A coalition of farmers has initiated a legal challenge against the proposed Santos gas pipeline project, claiming that the federal government has failed to adequately safeguard water resources. The 60-kilometre pipeline is intended to link Santos’ Narrabri gas project in north-west New South Wales to the Hunter gas pipeline, facilitating gas delivery to the eastern Australian domestic market.
The pipeline would traverse valuable farmland, the Pilliga forest, and various public lands, as outlined in documents currently under review by the federal environment department. Earlier this year, the department classified the pipeline construction as a “controlled action,” necessitating adherence to environmental protection laws; however, they decided against invoking the water trigger—an additional measure that would scrutinise potential risks to water resources—arguing that the pipeline was not crucial to gas extraction from the Narrabri site.
Over 140 public submissions requested the application of the water trigger, citing concerns due to the pipeline’s proximity to the Namoi River and the Murray-Darling basin. Despite these submissions, the department concluded that the pipeline was “unlikely to significantly impact those waterways” and associated ecosystems.
In response, the Mullaley Gas and Pipeline Accord—a group of farmers and residents—has filed for a judicial review of the water trigger’s exclusion in the Federal Court. Noni Wells, a spokesperson for the group, emphasised the importance of ensuring clean water for the community, stating, “We’re going to court because every decision that could put water at risk must be assessed with the care it deserves.” The group is supported by Environmental Justice Australia, a legal organisation.
The Narrabri gas project, granted state planning approval in 2020, aims to extract gas from up to 850 wells across approximately 95,000 hectares. The $3.6 billion project has faced numerous environmental and heritage approval challenges, including opposition from the Gomeroi people. In May, the Native Title Tribunal ruled that land leases for the project should be granted, highlighting the significant public interest in ensuring that all gas produced is allocated for domestic use.