HUNTER GAS PIPELINE (HGP) REBORN
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Just when we thought after the great anguish, back in 2008, had gone forever, when the moratorium on drilling was imposed, we now suddenly learn that this moratorium has been lifted.
Construction approval for the pipeline along our valley is current, and energy minister Matt Kean is about to approve a 'certificate to start final survey', with information in an EIS 20 years old.(Eg Houses have been built, subdivisions have been approved, mines green offsets with koala habits now exist along the proposed corridor)I raise just these few questions.
Is there a business case to support the 833km 600ml diameter pipeline, (in 1.5m deep trench or overland) which messes up our operations, will scar our farmland, and our titles, for unjust compensation? If so, let's see it.What happens if this private company runs into financial difficulties during construction?
Will HGP have to post a bond for remediation when the pipeline use finishes?We have the dreaded 'dotted line' extending 4km through our beautiful grazing land, including across our airstrip, dams, near historic Greylands homestead, etc near Greenlands village, and Mt Pleasant school.A lot more definitely needs to be considered, before this proceeds.
Ian and Margaret Bailey, Greylands
Many of Pam Austin's concerns (Singleton Argus, September 3, 2020) are understandable, but we believe unfounded.
The Hunter Gas Pipeline has been under consideration for over 15 years. The project has been subject of detailed planning and robust environmental approval processes.
We acknowledge there has been little engagement with the community and landholders over the period between 2010 and 2019. For a long period of time this project was in hiatus.
We are now taking the first steps in a long and committed process to re-engage with those landholders who are directly affected. Letters were sent on July 13 reintroducing the project to the affected landholders; 1300 number has been established; along with an email address for people to submit their questions or contact details so we can return landholder calls.
HGP has recently provided face-to-face updates to all of the 10 councils along the NSW corridor, and written to all state and federal elected members along the corridor and those MPs responsible for various related portfolios. We have had numerous discussions with landholders along the corridor as part of moving this project forward.
Pipelines both for gas and water have traversed regional New South Wales for decades. None of the scenarios painted by opponents of the proposed Hunter Gas Pipeline have eventuated. Like roads and railways, telephone and power lines, pipelines are essential infrastructure to deliver much-needed energy resources and water to the homes, farms and businesses that rely upon them.
HGP's intent is to respond to all genuine question and concerns around the project and that this takes time and personal engagement, which HGP is committed to undertaking over the next 12-18monthsto enable landholder matters to be addressed.
The proposed pipeline was approved by the NSW government in 2009, and we have important work to do before construction can commence - that includes responding to the genuine questions and concerns held by some landholders and community members.
While a 200m corridor has been approved, the final location of the underground pipeline and its 30m easement will be informed by constructability issues, environmental constraints and landholder preferences to minimize any ongoing disruption.
We have begun collaborating with landholders where the pipeline corridor traverses their area or lands. The basis of this engagement is to seek individual landholder support for survey work and easement access, to refine specific details of the pipeline route alignment across their property, and to discuss compensation for the pipeline easement.
Garbis Simonian, Hunter Gas Pipeline