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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

NSW Local Government Areas covered by unconventional export gas tenements (Exploration Licences) Expired Petroleum Titles in NSWcontinue reading →

The meeting was convened to discuss the third (draft) Underground Water Impact Report (UWIR) since 2012 and was part of a broader group of meetings held across the region. (Submissions to this draft are due and close on 1 July 2019.) The information and analysis of the data available regarding our underground water and the declared Surat Cumulative Management Area (SCMA) – in response to the Coal Seam Gas Industry impacts – has never been more detailed.  The Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment (OGIA) are to be congratulated on their work and the…continue reading →

Santos recently submitted their Supplementary Response to Agency Submissions (SRTS) to the NSW Government. The document took over 12 months to formulate but flat out refuses to address several major requests by government agencies. NSW Planning released the document the day before the Santos AGM held in May and since then CEO Kevin Gallagher has been shamelessly pressuring the NSW government to expedite the assessment process despite Santos being the ones who’ve dragged the process out for many years. The pressure is being applied by Santos, some industry groups, the Australian Workers Union…continue reading →

A revealing document detailing the estimates of rehabilitation of Pel 238 & Pal 2. The costing includes: Decommissioning of coal seam gas wells and associated headworks and rehabilitation of the land disturbances at the well pads.Rehabilitation of disturbances associated with gas and water gathering pipeline easements and access roadways.Decommissioning and rehabilitation of gathering lines between the facility at Dewhurst facility and the boundary of Petroleum Assessment Lease (PAL) 2.Decommissioning and rehabilitation of a yet to be built water flow line between Tintsfield and the Bibblewindi Transfer Facility.Decommissioning and rehabilitation of dams at Tintsfield…continue reading →