The Southern Highlands Coal Action Group wishes to register its opposition to the extension of approval for Coal Seam Gas (CSG) exploration activities by Apex Energy NL in the Illawarra upper escarpment. Our concern is that exploration of this type within the water catchment poses a risk to drinking water supplies and would set a poor precedent for similar approvals in other areas, including the Southern Highlands, which is also critical part of the Sydney Water Catchment area.

Furthermore we believe that exploration associated with projects of this kind that potentially involve massive interference with environmentally sensitive areas should not proceed until the environmental feasibility of the entire CSG extraction project is thoroughly evaluated. Our understanding is that the proponent is proposing a network of around 160 wellheads across the water catchment area, each connected by water and gas pipelines. They envisage this project as being capable in its final form of supplying up to 20% of the NSW gas requirements which would almost certainly require the pipeline network to extend across the catchment to the high pressure pipeline to Sydney near the AGL gas processing facility at Rosalind Park.

It is almost inconceivable that this level of development, involving a network of roads and pipelines capable of handling heavy vehicle traffic, gouged through an area that is for the most part environmentally sensitive wetland, will prove to be acceptable to the authorities concerned. However if Apex believes they have a workable plan, then let them make their case now, and show the community the extent and implications of their plans before any exploration is done and damage potentially incurred.

It should be understood that the process of exploring for CSG involves the depressuring of the coal seam and the extraction of water, in the same manner as the full-scale extraction process, albeit over a smaller area. However the environmental risk is there and with the structural damage that will certainly occur to the local ecology, we continue to be astounded that the Government allows poorly capitalized companies such as Apex and their drilling partners Ormil to conduct speculative drilling for a project that is almost certainly environmentally infeasible in such an sensitive area- so sensitive in fact that public access is denied.

We note that in the last few days the application by Apex Energy NL for a 3-year extension of exploration activities in the water catchment areas of the upper Illawarra escarpment has been approved, however we urge you to review the any decision to allow drilling to proceed on the basis of the information we have outlined above.


Alan Lindsay

On behalf of the Steering Committee of the Southern Highlands Coal Action Group

Objection to any CSG activity in the project area based on sancitity of drinking water that is more valuable than CSG, and on unacceptible risks to bothwater and upland swamps. See attached

to allow csg mining/exploration without independent comprehensive impact studies is socially & environmentally irresponsible. possibly criminal.
in my book, the measure of a man is his word & under this criteria mr o farrel is microscopic

The objection is grounded for two main reasons:
Firstly, development must always be considered in the context of the surrounding area. This can change over time. Given this, a modification for an indefinite start date is irresponsible.
Secondly, the risks of CSG mining are well evidenced and the Premier has acknowledged that the current legislation is not adequate to manage development of the industry. In this context, no new applications or modifications should be approved and existing projects should be frozen, to conduct an investigation into the full impacts of CSG development.

I wish to object to this development on the grounds that I do not believe that current understanding of CSG exploration and mining proceses is sufficient to guarantee that damage to agricultural land and water supplies will not occur.

See attached File

Dear Madam/Sir,

I am writing to express my objection to the proposed modification by Apex Energy to their -currently frozen- development application to drill for coal seam gas in the Illawarra region.

This modification, if approved, would allow Apex Energy to extend drilling deadlines from "three years from commencement of drilling of the first bore hole". This is in relation to 16 wells which span two drinking water catchments, Woronora and Nepean.

There is currently a lack of serious consideration of and research into the immediate and long-term effects of coal seam gas mining, particularly in and around water catchment areas. However, companies that have developed coal seam gas projects themselves concede that leakages are common and only increase over time. Steel and concrete are not impervious to the elements; I (and I imagine others too) would be incredibly concerned by a situation where these were the only materials standing between our pristine drinking water supply and a huge amount of undisclosed chemicals.

This is not in any way an extreme view. It is a reasonable expression of caution at the thought of possibly inducing a public health crisis, in the event that our drinking water might be compromised.

Further, it was promised by the incoming O'Farrell government that:

"The next Liberal/National Government will ensure that mining cannot occur... in any water catchment area, and will ensure that mining leases and mining exploration permits reflect that common sense; no ifs, no buts, a guarantee."

The drinking water catchment is unsuitable for CSG exploration and production. Allowing this development to go ahead contradicts this pre-election promise from Barry O'Farrell.

What would we do if our drinking water was compromised?

In addition to concerns about the effects of CSG mining near out water catchments, there are other significant risks to the local area:

1. The Illawarra Escarpment is already a high risk bush fire area. In August this year a bush fire burnt through AI09 and AI10 in this project area. Extracting and piping gas in this environment will increase these fire risks.

2. The development of this coal seam gas project is being layered on top of extensive coal mining and a fault line, without an assessment of the combined impacts.

With such risks, it would seem highly reasonable to reject the modification by Apex Energy to extend drilling deadlines from "three years from commencement of drilling of the first bore hole".

Such applications should be considered in the context of the local environment. This application poses very clear risks to the local environment and importantly, its residents (as well as those living in Sydney who will be affected by water sourced from the Woronora and Nepean catchments).

I strongly urge you to consider this submission, as well as the multitude of community voices which stand in opposition to coal seam gas mining: 'Stop coal seam gas signs' are displayed outside hundreds of homes in the Illawarra, demonstrating the huge public concern over this issue.

Yours sincerely,
Amy Luschwitz

I object to the development of CSG extraction in Australia, and particularly in water catchment areas serving large populations as it presents serious risks to subterranean and surface water bodies.

I therefore request that the licences in the Illawarra not be renewed.

I oppose the Apex application for the following reasons;-

First and foremost, Barry O'Farrell made a pre-election promise not to mine in water catchment areas '...no ifs, no buts...a guarantee'. I ask him to keep his promise. With the potential risks to water, it is ludicrous to allow CSG in water catchments.

We recently had a bush fire that went through Darkes Forest. This included an area that was designated as a site for a CSG bore hole. It is now totally burnt out. And this is not yet the bush fire season. The hazzards therefore are very, very obvious.

The Wollongong council and citizens have a long-term vision for an expansion of the tourist industry in this area. The Illawarra is very special, located between the escarpment and the ocean, not far from Sydney, the potential for tourism is enormous, providing many and varied much needed jobs. - More jobs than the CSG industry. The foreseen 150-200 production wells, together with the infrastructure, if the project goes ahead, will ruin the beauty of the escarpment and will certainly be a detriment to tourism.

local councils and thousands in the community have made it clear that they do not want CSG. In the Illawarra, we have held two events, each drawing more than 3000 people, protesting about CSG. We have handed a petition of 30,000 signatures to the government. Our message is loud and clear.

The request by Apex for a delayed starting date til day of first drilling is ridiculous. How can it possibly be assessed when it is impossible to judge the conditions in the future, especially with continuing, and expanding coal-mining.

Water is more precious than gas. I ask the Government to use wisdom and base decisions in this matter on the long term good of the state and its communities and not on the short-term profits.

CSG is unacceptable to the community, CSG is unecceptable for generations to come, it is a polluter and is unsuitable for CSG exploration and production and unsuitable for the drinking catchment areas and elsewhere.Their is strong public oppostion and petition drawing up negative lines against it. and I am strongly opposed to it myself. This is regarded as an uneccessary mining and extraction for gas or forcing something out of the ground which should and is meant to stay in their, drilling and nothing but leaving waiste and chemicals behind. The oil and gas in the ground is a must to sustain earth activity and prevent earthquakes, they are like suspension on a motor vehicle. just Figure like the NBN what a waiste, no one asked for it, no one needed it, no one wanted it,no one wanted to pay for for it, so why did they go ahead do it.
The drinking water catchment is unsuitable and a no go zone for CSG exploration and production. Allowing this development to go ahead contradicts the pre-election promise from Barry O'Farrell: "The next Liberal/National Government will ensure that mining cannot occur... in any water catchment area, and will ensure that mining leases and mining exploration permits reflect that common sense; no ifs, no buts, a guarantee." Lets test and see if a politician can tell the straight truth for once, See if the Government work for thi speople of this nation or just for themselves and have it backed up with dignity.