I wish to lodge my strong objection to the Santos application for developing coal seam gas wells in the Pilliga region. CSG drilling and the fracking process would irrevocably undermine and contaminate the local water resources and this is irreversible. This natural refuge, our precious groundwater, and the communities who rely on it would be very seriously threatened by such a project. If projects like this go ahead, we cannot maintain a safe climate and keep global warming below 2 degrees.

In brief, I OPPOSE ALL CSG operations in NSW. I do not support the Santos Gas Project in Narrabri. I do not believe CSG is a safe, sustainable or environmentally responsible approach to obtaining resources.

This land is not able to be returned to its original habitat if you mine it and is aboriginal land

....this will result in degradation and destruction of our lands for a quick buck!!!!!!!
Please consider the consequences to our country.

With the continuing threats to the diversity of natural life supporting ecosystems in our state of NSW and Australia as a whole we can no longer risk losing piece by piece any more of our Natural Heritage. Bottom line Company profits should not be the guide to how this Heritage is to be treated

I ask the government to take a leadership stand and REJECT all coal seam gas mining in general and specifically in the Pilliga.
Coal seam gas mining is a short-sighted venture which is a misuse of our nations natural heritage, our earth public and private resources. I ask that the NSW government encourage only environmentally sustainable energy production initiatives and reject this venture.
To accept development of coal seam gas is to subject the Pilliga, NSW, Australia and the earth's delicate balance to an industry that will pollute the water, the land, and our air. We are ALL dependent on the health of our planet, but it is this Government Department who will be making a decision on behalf of the Australian citizens and the larger global community in this regard.
I do not accept that my health and the health of us all be allowed to be compromised. Nor should you.

The only point at which we truly have a say over what private company such as Santos, is NOW at the Planning Stage. If this project was to be given approval, the Government will then be responsible for the environmental and social degradation that would result. Not Santos, but the NSW government. Please have some foresight and know that you have the support of the Australian people to reject this dirty industry. Please take a stand for the sake of us all, and REJECT COAL SEAM GAS MINING.

As an architect I understand that the planning process and the responsibility that goes with it. We all deserve a better, long term solution. As an architect specialising in environmental sustainable design, I know that is is not our only option.
Perhaps while the Planning Department is at it, they could seriously look at encouraging, promoting and supporting clean energy initiatives.
Take a stand and do something positive NOW!
REJECT COAL SEAM GAS MINING.

Santos has a woeful history exploring the Pilliga. We can't afford to expose the Pilliga and the Great Artesian Basin to such risks. Further, climate change requires that we keep fossil fuels in the ground. Approving the Santos Narrabri Gas Project would be a crime against our environment and against humanity.

Santos' plans to industrialise the Pilliga with 850 coal seam gas wells will threaten the precious groundwater of the Pilliga and the communities who rely on it. The sandstone under the Pilliga is a vital recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin, and creeks that flow through the Pilliga provide clean water into the Murray Darling Basin. These water sources are the lifeblood of farming communities throughout the southeast and inland Australia.
The Pilliga forest is the largest intact woodland in eastern Australia, a unique ecological refuge that is home to 25 nationally listed and 48 state-listed threatened species, such as the Pilliga Mouse, which rely on this particular habitat for survival. The economic gain from this project is questionable and it is not worth compromising such a valuable and irreplaceable environmental resource.
Also, if government is serious about maintaining a safe climate and keeping global warming below 2 degrees it would be foolhardy to approve a project such as this.

In this age of global warming, water scarcity and environmental degradation, it does not make any sense to allow any more exploration for fossil fuel in pristine forests, contaminating water tables and ruining farmers' livelihoods.

Farmers' products are also becoming more valuable as Asia places a huge premium on supposedly clean Australian food products, so why ruin the environment for short term fossil fuels?

Renewable energy sources like solar, when combined with battery storage, are reaching the point where they can provide reliable energy.

Dear Planning Department

The EIS presented by the developer does not adequately address a wide range of likely impacts of the project. I object to the proposed Santos Gas project at Narrabri for the following reasons:

This project threatens future groundwater access for farming communities and the environment by drawing a large amount of water from limited groundwater aquifers.

This project risks polluting groundwater, surface water and landscapes with the chemicals and salt which are drawn to the surface through the "fracking" process.

The project intrudes into areas held as sacred by local Aboriginal people, thus denying the their rights as well as further fracturing community relationships.

This process will fragment the beautiful Pilliga landscape, leading to a loss of biodiversity and visual amenity for locals and tourists alike.

The project will cause light pollution which will adversely affect the operations of the Siding Spring Observatory. The recent astronomy TV programs have led to increased visitors to the Narrabri area, with economic benefits to the community - which are threatened by the project.

The project will result in significant "fugitive" emissions of methane which in turn will contribute to further global warming with the associated risks to agriculture as well as floods and bushfires.

The project will lead to adverse health impacts for locals and people at a distance. The World Health Organisation has reported that over 7 million people die prematurely every year due to air pollution - much of this from the burning of fossil fuels.

The CEO of Santos was recently recorded at a company AGM stating that rather than complying with the Australian Government commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement of 2 degrees of warming, the company was aiming for a level of 4 degrees. As outlined in today's (16 May 2017) Sydney Morning Herald, even 2 degrees of warming will likely result in profound impacts on Australian agriculture, bushfire prevalence and extreme weather events. Scientists have stated that four degrees would take the Earth into a situation where many staple global food crops start to fail, leading to global famine, dislocation and massive economic losses. On this basis, I contend that the company is not a responsible entity and that the project presents a threat to all Australian, not just those who will be adversely affected locally.