Member Stories
Pilliga drilling a threat to local health
The Pilliga Forest, located just south of Narrabri in northern NSW, is one of the most significant areas of remnant forest in inland NSW. It is also a very special place for the local Gomeroi people.
Gas giant Santos intends to develop a gas field in the Pilliga, drilling at least 850 gas wells that will fragment the northern section of the forest.
Groundwater resources used by agriculture and urban communities are almost certain of depletion and/or contamination, as has been observed in Coal Seam Gas (CSG) extraction areas in Queensland.
Santos has never had the interests of local gas consumers at heart; it pays no corporate taxes, and is part of an extractive industry that contributes virtually no state or federal royalties.
The CSG industry has long been associated with negative health outcomes for people who are forced to live and work in a gasfield environs.
Over the last few months, I have joined with the union contingent, including members of the NSWNMA, who have travelled to Coonabarabran to protest the Narrabri Gas Project. As a local, I have been touched by the solidarity of our movement and the members who travelled hundreds of kilometres to join with my community and with the Gomeroi people.
Having unionists from across the state and from the NSWNMA standing with us has empowered our resolve to continue our opposition to this ecological disaster that is just waiting to happen.
Jenny Donaldson, NM