Dear NSW Government Planning and Environment Department

I submit to you a request to completely reject the Narrabi Gas Project.

I very much appreciate that the provision of stable and reliable energy in this country is a complex and expensive exercise and that companies proposing large coal seam gas operations appear on one hand, to be cost effective and achieve major targets.

Unfortunately, this infrastructure development also locks Australia into a position of reliance on this form of energy for the next 50 - 100 years.

Solar, wind, and other forms of renewable energy have the potential to be 100% stable and reliable - especially if they are provided with the same levels of support, funding and subsidization that the gas and oil industries currently enjoy.

Solar, wind and renewable investment now will provide us with a future that is cleaner and more sustainable for the future.

Why invest in infrastructure that will support a dying industry?

The fantastic independent group Beyond Zero Emissions has produced extensive research papers into the validity of running Australia off renewable energy across all sectors - from the Building and Construction industry right through to Stationary Energy. I urge you to read their comprehensive scientific plans here: http://bze.org.au/publications-overview/

Now, more then ever before, we must support the largest investors in energy (the gas and oil companies) to remodel their businesses, to move away from old and unsustainable infrastructure projects and to instead look to a future that is beyond the target of zero carbon emissions. These companies stand to lose the most - so it beggars belief as to why they cannot themselves begin to invest in future-facing infrastructure.

Please, I urge you to reject any and all proposals for coal seam gas.

We know historically and from recent events that coal seam gas is dangerous to our environment, upsetting water tables and polluting ground soils. We know that we risk the very things that are vital to our environment's stability, our access to clean drinking water and our country's ability to continue to grow edible produce. These things are vital to our economy, our livelihoods and our futures.

Please do not support this proposal or any future for coal seam gas in this country.

Thank you for your consideration.

Santos cannot be trusted. They are environmental rapists!

1. It is safehaven 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.

2. 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.

3. It risks our clean water
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.

4. 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.

5. Bushfire risk will rise
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.

I do not want this project to go through as I am most concerned about the environmental impact. The USA are a prime example of the disasterous effects of this type of mining. Our government needs to protect our country and its citizens, not poson us and future generations.

Simply put, I think that any threat to our clean water and clean air supply is dangerous. Natural gas is composed of 72% methane. We all know that methane is poisonous. Methane will leak from these wells during production and transporting of the gas. Why then aren't the pipes sealed appropriately? Because they CANNOT be sealed completely. It's not possible.

Why would our government approve a proposal that would allow the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin be put at risk from this drilling? Surely, our most important heritage is a clean water supply and clean air. Without them, we're in trouble.

This past summer was horrific. The extreme heat and bushfires placed property and human life at great risk. The last thing we need are 50 metre methane flare stacks running day and night; even during total fire ban days!

The Traditional Custodians of this area, the Gamilaraay people,
have been deeply involved in fighting this proposal. They want to protect their sacred sites.

Last but not least, this area is a haven to the threatened koala, spotted-tailed quoll, black-striped wallaby, eastern pygmy-possum, pilliga mouse and the south-eastern long-eared bat. Where these animals can survive means that a forest is healthy. Healthy forests support a healthy human population. What could be more important than that?

Please keep this vital region free from the threat of Santos's coal seam gas field.

I submit that NSW follows Victoria's lead in banning all gas projects in their state.
There is enough evidence based on the ongoing detrimental impacts on the environment and citizens in the Chinchilla region to refuse any claims as to being environmentally viable.

I cannot believe that our state government can show such little respect for our environment, the values of our Aboriginal people and our Great Artesian Basin.
Some time ago I Emailed our former Premier about the need to protect the GAB, pointing out that he should visit towns like Trangie, Blackall and Longreach, all of which I have lived in, so he could realise that these towns could not exist without unpolluted bore water.
I also told him then, and I quote:
"Oh dear, perhaps my theory that far too many conservative politicians have been taught Science poorly in far too many private schools is correct."
Shame on any government that allows any company to pollute and rape our precious natural environment!
Why, oh why, do we sell off our natural gas from marine locations off W.A. so cheaply to other countries without first reserving much of it at a v. reasonable price for our eastern states?
The answer is greed which is so often displayed by usually conservative governments and their supporters.
Shall I get started on the proposed Adani coal mine in Q'ld and the stupidity of the current Q'ld Labor government?

I don't believe that Santos should be allowed to frack the Pilliga with 850 coal seam gas wells. The results of poisoning the groundwater in the Great Artesian Basin is too horrible to contemplate. People and stock need water, if underground water is unusable then so is the land.

I am totally opposed to any sort of coal seam gas developments in NSW or anywhere in our beautiful country.

Any sort of development in mining for fossil fuels in this day and age is short sighted. We all know that CSG destroys the land, the water, the communities....just take a look at America.

Instead, put your billions of dollars and your talents into building giant solar farms that harvest endless hours of intense solar radiation found here in our country and, best of all, without wrecking anything....now that would be smart... and you'll be remembered in 50+ years as 'Santos....the smart guys who had the foresight to harness the sun's energy and provide all Australians with clean, affordable power'

C'mon guys....here's your chance!

I am very disturbed to see that the concept of CSG is still being considered. I have travelled extensively in Canada and the USA and seen the huge protests about CSG, how fire is literally coming from taps, children are bleeding and sick, land becomes worthless, wildlife habitat is severely affected, huge amounts of our precious water is required and the aquifer is irreparably damaged again affecting animals (livestock) and farmers livelihood.
This is only a short term win for huge companies and a totally no win for Australian citizens, new or Indigenous, flora, fauna, soil, water, air (toxic gases are also a reality) so why waste time and money contemplating this.

There are said to be over 5000 patents on the 'black shelf' for free and sustainable energy that have been bought and shelved for life by huge companies, seemingly greedy to promote their modality for energy production.
Surely we can be smarter than this option of CSG that is in every way harmful to humans and environment.

I strongly oppose this proposal for ANY activity to do with CSG other than the activity of closing it down altogether.
I trust common sense, respect and wisdom for the health and wellbeing of all will prevail.

Thank you

Regards
Victoria