I believe that CSG extraction is a short term solution to a long term problem. Furthermore, this "solution" creates further long term problems: threats to water resources and creeks, damage to Aboriginal sites of cultural importance and loss of viability for farmers in affected regions.

Please do not approve this project, it is simply not worth it.

This is a submission to the Narrabri Gas Project EIS.

I object to this project. It should be rejected.

This project, if approved, would:
1. Extract over 35 billion litres of salt laden groundwater, much of it in the first five years. This water will be treated and will generate almost 500,000 tonnes of salt waste, for which there is no safe disposal plan.
2. Clear close to 1,000 hectares of the Pilliga Forest, fragmenting the largest temperate woodland in New South Wales, home to unique wildlife.
3. Drill through a recharge aquifer of the Great Artesian Basin and draw water down from a water resource relied upon by rural communities across western NSW.
4. Lead to large deliberate and emissions of methane from venting and leakage, adding to climate change.
5. Cause more trauma to the regional Aboriginal community because the area of impact is crucially important to the spiritual, cultural and social life of Gamilaraay people.

Rather than approve dangerous and destructive gas projects, NSW should invest in more reliable and ultimately cheaper renewable energy. Coal seam gas is harmful to health, this is proven by clear irrefutable evidence.

The people of NSW deserve better than to inflict industrial mayhem into the countryside and into their social fabric. The Santos project would cause economic upheaval in Narrabri and put agricultural industries at risk, as well as causing light pollution that will ruin the dark night sky needed by the internationally renowned Siding Spring Observatory.

I urge the Government to reject this project and make the Great Artesian Basin recharge off-limits to gas mining.

Signed,

Julius Timmerman

It is madness to allow this gas project to go ahead as it will destroy the artesian basin which stretches over most of Australia . The fracturing of the rock will cause us to lose our water supply as the acquefer will be destroyed and there is the potential that our water supply for most of Australia will be poisoned by the chemicals used in the fracturing .that will leak out as the artesian basin covers so much of Australia .
We stand to lose everything if this mine goes ahead ,forest ,water supply wildlife ,peace of mind , happiness and the potential of making Australia uninhabitable. Do not allow fracturing and a mine on Australias main water supply artery.

We are disappointed that we have to again explain our opposition to this proposal and similar projects. It is time for a moratorium to be placed on ALL coal seam gas operations. No new developments, no new wells and an accelerated shutting down of existing wells.
The Blacktown & District Environment Group purpose is to passionately preserve a sustainable section of the Cumberland Plain Woodland in western Sydney creating an environ for the native flora and fauna of this area.

In reviewing the Pilliga proposal it is clear that similar issues arise:
1. The traditional owners of the land oppose
2. Much of the current local community oppose
3. The threat to the water table and artesian basin with a high consequential risk is being under managed and under mitigated
4. The area is a haven for threatened wildlife and the value of this seems to be undervalued
5. The known issues with coal seam gas extraction; failed bores, leaking methane and poor quality maintenance with consequent failures are being overlooked

All these risks are being weighed up against a short term financial benefit to a few with NO long term benefit to the total society.

As a group we appreciate the industrial need for gas for firing of furnaces and gas cooking of certain foods. But it is clear this gas is planned for the off-shore production of electricity, where gas is NOT required. As a minimum this gas should be declared "not exportable" and used for gas specific purposes which excludes electricity production within Australia.

Overall our group is opposed to this project and believes society should have priority over corporate self interest.

I urge the NSW state Government to halt this controversial and environmentally unsound development.
"The Narrabri Gas Project involves the progressive development of a coal seam gas field comprising up to 850 gas wells on up to 425 well pads over 20 years, and the construction and operation of gas processing and water treatment facilities, including:
- a central gas processing facility for the compression, dehydration and treatment of gas;
- a water management facility for the storage and treatment of produced water;
- an in-field gas compression and water management facility; and
- water and gas gathering pipelines and ancillary infrastructure".
The details speak for themselves- this is the environment of our grandchildren's future, and with such a vast, and intrusive development, we are guaranteeing the destruction of that very future.

The Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Artesian Basin, AustraliaÂ's largest groundwater aquifer. The project poses a real risk to our two most precious water resources: the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin. The area of the Great Artesian Basin with the highest recharge rates is almost entirely contained within the Pilliga East forest. In a worst-case scenario, the water removed for coal seam gas extraction could reduce water pressure in the recharge areas, potentially stopping the free flow of waters to the surface at springs and bores across the whole Great Artesian Basin. Creeks in the Pilliga run into the Namoi River, a part of the Murray Darling Basin. This system is vulnerable to contamination from drilling fluid spills and the salty treated water produced from the proposed 850 wells.

The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed tot he project.There are hundreds of cultural sites as well as song lines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath. Gamilaraay people are deeply involved in the battle against coal seam gas, and have told Santos they do not want their country sacrificed for a coal seam gas field.

Farmers and other local community reject the project. Extensive community surveys have shown an average of 96% opposition to coal seam gas. This stretches across a massive 3.2 million hectares of country surrounding the Pilliga forest, including 99 communities. Hundreds of farmers have participated in protest actions unlike any previously seen in the region.

The Project has a long history of spills and leaks of toxic coal seam gas water, Santos cannot be trusted to manage the project safely. Santos has already contaminated a freshwater aquifer in the Pilliga with uranium at levels 20 times higher than safe drinking water guidelines, as well as lead, aluminium, arsenic and barium. In addition, there have been over 20 reported spills and leaks of toxic coal seam gas water from storage ponds, pipes and well heads. Santos cannot be trusted.

The Pilliga is a haven for threatened wildlife. The Pilliga is one of 15 nationally listed Â`biodiversity hotspotsÂ' and is vital to the survival of threatened species like the Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Pilliga Mouse and South-eastern Long-eared Bat. The forest is home to over 200 bird species and is internationally recognised as an Important Bird Area. The Santos gas field would fragment 95,000 hectares of the Pilliga with well pads, roads, and water and gas pipelines, damaging vital habitat and threatening the survival of endangered species.

Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change. Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. coal seam gas fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas.

Human health is compromised by coal seam gas. A range of hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds can be released into the air from coal seam gas operations, including flaring of gas wells. The effects of volatile organic compounds vary, but can cause eye, nose and airway irritation, headache, nausea, dizziness and loss of coordination. These impacts have been documented in human populations nearby to existing gas fields in Queensland, Sydney and in America.

The nationÂ's premier optical astronomical observatory is at risk. The Siding Springs Observatory, situated in the Warrumbungles and adjacent to the Pilliga, is under threat from the Narrabri Gas Project due to light and dust pollution. The area has been internationally recognised as a Â`dark sky parkÂ' and the 50 metre high gas flares proposed by Santos threaten the viability of the facility.

Thousands of tonnes of salt waste will result from the project. Santos has no solution for disposing of the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of salt that will be produced. Between 17,000 and 42,000 tonnes of salt waste would be produced each year. This industry would leave a toxic legacy in NSW.

Risk of fires would increase throughout the PilligaÂ's tinder-box conditions. Methane flare stacks up to 50 metre high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is prone to severe bush fires. The project would increase ignition sources as well as extracting, transporting and storing a highly flammable gas right within this extremely fire-prone forest.

Coal Seam Gas and non-renewable energy sources have NO PLACE in Australia's future. As a 28 year old, I will be part of a generation attempting to rectify the poor decisions by older white men who disregard human suffering in the pursuit of profit. They will not be around to see the consequences of their actions but I MUST LIVE with them! Where is inter-generational equality? We have seen this throughout history.When will we view the world as something precious? We are the last generation who can do something about climate change and this is a step backwards. The question is not is the earth going to survive us, the parasite of humanity, but will HUMANS survive the changes the earth goes through to contract our destructive ways? The earth will continue, it is whether or not Humans will continue with it.

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Artesian Basin--Australia's largest groundwater aquifer
The Narrabri gasfield poses a real risk to our two most precious water resources: the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin. The area of the Great Artesian Basin with the highest recharge rates is almost entirely contained within the Pilliga East forest. In a worst-case scenario, the water removed for CSG extraction could reduce water pressure in the recharge areas--potentially stopping the free flow of waters to the surface at springs and bores across the whole Great Artesian Basin.¹

Creeks in the Pilliga run into the Namoi River--a part of the Murray Darling Basin. This system is vulnerable to contamination from drilling fluid spills and the salty treated water produced from the proposed 850 wells.

2. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed
There are hundreds of cultural sites as well as songlines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath. Gamilaraay people are deeply involved in the battle against CSG, and have told Santos they do not want their country sacrificed for a coal seam gas field.

3. Farmers and other local community reject the project
Extensive community surveys have shown an average of 96% opposition to CSG. This stretches across a massive 3.2 million hectares of country surrounding the Pilliga forest, including 99 communities. Hundreds of farmers have participated in protest actions unlike any previously seen in the region.

4. The Narrabri Gas Project has a long history of spills and leaks of toxic CSG water--Santos cannot be trusted to manage the project safely
Santos has already contaminated a freshwater aquifer in the Pilliga with uranium at levels 20 times higher than safe drinking water guidelines, as well as lead, aluminium, arsenic and barium². In addition, there have been over 20 reported spills and leaks of toxic CSG water from storage ponds, pipes and well heads. Santos cannot be trusted.

5. The Pilliga is a haven for threatened wildlife
The Pilliga is one of 15 nationally listed `biodiversity hotspots' and is vital to the survival of threatened species like the Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Pilliga Mouse and South-eastern Long-eared Bat. The forest is home to over 200 bird species and is internationally recognised as an Important Bird Area². The Santos gasfield would fragment 95,000 hectares of the Pilliga with well pads, roads, and water and gas pipelines--damaging vital habitat and threatening the survival of endangered species.

6. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change
Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than CO2. CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas.

7. Human health is compromised by coal seam gas
A range of hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds can be released into the air from coal seam gas operations, including flaring of gas wells. The effects of volatile organic compounds vary, but can cause eye, nose and airway irritation, headache, nausea, dizziness and loss of coordination⁴. These impacts have been documented in human populations nearby to existing gasfields in Queensland, Sydney and in America.

8. The nation's premier optical astronomical observatory is at risk
The Siding Springs Observatory, situated in the Warrumbungles and adjacent to the Pilliga, is under threat from the Narrabri Gas Project due to light and dust pollution⁵. The area has been internationally recognised as a `dark sky park'⁶ and the 50m high gas flares proposed by Santos threaten the viability of the facility.

9. Thousands of tonnes of salt waste will result from the project
Santos has no solution for disposing of the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of salt that will be produced. Between 17,000 and 42,000 tonnes of salt waste would be produced each year. This industry would leave a toxic legacy in NSW.

10. Risk of fires would increase throughout the Pilliga's tinder-box conditions
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is prone to severe bushfires. The project would increase ignition sources as well as extracting, transporting and storing a highly flammable gas right within this extremely fire-prone forest.

Human Beings are amongst the most successful species on this planet. It is the only planet we have to live on. We are dependent on all the other living things on this planet and our abilities together to help maintain a healthy life into the future.

The irresponsible greed associated with exhaustive resource pillaging, only fixes short term gains pandering to short lived and thinking governments and companies only interested in pursuing their immediate gains and popularity. Take responsibility for the future. Behave as custodians to Earth. Act wisely on your education which has been designed to help you make the right decisions.

The Government NEEDS to approve more renewable Energy projects.
The devastation and long term effects that these big companies are inflicting on our country needs to be stopped.
The vast proportions of our country that these big companies have already 'raped and pillaged' goes far beyond acceptance already.
Having traveled through central Australia and outback N.S.W. and Q'Land last year opened my eyes as to just how much devastation is occurring in these low populated areas.. Using Google maps was an eye opener to the vast operations that are hidden behind locked gates.. We need to say NO NO NO. enough is enough...

I am writing in opposition to any project that involves drilling for coal seam gas because available evidence shows that it will affect the livelihoods of many people due to poisonous substances being leaked into nearby waterways.

I am totally against this and It's about time the citizens of This great land of ours took a stand against these companies that put money ahead of Water and Food. When are they going to wake up and realise People, Fauna and Flora can not Live on Gas, Coal etc.