Newcastle gas terminal given critical status
27 August 2019
A
Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) import terminal
at
Newcastle that could supply up to 80 per cent of
NSW’s gas needs has
today been declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure.
Acting Premier John Barilaro said the proposal for the new $589 million
gas import terminal at Kooragang Island in the
Port of Newcastle would
include a connecting pipeline to the existing NSW gas supply network.
“The terminal could be operational by 2022-23 and provide supply for
gas-fired power stations, helping to manage energy security during the
period in which the Liddell power station is scheduled to close,” Mr
Barilaro said.
“This LNG terminal would significantly address this risk and help secure
a reliable and affordable future for NSW’s gas supply.”
The project was declared CSSI by Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes
who said the terminal, if approved, would significantly increase local
gas supply, promote competition between suppliers and put downward
pressure on the State’s gas prices.
“NSW currently relies on interstate sources for 95 per cent of our gas
supply and experts predict a shortfall in supply from existing sources
in the coming years,” Mr Stokes said.
The import terminal would expand the locally available gas supply in NSW
by 110 petajoules.
Despite being declared ‘critical’, the terminal will still be subject to
detailed community consultation and a full and thorough
environmental
assessment.
The proponent, Newcastle GasDock Company (NGDC), will now need to
prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for the project, which will go
on public exhibition for community feedback.
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment will then assess
the merits of the project, before making a recommendation to Minister
Stokes for a final decision.
--ENDS--
Source: NSW Government - www.planning.nsw.gov.au
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