As a young person, an Australian who loves our one of a kind landscapes, and a student studying the renewable energy transition, I strongly object to this pipeline through the Pilliga Forest, and the detrimental impact it will have on biodiversity, climate change, and Country. The Great Artesian Basin has not been adequately considered in the assessment of this project, and the risks involved are simply too high to accept. The impacts on groundwater will have flow on effects to the entire ecosystem, increasing erosion, change creek flows, and risk contamination.

Introduction:
I am a landholder at Baan Baa Road, located within close proximity to the proposed Narrabri Lateral Pipeline (NLP). Due to the location of the tie-in point and the proposed Baan Baa construction compound, it appears likely that my property will be directly impacted by construction traffic, noise, dust, land disturbance and potential impacts to livestock and water resources.
Based on the information available, and the considerable uncertainty surrounding key aspects of the proposal, I oppose the project.
________________________________________
Proximity and Property Impacts:
The alignment, tie-in location and construction compounds place the project in the immediate vicinity of my property. The lack of detailed mapping showing exact distances between work areas, access roads and private properties prevents an accurate assessment of how directly or severely affected we will be.
My property supports livestock and contains several water sources essential for our agricultural operations. Any construction disturbance, chemical contamination, changes to drainage or noise intrusion has the potential to harm stock health and welfare.
Until detailed mapping and spatial impact analysis is released, landholders cannot evaluate the true extent of the risks.
________________________________________
Construction Impacts:
1. Traffic and Access Routes
The project documentation does not provide a definitive list of proposed access roads or transport routes. While it states that “existing roads, including highways, local roads and State Forest roads” will be used, this is insufficient for proper assessment.
Given our location relative to the Kamilaroi Highway and the Baan Baa construction compound, it is likely that construction traffic will travel near our boundary or on local roads adjacent to our property.
Key concerns include:
• heavy-vehicle traffic impacting road safety for rural residents
• increased dust, road degradation, and noise
• potential impacts to livestock movement and farm operations
• limited information about oversize load deliveries or night-time traffic
• lack of clear mapping showing proposed access points and upgraded tracks
Without clarity on traffic routes or volumes, residents cannot anticipate or mitigate impacts.

2. Noise and Vibration
Pipeline construction typically involves trenching machinery, haul trucks, hammering, generators and nighttime works depending on the schedule.
The proposal does not provide:
• predicted noise levels at nearby residences
• a buffer distance from construction zones
• an assessment of impacts on livestock, which can be sensitive to sustained or sudden noise
• any guarantees regarding work hours or after-hours operations
Given our proximity, we expect construction noise could be substantial.

3. Dust and Air Quality
Dust generated by:
• earthworks
• unsealed access roads
• heavy-vehicle movement
• stockpile handling
may:
• contaminate grazing areas
• affect livestock respiratory health
• foul water troughs and open water sources
• reduce amenity and liveability
No dust-control strategy specific to rural livestock properties has been provided.

4. Land Disturbance, Rehabilitation and Long-Term Impacts
Pipeline construction requires a right-of-way up to 40 metres wide, plus additional land for laydown yards, tracks and machinery turn-around areas.
Concerns include:
• loss of productive land
• soil compaction
• altered drainage
• weed spread
• integrity of rehabilitation on cracking-clay or flood-prone soils
• the long-term management of easements and restrictions on future land use
Rehabilitation commitments remain vague and lack measurable performance criteria.

5. Compensation and Landholder Protections
The proposal does not detail:
• how landholders impacted by traffic, dust, noise or disruption but not directly hosting pipeline easements will be compensated
• the process for claiming damages to fences, roads, stock, or water supply
• monitoring and reporting obligations
• minimum setback distances
Given the scale of works, comprehensive compensation and monitoring frameworks should be required.
________________________________________
Livestock, Water Sources and Agricultural Operations:
My property has substantial livestock and several water sources which may be exposed to:
• dust contamination
• noise stress
• vibration impacts
• potential chemical spills (fuel, hydraulic fluids, drilling additives)
• increased traffic inconsistent with farm operations
Livestock stress can cause behavioural issues, reduced productivity, calving problems, and in horses serious safety concerns.
No livestock-specific risk assessment has been provided.
Water sources require strict protection. Any sedimentation, runoff, chemical exposure or alteration to natural catchments poses a high risk to animal health.
The project currently provides no detailed assessment of these risks.
________________________________________
Lack of Detail and Inability to Properly Assess Impacts:
Across traffic, noise, access, land disturbance, water, biodiversity, and operational impacts, the project provides insufficient detail for landholders to make an informed judgment.
A project of this scale should not proceed to approval without fully developed:
• construction traffic routes
• noise impact assessments
• road-upgrade and maintenance plans
• livestock and water-source impact assessments
• rehabilitation performance criteria
• clear maps showing all work areas, laydown yards and access tracks
• a transparent compensation framework
• cumulative impact analysis alongside the Narrabri Gas Project
In the absence of these, the proposal cannot be adequately scrutinised.
________________________________________
Required Conditions (if the project proceeds):
If approval is considered, the following conditions should be mandatory:

Traffic & Access
1. Release of the full Construction Traffic and Access Management Plan (CTAMP) prior to approval.
2. Public mapping of all access routes, transport corridors and compound access points.
3. Commitments to maintain and repair all local roads used for construction traffic.
4. Advance notice to all residents within a defined buffer of any major traffic movements.

Noise & Work Hours
5. Clear limits on construction hours (no night works near residences).
6. Noise monitoring with accessible reporting.

Livestock & Water
7. Stock-safe fencing and traffic-control measures where construction activity intersects with livestock areas.
8. A water-protection plan addressing sediment, dust, chemical spill response, and runoff.

Rehabilitation
9. A measurable rehabilitation plan with soil restoration standards, weed management, and long-term monitoring.

Compensation
10. A defined compensation framework for:
• stock loss or stress
• water contamination
• road damage
• amenity loss
• operational disruption
________________________________________
Conclusion:
Given the lack of essential detail, the proximity to my property and the significant risks to agricultural operations, livestock, water security and rural amenity, I oppose the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline project in its current form.
The proposal does not provide enough information for affected landholders to understand or manage the likely impacts. Until the deficiencies outlined above are addressed, the project should not be approved.

I oppose the Narrabri pipeline.

I have friends who live in this area and I know how concerned they are about the damage to waterways. Surely we can’t risk damaging something so fundamental to life, especially in a context where drought is such a threat.

I also understand they risk not being able to be insured. That tells me this must be a high risk project.

I am also concerned about forest clearing and more harm to our native species.

I am a nsw resident and taxpayer.
Pilliga Forest is a recognized national diversity hotspot - we don't need a methane gas emitting project in the middle of this precious country.

Submission to NSW Planning – Narrabri Lateral Pipeline

I am writing to oppose the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline. Many people I care about live along the proposed route, and they now face the risk of losing their homes because insurers may refuse coverage near high-pressure gas pipelines. No community should live under that kind of pressure or fear for their future.

The pipeline route cuts through sensitive parts of the Pilliga Forest, an area that supports threatened species and is still healing after fire. Further clearing and disturbance will break up habitat and weaken the natural resilience of this region. The Pilliga is a living system that supports wildlife, culture and community life, and it deserves full protection.

Water security is another major concern. The pipeline crosses creek systems and parts of the Great Artesian Basin recharge zone. People in the region depend on these waters for their health, their farms and their livelihoods. Any project that places this water at risk creates long-term harm for current and future generations.

The social impact is also serious. Families in the Narrabri area have already endured years of uncertainty linked to coal seam gas development. The pipeline brings fresh stress, conflict and financial insecurity for landholders who simply want safety and stability on their own properties.

At a time when communities are working hard to shift toward cleaner and safer energy systems, a new fossil fuel pipeline sends us down the wrong track. It creates long-term commitments to gas infrastructure at a time when the focus should be on sustainable alternatives.
I ask the Department to reject the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline. The environmental, social and economic risks are too high, and the project offers too little benefit to the people who will live with its consequences.

Thank you for considering my submission.

Affordable energy which in extracted from the earth ethically with full attention to human and environmental issues is critical to our modern society.
This pipeline makes this gas asset in Narrabri available to Newcastle and Sydney where it is needed. So I support this well thought out and designed pipeline to feed to a main pipeline being constructed by an Australian company.

The Narrabri Lateral Pipeline project is a crucial development for the future of NSW and domestic gas. I wholeheartedly support this project and think it's a step in the right direction for future development in Australia, that will bring about additional jobs for many different smaller towns in NSW, providing an economic benefit.

I support the project

Our Pilliga region is not open to debate here is has already been thru a bushfire & the ecosystem & biodiversity can not with stand an assault from Santos. These forested habitats are homes to threatened & vulnerable species not to mention lungs for our planet. By the way, which our government seem quite willing & happy to destroy.
I'm not concerned about the farmers properties but I am extremely concerned about our environment, habitat & saving species.
Santos can take their gas fields elsewhere thank you

I’m a Narrabri business owner, and I support the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline project. It will bring jobs, activity and long-term economic benefits to the region, which flow directly to local businesses and families. Connecting the Narrabri Gas Project to the Hunter Gas Pipeline is an important step in strengthening NSW’s energy supply and supporting industries that rely on affordable gas. This project will help drive growth and create more opportunities for our community.