Narrabri Lateral Pipeline

I have the following concerns with this project.

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 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.
Construction of the pipeline will also wipe out two known sites of significance and damage a further four sites. Gomeroi people have said the Pilliga’s integrity is central to their wellbeing and cultural practice and must be kept whole.
Impacts on farm land and forest

The 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. The other half of the pipeline cuts through the Pilliga forest.
Construction will clear 168 hectares of forest and will cut a 30 metre wide swathe through the Pilliga East forest, causing serious damage for microbats and small mammals.
It will clear habitat and put at risk threatened species that have strongholds in the Pilliga, like the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern pygmy possum, and Corben’s Long-eared Bat.
Other issues

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 EIS should be amended to consider the full negative economic impacts of the greenhouse gas emissions from the gasfield and the two pipelines, which is likely to be very significant given Narrabri is predicted to be the sixth biggest source of greenhouse pollution in NSW.

I willl outline just some points that I believe should result in the mine expansion being rejected. 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 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.
Construction of the pipeline will also wipe out two known sites of significance and damage a further four sites. Gomeroi people have said the Pilliga’s integrity is central to their wellbeing and cultural practice and must be kept whole.

Impacts on farm land and forest
The 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. The other half of the pipeline cuts through the Pilliga forest.
Construction will clear 168 hectares of forest and will cut a 30 metre wide swathe through the Pilliga East forest, causing serious damage for microbats and small mammals.
It will clear habitat and put at risk threatened species that have strongholds in the Pilliga, like the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern pygmy possum, and Corben’s Long-eared Bat.

Other issues

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 EIS should be amended to consider the full negative economic impacts of the greenhouse gas emissions from the gasfield and the two pipelines, which is likely to be very significant given Narrabri is predicted to be the sixth biggest source of greenhouse pollution in NSW.

This project will significantly impact First Nations cultural sites. The area, and most importantly the Bohena Creek, has many sites which should not be disturbed. White invaders have plundered these sites for too long. We must stop now. Once these sites are destroyed they cannot be “made good”.

Environmental impacts to several native species and to the water in the area will jeopardise the lives and water availability for animals and humans. The impact on the Great Artesian Basin, which provides water for homes, farms and entire townships will be catastrophic.

Legal precedent has been set that the Minister must take into consideration the impacts of climate change on the locality. This project will significantly impact the climate change effects on this area, but also on the wider area. The enabling nature of this project - for the gas fields and for other connecting pipelines - will mean the climate change impacts will be felt across the entire state.

There are no positive economic impacts of this project. The wider climate change impacts of floods, fires, landslides, etc. means that the employment opportunities of this project are dwarfed by the costs associated with the clean up of the catastrophes it will cause.

Santos pays minuscule tax and pays no royalties on the gas they will extract. They say that this gas is for the domestic market, however domestic gas use is decreasing, meaning we don’t need anymore gas. The gas that NSW already uses will be displaced and sold on the export market. This only increases profits for Santos. There is absolutely no economic benefit for NSW, just profit for Santos.

The Minister is legally bound to make decisions for the people of NSW, not Santos. This project is a disaster for NSW - economically and environmentally.

Please reconsider the Santos Narrabri Pipeline

This is a damaging and polluting pipeline and will open up the Pilliga for Santos’ 850 well Narrabri coal seam gasfield.

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 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.
Construction of the pipeline will also wipe out two known sites of significance and damage a further four sites. Gomeroi people have said the Pilliga’s integrity is central to their wellbeing and cultural practice and must be kept whole.

Impacts on farm land and forest

The 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. The other half of the pipeline cuts through the Pilliga forest.
Construction will clear 168 hectares of forest and will cut a 30 metre wide swathe through the Pilliga East forest, causing serious damage for microbats and small mammals.
It will clear habitat and put at risk threatened species that have strongholds in the Pilliga, like the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern pygmy possum, and Corben’s Long-eared Bat.

Other issues

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 EIS should be amended to consider the full negative economic impacts of the greenhouse gas emissions from the gasfield and the two pipelines, which is likely to be very significant given Narrabri is predicted to be the sixth biggest source of greenhouse pollution in NSW.

We are in a climate emergency, we must phase out gas as it is big on carbon emissions and fasttrack to 100% renewables ASAP.

The lateral pipeline for the Narrabri gas project will disturb and destroy native forest, agricultural land and cultural heritage. It is an inappropriate project. Please make it stop. We have gas in abundance that is currently drilled and exported...domestic supply must come from that source NOW
Thanks Joanne

This is a damaging and polluting pipeline and will open the Pilliga for Santos' 850 well Narrabri coal seam gasfield.
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 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. Construction of the pipeline will also wipe out two known sites of significance and damage a further four sites. Gomeroi people have said the Pilliga’s integrity is central to their wellbeing and cultural practice and must be kept whole.
Impacts on farmland and forests: The 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. The other half of the pipeline cuts through the Pilliga forest. Construction will clear 168 hectares of forest and will cut a 30 metre wide swathe through the Pilliga East forest, causing serious damage for microbats and small mammals. It will clear habitat and put at risk threatened species that have strongholds in the Pilliga, like the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern pygmy possum, and Corben’s Long-eared Bat.
Other Issues: 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 EIS should be amended to consider the full negative economic impacts of the greenhouse gas emissions from the gasfield and the two pipelines, which is likely to be very significant given Narrabri is predicted to be the sixth biggest source of greenhouse pollution in NSW.
Please consider the above as this project will be devastating for the Gomeroi people, the farmland and forests containing threatened species i.e. the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern pygmy possum, Corben’s Long-eared Bat and other microbats and small mammals. Santos takes no responsibility for the harm to biodiversity, water and climate from the bigger pipeline and gasfield. The EIS should be amended to consider the full negative economic impacts of the greenhouse gas emissions from the gasfield and the two pipelines, which is likely to be very significant given Narrabri is predicted to be the sixth biggest source of greenhouse pollution in NSW. Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments, I strongly object to this destructive project.

This project will be responsible for a massive amount of greenhouse gases, fuelling climate change. Extreme weather events, like the ones in South East Asia recently, are continuing to build up. It will result in more and more catastrophes. In addition, a part of the Pilliga Forest will be cut down. This is a further climate change factor simply due to the removal of CO2 absorbing trees, but also creates a fire hazard to add to those problems. Animals live in this area. It is not acceptable to put their lives at serious risk....to obtain more gas. We have a lot of gas in Australia and if anything should make acceptable controlling companies' money, it is surely to combat climate change.
This project would effect the cultural importance of aboriginal land.
Finally, what is the effect on the alluvial water caused by drilling under Bohena Creek and, I understand, 6 other creeks along the pipeline?
All this to obtain more gas...while science states that no new gas or coal should be mined if we are to prevent runaway climate change.
Al Gore made the point that climate change is an INCONVENIENT TRUTH. If we are not prepared to be inconvenienced for a while, we will bring catastrophe on to us and especially to future generations. We MUST take the view that we speed up renewables and leave gas in the ground.
Thank you for reading this.

I am an experienced commercial lawyer, father and grandfather, with a love for nature and Australia's First Nations heritage, and a deep concern for the future. I object strongly to the Pipeline Project because of the devastating impact it will have on both our precious and unique natural heritage and on First Nations cultural heritage.

Impact on nature

Half of the project pipeline will cut a swathe through the Pilliga East forest. Construction will entail clearing of 168 hectares of vital habitat, putting at risk threatened species such as the Pilliga mouse, the Eastern pygmy possum and Corben‘s long eared rat.

Gomeroi cultural heritage

The Pilliga has spiritual and cultural significance for Gomeroi people. The National Native Title Tribunal acknowledged that all water resources, and Bohena Creek 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 Creek without Gomeroi consent.

Yet Santos plans to drill the pipeline under Bohena Creek and across six other major creeks, disturbing the alluvial groundwater. The EIS does not discuss the cultural significance of Bohena Creek for the Gomeroi people.

Construction of the pipeline will also destroy two known sites of cultural significance and damage a further four sites. Gomeroi people have said the Pilliga’s integrity is central to their wellbeing and cultural practice and must be kept whole. It is time we respected their wishes.

Other issues

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 agricultural production, biodiversity, water and climate from the bigger pipeline and gasfield.
The EIS should be amended to consider the full negative economic impacts of the greenhouse gas emissions from the gasfield and the two pipelines, which is likely to be very significant given Narrabri is predicted to be the sixth biggest source of greenhouse pollution in NSW.

See submission attached

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 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.
Construction of the pipeline will also wipe out two known sites of significance and damage a further four sites. Gomeroi people have said the Pilliga’s integrity is central to their wellbeing and cultural practice and must be kept whole.
Impacts on farm land and forest

The 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. The other half of the pipeline cuts through the Pilliga forest.
Construction will clear 168 hectares of forest and will cut a 30 metre wide swathe through the Pilliga East forest, causing serious damage for microbats and small mammals.
It will clear habitat and put at risk threatened species that have strongholds in the Pilliga, like the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern pygmy possum, and Corben’s Long-eared Bat.
Other issues

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 EIS should be amended to consider the full negative economic impacts of the greenhouse gas emissions from the gasfield and the two pipelines, which is likely to be very significant given Narrabri is predicted to be the sixth biggest source of greenhouse pollution in NSW.

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.
Construction of the pipeline will also wipe out two known sites of significance and damage a further four sites. Gomeroi people have said the Pilliga’s integrity is central to their wellbeing and cultural practice and must be kept whole.
Impacts on farm land and forest

The 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. The other half of the pipeline cuts through the Pilliga forest.
Construction will clear 168 hectares of forest and will cut a 30 metre wide swathe through the Pilliga East forest, causing serious damage for microbats and small mammals.
It will clear habitat and put at risk threatened species that have strongholds in the Pilliga, like the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern pygmy possum, and Corben’s Long-eared Bat.
Other issues

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 EIS should be amended to consider the full negative economic impacts of the greenhouse gas emissions from the gasfield and the two pipelines, which is likely to be very significant given Narrabri is predicted to be the sixth biggest source of greenhouse pollution in NSW.

I frimly believe it should not go ahead.

I reject the project as it will clear habitat and put at risk threatened species that have strongholds in the Pilliga, like the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern pygmy possum, and Corben’s Long-eared Bat

This project would exacerbate the risks associated with the global warming that it would cause. We cannot afford to keep extracting gas and coal.

I object to the construction because it will clear 168 hectares of forest and will cut a 30-metre-wide swathe through the Pilliga East forest, causing serious damage for microbats and small mammals. It will clear habitat and put at risk threatened species that have strongholds in the Pilliga, like the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern pygmy possum, and Corben’s Long-eared Bat.

I wish to voice my opposition on the following grounds:

Impacts on Gomeroi cultural heritage:

The entire Pilliga region 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 stated there should be no ground or surface disturbance within 500m of Bohena Ck without Gomeroi consent.
Santos , however plans to drill the pipeline beneath 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 in any form.
Construction of the pipeline will also eliminate two known sites of significance and cause damage to a further four sites. Gomeroi people have said the Pilliga’s integrity is central to their wellbeing and cultural practice and must be kept whole.

Impacts on farm land and forest

The planned pipeline crosses 12 farms, and just under half the land it will disturb is agricultural land, one fifth of the land to be disturbed is cropping land. The other half of the pipeline cuts through the Pilliga forest.
Construction will clear 168 hectares of forest and will cut a 30 metre wide swathe through the Pilliga East forest, causing significant damage for microbats and small mammals.
It will clear habitat and endanger threatened species that have strongholds in the Pilliga, including the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern pygmy possum, and the Corben’s Long-eared Bat.

Other issues

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 EIS should be amended to consider the full negative economic impacts of the greenhouse gas emissions from the gasfield and the two pipelines, which is likely to be very significant given Narrabri is predicted to be the sixth biggest source of greenhouse pollution in NSW.

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 Creek 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 Creek without Gomeroi consent. Santos plans to drill the pipeline right under Bohena Creek and across six other major creeks, disturbing the alluvial groundwater, while ignoring public objections, including those of Gomeroi people. The EIS does not discuss the cultural significance of the entire Bohena Creek for Gomeroi people at all.

Construction of the pipeline would wipe out two known sites of significance and damage a further four sites. Gomeroi people have said the Pilliga’s integrity is central to their wellbeing and cultural practice and must be kept whole.

The pipeline would cross 12 farms, and a little under half the land it would disturb is agricultural land, one fifth of the land to be disturbed is cropping land. The other half of the pipeline would cut through the Pilliga forest.

Construction would clear 168 hectares of forest and cut a 30 metre wide swathe through the Pilliga East forest, causing serious habitat damage and loss for microbats and other small mammals. It would clear habitat and put at risk threatened species that have strongholds in the Pilliga, like the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern pygmy possum, and Corben’s Long-eared Bat.

It is clear that Santos have deliberately disregarded key prerequisite processes in order to maximise damage to the area, and as such, they should not be allowed to go ahead with this project.

I am a 66-year-old woman with family connections in Narrabri. I have visited Narrabri and the Pilliga Forest several times in the last half dozen years and strongly object to the pipeline for these reasons:
1. It will affect access to the Pilliga for the traditional owners who have cultural and spiritual obligations in the Pilliga Forest.
2. The pipeline and the project itself, which involves cutting down of forest, will increase the amount of methane in our atmosphere, and the cumulative impacts of the project and its emissions were not adequately considered in the original proposal.
3. The Pilliga is a biodiversity hotspot and should be preserved and treasured for future generations.
4. The pipeline and the associated project will affect waterways and, in its construction and operation, could contaminate the critical recharge area of the Great Artesian Basin.

Narrabri Submision
Having read reports of the planned Narrabri coal seam gasfield and subsequent infrastructure I object on the following grounds.

This is a damaging and polluting pipeline and will open up the Pilliga for Santos’ 850 well Narrabri coal seam gasfield.
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 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.
• Construction of the pipeline will also wipe out two known sites of significance and damage a further four sites. Gomeroi people have said the Pilliga’s integrity is central to their wellbeing and cultural practice and must be kept whole.
Impacts on farm land and forest
• The 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. The other half of the pipeline cuts through the Pilliga forest.
• Construction will clear 168 hectares of forest and will cut a 30 metre wide swathe through the Pilliga East forest, causing serious damage for microbats and small mammals.
• It will clear habitat and put at risk threatened species that have strongholds in the Pilliga, like the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern pygmy possum, and Corben’s Long-eared Bat.
Other issues
• 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 EIS should be amended to consider the full negative economic impacts of the greenhouse gas emissions from the gasfield and the two pipelines, which is likely to be very significant given Narrabri is predicted to be the sixth biggest source of greenhouse pollution in NSW.
Regards Paul Ford