The NSW Land and Environment Court dismissed a legal challenge to the Independent Planning Commission’s (IPC) approval of the Narrabri Gas Project.

The Mullaley Gas and Pipeline Accord (MGPA), challenged the September 2020 approval of Santos’ proposed project, arguing the IPC failed to properly assess the impacts of both the project’s greenhouse gas emissions and the pipeline required to transport gas to market and for the project to proceed.

Santos Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Gallagher said while the legal process had pushed the timelines for the project back 12 months.

However, the community vows to continue to fight against the Santos Narrabri Gas Project and its pipelines.

Lock the Gate Alliance NSW spokesperson Georgina Woods said it may have been a legal loss, but it was not the end of the fight against Santos.

“This fight is not over by a long shot,” she said.

“Financial institutions around the world are increasingly unwilling to back polluting fossil fuel projects like what Santos proposes at Narrabri.

“If Santos’ 850-well gasfield goes ahead, it will be responsible for a total of nearly 130 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

“Farmers and communities in north-west NSW are already suffering the destructive impacts of the climate crisis, and this project will make it worse. 

“The Narrabri CSG project would also have a severe impact on the underground water farmers surrounding Narrabri rely on for their businesses, and it would wreak havoc on the Pilliga forest, which is held sacred by Gomeroi people.

“Today’s ruling is devastating, but it’s not the end of the battle. Santos will never build its gasfield at Narrabri. The community does not support it and it has no social licence to proceed.”

For more information see
Environmental Defenders Office
Lock the Gate