I object to the Santos proposal. 850 coal seam gas wells in the Pilliga forest will totally disrupt this essential natural heritage area. The project would extract over 35 billion litres of toxic groundwater and drill right through the recharge area of the Great Artesian Basin. It would generate tens of thousands of tonnes of salt waste for which Santos has still not offered any waste disposal plans. This gasfield would fragment over 90,000 hectares of the the Pilliga forest, industrialising the largest temperate woodland in eastern Australia. All this for a temporary industry that then moves on. Coal seam gas wells do not last long, but the damage they cause will live on.
Dr Haydn Washington

I am writing for formally request our government stop the Narrabri and Pilliga gas projects.

There is no way of treating the toxic waste and water is a finite resource we need to treasure not destroy. So much is unknown about the impacts and it is not worth the risk.

Smarten Up & Wake UP our country has other resources that are renewable. Please don't progress with anymore of this environmental vandalism and halt the Pillaga development.

The project would extract over 35 billion litres of toxic groundwater and drill right through the recharge area of the Great Artesian Basin. It would generate tens of thousands of tonnes of salt waste for which Santos has still not offered any waste disposal plans. This gasfield would fragment over 90,000 hectares of the the Pilliga forest, industrialising the largest temperate woodland in eastern Australia. Please acknowledge my support of the local people and future generations by reversing this abominable plan.

I oppose the Santos submission. It places ground and recharge water at risk, will fragment the surrounding forest and further endanger wildlife.

No gas fields should ever be allowed in NSW. it is a risk not worth it

Having had the privilege of visiting the Pilliga forest area a number of years ago, I am distraught at the thought of it being savaged by 850 coal seam gas exploration wells. This is an area unique to NSW, and probably the whole of the east; an area I would like to know my children and grandchildren can visit and be awed by, as I was. It is classified as a biodiversity hot spot; what a privilege to have this in our state.
With the information now coming through on the risks to our water and air, associated with CSG exploration, and the continuing research indicating that gas is NOT a solution to the huge and looming environmental problems associated with climate change, how could any planner consider that this is a sensible option?
Please look further ahead than the next dollar. Please consider all our futures and do not proceed down this hideous path.
Please of please preserve the Pilliga.

I object it because this project will destroy prime agricultural land and threatens the great Artisan basin.

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.

I am strongly opposed to the mining of coal seam gas in the Piliga forest.
Coal Seam Gas (CSG) mining has been shown to be untrustworthy for many reasons, and even when strict provisions are put on the miner, they are not adequately monitored, measured, checked, so that leakages and damage go unchecked for years.
It has been demonstrated that CSG mining is a real risk to water supplies, and any problems at the Narrabri gasfield will lead to damage in the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray Darling Basin. To damage the Great Artesian basin, which is a real threat, would be catastrophic. No amount of promises on the part of companies can guarantee damage will not occur as it is inherent in the process of CSG mining itself.
In addition to that, it has been demonstrated that CSG extraction leaks methan gas, which is a huge contributor to climate change.
Bushfire is another high level risk to this important forest region, as fire stacks up to 50m high will be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. the Piliga is already prone to bushfires, it doesn't need this added element.
At this point the governements of Australia have no guarantee that this gas will be used for domestic consumption, which means Australia gains very little out of this mining except the risk and the clean up fees.

I object to the Pilliga coal seam gas project as follows:

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.