Farmers near the Pilliga State Forest are taking legal action against Santos and their coal seam gas exploration in a bid to all of the company's information relating to possible contamination at the site.
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It is alleged a farmer whose property joins the Santos operation discovered in March 2012 that his household drinking bore had been rendered unusable. He was advised a month later by Santos that the water was unfit for drinking or domestic purposes.
Another bore closer to the property's border is also alleged to be contaminated.
The farmers argue that Santos has provided no water monitoring data or assistance so yesterday the farming group Mullaley Gas and Pipeline Accord Inc (MGPA) applied to the NSW Land and Environment Court for preliminary discovery under civil procedure laws.
Environmental law experts EDO NSW will represent the group and principal solicitor Sue Higginson said they require Santos to "furnish any data, documentation or other information relevant to potential groundwater contamination on the property near Narrabri".
Liverpool Plains farmer and MGPA chairman David Quince said the case had been launched to uncover information.
"We believe there is a case that CSG activity has caused this groundwater pollution incident, however we are missing a few vital pieces of information," he said.
"We've been left with no choice because all other avenues of obtaining information have been exhausted, and it is vital that we now get enough information to assess the impact of Santos activities on groundwater resources.
"The recent revelations surrounding a separate pollution event, where Santos CSG activities in the nearby Pilliga forest have contaminated groundwater with uranium at levels 20 times drinking water standards, has added to the urgency of our action."
This week there was celebration from the anti-CSG community with Santos removing their drilling rigs from the Pilliga.
The eight exploration wells drilled in the last six months are all the company currently has approval for.
A Santos board meeting last week saw shareholders give the go ahead to apply for a licence for 850 gas wells but they require NSW government approval.
Third generation Narrabri farmer Josh Borowski said farmers and lobbyists will put up a fight if the licence is approved.
"I'm glad to know those CSG rigs are out of the forest for now.
"If Santos try to bring drill rigs back into the Pilliga they are likely to see escalating community opposition.
"We're really genuine and unified about protecting our land, water and rights."
