fauna etc.
This is a deeply flawed industry that is corrupt & unethical. This development will have no benefits for the community. In fact the community will suffer immensely from the destructive, divisive & disruptive activity of such a vast long term development.

9 March 2017

Dear NSW Minister for Planning,

I am writing this submission to OPPOSE the development of coal seam gas in the Pillaga. And I endorse all comments made by NSW Nature Conservation Council, Lock the Gate and The Wilderness Society in relation to this proposal.

We have a responsibility to do much much better than this. This development simply puts at risk or further damages precious things, things that cannot be replaced.

Here are just a few of my reasons for opposing this development:
(1) Our AUSTRALIAN FIRST PEOPLES' cultures, histories and heritage are precious. As a non-indigenous Australian I would like to show genuine respect for and to learn from the knowledge of the first Australians. I understand that the Gamilaraay Traditional owners near Narrabri also oppose the development and so I desire to stand with them, rather than run roughshod over them. When organisations and government continually allow developments which do not respect Australian indigenous people's history and culture, then we are just perpetuating the injustices of the past. How then will we as a nation ever redress the disadvantages experienced by our indigenous peoples? I say let us start with genuine respect and valuing instead.
(2) Our AIR and our CLIMATE are precious - we need them to sustain us. I would like to see the NSW government take genuine action related to climate change. I would like to see the Australian government develop clear policies which promote movement away from fossil fuels and towards renewables. Approval of this Pillaga CSG project does not fit with that.
(3) Our WATER is precious. I understand that much of the area of the Great Artesian Basin with the highest recharge rates is within the Pillaga East forest. This should be given the utmost protection. CSG mining with its use of chemicals and consequent pollution is INCOMPATIBLE with protecting this groundwater resource. It is well known that the residence time of groundwaters are very long. Once damage is done there is no remedy and the damage is very long lasting (1000s of years). PLEASE do not allow this.

Please do not allow this CSG proposal to go ahead.
Yours sincerely
Deidre Stuart

I oppose the Pilliga CSG project because:

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.

Please do not allow fracking in the Pilliga Forest. Australians do NOT want fracking in any way, shape or form. the Governments, State and Federal, have NO right to go against the wishes of the People. We want clean Forests and waterways. Stop the greed.

The respective NSW State + Federal Government Policy, Practises + Procedures are perceived by their Constituents as being blatantly dedicated to encouraging the destruction, privatization + selling-off of our valuable Australian natural woodland reserves, agricultural facilities, natural resources + viable business enterprises for short-term financial gain - at an alarming rate.
Common sense dictates an urgent reversal of these respective Governments' actions is necessary. Government is the respective MANAGERS - THEY ARE NOT THE OWNERS of these facilities.
Hence, Governments are the FACILITATORS who are responsible for retaining control + ownership of Australia's nature's resources on behalf of the AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE - while also ensuring Australia's perpetual self-sufficiency in providing cost-effective essential services + assured energy provisions to our current & future Australian generations.

I am concerned about the future of the Pilliga State Forest.
I am concerned that the proposed gas project will adversely affect our water supply.
I ask that this project be stopped for the sake of our environment and our future water supply.
For the sake of my children and grandchildren please care for our land.