Author Archives: Admin

Appeal Launched Against Santos’ Narrabri Gas Project

A community group, the Mullaley Gas and Pipeline Accord (MGPA), has launched an appeal against the NSW Independent Planning Commission’s (IPC’s) approval of the controversial Narrabri Gas Project.

The 25-year Project would contribute greenhouse gas emissions in the order of 127 million tonnes (CO2 equivalent), at a time when the science says there is an urgent need for rapid emissions reductions.

Class 4 Judicial Review proceedings have now been lodged in the NSW Land and Environment Court by the MGPA, represented by Environmental Defenders Office (EDO). Continue reading →

Gamil Means No

Hundreds of people gathered in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to support the young warriors of the Gomeroi/Gamilaroi/Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay Nation determined to fight for their rights and for future generations.

They strongly oppose Santos’s $3.6bn gas project in Narrabri and The Pilliga in western New South Wales, which they say will devastate Gamilaraay Gomeroi cultural ties to sacred and significant heritage sites.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/03/hundreds-rally-in-australian-capital-cities-against-the-36bn-narrabri-gas-project 

During summer check for forest closures

The Pilliga Forest is a combination of National Parks, Conservation Areas and State Forests. The National Parks & Wildlife Service manage the National Parks and Conservation Areas and Forestry Corporation manages the Pilliga State Forests.

During summer all these areas may be closed if dangerous fire conditions persist. These closures will include the Pilliga forest visitor areas and campgrounds as well as the Warrumbungle National Park’s walking tracks, trails and remote campgrounds. Up to date information is available on the National Parks website under current alerts.

Forestry Corporation list of state forest closures

A fire ban is in place in the Pilliga National Park until 31 March 2021 unless otherwise extended or removed.

Federal Approval for Narrabri Gas

As expected, the Federal Government has approved the Narrabri Gas Project subject to a number of conditions.

Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley approved the project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Approval conditions to protect water resources include: 

  • An early-warning system that includes ongoing bore-monitoring and modelling to identify any potential impacts on groundwater aquifers before they occur.
  • Binding protocols identifying corrective actions, and cease-work provisions at gas wells where a groundwater exceedance is predicted.
  • A robust chemical risk assessment framework to protect the environment and water resources during coal seam gas operations (no fracking is required or proposed for gas extraction).
  • Santos will also establish a Community Benefit Fund of up to $120 million to share the ongoing benefit of the project with the Narrabri community. 

Details of the approval are available on the department website at: http://epbcnotices.environment.gov.au/_entity/annotation/b4110561-152e-eb11-82c9-00505684324c/a71d58ad-4cba-48b6-8dab-f3091fc31cd5?t=1606195949773

Fire in the Gas Fields

A bushfire in the Pilliga Forest has been brought under control. It burnt an area of 97 hectares between X Line Road and Blue Nobby Road close to gas infrastructure. Another smaller fire in the Pilliga West State Conservation Area is being controlled.

Meanwhile the NSW government considers setting up a special gas zone in northern NSW and may release more areas for exploration to increase supplies in the state and spur job creation, according to Peter Hannam in the Sydney Morning Herald. 

Before travelling into the forest download:
Fires Near Me App 
Or ArcGIS NSW Fire Map 
Check the weather forecast including wind and direction
Check Pilliga National Park – current alerts 

Part of the Pilliga forest is closed to the public until 31 December for Santos to do workover operations – maintenance work. Santos could also be drilling the 2 wells they have approval for under their exploration licence.

Switch for Narrabri

When you visit Narrabri take your electricity bill with you and call into Geni.Energy’s shop at 129 Maitland Street.

If you “Switch For Narrabri” you will:

  • Directly support Geni.Energy – a community-led renewable energy company based in Narrabri, to create renewables right in the heart of the proposed gas fields.
  • Buy your electricity from Enova Energy – Australia’s first community-owned energy provider. Enova is committed to a 100% renewable energy future.

Furthermore, if you are an EnergyAustralia account holder, switching away will show your opposition to its 20% shareholding in the Narrabri Gas project.

Switching your retail energy through Geni.Energy to Enova Energy is quick and easy for anyone living in NSW. For every new customer who “Switches For Narrabri” online or over the phone – and quotes NARRABRI50 – Enova Energy will provide $50 to Geni.Energy on your behalf to support their community energy initiatives.

Switching through Geni.Energy to Enova Energy is the easiest and best step that you and your family and friends can take, right now, to ensure that renewables eclipse the Narrabri Gas Project, before it’s even built.

For more information see: geni.energy/switch-for-narrabri

Or call into office:
Monday – Friday 9:00 – 16.00
Saturday 9:00 – 12:00
1/129 Maitland St, Narrabri NSW 2390
Ph: 02 5700 3290

Narrabri Gas Hurdles

The IPC’s 134 conditions of approval are a huge hurdle for Santos. Some, including the disposal of 840,000 tonnes of salt waste, have to be solved before Phase 1 of the project can start.

  • Phase 1 – Drilling up to 25 wells for ongoing appraisal will enable the company to make a final investment decision
  • Phase 2 – Construction of production wells and related infrastructure can only commence when a pipeline is approved linking the project to the domestic gas network
  • Phase 3 – Gas production can only begin when a pipeline is commissioned

The two pipelines proposed to transport gas out of the North West – APA’s Western Slopes pipeline and the Hunter Gas Pipeline are strongly opposed by the landholders. Both pipeline routes have not been surveyed. Local opposition has made this very difficult in the past.

For more information see

North West Alliance

North West Protection Advocacy