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Santos NSW
Monthly Activities Update
March 2024
Welcome to the March issue of the Santos NSW Monthly Activities Update. This month commenced with eight community information sessions being held at locations along the Hunter Gas Pipeline and Narrabri Lateral Pipeline routes. We spoke to more than 70 community members, landholders, contractors and interested stakeholders who dropped in to discuss our activities in NSW.
The Narrabri Gas Project Community Consultation Committee (CCC) met on Tuesday 19 March in Narrabri. The Narrabri Gas Project Advisory Committees also met during the same week.
Narrabri Gas Project Activities
Operations update
We’re making good progress with our clean up and recovery efforts following the Pilliga fire.
Since the area was re-opened by the Forestry Corporation of NSW last month, we’ve been able to conduct follow-up inspections and integrity checks of our operational infrastructure, which has not been damaged.
This equipment is designed to withstand the intensity of bushfires.
Unsurprisingly, some auxiliary infrastructure, like signs and some fences, has been damaged but this did not pose a risk to public safety or our operations at any stage.
We have now completed the bulk of the clean-up works and are in the process of revisiting each site to ensure any introduced materials have been removed from the local environment. We will then finalise any required fencing work.
Santos continues to work closely with the Forestry Corporation of NSW and support the local community, as we have done right throughout the response effort.
Drilling activities
Santos completed drilling of the shallow water monitoring bores during November in accordance with project approvals. Further drilling activities are planned throughout 2024.
Pilot wells
Bibblewindi East, Bibblewindi West and Dewhurst South, and Tintsfield wells are online.
Leewood
Santos does not need to irrigate at this time and water is stored in the holding ponds at Leewood.
Wilga Park Power Station
The Wilga Park Power Station is online.
Other activities
Groundwater monitoring activities for Environmental Protection Licence compliance are ongoing.
PEL 1
Kahlua pilot construction works were completed in accordance with the Review of Environmental Factors and the wells are now online. To view the approval, please click here.
Community Consultation
Community Consultative Committee
A condition of the IPC consent for the Narrabri Gas Project is the establishment and operation of a Community Consultative Committee in accordance with the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) (formally known as Department of Planning and Environment) Community Consultative Committee Guidelines: State Significant Projects. DPHI appointed Mr Garry West to the position of Independent Chair of the committee.
The purpose of a Community Consultative Committee is to provide a forum for discussion between a proponent and representatives of the community, stakeholder groups and the local council on issues directly relating to a specific state significant project.
The next meeting of the Narrabri Gas Project Community Consultative Committee will be held on Tuesday 18 June, 2024.
NGP Advisory Groups
A condition of consent for the Narrabri Gas Project is the establishment and operation of a number of advisory groups. The NSW DPHI has appointed Mr Garry West to the position of Independent Chair of these Advisory Groups.
These groups provide a forum for open dialogue between Santos, independent experts, key stakeholder groups and the local community.
- Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Group
- Biodiversity Advisory Group
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions Advisory Group
- Water Technical Advisory Group
NGP in the Community
CREATE Festival
Santos is pleased to support the annual Narrabri Shire CREATE Festival. The Festival is an annual celebration of the arts spanning 16 days throughout the Narrabri Shire, fostering connections between local artists and the community, and encouraging creative collaboration across all age groups. Santos has proudly supported CREATE since it began in 2021.
Santos staff attended the opening evening at The Crossing Theatre on Friday, 8 March along with approximately 200 members of the community who gathered to celebrate the opening and view the exhibitions on display showcasing the talents of local artists in the Narrabri region.
The Narrabri shop front was transformed with a display showcasing CREATE artist exhibits across various mediums. This was a fantastic way to engage the local community and promote artistic talent and proactively be involved in the CREATE festivities.
Image: Narrabri shop front proudly displaying art created by local artists in support of the CREATE Festival.
Narrabri District Cricket Association contest Country Plate Grand Final
Santos was pleased to support the Narrabri District Cricket Association (NDCA) first XI Pink Slugs in their 2023/24 season Country Cricket NSW Plan B Country Plate campaign.
The NDCA Pink Slugs secured a spot in the grand final held in Sydney on 10 March, after defeating Gilgandra who were the defending champions.
Participants in the Plan B NSW Country Plate are from small country associations with 40-over knock out matches played across regional NSW during the season.
The NDCA Pink Slugs played a solid match but eventually went down by 66 runs against Highlands District Cricket Association.
Image: Narrabri District Cricket Association Pink Slugs at Hurstville Oval, Sydney.
Narrabri Gas Project Approvals
NSW Government
On 30 September 2020, the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) approved the Narrabri Gas Project with the Commission concluding that the Project is in the public interest and that any negative impacts can be effectively mitigated with strict conditions.
Australian Government
On 24 November 2020, the Federal Minister for the Environment approved the Narrabri Gas Project pursuant to Sections 130(1) and 133(1) of the EPBC Act, subject to conditions.
Santos will undertake an appraisal program ahead of a Final Investment Decision for the next phase of project development.
Santos continues work on the preparation and approval of the management plans required as a condition of consent by IPC. Copies of approved plans are available from the Narrabri Gas Project website.
Native Title
Santos notes the decision by the Full Federal Court to allow the appeal against the determination by the National Native Title Tribunal that proposed future acts, being the grants of Petroleum Production Lease Application Numbers 13, 14, 15 and 16 for the Narrabri Gas Project, may be done.
The Court has determined the National Native Title Tribunal erred at law by declining to have regard to evidence on climate impacts that was tendered on behalf of the Gomeroi applicant.
The Court did not make any findings in relation to Santos’ conduct. Santos has at all times negotiated with the Gomeroi people in good faith.
The Court’s orders regarding next steps are yet to be made.
Hunter Gas Pipeline and Narrabri Lateral Pipeline Activities
Hunter Gas Pipeline
The Hunter Gas Pipeline (HGP) is a critical piece of infrastructure that, once constructed, will deliver 100 per cent of Narrabri natural gas to the east coast domestic market. This will put downward pressure on gas and electricity prices for NSW households, manufacturers and businesses.
Santos has continued to progress the construction of the first laydown yard as part of approved stage one early works. Construction of the yard is expected to be completed in the coming months. Santos is currently updating Stage 1 management plans to allow for the commencement of work on additional early works sites along the alignment.
Survey activities continue to be undertaken on both public and private lands to finalise the alignment within the approved 200m corridor.
Our land access team has continued to liaise with landholders along the route to continue discussions regarding the alignment, survey and deed of easement agreements. Landholders can contact our land access team at any time on 1300 427 546 or via email at info@huntergaspipeline.com.au.
Approvals and approved management plans relating to the Hunter Gas Pipeline and Narrabri Lateral Pipeline are available on the HGP website here.
Image: Early works to support the HGP
HGP in the Community
Community Information Drop-in Sessions
In early March, Santos staff hosted the fifth round of drop-in community information sessions at eight locations along the alignment. The team spoke with more than 70 community members ranging from interested local stakeholders, affected landholders, suppliers and contractors. In addition to the drop-in sessions, two pop up sessions were held in Maitland and Muswellbrook with staff also breifing several local councils along the alignment.
Santos staff appreciated the time each person took to drop in and ask any questions they had and provide feedback. Feedback and information provided by stakeholders is a valuable part of the engagement process as it informs decisions and assists in shaping how the project will be implemented.
Image: Pop-up information session set up at Muswellbrook.
Community Engagement
Narrabri Lateral Pipeline
To connect the Narrabri Gas Project (NGP) to the Hunter Gas Pipeline (HGP), Santos is progressing plans for the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline (NLP).
The proposed pipeline will provide the ‘missing link’ to allow for the transmission of natural gas to the existing NSW natural gas transmission network near Newcastle.
Santos is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which will be subject to extensive community consultation and a full environmental assessment. More information about the EIS assessment process is available on the HGP website here.
More information about the NLP including factsheets can be viewed on the HGP website here. The NLP SEARs can be viewed on the NSW Planning portal website here.
Engagement with Registered Aboriginal Parties
Santos is continuing to liaise with the Registered Aboriginal Parties regarding the assessment of the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline project corridor. Santos is committed to consulting with Indigenous people about the Aboriginal cultural heritage values within the proposed project area to ensure their heritage is protected.
Narrabri Lateral Pipeline Assessment Process
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