wendy sykes
Object
wendy sykes
Object
Wheeler Heights
,
New South Wales
Message
the Narrabri Gas Project must not go ahead because:
*it threatens the Great Artesian Basin and Murray-Darling Basin;
*it violates indigenous people's sacred and cultural sites;
*local communities are against it ;
*it will damage vital habitats for endangered and other flora and fauna and will increase the risk of fires in this already fire-prone area;
*the methane produced will fuel climate change and there is no plan to address the problem of the huge amounts of salt produced;
*the Narrabri Gas Project already has a very poor record with over 20 reported spills and leaks, so far.
*it threatens the Great Artesian Basin and Murray-Darling Basin;
*it violates indigenous people's sacred and cultural sites;
*local communities are against it ;
*it will damage vital habitats for endangered and other flora and fauna and will increase the risk of fires in this already fire-prone area;
*the methane produced will fuel climate change and there is no plan to address the problem of the huge amounts of salt produced;
*the Narrabri Gas Project already has a very poor record with over 20 reported spills and leaks, so far.
STAN GADDIN
Object
STAN GADDIN
Object
BONDI
,
New South Wales
Message
THE NARRABRI GAS PROJECT MUST NOT BE ALLOWED GO AHEAD. IT WILL ONLY CAUSE POLLUTION AND DAMAGE THE ENVIRONMENT. RENEWABLE ENERGY - WIND AND SUN MUST BECOME THE SOLE SOURCE OF OUR COUNTRY'S ELECTRICITY. I AM 79 I WANT TO SEE THAT MY GRAND-CHILDREN AND HOPEFULLY I WILL LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO SEE GREAT GRAND-CHILDREN. FUTURE GENERATIONS MUST HAVE A CLEAN INVIRONMENT.
Lisa Ronneberg
Object
Lisa Ronneberg
Object
Tighes Hill
,
New South Wales
Message
This is a submission to the Narrabri Gas EIS.
I strongly object to Santos' proposed Narrabri Gas Project in the Pilliga.
It will extract over 35 billion litres of toxic groundwater, much of it in the first five years. This water will be treated and in the early years will generate tens of thousands of tonnes of salt, for which there is no safe disposal plan.
It will clear close to 1,000 hectares of the Pilliga Forest, fragmenting the largest temperate woodland in New South Wales, home to unique wildlife.
It will cause significant diversion of water from a recharge aquifer of the Great Artesian Basin, which is a water resource relied upon by rural communities across western NSW.
It will lead to large deliberate and fugitive emissions of methane, adding to climate change.
It will 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.
It is not justified: Santos' own coal seam gas export activities in Queensland have caused gas prices to rise and supply to become unpredictable. NSW should respond to this by investing in more reliable and ultimately cheaper renewable energy, not by letting Santos inflict more environmental, social and economic harm.
It will 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.
Coal seam gas is harmful to health. Neither the NSW Government nor Santos have investigated or dealt with the serious health effects of coal seam gas now appearing in peer-reviewed research in the United States.
I urge the Government to reject this project and make the Great Artesian Basin recharge off- limits to gas mining.
Sincerely
Lisa Ronneberg
I strongly object to Santos' proposed Narrabri Gas Project in the Pilliga.
It will extract over 35 billion litres of toxic groundwater, much of it in the first five years. This water will be treated and in the early years will generate tens of thousands of tonnes of salt, for which there is no safe disposal plan.
It will clear close to 1,000 hectares of the Pilliga Forest, fragmenting the largest temperate woodland in New South Wales, home to unique wildlife.
It will cause significant diversion of water from a recharge aquifer of the Great Artesian Basin, which is a water resource relied upon by rural communities across western NSW.
It will lead to large deliberate and fugitive emissions of methane, adding to climate change.
It will 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.
It is not justified: Santos' own coal seam gas export activities in Queensland have caused gas prices to rise and supply to become unpredictable. NSW should respond to this by investing in more reliable and ultimately cheaper renewable energy, not by letting Santos inflict more environmental, social and economic harm.
It will 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.
Coal seam gas is harmful to health. Neither the NSW Government nor Santos have investigated or dealt with the serious health effects of coal seam gas now appearing in peer-reviewed research in the United States.
I urge the Government to reject this project and make the Great Artesian Basin recharge off- limits to gas mining.
Sincerely
Lisa Ronneberg
Anne Hughes
Object
Anne Hughes
Object
Alstonville
,
New South Wales
Message
Fracking destroys the Great Artesian Basin, fouls farm land and grazing land destroys hope. Please prevent this in the Pilliga and other NSW areas. We will never support fracking.
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
via kyogle
,
New South Wales
Message
All Australians rely, in one way or another, on the health of our two most precious water resources: the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin. Contamination of these water catchment areas (entirely likely given the history of Santos' previous spillages) would prove catastrophic to our country.
Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed to this project. that fact, in and of its own standing, should be sufficient to put the brakes permanently on this ill-conceived project.
Gamilaraay people are deeply opposed to this project, in the battle against CSG, and have stated unambiguously that Santos is not welcome and they value their sacred land and songlines immeasurably above the Fool's gold promised by the production of coal seam gas.
When an average of 96% of well-sampled communities surveyed throughout the region oppose csg, and hundreds of farmers have participated in protest actions unlike any previously seen in the region, it is blatantly obvious that santos and CSG companies have NO social licence, and landholders, residents and taxpayers will continue to oppose it.
Based on its own history, Santos cannot be trusted to manage the project safely. It 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.
Australia already has an appalling reputation for encouraging the extinction of our species. As 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 as well as being home to over 200 bird species, it is absolutely ludicrous to allow gas fields in this area. Any hope for Australia's reputation as an environmentally responsible country will be shattered in the long term, should our decision-makers welcome in the destruction of many more vulnerable and threatened species.
CSG projects have proven to be responsible for Methane leaks.
As Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than CO², it's easy to see that CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas. In short, coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change, and responsible people would not condone such projects.
Human health is compromised by coal seam gas. These health issues stretch far beyond the immediate and longer term physiological issues relating to CSG-related toxicity. We are witnessing unprecedented suicide rates in farmers previously untouched by depression and etc.
Seeing the government continually short-selling the environment, prioritising the promise of $$$s (despite the short-term nature of such pursuits), over the wellbeing of present and future generations, it is unsurprising that the impacted farmers and families and the larger community feel completely powerless when faced with completely ignored, even in issues pertaining to their own land, food, lifestyle and well-being.
There are many issues adding to the complexity that is CSG, and showing it up as a completely inappropriate option within the Pilliga and anywhere else where the environment and wellbeing are placed at risk.
Salt residues, fire hazards, solastalgia, and life-threatening depression, interference to essential science facilities due to light and dust pollution, all of these factors simply offer even more reason to stop this industry and the destruction so patently associated with it.
Please stop this now!
Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed to this project. that fact, in and of its own standing, should be sufficient to put the brakes permanently on this ill-conceived project.
Gamilaraay people are deeply opposed to this project, in the battle against CSG, and have stated unambiguously that Santos is not welcome and they value their sacred land and songlines immeasurably above the Fool's gold promised by the production of coal seam gas.
When an average of 96% of well-sampled communities surveyed throughout the region oppose csg, and hundreds of farmers have participated in protest actions unlike any previously seen in the region, it is blatantly obvious that santos and CSG companies have NO social licence, and landholders, residents and taxpayers will continue to oppose it.
Based on its own history, Santos cannot be trusted to manage the project safely. It 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.
Australia already has an appalling reputation for encouraging the extinction of our species. As 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 as well as being home to over 200 bird species, it is absolutely ludicrous to allow gas fields in this area. Any hope for Australia's reputation as an environmentally responsible country will be shattered in the long term, should our decision-makers welcome in the destruction of many more vulnerable and threatened species.
CSG projects have proven to be responsible for Methane leaks.
As Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than CO², it's easy to see that CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas. In short, coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change, and responsible people would not condone such projects.
Human health is compromised by coal seam gas. These health issues stretch far beyond the immediate and longer term physiological issues relating to CSG-related toxicity. We are witnessing unprecedented suicide rates in farmers previously untouched by depression and etc.
Seeing the government continually short-selling the environment, prioritising the promise of $$$s (despite the short-term nature of such pursuits), over the wellbeing of present and future generations, it is unsurprising that the impacted farmers and families and the larger community feel completely powerless when faced with completely ignored, even in issues pertaining to their own land, food, lifestyle and well-being.
There are many issues adding to the complexity that is CSG, and showing it up as a completely inappropriate option within the Pilliga and anywhere else where the environment and wellbeing are placed at risk.
Salt residues, fire hazards, solastalgia, and life-threatening depression, interference to essential science facilities due to light and dust pollution, all of these factors simply offer even more reason to stop this industry and the destruction so patently associated with it.
Please stop this now!
Teresa Russell
Object
Teresa Russell
Object
Putney
,
New South Wales
Message
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.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.
SoilFutures Consulting 2014, Great Artesian Basin Recharge Systems and Extent of Petroleum and Gas Leases. http://www.gabpg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/GAB-Report1.pdf
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/santos-coal-seam-gas-project-contaminates-aquifer-20140307-34csb.html
BirdLife International (2017) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Pilliga http://www.birdlife.org
Marion Carey Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), Air pollution from coal seam gas may put public health at risk The Conversation, November 20, 2012
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/oct/21/siding-spring-observatory-threat-coal-seam-gas-light-pollution
http://darksky.org/first-dark-sky-park-in-australia-designated
References
Great Artesian Basin coal-seam gas 'risk', The Australian, 7 November 2014
'Not seen anything like it': Pleas for extension to examine huge Santos CSG plan, Sydney Morning Herald, 21 February 2017
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.
SoilFutures Consulting 2014, Great Artesian Basin Recharge Systems and Extent of Petroleum and Gas Leases. http://www.gabpg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/GAB-Report1.pdf
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/santos-coal-seam-gas-project-contaminates-aquifer-20140307-34csb.html
BirdLife International (2017) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Pilliga http://www.birdlife.org
Marion Carey Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), Air pollution from coal seam gas may put public health at risk The Conversation, November 20, 2012
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/oct/21/siding-spring-observatory-threat-coal-seam-gas-light-pollution
http://darksky.org/first-dark-sky-park-in-australia-designated
References
Great Artesian Basin coal-seam gas 'risk', The Australian, 7 November 2014
'Not seen anything like it': Pleas for extension to examine huge Santos CSG plan, Sydney Morning Herald, 21 February 2017
Miriam Purkiss
Object
Miriam Purkiss
Object
Bolwarra Hts
,
New South Wales
Message
Fracking was wrong in the Northern Rivers & is just as wrong in the Pilliga & all over NSW.The damage to health, our agriculture & the environment is potentially disastrous. Wisdom & common sense prevailed in our politicians for the Northern Rivers. It must prevail again. Make the Pilliga & all of NSW, CSG free.
This is not only for this generation. It is for your children & grandchildren as well.
This is not only for this generation. It is for your children & grandchildren as well.
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
mittagong
,
New South Wales
Message
The Piliga project should not proceed because of (1) risk to the artesian basin water (2) the traditional owners are opposed (3) the local farmers are opposed (4) risk of spillages (5) the loss of wildlife.
Nicole Ghiotto
Object
Nicole Ghiotto
Object
Summer Hill
,
New South Wales
Message
I object to Santos, or any other company, to drill or mine for coal seam methane gas in the Pilliga or any other part of NSW.
Firstly, coal seam gas drilling and extraction poses serious threats to clean drinking in the region, and there is no good track record for Santos to prove they can avoid this issue.
Secondly, NSW does not need more gas supply, especially one that is so greenhouse intensive, especially when there are cost effective and reliable renewable energy and storage options available to power our grid, and therefore our businesses and homes.
It is not acceptable doe New South Wales to sell rights to its commons, in the Colorado of natural parks, water source, or impact on greenhouse gas emissions, for private benefit. It impacts not only on local communities in terms of land use and water pollution, but our global community in terms of increased gas emissions from the operation itself, as well as in the final use of the product.
As a citizen of NSW I profoundly object to Santos undertaking this project. I also have an obligation to future generations to object to projects with so many negative impacts.
Firstly, coal seam gas drilling and extraction poses serious threats to clean drinking in the region, and there is no good track record for Santos to prove they can avoid this issue.
Secondly, NSW does not need more gas supply, especially one that is so greenhouse intensive, especially when there are cost effective and reliable renewable energy and storage options available to power our grid, and therefore our businesses and homes.
It is not acceptable doe New South Wales to sell rights to its commons, in the Colorado of natural parks, water source, or impact on greenhouse gas emissions, for private benefit. It impacts not only on local communities in terms of land use and water pollution, but our global community in terms of increased gas emissions from the operation itself, as well as in the final use of the product.
As a citizen of NSW I profoundly object to Santos undertaking this project. I also have an obligation to future generations to object to projects with so many negative impacts.
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
Tea Gardens
,
New South Wales
Message
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.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.1.
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.
SoilFutures Consulting 2014, Great Artesian Basin Recharge Systems and Extent of Petroleum and Gas Leases. http://www.gabpg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/GAB-Report1.pdf
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/santos-coal-seam-gas-project-contaminates-aquifer-20140307-34csb.html
BirdLife International (2017) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Pilliga http://www.birdlife.org
Marion Carey Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), Air pollution from coal seam gas may put public health at risk The Conversation, November 20, 2012
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/oct/21/siding-spring-observatory-threat-coal-seam-gas-light-pollution
http://darksky.org/first-dark-sky-park-in-australia-designated
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.1.
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.
SoilFutures Consulting 2014, Great Artesian Basin Recharge Systems and Extent of Petroleum and Gas Leases. http://www.gabpg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/GAB-Report1.pdf
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/santos-coal-seam-gas-project-contaminates-aquifer-20140307-34csb.html
BirdLife International (2017) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Pilliga http://www.birdlife.org
Marion Carey Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), Air pollution from coal seam gas may put public health at risk The Conversation, November 20, 2012
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/oct/21/siding-spring-observatory-threat-coal-seam-gas-light-pollution
http://darksky.org/first-dark-sky-park-in-australia-designated