Protests in the Pilliga Forrest about the region's coal seam gas (CSG) project are only going to get bigger, according to Dubbo resident Dave Mould.
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The proposed Narrabri Gas Project area covers about 95,000 hectares of land in and around the Pilliga, south of Narrabri. It is expected to supply up to 50 per cent of NSW's gas needs.
Earlier in the week farmers blocked access to a CSG wastewater plant with a six-metre high wall of hay. There have also been numerous blockades at different work sites.
Mr Mould said he lived at Dubbo, but believed the mining was a worldwide problem.
"I just don't like the damage to the forest. I don't like the damage to the water," he said.
However, Santos general manager of energy NSW Peter Mitchley said Santos knew water resources were important and were 100 per cent committed to protecting them.
Profits were being put before people, Mr Mould said.
"All they're thinking is 'what do we sell to make money?' We're selling our children's futures," he said.
"When are they going to realise water is a finite resource?"
Mr Mould said he expected to see 100-plus people joining the protests and blockades.
"I'd like to see Santos leave the Pilliga. I'd like to see them not build the Narrabri gasfield. I'd like to spend time with my kids over Christmas and get back to find out they've cancelled the project but that's not going to happen," he said.
"The protest is going to run as long as the project does. It's just going to get bigger and bigger and bigger."