Experts condemn Liberals’ 'destructive' $3.6 billion Narrabri gas project

Fabian Robertson reports on USyd Enviro Collective’s ‘Fighting Gas’ forum.

An expert panel convened at USyd today to discuss the ramifications of Santos’ $3.6 billion gas project in Narrabri. The panel, summoned by USyd Enviro Collective, claimed the government-subsidised project would be both economically and environmentally catastrophic.   

First Nations activist Ian Brown of Gamilaraay Next Generation spoke of the impending damage to Aboriginal Land as a result of the project.

“We are talking about the destruction of sacred sites, native flora and fauna, and the viability of the land.”

Coal seams emit damaging greenhouse gases, contaminate the water table, and risk leaking gallons of gas into the surrounding environment in the event of pipeline damage.

“This affects all East Coast First Nations people, including people who rely on the Great Artesian Basin for freshwater,” he said.

Brown positioned the fight as part of a broader struggle against the capitalist hierarchy.

“This is a classic example of using the legal system to disempower the people. It’s much bigger than opposing the Santos gas project; it’s about bettering society as a whole,” he said.

Dr Madeline Taylor has spent the last ten years examining the legal elements of fossil fuel extraction, environmental contamination, and breaches of oil licences.

“Narrabri is the linchpin for the gas industry to seize upon this moment. There are 12 other dormant oil licences in the area which are likely to be renewed if the project goes ahead. The environmental issues will be catastrophic,” she said.

Dr Taylor also pointed to the commercial flaws of the project.

“The project is simply not commercially viable. Gas is so expensive to extract and wells will become stranded assets. The cost will eventually be paid by the taxpayer.”

“There is no legal stipulation reserving Narrabri gas for the state. It’s going to be shipped overseas for corporate profit - any commercial lawyer can see this.”

“Santos is a strategy to reinvigorate gas energy in NSW. We need a complete shift from our deregulated privatised corporate system and the way the law deals with the allocation of rights to corporations,” said Dr Taylor.

Niko Choplicki of Workers for Climate Action and United Workers Union highlighted the deception that underpins the government’s gas-led recovery plan.

“All this talk about the employability of gas over renewables - it’s bullshit,” he said.

“Parties like the Nationals and One Nation can capitalise on that angst and divide communities.”

“It’s important that we bring the workers on board, that we take care of the immediate material conditions of the people.”

“We need a publicly refunded renewable energy sector,” he said.

Choplicki also spoke of the need for structural change.

“You don’t fight climate change with capitalism - it’s a system that relies on limitless growth in a finite world.”

“We need to force the change,” he said.

USyd Enviro Collective concluded by advertising the upcoming Global Climate Strike on 21 May. A Student General Meeting (SGM) is being called on 28 April to pass a motion to excuse staff and students from punishment for attending the 21 May strike. To reach quorum and qualify as an official SGM, at least 200 USyd students must be in attendance. Follow the collective’s Facebook page for details.