Wednesday, 18 January 2023

UPDATE: Gas Pipeline Go-Ahead Faces Push-Back

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A local MP is pushing to get the Hunter Gas Pipeline put on public land, rather than private property. 

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell, is calling for Santos to consider running the Pipeline through public land like travelling stock routes, to avoid disruption to locals. 

"It has to be something that's considered under this approval," Mr Layzell said.

Mr Layzell said consultation between Santos and local landowners needs to take place, before the best outcome for all parties can be achieved. 

"At this stage it's about surveying the land where the Pipeline is actually going through at the moment, and then we can actually try to look at alternatives, options, things that actually work for the community and landholders, rather than having a rigid pathway through their properties," he said.  

He also said moving the Pipeline onto public lands, would be an "appropriate way to gain community support for something that the state needs in general." 


EARLIER


NSW Treasurer Matt Kean's decision to give the Hunter Gas Pipeline the go-ahead is facing backlash. 

On January 13th, Mr Kean gave energy giant Santos, permission to explore possible routes from its Narrabri Gas project, to the east coast gas network. 

The project has the potential to provide up to half of the state's natural gas needs over the next 20 years, providing up to one million households with affordable gas. 

However, Greens MP and Spokesperson for Coal and Gas Sue Higginson, said the decision to green-light has been rushed. 

"Unfortunately, as it has been described by many experts, this project is a 'climate bomb'. We know right now, opening up new gas reserves is dangerous and reckless policy," she said. 

"The Santos project is too late. We are rushing through it. This is a project about delivering Santos profits. This is not a project in the national, regional or local interest."

Ms Higginson said the Pipeline is projected to lock-in an additional 5 megatons of carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere every year, at a time when Australia and NSW are trying to find more than 7 megatons in reductions per year. 

The corridor would cross through 95,000 hectares of Pilliga Forest, and is facing push-back from landowners and First Nation's custodians. 

Ms Higginson said their voices are not being considered. 

"We know this project is going to harm cultural heritage and of course, it's likely to harm the land and the water. We know the Gomeroi are standing strong and fierce in resistance. They do not consent to Santos and this project," she said.