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

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 dangerous chemicals is used to drill, with or without fracking.New South Wales has been under threat from coal seam gas expansion for many years. The NSW Government recently released it’s “Future of Gas Statement1” and cancelled several Exploration…continue reading →
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

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 NSW Government Water Monitoring FrameworkThe NSW Government’s Water Monitoring Framework transforms how water data and information is captured and used to protect precious water resources. NSW Department of Primary Industries – Groundwater Monitoring Bore Drilling Project: Narrabri –…continue reading →
Coal Seam Gas in NSW: A skeptical assessment of who is really dodging the science?

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 heard, to the disbelief of some, that NSW Health had made a brief 1½ page submission on the 7,000 page Environmental Impact Assessment despite the industry being linked to a host of public health concerns since it’s introduction…continue reading →
Game on: Date set for Gomeroi court battle with Ley

Game on: Date set for Gomeroi court battle with Ley

The proposed Shenhua Chinese Government-owned coal mine at Breeza, just south of Gunnedah, is facing a new challenge by the Traditional Owners of the Liverpool Plains, the Gomeroi Aboriginal people (also known as Gamilaaray, or Kamillaroi – as in the great highway that traverses the Liverpool Plains and stretches out west to Walgett). A legal challenge is being heard by the Federal Court of Australia to decide whether the Environment Minister Sussan Ley’s decision to override Aboriginal culture of “immeasurable value” is a misuse of her Ministerial authority. The challenge was announced by…continue reading →
ARRISCAR – Initial Gap Analysis of Safety Risk Assessment in EIS

ARRISCAR – Initial Gap Analysis of Safety Risk Assessment in EIS

Santos Risky Business – Risk assessment document that was removed from the NSW Major Projects site detailing risks to public safety which the NGP EIS has failed to address. According to the document there are still 14 OPEN observations including: The hazards and risks associated with the existing wells, including their “conversion or upgrade”, do not appear to have been included in the PHA.No explosion overpressure analysis was performed at the wellheads as it is assumed the area is open and there is insufficient confinement and congestion to result in an explosion.The PHA…continue reading →

Definition of insanity, Australian gas is globally uncompetitive and global prices have collapsed…

What would you think if you knew that the very resource that makes your electricity costs so expensive provides little to no benefit to Australians economically or socially? In fact the three experts who spoke to around 100 community members in Coonamble on Saturday 13th July, 2019 were scathing of the unconventional gas industry in regards to renewables, jobs, economic benefits (or impacts) and social consequences. https://youtu.be/clCi7R2wwyg Bruce Robertson, Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis presented on the Narrabri Gas Project and domestic gas market. Bruce doesn't actually think there is an…continue reading →
Protecting the Northern Rivers from Damaging Development: An essay five years after the Bentley Blockade by Dr Wayne Somerville

Protecting the Northern Rivers from Damaging Development: An essay five years after the Bentley Blockade by Dr Wayne Somerville

It’s half a decade since the Gasfield Free campaign in the Northern Rivers climaxed at the Bentley Blockade, but few are celebrating. These are tough times for people who care about Mother Earth and her dependents. The past five years have been the hottest on record worldwide with temperatures rising as concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane continue a relentless upward trajectory. As human-induced climate catastrophe unfolds, nature is taking a beating while politicians fiddle and many folk feel desperate. But I’m writing this essay to celebrate and build on what our…continue reading →
An Open Letter to the Editor, The Australian Financial Review

An Open Letter to the Editor, The Australian Financial Review

North West Protection AdvocacyPO Box 197 Coonabarabran NSW 2357Email: NorthwestPA@protonmail.com.au 25 June 2019 The EditorThe Australian Financial Reviewafreditor@afr.com Dear Mr Stutchbury,The editorial and story “Controversial CSG project set to get green light” (AFR Friday 21st June 2019 – reprinted below) contain many errors, starting with the claim that the Santos project would result in lowering of gas prices. Only a gas reservation policy to ensure gas stays in Australia at cheaper prices would achieve that aim. You state that “gas is expensive because there is plentiful domestic gas available in NSW and Victoria,…continue reading →