December 2023 The Hunter Gas Pipeline Welcome to the December Hunter Gas Pipeline (HGP) monthly update. The purpose of the regular monthly update is to keep landholders and interested community members informed of project progress. December project status The HGP project team has had a busy year, conducting almost 6,000 consultations with landholders to date. This showcases our collaborative approach in working closely with landholders along the route, ensuring their questions and feedback are taken into account as the project moves forward. Discussions about easement agreements with landholders began in the latter half of 2023 and will continue into 2024. Survey activities have been ongoing along the alignment where agreements have been established. Santos attended a number of community events in 2023 including the AgQuip field days, numerous business chamber events, local shows and community group events. Santos has also hosted 30 community information sessions along the HGP route since August 2022. Santos is planning the fifth round of community information sessions for early 2024. These sessions will be advertised in future editions of the HGP monthly update, in regional newspapers and on the HGP website. Santos is looking forward to continuing to work with landholders, Traditional Owners, local councils, communities and government departments to progress the Hunter Gas and Narrabri Lateral Pipeline projects in 2024. Construction commencement Santos recently commenced construction on the first laydown yard as part of approved stage one early works. The laydown yard will be utilised to store construction equipment, pipe and other construction related materials. The site will be utilised by the project team to support material logistics coordination, survey and land access activities to finalise the 30 metre pipeline easement. These works are anticipated to take approximately three months and should be completed early 2024 weather permitting. Approvals and approved management plans are available on the HGP website here. Image: Construction commencement on the first laydown yard to support the pipeline construction located near Quirindi, December 2023. Santos recently received notification of two EPBC reconsideration requests made under section 78A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Santos will actively participate in the process outlined by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). Where are we up to? Santos continues to consult closely with landholders, councils representing the broader communities, and all other stakeholders. Santos has been continuing landholder engagement regarding easement agreements and associated compensation. Frequently asked questions Santos has developed a frequently asked questions (FAQs) document that provides information to questions landholders and the community have asked about the project. The comprehensive FAQ document can be found on the HGP website here. Community engagement Since acquiring the HGP in September 2022, Santos has hosted 30 community information sessions in various locations along the alignment. Future sessions are being planned for early 2024 and will be advertised in our monthly newsletter, the HGP website, and regional newspapers. Landholders do not have to wait for an engagement session to contact us. Our project team is always available by phone or email to discuss the project or arrange to meet landholders at a time that is convenient to them. The Narrabri shopfront is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm with staff available during these times to speak in person or over the phone. If you would like to speak to a member of the team or arrange a meeting, please call 1300 427 546. Wishing you and your families a safe and happy festive season. Please note, the Narrabri shopfront will be closed during the Christmas/New Year period from 5.00pm Thursday, 21 December 2023 and will re-open 9.00am Monday, 8 January 2024. Image: Staff at the Santos stand at AgQuip in August 2023. Narrabri Lateral Pipeline The Narrabri Lateral Pipeline (NLP) will connect the approved Narrabri Gas Project (NGP) and the HGP, transporting natural gas to the existing transmission network near Newcastle. The NLP will extend for about 50-60 kilometres from the approved NGP gas processing facility at Leewood to the HGP east of Baan Baa. The final length of the pipeline will be dependent on the selection of the alignment. The pipeline will be primarily located underground, with associated aboveground infrastructure including isolation valves, meters, and regulators. The NLP has been declared a Critical State Significant Infrastructure project by the NSW Government as a on the basis that it is deemed essential to NSW for economic reasons. In August 2023, Santos lodged an application to the NSW Government for an Authority to Survey (ATS) for the NLP pursuant to section 5E of the Pipelines Act 1967. Santos has carried out extensive consultation with directly affected landholders and is committed to building long-term positive relationships with all landholders as the project progresses. More information about the ATS process is available on the NSW Government website here. 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. The NLP Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements can be viewed on the NSW Planning portal website here. Narrabri Lateral Pipeline assessment process Narrabri Lateral Pipeline project timeline Hunter Gas Pipeline and Narrabri Lateral Pipeline map The Hunter Gas Pipeline and Narrabri Lateral Pipeline interactive map can be viewed on the HGP website here. The interactive map contains the proposed route with a search and zoom function. The alignment of the pipeline corridor will be finalised following landholder consultation, constructability assessments and environmental considerations. Hunter Gas Pipeline website The HGP website contains information about the project including details around insurance, biosecurity, easement agreements, pipeline construction as well as an interactive map with details of the proposed route and survey areas. |