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Santos NSW
Monthly Activities Update
April 2024
Welcome to the April issue of the Santos NSW Monthly Activities Update.
Earlier this month, Santos was pleased to host Minister for Natural Resources the Hon Courtney Houssos MLC in Narrabri. The visit provided an opportunity for Santos to host a guided tour of our Narrabri operations and update the Minister about our activities in NSW.
It has also been a busy month with various community events, combined with the roll out of some of the initiatives we support throughout our community sponsorship and donations program.
We hope you enjoy this month's update and as always, please don't hesitate to contact us directly with any feedback or questions.
Image: Glenn Watt, Vice President Upstream QLD/NSW; Brett Darley, Executive Vice President Eastern Australia and PNG; Minister for Natural Resources the Hon Courtney Houssos touring Santos' Leewood water treatment facility (left) and a well site (right).
Narrabri Gas Project Activities
Operations update
Santos continues to work closely with the Forestry Corporation of NSW regarding the clean-up and recovery efforts following the Pilliga fires.
While our equipment is designed to withstand the intensity of bushfires unsurprisingly, some auxiliary infrastructure, like signs and some fences, were damaged.
We have now completed the bulk of the clean-up works and we will be finalising any required fencing work in the coming months.
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, Tintsfield and Kahlua 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
The most recent meetings of the advisory groups were held in March 2024.
NGP in the Community
Community radio 2MaxFM Narrabri receive new office furniture
Community radio station, 2MaxFM, is a valued source of information and entertainment to the local community. The organisation, largely led by volunteers, recently acquired new office furniture through funding received from Santos to complement recent station upgrades.
The furniture has been a fantastic addition to the workspace - the feedback we've received from the committee and other groups that use the station facilities has been really positive. Let's hope the revitalisation will not only be more comfortable but further inspire creativity and enjoyment.
Image: New chairs in the shared meeting space at 2MaxFM Narrabri.
Gunnedah 2024 Youth Expo
The 2024 Gunnedah Youth Expo is a fantastic opportunity for high school students to explore potential career prospects with local industries. Our community engagement team hosted a stand at the expo again this year and were delighted with the questions students asked about the work we are doing locally in the region, and further afield. What a brilliant way for so many young minds to be exposed to the endless opportunities that are out there!
Representatives from a variety of educational institutions were also present to help students with any insights and advice, as students navigate their future career options.
The Youth Expo was coordinated by Gunnedah Shire Council in conjunction with Youth Week.
Image: The Santos stand at the 2024 Gunnedah Youth Expo
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 adverse findings in relation to Santos’ conduct. Santos has at all times negotiated with the Gomeroi people in good faith.
The date for reconsideration is to be advised.
Santos will continue to engage with the Gomeroi Native Title Applicant in relation to the Hunter Gas Pipeline and Narrabri Lateral Pipeline.
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 continues 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.
Images: Early works to support the HGP
HGP in the Community
Gunnedah Show
Santos was pleased to be exhibitors at the 2024 Gunnedah Show. Represented by members of the community and land access teams, we enjoyed speaking to community members that were keen to learn more about our NSW operations and the progress of the HGP project.
Interested community members were invited to participate in a Santos quiz about the Hunter Gas Pipeline project. The lucky winner won a Weber Baby Q.
Image: Santos stand at the 2024 Gunnedah Show
Image: Tom Redfern winner of the Weber Baby Q
Community Engagement
Santos is planning the sixth round of community information sessions. These sessions will be advertised in future editions of this monthly update, in regional newspapers and on the HGP website.
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.
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’ between the NGP and HGP, 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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