New South Wales Minister for Planning Tony Kelly has weighed in on the Eastern Gas Pipeline from Narrabri to Wellington.
Mr. Kelly and the government want the “272 kilometre long high pressure gas transmission pipeline on traveling stock routes and established road
corridors” after a trip by air and road over the planned pipeline region.
His comments come ahead of a meeting with farmers and Eastern Gas in Gunnedah.
“Eastern Gas has been issued with an extensive set of requirements which must be adequately addressed, before its plans for the pipeline can be exhibited.’’
“The assessment of the proposed pipeline is still in its early stages, but I can assure the community, people will have plenty of opportunity to have their say in what is a transparent and rigorous process,” the minister said.
The pipeline has been the centre of some controversy in recent times especially between the Mullaley Pipeline accord and Eastern Star Gas.
The accord citing many problems with the construction of the pipeline.
Eastern Star Gas released a statement yesterday afternoon.
Eastern Star Gas (ESG) notes NSW Planning minister Tony Kelly’s media statement issued today in relation to the company’s planned Narrabri to Wellington gas pipeline.
Last Friday the minister requested a meeting with ESG at Narrabri today, which was agreed to.
That meeting was cancelled
by the minister late
yesterday.
We are perplexed that the minister states that he is putting ESG on notice when this company has diligently
followed the planning process overseen by Mr Kelly and his department.
As we have always stated, our preference is to use travelling stock routes, or road reserves, wherever feasible.
This is why we have invested heavily in the necessary flora, fauna and cultural studies to support our case in relation to TSRs.
We are methodically working through the director general’s requirements, as partly outlined in Mr Kelly’s media release, in order to lodge an Environmental Assessment with the NSW government later this year,” Eastern Gas Managing Director David Casey revealed.
Publicily listed ERM Power will be charge of the gas fired power station in Wellington which will create jobs.
The news on the Eastern Star Gas pipeline will be a subject of discussion when shadow minister for Energy and Primary Industries Duncan Gay visit’s Wellington, Mudgee and Orange tomorrow.
Mr. Gay will be the third National’s shadow minister to visit the town in a week, last week the shadow police minister Mike Gallacher talked tough about local policing while deputy Nationals Leader Adrian Piccoli talked up the Coalition’s education policy.
Mr. Gay will release information on the policy agenda for Natural Resources to Regional areas. Wellington’s gas fired power station, a possible solar farm, and speculation of a second wind project are also likely to be on the list.
The Times has learned of a second wind farm that is under strict testing mode in an area outside the town, following on from the Infingen Energy
project which is also in proposal stage.
Wellington’s spot in the new and clean energy cycle has been highlighted by several companies who believe our town and area are perfect places for these types of projects.
ERM Power believes the gas fired power station “is the next big thing” in energy in New South Wales according to its management team who are behind the project.
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