Narrabri Festival of Rugby delivers big wins on and off the field

Image: Tourist Hotel owners Angie and Morgan Jones enjoyed a big weekend of trade during the festival

Narrabri lit up in September as the Santos Festival of Rugby returned for its fifth year – bringing elite sport, big crowds and a major boost for the region.  What began as a weekend of rugby has grown into one of the most anticipated events on the local calendar, blending top-tier competition with community connection and economic impact. 

From junior footy clinics and Classic Wallabies appearances to Women’s Sevens matches and a buzzing Friday night street party, the festival was packed with moments that brought people together – a vivid reminder that community is at the heart of what we do. 

On the field the action didn’t disappoint.  With the Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs men’s and women’s teams battling for the Santos Cup, fans were treated to world-class rugby – and the Waratahs walked away with both wins. 

But the real story goes beyond the scoreboard. 

The official numbers are now in! Thanks to our support and partnerships, this year’s festival delivered: 

• Over 7,600 visitors to the Narrabri Shire, with more than 1,600 staying an average of three nights 
• 200% increase in tourist spend at pubs and bars compared with the same period last year (and a 107% increase across the broader tourism and entertainment sector) 
• Over $2 million in direct economic impact to the Shire. 

"The economic uplift cannot be underestimated.....and in a rural community every dollar spent circulates 7.1 times, so when you think of the potential of that million dollars spent, the uplift is many more fold than that,” said Jocellin Jansson of Narrabri Shire Council. 

Morgan Jones, owner of the Tourist Hotel, added “People in the city might not know these towns exist.  I think that’s a legacy Santos should be really proud of.” 

Thank you for being part of it – and get ready Queensland. Roma will host the Santos Festival of Rugby in 2026, Stay tuned for details. 

Natural gas plays a vital role in our local energy mix, helping to generate the electricity that powers our homes, businesses and everyday lives. It is also crucial feedstock in industrial processes for making products like textiles, plastics and fertilisers. It will continue to be a key component in the state’s transition to a cleaner energy future, producing approximately half the emissions of coal.  

The growth of renewable energy sources like solar and wind means that maintaining a stable and reliable power grid is increasingly important. Gas-fired generators offer critical support by quickly ramping up during periods of high demand or when renewable sources are unable to meet energy needs – such as when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. Natural gas provides the flexibility and reliability essential to ensure a smooth transition to a more sustainable energy system. 

More than 1.5 million households and 50,000 small businesses in NSW are connected to gas networks, and about one-third of small customers use gas to meet part of their energy needs. Despite having significant undeveloped gas resources, NSW imports 100 per cent of its gas from interstate. 

The NGP involves the development and production of natural gas near Narrabri. The project represents a significant step forward in securing New South Wales’ energy future and Santos has committed 100 per cent of this gas to the domestic market, with the potential to supply up to half of the state’s natural gas needs. With gas shortfalls predicted, the NGP offers an opportunity for NSW to harness its own energy resources, delivering energy security for the region and putting downward pressure on gas and electricity prices. 

If you would like more information about this project, please contact our team via email at Energy.NSW@santos.com or give us a call on (02) 6790 9235. You can also visit the NGP website.  

Image: Sections of pipe are welded together before the pipeline is buried underground

Santos is proposing to deliver natural gas from Narrabri to the east coast domestic market via two new underground pipelines - the Hunter Gas Pipeline and the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline. Survey activities are currently underway on private and public land as Santos works to confirm the pipeline route.  Learn more about these projects on our website. 

​Land access negotiations continue

Our Land Access team continue to liaise with landholders located along the Hunter Gas Pipeline alignment to discuss the proposed route and negotiate voluntary survey and deed of option agreements. As we work to finalise the pipeline alignment, Santos encourages all relevant landholders to speak with our team. We will consider all feedback to ensure, where possible, we deliver the best outcome for each landholder and their property. 

 Know the Facts: Pipeline myths busted

Image: Like this pipeline, the Hunter Gas Pipeline will be buried underground

Santos has developed a new factsheet to help landholders navigate common myths surrounding the Hunter Gas Pipeline. Covering topics such as property access, future land use and insurance, this useful resource separates fact from fiction.

Environmental Impact Statement on Public Exhibition

As part of our ongoing approvals process, Santos has submitted an Environmental Impact Statement for the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline – which is now on public exhibition. Please see our Narrabri Lateral Pipeline website for further information on the project.  You can view the EIS on the Major Projects Portal.

Our team will be hosting a series of information sessions for interested community members during the exhibition period - further details are available below. 

Hard copies of the EIS are available to view at the Boggabri Library, Narrabri Shire Council and Santos' Narrabri shopfront.

You will have until 18 December 2025 to make a submission on the project EIS. Instructions on how to make a submission are available on the NSW Major Projects portal.

Community Consultative Committee and advisory groups

The next Narrabri Gas Project Community Consultative Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 9 December 2025.  Minutes from previous CCC meetings are available here. 

The Advisory Group meetings for Aboriginal and Cultural Heritage, Biodiversity, Greenhouse Gas and Water will be held on Tuesday 9 December and Wednesday 10 December 2025. Previous minutes from the Advisory Groups meetings can be accessed here.