Narrabri was referred to the IPC by the New South Wales Minister for Planning who has requested public hearings are held to make a determination on the project within 12 weeks of receiving an assessment report from the NSW Planning Department.
Project operator Santos said 100 per cent of gas produced from Narrabri would be for Australia’s domestic market, with the company welcoming the referral as the next step towards achieving a green light.
“We have applied the best science to the environmental impact statement for Narrabri,” said Santos General Manager and CEO Kevin Gallagher.
“We are confident that it will stand on its merits and that the project could be safely and sustainably developed to protect water resources and the environment. Santos will participate openly and transparently in the IPC process.”
Mr Gallagher said Narrabri gas would always be cheaper than LNG imports and would help supply the east coast of Australia with gas for the next decade.
A CSG endeavour, the proposed $3 billion Narrabri project has faced opposition due to environmental concerns, with the NSW Planning Department having received approximately 18,000 objections to its development.
For more information visit the Santos website.
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