NSW Planning Secretary approves disgraced consultancy OzArk to Santos Advisory Group

The NSW Planning Secretary Jim Betts has appointed a controversial archaeological consultancy, Oz Ark Environment and Heritage, to the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Group for Santos’ Narrabri Gas Project. This, in the face of two previous Oz Ark reports in the Narrabri region receiving scathing criticism for inaccuracy and inadequate consultation, one of which – … Read more

Aquifer Interference, Fracked Baselines – Part 2

An isometric graphic of what fracking looks like

Part 1 of this report talked about the need for baseline water monitoring prior to coal seam gas (CSG) mining. We discussed the Plumb Rd site and the concerning levels of methane and hydrogen sulphide, amongst other analytes, that were recorded by government contractor StreamlineHydro. We also looked at the history of the site, the … Read more

Aquifer Interference, Fracked Baselines – Part 1

Threats of gasification of groundwater and resulting contamination, as well as groundwater depletion, are foremost in the minds of objectors to Santos’ Narrabri 850+ coal seam gas well (CSG) project. In theory, baseline monitoring can help prove if gas mining changes the existing groundwater conditions and if a contamination incident can be attributed to industrial … Read more

Coal Seam Gas in NSW: Latest Info, Myths & Facts

Coal Seam Gas in NSW Coal seam gas (CSG) is methane (CH4) gas that is held in coal seams. It differs from conventional gas, which has been Australia’s primary gas source, because it requires unconventional methods to extract.These methods involve removing the groundwater from the coal seam, producing enormous volumes of waste. A cocktail of … Read more

Department of Industry, Water Monitoring Strategy for Coal Basins in NSW – New Groundwater Monitoring Bores in the Gunnedah basin – Review of Environmental Factors (October 2018) and other NSW Government Water Monitoring Bore documentation

Water Monitoring Strategy for Coal Basins in NSW – New Groundwater Monitoring Bores in the Gunnedah BasinReview of Environmental FactorsReport Number: ISR18059 October 2018Prepared for Department of Industry Lands and Water Division StreamlineHYDRO: Plumb Road – Groundwater Monitoring Equipment Installation Report No. 2018072001-RPT-001Commissioned by Crown Lands and Water Division, NSW Department of Industry5 July 2018 … Read more

Coal Seam Gas in NSW: A skeptical assessment of who is really dodging the science?

The inaction of the New South Wales Department of Health in relation to the introduction of widespread Coal Seam Gas (CSG) mining in the State was a special focus of the monthly Skeptics in the Pub meeting, where the rational-minded gathered to learn more about the controversial Santos Narrabri Gas Project. Around 40 Sydney Skeptics … Read more