Back in the boom days of coal seam gas (CSG) development a pipeline to transport gas more than 800 kilometres from Queensland to the port of Newcastle was approved by the state Government.
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But that was back in 2009 when Labor ruled NSW and former Premier Kristina Keneally was the Planning Minister who signed off on the Queensland Hunter Gas Pipeline (QHGP) project.
From gasfields in southern Queensland the pipeline was also expected transport this new energy source from wells to be developed near Narrabri and probably even from the Hunter gas wells for use domestically and also for export.
However community angst against CSG meant no wells were developed in the Hunter.
And the Narrabri project is still being assessed by the Department of Planning and Environment which meant the pipeline has been dormant since it’s initial approval.
The company behind the project has until 2019 to start construction and a recent flurry of media releases from them and a push by local politicians including Federal member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon for the use of gas in the Hunter to solve what he describes as a energy crisis means landholders whose property the pipeline may traverse are extremely concerned.
“I think many landholders in the Upper Hunter may be completely unaware that this pipeline could be going through their properties,” said Elderslie resident Meg Bowman.
“When we bought our property more than five years ago we were told verbally the pipeline would not be going ahead and now we find it may go through our land and be located just 50 metres from our home.
“How can this happen? Singleton Council never told us anything when we submitted plans for our home.”
The Bowmans bought 40 hectares in a subdivision on Glenalister Road and Mrs Bowman says so many other landholders throughout the Upper Hunter should be checking the maps on the project to see if the pipeline will impact them.
The pipeline will pass through Singleton, Muswellbrook, and Upper Hunter local government areas but as it was a state significant development the councils are not the planning authority rather that is in the hands of the Department of Planning.
“Under the existing approval they have the right to clear a 30m strip to lay the pipeline and they also have access rights along the pipeline for maintenance,” said Mrs Bowman.
“We only became aware that the proponents were seeking to restart the project six weeks ago – its been such a shock to many of us in the Elderslie and Stanhope districts as we believed the pipeline had been shelved due to the lack of gas development and alternate projects.”
Singleton Council’s Director Planning and Infrastructure, Mark Ihlein said “Development applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and it is up to the property owner to establish the constraints that exist on their land.
“Council does offer the opportunity for any land owner to meet with us to discuss any proposal and to ascertain any additional constraints.
“In regard to potential land owners, anyone looking at buying property can apply to Council for a Section 149 certificate under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. This certificate provides information about the extent to which local planning provisions affect land.
“However, as a State significant project, Council has not been involved in any decisions or discussions in relation to the Queensland gas pipeline.”
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
