I do not believe that we should allow coal seam gas due to the risk to the environment and our water viability. Farmers should be allowed to say no to this type of thing on their lands.

I am disgusted by the push for coal seam gas and the ruin of our Australian farmland. Just "No!" Not in my name!

To those considering the approval for the Narrabri Gas project,
My Name is Rachael Scott,
I am a 21 year old environmental science student and an avid nature lover.
I am deeply concerned about the impacts of coal seam gas exploration in the Pilliga region on ecosystem health and human health.
I am worried about the following possible impacts of coal seam gas exploration in the Pilliga:
- groundwater contamination in a region close to our agricultural food bowl (endangering human health and Australia's export potential)
- heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems, the effects of which are well documented. Such as its disruption of neurological and physiological function of plants and animals.
- methane gas emission, a greenhouse gas 27 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
- the clearing of precious tree cover and habitat in the Pilliga region which will increase erosion, increase risk of bushfires, remove a valuable carbon sink and devastate numerous native species.
- Interference in the sacred lands and sites of the Indigenous Nation.
I truly believe it would be incredibly irresponsible and short-sighted for this project to go ahead. Whether the project has an environmental management plan or not, ecosystems are fragile and interconnected and the slightest disruption can have devastating, far-reaching and irreversible consequences.
Furthermore, as our world hurtles towards 2 degrees of global warming and higher, the release of methane gas during gas extraction is a serious concern. As a member of the generation that is to inherit this earth and this man-made problem, I am continuously frustrated that decisions are being made that exacerbates the catastrophic effects of climate change. With millions of climate refugees forecasted to be mobilised in the Pacific Islands and low lying areas of India and Pakistan, it is morally unacceptable to further invest in fossil fuel exploration. The cost of managing climate change will far exceed the profits made from this project.
I want to reach adulthood and raise children in a world that is not plagued by resource conflict, increased natural disasters and increased risk of disease. I want my children to be able to wander the streets of New York, scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef and the Pacific Islands, be able to visit glaciers and enjoy the thrill of skiing and snowboarding, be able to enjoy natural spaces and the full, beautiful biodiversity of this earth.
And I know you want the same for your grandchildren.
In 50-100 years from now, when we are in the midst of a potential volatile world, people will ask, what did you do to stop this from happening?
What will your answer be?
You are writing the future, and you will never be able to erase this decision from history.

As a former resident of Narrabri, I was devastated to hear about the gas project proposed for the Pilliga and surrounding areas. As a current Geography Teacher, who teaches in rural NSW, I am even more concerned about the message that this project is sending to our next generation. I strongly object to this proposal and everything that it stands for.

The Narrabri area has been able to maintain a delicate balance of utilisation and conservation. It has a rich farming heritage that relies on its natural resources. It has supported economic development while ensuring that its natural resources are maintained. These natural resources, soil, water, flora, fauna and air, when carefully managed are renewable for future generations. While there are a number of concerns from my perspective as a geography teacher, the greatest concern is that the natural resources that the community and rural NSW value will be destroyed. The potential leaking of gas into aquifers could devastate all those that depend on it. As a farmer's wife that now relies on groundwater I now understand the life-changing impact that toxic ground water or the inability to access the ground water would have on numerous families throughout the district. As a senior geography teacher, part of the curriculum is to teach the importance of the precautionary principle. If the consequences of an action are not known then implement caution and don't proceed with the activity. It is vital that rural NSW's natural resources are carefully managed for the future.

An important part of the curriculum for both Geography and Science is the concept of renewable and non-renewable resources. It is a fundamental piece of knowledge. With the materialistic nature of society, it is more important than ever for governments to lead by example and demonstrate to the future generation that non-renewable resources take millions of years to create and renew. Hence in our life time, the use of these resources will mean that there will be no more or very limited supply. It seems ludicrous that not only that these resources are being extensively depleted but that Australian residents are not even to benefit from the use of our non-renewable resources.

I urge the government to reject this project not only for the residents of the Narrabri area but for rural residents across NSW. It is time to start respecting our natural resources and the future of generations to come.

Stop coal seam gas fields from wrecking our environment.

Over and again we hear about the destruction of land and its resources with gas and mining ventures. This project will have a profound effect of the environment, destroying (forever!) parts of the Piliga, our underground aquifers, reducing an already stressed habitat for many of our native wildlife as well as the impacts to our arable land the people who farm this land for our country.
If this project is able to advance, this short sighted and money driven disaster, will impact negatively for generations if not forever.
Please choose our environment over money.

As an Australian citizen I strongly oppose any further CSG mining in our country. There is well researched science showing how this destructive industry and practice is destroying water sources especially our sacred Great Artesian Basin. For the sake of the future generations and the conservation of land please consider all written submissions as the peoples' voice - who you represent, and put a stop to this madness.

I care about the future of the land not only for farmers but for the all Australian's. As these mines will negatively affect the land in turn will mean every Australian would be impacted and suffer.

These are just some of the negative affects this type of mining would have which is why I am so against it.

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.

I agree with these young farming parents fighting to stop CSG destroying their land. The future of their children are at stake.

I am against Santos' Narrabri CSG project.

No Fraking or Coal Seam Gas mining