Hunter Gas Pipeline

Santos is proposing to deliver natural gas from Narrabri to the east coast domestic market via two pipelines – the Hunter Gas Pipeline (HGP) and the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline (NLP).

Both the HGP and NLP are underground natural gas pipelines that will facilitate the transmission of gas from Narrabri to Hexham – a distance of approximately 400km. We’re currently working to finalise the pipeline’s exact location and are seeking feedback from landholders along the proposed route so that we can take into consideration their preferences, as well as potential technical constraints, environmental and cultural heritage considerations.  

As such, survey activities are continuing on both public and private land to finalise the alignment.

Our land access team continues to liaise with landholders along the route to progress discussions regarding the alignment, and to negotiate survey and deed of option agreements. We encourage landholders to engage with our land access advisors to ensure any feedback, questions or concerns can be addressed as part of the process to finalise the pipeline alignment. Landholders can contact our land access team at any time on 1300 427 546 or via email at info@huntergaspipeline.com.au.  

For more information, please visit the HGP website

Narrabri Lateral Pipeline

To connect the NGP to the HGP, Santos is progressing plans for the underground Narrabri Lateral Pipeline (NLP). The proposed pipeline will provide the ‘missing link’ between the NGP and HGP, to allow for the transmission of natural gas to the existing transmission network near Newcastle.

Santos is currently working to finalise the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the NLP project.

On 7 February 2025, the Australian Government determined the NLP as a ‘controlled action’ requiring assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.  On 3 March 2025, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) issued supplementary Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARS) comprising the assessment requirements for potential impacts to Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES).  

Community Consultation Sessions

On 11 March, we hosted a community consultation session in Narrabri to update residents and seek feedback on the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline alignment. We held similar community consultation sessions in Gunnedah, Boggabri and Baan Baa over the next two days. Our team hit the road again later in the month to deliver another five sessions, at various locations along the pipeline alignment. From Quirindi to Maitland, with Singleton, Muswellbrook and Scone in between, these sessions provided an opportunity for members of the community to come and speak with us, ask questions and voice concerns.

Image: Discussing the Hunter Gas Pipeline project at a recent community consultation session

Our community consultation sessions offer landholders, stakeholders and community members the opportunity to directly engage with key Santos staff about the Hunter Gas Pipeline, Narrabri Lateral Pipeline, or any other Santos activities in NSW. These sessions are an important part of our commitment to transparency and working collaboratively with the communities where we operate. The feedback received during these sessions plays a vital role in shaping decisions and outcomes.

Common questions and misconceptions – setting the record straight

Throughout our consultation sessions, we answered a few common questions and addressed misconceptions around what activities can and can’t be carried out on the pipeline easement once construction is complete.

We want to help set the record straight and ensure our local community has accurate information. We've put together the below information to clearly outline what you can and can’t do within the easement.

Santos is here to work with you

We understand that every landholder’s situation is unique. Santos will consider all reasonable requests related to land use requirements and work closely with landholders to find mutually agreeable solutions. If you have any specific needs or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly. We’re here to help and ensure we meet your individual needs as best we can.

You don’t have to wait for a scheduled community consultation session to connect with us. Our project team is available by phone or email to discuss our work in your area – feel free to give us a call on (02) 6790 9235 and we’ll be glad to meet and discuss any questions you may have.

Community Consultative Committee and Advisory Groups

A condition of the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) consent for the NGP is the establishment and operation of a Community Consultative Committee (CCC) and Advisory Groups in accordance with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment Community Consultative Committee Guideline: State Significant Projects.

Mr. Garry West was appointed to the position of Independent Chair of the CCC and Advisory Groups. 

The purpose of a CCC is to provide a forum for discussion between a proponent and representatives of the community, stakeholder groups and local councils on issues directly relating to a specific state significant project.

The Narrabri Gas Project Community Consultative Committee last meeting was held on Tuesday 18th March 2025. 

NGP CCC minutes are available here

The Advisory Groups include:   

• Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Group  
• Biodiversity Advisory Group  
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Advisory Group  
• Water Technical Advisory Group  

The next advisory group meetings will be held in April, 2025. 

Minutes from advisory group meetings are available here.