Narrabri Lateral Pipeline

To: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
Re: Narrabri Lateral Pipeline (State Significant Infrastructure) – Submission opposing the project

Dear Assessment Officer,

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed Narrabri Lateral Pipeline. I am writing to oppose this project and to ask that it be refused due to its unacceptable impacts on Gomeroi cultural heritage, the Pilliga Forest, farmland, water resources and the climate.
The Narrabri Lateral Pipeline is proposed as a roughly 50–60 km high‑pressure gas pipeline to carry gas from the Narrabri Gas Project through the Pilliga Forest and across farms to connect with the Hunter Gas Pipeline corridor. This pipeline is the crucial link that would enable Santos’ plan for hundreds of coal seam gas wells in the Pilliga to export gas into the wider network, locking NSW into new fossil gas dependence for decades.

By facilitating the Narrabri Gas Project and Hunter Gas Pipeline, the Narrabri Lateral would open up one of NSW’s most important forest and groundwater areas to long‑term industrialisation, with serious and potentially irreversible consequences for Country, communities and climate.

Impacts on Gomeroi cultural heritage and Country:
The Pilliga Forest is of profound cultural, spiritual and social significance for Gomeroi people, who have consistently opposed the Narrabri Gas Project and associated pipelines. The project area lies within Gomeroi Country, with the pipeline cutting through a landscape that holds interconnected cultural sites, stories, water places and songlines, not just isolated points on a map.

Gomeroi leaders and community members have clearly stated that gas development and its pipelines would damage important cultural sites and undermine their rights and responsibilities to care for Country, including in the Pilliga and the Great Artesian Basin recharge zones. Proceeding with the Narrabri Lateral against this strong and ongoing opposition would further entrench injustice and disregard for First Nations’ right to free, prior and informed consent.

Impacts on Pilliga Forest, biodiversity and farmland:
The pipeline would disturb forest and farmland along its length, including clearing a construction corridor and access tracks through the Pilliga, one of the largest remaining temperate woodlands in eastern Australia. The Pilliga is a biodiversity hotspot, providing habitat for threatened species such as the Pilliga mouse, small forest mammals and woodland birds that are already under pressure from habitat loss, climate change and fragmentation.

Cutting a linear clearance through forest and farms increases edge effects, weed invasion, erosion and predation, and creates long‑term disturbance even if the pipe is buried. The project also threatens productive agricultural land and the viability of farming families whose properties would be dissected by a high‑pressure gas easement, adding safety risks, restrictions on land use and ongoing stress for landholders who have already expressed strong opposition to gas infrastructure in the region.

Groundwater, creeks and Great Artesian Basin recharge:
The Narrabri region and Pilliga Forest overlie important recharge areas for the Great Artesian Basin, which farming communities and ecosystems rely on, often as their only secure water source. Both the gasfield and the lateral pipeline increase the risk of contamination, dewatering and disturbance to groundwater systems and surface creeks through drilling, trenching, accidental spills and ongoing operation.

Drilling under or near creeks and alluvial groundwater systems poses particular dangers, and the Narrabri gas project has already been criticised for under‑estimating risks to groundwater in this sensitive recharge zone. Approving a pipeline that exists solely to enable a major coal seam gasfield in such a critical water landscape is inconsistent with the precautionary principle and with safeguarding long‑term water security for communities and ecosystems.

Climate impacts and inconsistency with climate goals:
Fossil gas is a significant contributor to climate change through both carbon dioxide from combustion and methane emissions across the supply chain. The Narrabri Gas Project is expected to produce large volumes of gas over decades, making it one of the more significant single sources of greenhouse gas pollution in NSW.

The Narrabri Lateral Pipeline exists solely to unlock and transport that gas; therefore, its climate impact must be assessed in the context of the full lifecycle emissions of the gasfield and connected pipelines, not treated as a narrow construction‑only project. Building new, long‑lived gas infrastructure now is incompatible with NSW’s emissions‑reduction goals and global efforts to limit warming, especially when cleaner and cheaper renewable alternatives are rapidly becoming available.

Government and project proponents have promoted the pipeline as “critical” infrastructure that will support gas supply, jobs and economic growth. However, these claims overlook the substantial economic and social costs borne by local communities, including disruption to farms, risks to water and biodiversity, damage to cultural heritage, and the long‑term costs of climate impacts and transition away from gas.

Many landholders and community groups along both the Narrabri and Hunter pipeline routes strongly oppose these projects, and a large proportion of affected property owners have refused to sign voluntary access agreements. It is neither fair nor sustainable to impose this infrastructure on unwilling communities for the benefit of a gas corporation, particularly when gas exports and corporate profits have not delivered affordable, secure energy for local people.
For these reasons, I urge the Department and Ministers to refuse approval for the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline. In the event that the project is not refused outright, at an absolute minimum it should be subjected to far more rigorous assessment that fully accounts for:
- The cumulative impacts of the Narrabri Gas Project, Narrabri Lateral and Hunter Gas Pipeline on Gomeroi cultural heritage, Pilliga biodiversity, groundwater and climate.
- The clearly expressed opposition of Gomeroi Traditional Owners and many farmers and community members along the route.
- The availability of cleaner, cheaper alternatives to fossil gas that make new gasfields and pipelines unnecessary.

Given the scale of risk and the strength of community and First Nations opposition, the only responsible decision is to reject this damaging pipeline and instead invest in protecting Country, supporting renewable energy, and backing sustainable regional economies in north‑west NSW.

Thank you for considering this submission.
Yours sincerely,
Name withheld
Charlestown NSW

I object to the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline (SSI-53307723).
My attached submission sets out detailed grounds including environmental risks, failure to meet EPBC Act thresholds, water and agricultural impacts, cumulative consequences with the NGP and Santos Narrabri Gas Project, and significant deficiencies in the SEARs responses and assessment framework. I request the project be refused.

I object to this project because it is environmentally damaging, climate change enhancing and not supported by local indigenous groups.

If this project goes ahead, Santos intends to clear at minimum 168 hectares of forest and cut a 30 metre wide swathe through the Pilliga East forest. The Pilliga forest is the largest remaining old growth forest west of the Dividing Range, it hosts many indigenous sites and unique native flora and fauna. The damage to the forest from this pipeline will cause serious harm to native animals and threatened species such as the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern pygmy possum, and Corben’s Long-eared Bat. Development and land clearing in Australia means that we have the highest rate of mammal extinction in the world, and insect and inverterbrate extinctions are also at record highs. The NSW Government has this information, but is still not acting to halt environmentally destructive activities such as this pipeline.
We also know that we cannot eat fossil fuels, or money, yet this proposed pipeline crosses 12 farms, and a little under half the land it will disturb is agricultural land, one fifth of the land to be disturbed is cropping land, some of the best in Australia. Santos’ Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the pipeline claims the economic “benefits” of the Narrabri gasfield and Hunter gas pipeline, but doesn’t take responsibility for the harm to biodiversity, water and climate from the bigger pipeline and gasfield.
The Pilliga as a whole has deep spiritual, social and cultural significance for Gomeroi people. The National Native Title Tribunal acknowledged that all water resources, and Bohena Ck in particular, is of major cultural importance to Gomeroi people. The Tribunal said there should be no ground or surface disturbance within 500m of Bohena Ck without Gomeroi consent. However, Santos plans to drill the pipeline right under Bohena Ck and across six other major creeks, disturbing the alluvial groundwater. The EIS does not discuss the cultural significance of the entire Bohena Ck for Gomeroi people at all.
Finally, the Narrabri Gas Project is predicted to be the sixth biggest source of greenhouse pollution in NSW, however, the EIS does not consider the full negative economic impacts of the greenhouse gas emissions from the gasfield and the two pipelines. We all know the consequences of climate change, more hot weather, more wildfires, more floods, more droughts, more species lost, and more costs.
There are also serious concerns about the need for this project at all, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis suggests that Narrabri gas is likely to be one of the most expensive sources of gas in eastern Australia, with estimated production costs 45% higher than for existing gas fields in Queensland. So this project will not even solve the current high cost of gas in Australia.

My name is Michael Hewett and I am a local resident of the Narrabri region. I am writing to express my strong support for the Narrabri Gas Project (NGP) and the associated pipeline. As someone who lives and works in this area, I have seen firsthand the challenges faced by regional communities—particularly when it comes to employment, investment, and long-term economic stability. This project represents a significant opportunity for our region and for the state of New South Wales.

Economic and Employment Benefits

The Narrabri Gas Project has the potential to deliver long-term economic uplift for our communities. Regional NSW has struggled for years to attract major industry and secure consistent employment opportunities. This project will create valuable construction jobs, ongoing operational positions, and indirect employment across local businesses such as transport, trades, hospitality, and suppliers. These jobs are not short-term or symbolic—they are real, tangible roles that support families, keep people in the region, and encourage new workers and businesses to settle here.

Local businesses stand to benefit enormously. The increased workforce and the project’s commitments to local procurement will flow through to cafés, motels, fuel stations, mechanics, contractors, and countless small operators who rely on steady trade. For many of these businesses, a project of this scale could mean the difference between surviving and closing, especially in tight economic conditions.

Community and Regional Development

The project also offers broader community benefits through investment packages, infrastructure improvements, and long-term contributions to the local economy. Community benefit programs linked to the project can support services like health, education, recreation, and local clubs—things that matter deeply to people who live in regional towns. This is not just a short-term injection; it is a multi-decade project that can deliver ongoing support to the region.

As someone who lives here, I know how important it is to have industries that keep our towns alive. Without major projects or investment, young people leave for work elsewhere, services dry up, and towns decline. The Narrabri Gas Project helps fight against that trend. It keeps opportunities local.

Energy Security and State Benefits

This project is also critically important for New South Wales as a whole. NSW relies heavily on imported gas from interstate and overseas. This makes the state vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply uncertainty. A locally produced supply of gas strengthens energy security, stabilises pricing, and supports industries that rely on gas for manufacturing, food production, and power generation.

Reliable and affordable gas doesn’t just help businesses—it helps households. It ensures families and essential services aren’t exposed to unpredictable surges in energy costs. With demand for gas still strong across many sectors, having a local source simply makes strategic sense.

A Balanced and Responsible Approach

No major project is without environmental considerations. However, the Narrabri Gas Project has been through some of the most rigorous assessment processes ever undertaken in NSW. It has been reviewed, examined, and scrutinised for years, with strict conditions applied. I support strong environmental standards, and I believe that with modern technology, strict regulation, and ongoing monitoring, this project can operate safely and responsibly.

Importantly, supporting economic growth and protecting the environment are not mutually exclusive. With the conditions and oversight already in place, the Narrabri Gas Project can deliver major social and economic benefits while meeting all environmental requirements.

Local Voices Matter

As a local, I want to see my community thrive—not just survive. Too often, decisions about regional NSW are made by people far removed from the realities of life out here. The voices of the people who actually live in Narrabri, Wee Waa, Pilliga, and surrounding areas should carry weight. We understand what our region needs. We understand the importance of job security, industry diversity, and long-term investment. And many of us want this project because we can see the good it will bring to our towns.

Conclusion

For all of these reasons—the jobs, the economic boost, the support for local businesses, the long-term benefits to the region, and the strengthened energy security for our state—I am firmly in support of the Narrabri Gas Project and its associated pipeline.

This is an opportunity for real growth and stability in a region that deserves it. I respectfully urge decision-makers to support the project and allow it to move forward for the benefit of our community and the state of New South Wales.

Thank you for considering my submission.

Hi there,

Each year I visit the Pilliga with my family to walk country with the traditional owners of this land. The deep cultural and social connection extends beyond indigenous bloodlines and generations. I object to the exploration and drilling of gas lines in the area. The community does not ‘need’ this gas. The environmental, emotional, cultural and social destruction caused by this project will be yet another example of government and industry who have lost touch with community.

I look forward to the day I can walk on Country with my children knowing it is and always will be protected.

Please see attached my submission objecting to the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline

please see attached letter of support for the NLP project.

Our family owned and ran company of Specialised Group have benefited substantially from the Narrabri Gas Project and Santos over the past decade, as it has allowed us to grow our company to be one of the biggest private employers in the town of Narrabri.

The Narrabri region is extremely lucky to have a diverse of range of industries to help Narrabri prosper even in times of drought.

I welcome the opportunity to provide comment on the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline (SSI-53307723) and wish to highlight an important opportunity available to Santos as the project progresses through assessment, construction and operational phases: the strategic utilisation of local environmental professionals and regional consultants.
As a Narrabri-based environmental practitioner with extensive experience working across the Pilliga, Namoi catchment, agricultural landscapes and resource projects in the region—including projects comparable in scale and regulatory complexity to the Narrabri Gas Project—I have seen firsthand the tangible benefits that arise when proponents engage local capability early and consistently.

1. Local Knowledge = Better Environmental Outcomes
Local environmental professionals bring a depth of contextual knowledge that cannot be replicated by external firms, including:
• A practical understanding of local soils, hydrology, erosion risks and management measures unique to the north-west slopes and plains.
• Familiarity with seasonal patterns, extreme weather behaviour and drought/wet cycle impacts on land, waterways and biodiversity.
• Established, working relationships with local landholders, community groups, regulators and other stakeholders.
• Site-specific experience applying NSW environmental legislation, guidelines and approval conditions in the Narrabri landscape.
This knowledge reduces the risk of implementation errors, improves the accuracy of assessments and monitoring, and ensures that on-ground controls and mitigation measures are suited to local conditions. In short, it results in better environmental performance, fewer compliance issues and more efficient project delivery.

2. Economic and Community Benefits
Engaging local consultants offers measurable economic value to both Santos and the Narrabri region:
• Cost efficiency from reduced travel, accommodation and mobilisation.
• Faster response times for inspections, monitoring, incident response and environmental issues requiring rapid intervention.
• Ongoing investment in the community, as local professionals employ local staff, purchase goods and services locally, and contribute to regional economic resilience.
• Community confidence is strengthened when major industry players actively involve local businesses.
Given the community interest surrounding the Narrabri Gas Project, visible commitment to local engagement is an important mechanism for building trust and demonstrating long-term regional investment.

3. Operational Efficiency Through Local Support
Local consultants can provide:
• Regular environmental inspections and compliance verification
• Erosion and sediment control (ESC) planning, RUSLE assessments and wet-weather readiness
• Water quality monitoring and sampling
• Incident investigation support
• Ongoing landholder liaison
• Cultural and environmental awareness training
• On-call environmental support during construction and high-risk periods
Having these services based in Narrabri significantly reduces logistical delays that typically occur when external personnel must travel from major cities or other regions.

4. Recommended Procurement Mechanisms for Santos
To ensure a strong, transparent and efficient engagement framework, Santos could adopt one or more of the following procurement models:
a. Local Consultant Panel Contract
A multi-disciplinary prequalified panel of Narrabri-based or regional environmental professionals.
Benefits include:
• Quick engagement without full tendering
• Agility to assign tasks to those best suited to the specific scope
• Guaranteed competition and value-for-money
• Long-term relationships that improve consistency and compliance
b. Standing Offer Arrangements
Establish standing rates and scopes with local providers for services such as:
• Environmental monitoring
• ESC inspections
• Waste and contamination assessments
• Rehabilitation and closure planning
• Approvals pathway advice
This reduces procurement delays while ensuring compliance with corporate governance.
c. Local Preferred-Supplier List
A lighter but still effective approach—pre-approved suppliers who are called upon based on need and capability.
This ensures local consultants are given priority where they meet capability requirements.
d. Hybrid Model
Use a combination of:
• Local specialists for recurring and site-specific activities
• Larger external firms for highly specialised or corporate-level tasks
This strikes a balance between local value and technical depth.

5. Alignment with Santos’ Social Licence and Regional Commitments
Using local capability aligns strongly with Santos’ commitments to:
• Regional economic participation
• Community benefit sharing
• Supporting local industry development
• Ensuring timely, effective environmental management
• Reducing contractor footprint and overall project risk
Local engagement is not simply an economic benefit—it forms part of the social licence required to operate in Narrabri for the long term.

Conclusion
I strongly encourage Santos to formalise a strategy for engaging local environmental consultants through mechanisms such as panel contracts, standing offers or preferred-supplier arrangements. The Narrabri region has a growing and highly capable pool of environmental practitioners who understand the landscape, work closely with local regulators and stakeholders, and can provide efficient, cost-effective, and community-focused support to the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline and broader Narrabri Gas Project.
Strengthening the connection between Santos and local professionals will lead to:
• Better environmental outcomes
• Improved community confidence
• Lower operational risk
• Stronger regional economic contributions
I appreciate the opportunity to comment and would welcome further discussion on how local capability can be integrated into Santos’ procurement and environmental management frameworks for this project.

I object to the proposed Narrabri Pipeline brcause
1. Accessing and using the gas will greatly increase Greenhouse Gas Emissions at a time when our nation is supposed to be lowering emissions.
2. It will destroy 168 Ha of Pilliga Forest and this will cause increased stress on the already endangered Pilliga Mouse, the Eastern Pygmy Possum and the Corbens Long Eared Bat;
3. It will reduce habitat for other Pilliga Forest fauna and flora, especially small mammals.
4. It will cause negative impacts on valuable farm land, much of which is cropping land.

Submission – Objection to Narrabri Lateral Pipeline (SSI-53307723)
To the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure / Minister for Planning and Public Spaces,
I am a NSW small business owner and a frequent visitor to the Narrabri and Pilliga region. I value the local community, the region’s natural beauty and wildlife habitat, and the agricultural landscapes that underpin regional livelihoods and the food production we rely upon. After reviewing the EIS and supporting reports on exhibition, I lodge this submission to object to the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline and request that it be refused.
My objection is based on core deficiencies in the proponent’s assessment that go to the heart of whether this project can be lawfully and responsibly determined at this stage. These issues are widely echoed across the community, including among Traditional Owners, landholders, regional businesses, and many civil society organisations:
• The Proponent’s assessment of Aboriginal cultural heritage is fundamentally incomplete, as the EIS explicitly admits that a "further cultural values assessment" is still required to deepen the understanding of intangible cultural values such as songlines and spiritual connections (Chapter 12, Heritage). It is procedurally flawed to seek approval while acknowledging that the assessment of potential harm to the spiritual context of the landscape is unfinished, a critical omission given that the project’s status as Critical State Significant Infrastructure exempts it from requiring an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP), thereby removing the usual statutory safety nets for heritage protection (Chapter 4, Statutory Context).
• There is a critical weakness in the assessment of groundwater risks where the Proponent relies on the "minimal impact considerations" of the NSW Aquifer Interference Policy to claim no mitigation is required, despite proposing trenchless drilling through sensitive recharge areas like Bohena Creek (Chapter 8, Water). This approach ignores the integral nature of this pipeline to the wider Narrabri Gas Project; by separating the pipeline’s assessment from the gas field, the Proponent avoids the stricter federal scrutiny of the "water trigger" despite the pipeline being essential infrastructure that facilitates the very coal seam gas extraction that threatens the Great Artesian Basin (CCBR to DCCEEW submission).
• The cumulative impact assessment is materially defective because it selectively excludes major relevant projects, most notably the Narrabri Underground Mine Stage 3 Extension, under the guise of "insufficient publicly available information" (Chapter 19, Cumulative Impacts). This exclusion, combined with the "salami slicing" of the pipeline from the gas field assessment, dilutes the true cumulative severity of industrialisation in the Pilliga, ignoring the reality that community stakeholders do not distinguish between these overlapping projects and the total degradation they impose on the region (Technical Report 11, Social Impact Assessment).
• The biodiversity assessment contains significant data gaps and potential inaccuracies because a large portion of the subject land was severely burnt in the December 2023 "Duck Creek" bushfire, forcing the Proponent to rely on adapted survey methodologies rather than comprehensive contemporary data (Technical Report 1a, BDAR). It is reckless to approve the clearing of approximately 168 hectares of native vegetation without a completed analysis - requested by the Commonwealth - of whether the remaining unburnt habitat has now become critical refuge for the survival of threatened species like the Koala and Pilliga Mouse (Appendix A, SEARs compliance table).
• The Proponent’s narrative regarding local economic benefits is misleading, as the Social Impact Assessment concedes that the majority of construction roles require specialised skills that must be sourced from outside the local region - Chapter 15, Social and Economic. Consequently, the project relies on a transient "fly-in/fly-out" workforce of up to 200 people which risks straining local accommodation and services, meaning the long-term economic value is largely exported while the biosecurity and social risks remain with local business owners and residents (Technical Report 11, Social Impact Assessment).
• The EIS contains a significant accounting loophole by describing the project’s greenhouse gas emissions as "negligible" (0.003% of the NSW carbon budget) because it excludes the combustion of the gas the pipeline is specifically built to transport - Chapter 18, Greenhouse Gas. This exclusion of Scope 3 emissions presents an untruthful picture of the project's climate impact, as the pipeline is the enabling infrastructure that allows the gas from the Narrabri Gas Project to be brought to market and burned (Chapter 18, Greenhouse Gas).
• The construction impact assessment relies on qualitative rather than quantitative modelling for key pollution metrics; specifically, the EIS admits that no quantitative dispersion modelling was undertaken for air quality despite classifying earthworks dust emission magnitude as "large", and noise assessments predict exceedances of the 35 dBA management level at multiple residences, creating an unquantified and unacceptable amenity risk for local business owners and residents (Chapter 10, Air Quality; Chapter 9, Noise and Vibration).
• The Proponent’s claim of social license is contradicted by an extraordinary breadth of community opposition spanning every sector of civil society. This includes First Nations groups (Gomeroi Traditional Owners, Gomeroi Yinarr of Nharribaraay, Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance, Gamilaraay Next Generation), Agricultural bodies (NSW Farmers, Farmers for Climate Action, Country Women’s Association of NSW), and key Unions via Unions NSW (including the Electrical Trades Union, Maritime Union of Australia, NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, Independent Education Union, Australian Services Union, and Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation). Opposition also includes local community groups (People for the Plains, Mullaley Gas & Pipeline Accord, North West Protection Advocacy, Coonabarabran Residents Against Gas, CSG Free North West), Health and Science experts (Doctors for the Environment Australia, Emergency Leaders for Climate Action, Friends of Siding Spring Observatory, The Australia Institute), and Environmental organisations (Lock the Gate, Environmental Justice Australia, Environmental Defenders Office, Knitting Nannas Against Gas & Gasfields, The Wilderness Society).
Requested outcome
For the reasons above, I object to this project and request the project be refused. At a minimum, it should not be determined until the key missing work is completed and publicly exhibited (including the further intangible cultural values assessment, post-fire biodiversity analysis, and a genuinely complete cumulative impact assessment that does not exclude major relevant projects).
Sincerely,
Rhys Cornock
Managing Director - Sprout Scientific

As a local business owner and resident of Boggabri, I support the development of the Narrabri Gas Project and associated infrastructure (including the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline) as I believe once operation it will be a significant contributor to the local economy, providing jobs and contracting opportunities for local residents and businesses. I'm confident there are stringent environmental protection measures in place, and tight controls to protect cultural heritage. The positives of this project far outweigh the potential negatives, and within my community I believe the majority of residents either support the development or hold a neutral view.

I vehemently oppose this project due to the impact it will have on increasing rather than decreasing our fossil fuel usage and emissions. We should be supporting renewable energy project not more fossil fuel projects that destroy the environment and the communities around and contribute to a worsening global environment. Time is running out - we need to act now to stop fossil fuel projects like this.

It really does not make sense to allow Santos (or any other foreign entity) to exploit our resources and pay nothing for them. No (or very little) in royalties or tax paid in Australia (1). If Australia does not receive fair compensation for our resources, and the majority (if not all) of our gas is exported, then why have this industry at all? The environmental damage and First Nation land rites are other factors in lodging my opposition to this project.
(1). https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/new-government-data-confirms-gas-exporters-continue-to-pay-no-tax/

Hello, I am a 68 year old resident of NSW living in Prime Minister Albanese's electorate of Grayndler. I thank you for the opportunity to make a submission in relation to the proposed Narrabri Lateral Pipeline. I would also like to thank Prime Minister Albanese and Senator Murray Watt for their welcome changes to protection of Australia's environment with their recent decisions on the EPBC act. While the changes still leave our environment - and the world's - in grave danger, I appreciate the hard work that has gone in to making some much needed improvement in this area.

I mention my age in this submission to emphasise two points: 1) I am retired and therefore have more free time, which has resulted in me learning a great deal more regarding human-induced climate change and its impact on human, land and water based animals, and on flora. 2) I have young people and children in my life who have little/no say in decisions made by policy makers. The world we are leaving the generations to come is on the road to being FAR less liveable than has been the case in my lifetime. As an Australian citizen, it is my responsibility to speak up for the planet and for generations to come.

I understand that the proposal is for a 50 cm diameter steel underground high pressure methane transmission pipeline to be buried in a 45-90 cm trench, depending on ground conditions and land use. The aim is to connect the not yet built 850-well coal seam gas field to the approved Hunter Gas Pipeline.

Below are my key objections to approval of this project.

METHANE LEAKS
Natural gas (methane) pipelines leak methane into the atmosphere during extraction, processing, and transportation. Methane Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, contributing to climate change within our own borders as well as across the globe. This is a scientific fact, and one we cannot afford to ignore! The direct impact of the Narrabri Gas Project, the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline and the required forestry operations for this project were not adequately considered in the assessment process, and approval would result in definitive failure of NSW meeting its carbon emissions.

IMPACT ON WATER RESOURCES AND LAND
Sixty six per cent of landholders directly impacted by the route of this project have not agreed to host the pipeline, and with good reason. Local farmers are concerned about contamination and changes to drainage of local water resources, as clearing land for the pipeline and access roads could increase erosion and sediment runoff into nearby streams and waterways. In addition,
burying the pipeline under creeks will impact their flow and therefore the water table. The Great Artesian Basin, other aquifers, and a large number of creeks and waterways flowing into the Namoi and the Murray Darling Basin have not been adequately considered in the assessments. This project should be assessed under the ‘water trigger’ in the federal environment laws.

IMPACT ON WILDLIFE THROUGH HABITAT LOSS AND STRESS
Pilliga Forest is a wildlife refuge and a recognised national biodiversity hotspot. The clearing of forests required for this project isolates wildlife from their known access to food, water and breeding. Australia is a world leader in wildlife extinction, which is not only ignorant and shameful, but as we are becoming increasingly aware, damage to biodiversity can impact on life as we know it in years to come.

An extensive scientific study was conducted in the Pilliga in 2025, uncovering hundreds of plant species, 50 reptiles, at least 15 frogs, and 18 bat species, as well threatened species such as the koala, swift parrot, and Pilliga mouse. https://australian.museum/blog/amri-news/first-nations-biodiversity-treasures-pilliga/.

Should Premier Minns follow through on his threat to compulsorily acquire private land if necessary to get the pipeline through, he will be failing in his climate action commitments, regardless of how many renewable energy projects are approved. Renewable energy does not remove methane emissions from the atmosphere and does not provide food or safety to our threatened native species.

I thank you again for the opportunity to provide a submission for this ill-considered project.

Jackie Davis

I am writing to express strong support for the Narrabri Lateral project, a critical infrastructure development that promises to deliver substantial benefits to New South Wales, the broader Australian economy and local communities. This submission outlines the compelling case for approval based on economic, energy security, regional development and environmental considerations.

Economic Benefits

The Narrabri Lateral project represents a significant economic opportunity for Australia, with far-reaching benefits across multiple sectors. The construction phase alone is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities, creating hundreds of direct jobs and thousands of indirect positions across the supply chain. These employment opportunities will span various skill levels, from specialised technical roles to general construction positions, providing valuable career pathways for local workers.

From a broader economic perspective, the project will contribute meaningfully to government revenues through taxes, royalties and other charges. These funds can be reinvested in essential public services, infrastructure and community programs that benefit all Australians. The project's economic multiplier effects will extend well beyond the immediate construction period, supporting ongoing operational employment and stimulating economic activity in related industries.

The development also positions Australia to capitalise on growing global demand for natural gas, particularly from our key trading partners in the Asia-Pacific region. By developing domestic resources efficiently and responsibly, Australia can maintain its competitive position in international energy markets whilst capturing the economic value of our natural endowments.

Energy Security and Market Stability

Energy security remains a paramount concern for Australia's economic stability and future prosperity. The Narrabri Lateral project will make a crucial contribution to domestic energy supply, helping to ensure reliable and affordable energy for Australian households and businesses. Natural gas plays an essential role as a transitional fuel, providing reliable baseload power that complements renewable energy sources and supports grid stability.

The project will help address potential gas supply shortfalls in the domestic market, reducing price volatility and providing greater certainty for energy-intensive industries. This enhanced supply security is particularly important for manufacturing sectors that rely on gas as both a fuel source and raw material input. By increasing domestic production capacity, the project reduces Australia's vulnerability to supply disruptions and international market fluctuations.

Furthermore, the additional gas supply will support the development of gas-fired power generation facilities, which provide essential backup power during periods when renewable energy sources are unable to meet demand. This flexibility is crucial for maintaining grid reliability as Australia transitions towards a lower-carbon energy mix.

Regional Development Opportunities

The Narrabri Lateral project offers transformative opportunities for regional development, particularly in areas that have historically faced economic challenges. The project will inject significant investment into regional communities, supporting local businesses, services and infrastructure development.

Local procurement policies associated with the project will prioritise regional suppliers where possible, ensuring that economic benefits flow directly to nearby communities. This approach supports the growth of local businesses and helps build long-term economic resilience in regional areas. Hotels, restaurants, equipment suppliers and service providers will all benefit from increased activity during both construction and operational phases.

The project also presents opportunities for skills development and training programmes, helping to build local capacity and creating pathways for career advancement. These initiatives can have lasting positive impacts, providing residents with valuable skills that extend beyond the project's immediate requirements.

Infrastructure improvements associated with the project, including road upgrades and utility enhancements, will benefit the broader community and support future economic development opportunities. These investments create lasting value that extends well beyond the project's operational life.

Environmental Considerations and Best Practices

Modern natural gas development incorporates world-class environmental management practices, and the Narrabri Lateral project will be no exception. The project will be subject to rigorous environmental assessment and monitoring requirements, ensuring that potential impacts are properly identified, managed and mitigated.

Contemporary drilling and production technologies significantly reduce the environmental footprint compared to historical practices. Advanced techniques minimise surface disturbance, protect groundwater resources and reduce emissions through improved equipment and operational procedures.

The project will contribute to Australia's energy transition by providing cleaner-burning natural gas that produces significantly fewer emissions than coal when used for electricity generation. This supports national emissions reduction goals whilst maintaining energy security and affordability.

Comprehensive rehabilitation programmes will ensure that project areas are restored to appropriate land uses following completion of activities. These programmes incorporate best-practice techniques and ongoing monitoring to verify successful outcomes.

The Narrabri Lateral project represents a balanced approach to resource development that delivers economic benefits whilst maintaining high environmental standards. The project's approval would support energy security, create employment opportunities, stimulate regional development and contribute to Australia's economic prosperity.

I respectfully urge decision-makers to approve this important project, recognising its significant benefits for local communities, the state of New South Wales and Australia as a whole. The project demonstrates how responsible resource development can deliver positive outcomes across economic, social and environmental dimensions.

I object to the lateral Pipeline across the Pilliga under Bohena creek. This project :
1. will damage the Bohena creek waterway.
2. endanger the Pilliga mouse habitat and feeding grounds.
3. endanger the Eastern Pygmi Possums habitat and feeding grounds.
4. contravene the recognistion of the National Native TitleTribunals of the Gomeroi people .
5. the project will cause damage to the Pilliga by drilling 850 wells
Please stop this unsound project by rejecting it.
The NSW government should protect endangered animals and the habitat and respect the cultural significance of the land to the Gomeroi people.

Submission: Opposition to Santos Gas Pipeline – Farming, Biodiversity and Cultural Impacts
I am making this submission as a person concerned with the protection of productive farmland, biodiversity, water security and cultural heritage in north-western New South Wales. From this perspective, the proposed Santos pipeline is fundamentally damaging and should not proceed.
This pipeline is not a stand-alone piece of infrastructure. It is a polluting and enabling project that opens up the Pilliga for Santos’ proposed 850-well Narrabri coal seam gas field. Its impacts cannot be separated from the gas field it exists to service.
1. Offsets do not work for farmland, forests or biodiversity
The proposal relies heavily on the use of biodiversity offsets to justify clearing and disturbance. This approach is deeply flawed.
Offsets do not:
Replace productive agricultural land,
Restore complex, mature forest ecosystems, or
Protect species that depend on intact, connected habitat.
Clearing native vegetation in the Pilliga and on farms in exchange for “offsets” elsewhere assumes that ecosystems are interchangeable. They are not. The Pilliga forest is a unique ecological system, and once cleared or fragmented, it cannot be recreated within meaningful timeframes.
Offsets also fail farmers by treating land as expendable, rather than recognising that soil health, water systems, shelterbelts, and on-farm biodiversity are essential to long-term agricultural productivity.
2. Impacts on Gomeroi cultural heritage
The Pilliga as a whole has deep spiritual, social and cultural significance for Gomeroi people.
The National Native Title Tribunal has explicitly recognised that all water resources in the area, and Bohena Creek in particular, are of major cultural importance to Gomeroi people. The Tribunal stated that there should be no ground or surface disturbance within 500 metres of Bohena Creek without Gomeroi consent.
Despite this:
Santos proposes to drill the pipeline directly beneath Bohena Creek,
Cross six other major creeks, and
Disturb the alluvial groundwater systems that support these waterways.
Alarmingly, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) does not address the cultural significance of the entire Bohena Creek system for Gomeroi people.
Construction of the pipeline will:
Destroy two known sites of cultural significance, and
Damage a further four sites.
Gomeroi people have stated clearly that the integrity of the Pilliga is central to their wellbeing, culture and ongoing practice, and that the forest and its waters must be kept whole. This proposal directly contradicts those principles.
3. Impacts on farmland and the Pilliga forest
The pipeline will cross 12 farms, with almost half of the disturbed land being agricultural land, and approximately one fifth being cropping land.
For farming families, this means:
Permanent soil disturbance and compaction,
Increased weed and pest spread,
Fragmentation of paddocks and farming systems,
Ongoing access and biosecurity risks, and
Reduced long-term productivity.
The remainder of the pipeline cuts directly through the Pilliga forest, one of the largest remaining inland temperate woodlands in NSW.
Construction will:
Clear 168 hectares of forest,
Cut a 30-metre-wide swathe through Pilliga East, and
Sever habitat critical for microbats, small mammals and woodland species.
This places significant pressure on species for which the Pilliga is a stronghold, including:
the Pilliga Mouse,
Eastern Pygmy Possum, and
Corben’s Long-eared Bat.
Fragmentation of habitat is one of the leading causes of species decline, and no offset can compensate for cutting a permanent corridor through an intact forest system.
4. Failure to account for cumulative climate and economic harm
Santos’ EIS emphasises the claimed economic “benefits” of the Narrabri gas field and associated pipelines, while failing to account for the full environmental and economic costs.
The EIS does not adequately assess:
The cumulative biodiversity loss from the gas field and pipelines,
The long-term risks to water systems relied upon by farms and ecosystems, or
The climate impacts of enabling a major new fossil fuel development.
Narrabri is predicted to become the sixth largest source of greenhouse gas pollution in NSW. The economic damage from climate change — including drought, heat stress, bushfires and declining agricultural productivity — will far outweigh any short-term benefits claimed by the proponent.
These costs are externalised onto farmers, communities, First Nations people and future generations.
Conclusion
From a farming, biodiversity and cultural protection perspective, this pipeline is unacceptable.
It:
Enables a large-scale fossil fuel project incompatible with climate and water security,
Permanently damages farmland and a nationally significant forest,
Relies on ineffective and inappropriate biodiversity offsets, and
Disregards the cultural integrity and consent of Gomeroi people.
I urge the consent authority to reject this proposal and recognise that some places — particularly productive farmland, culturally significant waterways, and intact ecosystems like the Pilliga — cannot and should not be sacrificed.

I am writing as a member of a family that lives in regional New South Wales to formally object to the Narrabri Gas Project lateral pipeline.

Our opposition is not ideological. It comes from lived experience. Regional communities like ours have seen, time and again, what happens when large infrastructure projects are pushed through without proper assessment, when environmental impacts are downplayed, and when community and cultural concerns are treated as obstacles rather than responsibilities. The long-term consequences are borne locally, while decisions are made elsewhere.

This proposed pipeline is the missing link for Santos’ Narrabri Gas Project. It is not a standalone piece of infrastructure. It is designed to enable a gasfield of up to 850 coal seam gas wells in the Pilliga Forest and to connect that gas to the Hunter Gas Pipeline. The impacts of this pipeline cannot be assessed in isolation.

Impacts on Gomeroi cultural heritage

The Pilliga Forest holds deep spiritual, cultural and social significance for Gomeroi people. This is not disputed. The National Native Title Tribunal has acknowledged the major cultural importance of water resources in the area, including Bohena Creek, and stated there should be no ground or surface disturbance within 500 metres of Bohena Creek without Gomeroi consent.

Despite this, the pipeline proposal involves drilling directly under Bohena Creek and crossing six other major creeks, disturbing alluvial groundwater systems. The Environmental Impact Statement fails to properly address the cultural significance of Bohena Creek as a whole, treating it as a technical obstacle rather than a living cultural landscape.

The project would also destroy two known sites of cultural significance and damage at least four others. Gomeroi people have been clear that the integrity of the Pilliga is central to their wellbeing and cultural practice. Once disturbed, that integrity cannot be restored.

Impacts on farmland and the Pilliga Forest

The pipeline crosses 12 farms, with almost half of the disturbed land being agricultural, including cropping land that supports food production and regional livelihoods. The remainder cuts through the Pilliga Forest itself.

Construction would clear approximately 168 hectares of forest and carve a 30-metre-wide corridor through Pilliga East. This fragmentation poses serious risks to microbats, small mammals, and threatened species for which the Pilliga is a stronghold, including the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Corben’s Long-eared Bat.

As a regional family, we understand how fragile these systems are. Once habitat is cleared and landscapes fragmented, they do not simply recover because a report says they will.

Failure to assess cumulative impacts

Santos’ EIS claims economic benefits but fails to take responsibility for the broader and cumulative harm to biodiversity, water resources, climate and regional communities from the gasfield and associated pipelines taken together.

The assessment should be amended to properly account for the full greenhouse gas impacts of the Narrabri gasfield and both pipelines. Narrabri is predicted to be one of the largest sources of greenhouse pollution in NSW. That cost — environmental, economic and social — is not being honestly weighed.

Conclusion

Our region has seen the damage caused when projects are approved on narrow assessments and short-term thinking. This pipeline opens the Pilliga to industrial gas extraction on a massive scale, with irreversible consequences for Country, water, climate, farming and community trust.

This project should not proceed.

I urge the NSW Government to reject the Narrabri Gas Project lateral pipeline and to place genuine protection of cultural heritage, the environment and regional communities ahead of another polluting fossil fuel development.

Sincerely,
Resident
Regional NSW

I object to this project going ahead. Please refer to my submission - attached. Thank you.

I am writing to express my strong objection to Santos’ proposed Narrabri Lateral Pipeline. My objection is twofold: firstly, to the pipeline itself: and secondly, to the fact that it would enable Santos to complete its proposed Narrabri Gas Project. I would note that I am a Santos shareholder.

I object to the pipeline itself for the following reasons:
• Santos plans to drill the pipeline under Bohena Creek in the Pilliga forest. The Native Title Tribunal has acknowledged that Bohena Creek is of major cultural significance to Gomeroi people and has stated that there should be no ground or surface disturbance within 500 metres of the creek without Gomeroi consent which has not been given.
• Construction of the pipeline would destroy six sites of significance to Gomeroi people and damage four others.
• The pipeline would go under Bohena Creek and six other major creeks thereby disturbing the alluvial groundwater which is so vital for all life in that part of NSW.
• Half of the pipeline would cut a 30-metre swathe through the Pillaga East forest clearing 168 hectares of forest, putting at risk threatened species that have a stronghold in the Pilliga, including the Pilliga mouse, Eastern pygmy possum and Corben’s long-eared bat.

In addition, I object to the completion of Santos’ proposed Narrabri Gas Project for the following reasons:
• The project would produce massive quantities of Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions further exacerbating climate change in Australia and around the world. The International Energy Agency has stated that if we are to keep the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Centigrade above pre-industrial levels, there must be no new gas and coal projects approved. And there is increasing evidence that Australia already has enough gas and does not need to open up new gas fields.
• I have a 2-year-old granddaughter who will probably still be alive in the year 2100. I am terrified to think what the world will be like for her at that time if we continue to increase the production of greenhouse gas emissions as would happen if the Santos Narrabri Gas project were to go ahead.
• The Pilliga has deep spiritual, cultural and social significance for Gomeroi people and any damage to it, such as would be caused by Santos’ proposed drilling of 850 coal seam gas wells, would harm their wellbeing and cultural practice.

Based on the above, I strongly urge that Santos’ proposed Narrabri Lateral Pipeline be rejected.

Yours sincerely
Martin Mansfield