This morning’s devastating Land and Environment Court judgement will only strengthen the resolve of local communities opposed to the Santos Narrabri coal seam gas project, according to Lock the Gate Alliance.
The Mullaley Gas and Pipeline Accord had argued the Independent Planning Commision did not assess the project’s climate impacts in a way that was consistent with the law.
The MGPA also argued the IPC failed to assess the impacts of an external pipeline which would be needed to transport the gas and for the project to proceed.
However, Justice Preston this morning did not uphold the MGPA’s case.
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.”