Stop coal seam gas threats to the Pilliga Forest
After years of insisting CSG projects pose no threat to our water supply, Santos has poisoned an aquifer in the Pilliga Forest.
Now, the aquifer is filled with uranium at 20 times the safe drinking water levels, and has elevated levels of arsenic, lead, aluminium, nickel, barium and boron.
The consequences? A $1500 slap on the wrist. And unbelievably, two days after the fine was issued, the NSW State Government signed an agreement with Santos to fast track their CSG development in the area.
Members from GetUp and The Wilderness Society have responded in force. 161 people who have shares in Santos have come forward to submit a resolution to the Santos board. Now, Santos must vote on whether to abandon their entire coal seam gas development in north-western NSW at their Annual General Meeting in May.
With Santos' AGM coming up in May, now is the perfect time to speak-out against the dangerous practices damaging our precious water supply.
Sign the petition to demand Santos CEO David Knox stop the CSG developments in our beautiful Pilliga Forest.
No-one is taking responsibility for the long-term impacts of coal seam gas mining. The State and Federal Governments are playing political football with livelihoods – handballing the issue because it's too hard to deal with. With the States failing to adequately control this industry, we need the federal government to act. Our nation's food, water and health are at stake.
FOOTNOTES:
1 Parliament of Australia Parliamentary Library Background Note: The development of Australia's coal seam gas resources Date 28 July 2011
2 National Water Commission, December 2010, The coal seam gas and water challenge: National Water Commission Position.
3 Dunn, Ross. Australian Petroleum Producers and Explorations Association on Lateline 02/08/2011 Coal Seam Gas Debate.
4 Doctors for the Environment Australia, June 2011, Submission to the Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee Inquiry into management of the Murray Darling Basin – impact of mining coal seam gas.
5 Senator Heffernen questioning Mark McFarlane of Santos in Federal Senate Inquiry. ABC radio, August 9, 2011.
SIGN THE PETITION
To: Santos CEO David Knox.
The Narrabri coal seam gas project presents an unacceptable risk to the region's groundwater and the Great Artesian Basin.
The recent incident that left an aquifer contaminated with uranium at 20 times the safe drinking guidelines was an environmental disaster and highlights the need to halt all activity.
We ask you immediately withdraw from the Narrabri Gas Project.