Protestors of the Narrabri Gas project gathered in Sydney on Wednesday 14 September, to rally against the coal seam gas project that will see gas wells drilled throughout the Pilliga and Liverpool Plains. 

Over two thousand locals and advocacy groups - including the people from the Gomeroi Nation, Lock The Gate Alliance, NSW Farmers, Unions NSW and the CWA - joined to show their opposition to the project, a long-term battle to protect the Great Artesian Basin from any potential threats from Santos' proposed 850 coal seam gas wells in the Pilliga Forest. 

Blocking off Sydney’s Macquarie Street, protesters stopped on the way to NSW Parliament House at Santos's Bligh Street office to drop off a letter expressing their concerns. 

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said the diversity and number of people at the rally was telling. 

“We cannot place groundwater at risk and that is what this project does,” Mr Butler said at the rally. 

“This project does not stack up environmentally, socially, economically…other proponents walked away from it. Frankly, Santos should have walked away from it as well,” he said. 

A strong turn-out and mix of community groups showed a clear opposition. (CWA of NSW)

North-west Lock the Gate coordinator Margaret Fleck said that the rally was an opportunity to show the NSW Government how people were united against the project. 

“The important thing is that there’s been civil society and various groups getting together and becoming one voice on this issue, and that is that groundwater will be protected at all costs,” Ms Fleck said. 

“Food and fibre production is not something that should be compromised for what is a short term industry.”

CWA of NSW President Joy Beames said that the contamination of the water table poses an enormous threat to communities. 

“The Liverpool Plains and the Pilliga is not just a piece of land; it’s our livelihood, our heritage, and our future,” Ms Beames said. 



In his speech, Mr Butler proposed that a domestic gas reservation policy could offer the same local benefits, eliminating the existing costs of exporting and importing gas for domestic use. 

“If we place the Great Artesian Basin at risk or damage it, we’re stuffed,” Mr Butler said.

Drilling is yet to restart in the Pilliga, although preparation is being undertaken to begin drilling in the upcoming months. 

“There’s no certainty. We often hear deadlines or proposed deadlines from Santos which are delayed,” Ms Fleck said. 

Gomeroi people from the Pilliga region at last week's march in Sydney. IMAGE: Lock the Gate Alliance

On the same day protesters gathered in Sydney, First Nations people made the trip to Canberra to tell their story about protecting water from fracking through stories and songs. 

Earlier this year the Gomeroi People filed an appeal in the Federal Court of Australia after a Native Title Claim - that would halt the project - was dismissed. 

According to Santos, the appeal was recently heard in Brisbane, with a decision anticipated by the end of 2023. 

The Narrabri Gas Project has support from both the Coalition and Labor.