The Narrabri Gas Project is facing continued backlash after New South Wales Premier Chris Minns declared the development must proceed to secure the state's energy needs.

The project would see 850 coal seam gas wells drilled across the Pilliga Forest – a site of cultural and environmental significance for Gomeroi people.

For Gomeroi Traditional Owners, the announcement has highlighted the need to continue resisting.

Aunty Karra Kinchela, a resident of Narrabri told National Indigenous Times her people have consistently fought the project in court.

"Gomeroi people have been in court with Santos and the New South Wales State Government," she said.

"We know that they are choosing gas over our health.

"That's not in our public interest or anyone's public interest to put energy over our health."

She said the government was blocking renewable alternatives while backing Santos.

"They're stopping and halting the development of renewables while promoting Santos," she said.

"We've been fighting and showing them, taking them to court, not just Gomeroi but with farmers and unions as well."

For Aunty Karra, the fight comes down to culture and survival.

"It's all about culture. It's all about keeping that land safe for future generations," she said.

The dispute has lasted for more than a decade through the Native Title system.

On 19 May 2025, the National Native Title Tribunal determined the grant of four petroleum production leases could proceed, subject to 23 conditions.

The Tribunal accepted that Gomeroi people's cultural rights and environmental concerns would be affected but ruled the project would deliver a "net public benefit" by securing domestic gas supply.

Gomeroi Traditional Owners have appealed, with a hearing listed for November.

Uncle Raymond 'Bubbly' Weatherall has been part of the resistance since the early days. He said governments have always made their position clear.

"In that Native Title tribunal the New South Wales government sat with Santos across the table from Gomeroi people," he said.

"Chris Minns coming out last week saying it must go ahead is not new news to us in regards to where they lie with their thoughts, feelings and emotions about Gomeroi Country."

Uncle Raymond's position is grounded in a responsibility to protect Country and culture.

"There's total disregard for our culture and heritage at every turn," he said.

"The one thing we always agreed on was that we didn't want coal seam gas in our country."

He said the impact on Country would be devastating.

"Could you imagine those 850 gas wells going all at once with flames there? You won't even see the night sky anymore," he said.

"Our people back in the day walked for ceremony into that place.

"We are obligated to defend our country regardless of the circumstances."

For Uncle Raymond, the issue was about ensuring future generations could experience the Pilliga as his family has.

"I want my daughters to really look at our land and see what we're fighting for," he said.

"They must be able to pass that on to their kids too."

Boggabri farmer and renewable energy advocate Sally Hunter from Lock The Gate Alliance said the risks to water and farming were unacceptable.

"From an agricultural perspective, the risk to water is just completely unacceptable," she said.

"The Great Artesian Basin is underneath the project and we know it will have an impact on the recharge zone at the Pilliga."

She said Santos had caused division in the region.

"I know the genuine social impacts and risks of this project," she said.

"There's been a very loud and clear and democratic response and they're just ignoring it. They're fighting it in the courts while trying to buy favour by sponsoring the footy team."

Ms Hunter said the project was being propped up despite weak economics.

"Renewable energy has no end point, that's why it's called renewable," she said.

"Gas is a limited resource. It will run out, so why spend billions to set it up when it will run out of puff in 25 years?"

The Gomeroi people say the Narrabri Gas Project should not go ahead while the fight to protect the Pilliga will continue.

National Indigenous Times contacted Santos for comment.