I am very concerned about the proposed Narrabri gasfield because of its proximity and threat to water resources in the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin. We would do well to learn from studies from the USA, which show that fracking wells produced at least 14 billion gallons of wastewater in 2014. Also, Pennsylvania regulators confirmed at least 260 instances of private well contamination from fracking operations since 2005.

Farmers can be particularly impacted by the oil and gas industry's demand for freshwater, especially in drought-stricken regions of the country. In one water auction in Colorado in 2012, oil and gas companies paid up to $3,300 for an acre-foot of water, as much as 100 times what farmers typically pay.

Fracking also threatens drinking water supplies. Across the USA, fracking wastewater has leaked from retention ponds or escaped from faulty disposal wells, putting drinking water at risk. Wastewater from fracked wells includes not only the toxic chemicals injected into the well but also naturally occurring radioactive materials that can be brought to the surface.

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 CSG water from storage ponds, pipes and well heads.

Testing of water and soil in the Pilliga forest has already demonstrated that CSG is environmentally unsafe. Samples taken from areas near CSG operations contained heavy metals up to 37 times higher than natural levels and five times drinking water standards.

A number of our endangered animals live in the Pilliga, including the Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Pilliga Mouse and South-eastern Long-eared Bat, along with over 200 bird species. These will all be threatened if the gasfield goes ahead.

In addition, there is a great deal of local opposition to this proposal, both from the traditional owners of the land, and farmers and other communities in the vast areas surrounding the Pilliga.

It's a lie to suggest that CSG is going to help tackle Climate Change. Methane, a global warming pollutant 86 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over the course of 20 years, is released at multiple steps during fracking, including during hydraulic fracturing and well completion, and in the processing and transport of gas to end users.

In the USA, bringing new fracked wells into production in 2014 released at least 5.3 billion pounds of methane. That's equivalent to annual global warming emissions from 22 coal-fired power plants.

Not only would the methane contribute to Climate Change, it would also be a high fire risk, with the Pilliga being very prone to bush-fires, as the methane flares are running day and night, all year round.

Fracking uses vast quantities of chemicals known to harm human health. According to industry reported data in the FracFocus database, oil and gas wells fracked across the U.S. between 2005 and 2015 used at least:
* 5 billion pounds of hydrochloric acid, a caustic acid
* 1.2 billion pounds of petroleum distillates, which can irritate the throat, lungs and eyes; cause dizziness and nausea; and can include toxic and cancer-causing agents; and
* 445 million pounds of methanol, which is suspected of causing birth defects.

Another problem is the salt waste. The gasfield could produce up to 42,000 tonnes of salt waste every year and Santos has no plan for dealing with this.

All in all, this is a bad proposal from every conceivable angle, and should be completely rejected.

The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian 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.


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.

I object the Narrabri Gas Project on several grounds based on social and environmental concerns. A project of this size jeopardises our precious water basins, threatening human use of the connected river systems as well as creating situations for toxic run-off from water used in production and processing. If local communities of farmers and indigenous land owners are against the project, there's a good reason. They know the area much better than any of us can claim too, even with an EIA. Reducing viable and important habitat for our native fauna is also a byproduct of this project that damages our ability to support our endemic wildlife, which are already incredibly susceptible to negative outcomes from development. Higher bushfire risks (from methane flares) and salinity (byproduct of processing) are serious concerns for all parties involved.
On top of all of this, I believe the Australian energy market needs more innovation and commitment in clean technology. I cannot support a project that only continues to propagate an old way of thinking and doing.

The air is a precious natural asset. Natural gas emissions affect the thermal behaviour of our atmosphere, much more strongly than CO2
Fresh water in the ground is a precious natural asset. It takes thousands or millions of years to accumulate, much slower than we have been using it.
First people's cultural is a precious natural asset.What they have learned over 40,000 years, we need to protect.
Miners are like rapists; the earth cannot speak for itself to say no! but the sorrow lasts as it is at least as natural a person as we humans are. (Unlike the corporate entities pretending natural rights.)
Dollar value is based on natural wealth if you look deeper. Biodiversity is natural wealth developed from earth resources. Compromising biodiversity undermines our artificial economys.
All in the risks longterm outpaces the income - for who? - shorterm.
Trying to turn natural resources into money is worse than zerosum.

CSG mining has been proven to be of enormous detriment to the Communities and individuals living near the wells.
The purity and quantity of ground water aquifers interfered with. The air quality they poison.
The noise pollution they emit.
The visual scaring of the landscape.
The destruction of valuable farm land and farming families lives.
The displacement and subsequent death of native animals and flora.
The division created between people who only want profit and those who want a good quality of life on their land.
The corruption of our politicians for political "Donations"...bribes!
The destruction of mangroves, reefs and marine flora and fauna for ports to send gas off to export at ridiculously low prices whilst screwing over the Australian citizens with inflated gas prices despite there being plenty of "Conventional" gas still available.
In short we are being lied to by the Big Gas and petrol Companies and being sold out by our own elected political representatives for MONEY with NO thought for future generations, the land, the climate, the wildlife, Australia and the entire world.
CSG mining is WRONG and must NOT be allowed at ALL in Australia or anywhere!

I oppose the Narrabri Gas Project as I do not trust Santos to adequately protect of our precious environment.

Previously, Santos contaminated a freshwater aquifer in the Pilliga with a barrage of toxic chemicals, including uranium, lead, aluminium, arsenic and barium. Santos moreover lacks a solution for the disposal of salt waste that would be produced each year by this project, further contributing to the pollution of our environment. Santos has also had numerous incidents of spills and leaks.

All of this endangers NSW's vital sources of freshwater (the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin), and the Pilliga forest, which is one Australia's few `biodiversity hotspots'.

Lets keep big business out!

I strongly object to the establishment of Coal Seam Gas drilling in the Pilliga. Australia has always been thought of a Â`the lucky countryÂ' but in my opinion allowing Santos, who has already shown themselves untrustworthy when it comes to safe work practices, to drill in spite of the many possible risks to water sources, farming land and public health, is pushing our luck!
Santos has already contaminated a freshwater aquifer in the Pillaga and further drilling will allow more unhealthy pollutants to be released into the atmosphere and water table. What is the government thinking? Or maybe they only see dollar signs that prevent them from seeing the long term effects of something that would impact not only the health of the land and water, but the quality of air through leakage of noxious gases and methane?
Wake up Australia! Politicians, come out on the side of lucky country! Protect our natural resources! Climate change is a reality, and nothing will be more important than a healthy water source, good farming land, and clean air in future. DonÂ't jeopardise our future by allowing this work to go ahead!

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian 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.



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.

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian 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.



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.