The NSW chief scientist and engineer is today back in Sydney after yesterday inspecting several Santos sites in the Pilliga Forest.
Professor Mary O’Kane was in Narrabri as part of her independent review of New South Wales’ coal seam gas activities, focusing on potential human health and environmental impacts.
She also met with representatives of local community groups and Narrabri Shire Council.
“We’ve had lots of paper submissions but you always see more in person and walk around and talk to the people on site, so it’s really about fleshing out our understanding,” professor O’Kane told The Courier during her inspections of Santos’ sites yesterday.
Professor O’Kane said seeing the sites in person would help to formulate her report.
“A lot of the stuff I’ve seen is of the spill area and remediation of the ponds, and I’ve been able to get a sense of any expansion Santos might do, that’s all been part of today’s activities.”
The spills were caused by Eastern Star Gas before Santos took over the company in November 2011.
Santos has since been working to remediate the areas.
Santos’ manager of environment and water, Alan Feely, said the coal seam gas company was pleased to be able to show professor O’Kane some of the remediation works undertaken first-hand.
“I’d like her to have a good hard look at the science behind what we do, not some of the emotive stuff that we hear about,” Mr Feely said.
“I want to see us get a fair go and bring some development to Narrabri, and take some of the gas and put it into Sydney, which has an impending gas shortage so it’s a great opportunity for her.”
Mr Feely said Santos would eagerly await professor O’Kane’s initial report.
“I don’t know what her view will be, we’ll read about it like everyone else, but I hope we’ve given her what we see are the facts, and her and her staff will make decisions,” he said.
The findings from her visit will contribute towards her initial report, which has also taken her to places such as Gloucester, meeting with other energy companies and community groups.
The initial report will be handed down this month, with the final report not expected until late next year.