The Giles Government, NT, has granted Major Project Status to the proposed gas pipeline linking the Territory and East Coast gas grids and will now begin a formal search for investors.
“The construction of this gas pipeline is an infrastructure project of national significance. It’s also a matter of urgency for the eastern states which are fast approaching an energy security crisis,” said Chief Minister, Adam Giles.
“We have the gas and they have the demand but there is currently no economically viable way to get the gas from Northern Australia to the eastern market.”
At COAG, national leaders backed the Territory’s work developing a gas pipeline, which has the potential to create a more competitive domestic gas market. The Territory Government is now announcing the next steps in that process.
“I am pleased to announce that the Territory Government is about to start a formal process for potential investors to express their interest in building and operating the pipeline,” Mr Giles said.
“With an East Coast gas crisis shortage looming, we need the pipeline to be operational by 2018. There is no time to waste and the granting of Major Project Status to the pipeline will help speed up this process.”
There will be an industry briefing held in Alice Springs on 31 October 2014 to explain the project to potential investors.
“In Alice Springs later this month, I have asked our consultants, Port Jackson Partners, to run a briefing for gas and infrastructure companies, as well as other industry figures interested in being part of this nationally important project,” Mr Giles said.
“In a sign of the national significance of this project, Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane, has agreed to join this industry briefing.”
“I am excited about the jobs and exploration the pipeline could stimulate in the Northern Territory. I will do everything I can to bring the pipeline to reality in partnership with the gas industry, federal, and state governments.”
“I know this is a project of particular interest to New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia and I look forward to working with them on this development.”
Two routes have been proposed for the gas pipeline – one from Tennant Creek to Mt Isa in Queensland and the other from Alice Springs to Moomba in South Australia.
Proposals will be accepted for both of these routes or any other route that industry would like to propose linking the two gas grids.
Formal Expressions of Interest will open at the end of November.
