On 20 February 2006, APC lodged an Initial Advice Statement with the Coordinator-General for the Gove Lateral a 670km long gas pipeline from the proposed PNG-Queensland Gas Pipeline mainline near Weipa directly across the Gulf of Carpentaria to Gove in the Northern Territory. The pipeline is integral to the overall development of the PNG Gas project, as it will enable the first major flow of natural gas to Australia and is critical to the overall commercial viability of the project.

The project includes a proposed 30km gas supply pipeline from the Gove Lateral to Weipa, which will greatly enhance energy supply options in the region.

The estimated capital cost of the PNG to Queensland Gas Pipeline (including the Gove Lateral) is $3.5 billion and the project is expected to generate up to 1500 direct jobs during a two-and-a-half-year construction phase. Subject to project approval, APC expects to commence construction of the Gove Lateral in early 2007.

Environmental Impact Statement process

On 7 March 2006, the Coordinator-General declared the PNG to Queensland Gas Pipeline: Gove Lateral Project to be a ‘significant project’ for which an EIS is required, pursuant to section 26(1)(a) of the Queensland State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.

An impact assessment process for the Gove Lateral involves three jurisdictions, the Australian, Queensland and Northern Territory Governments.

On 6 March 2006, the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage determined that the Project is a ‘controlled action’ under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999(EPBC Act) due to potential impacts to protected matters of national environmental significance. The controlling provisions under the EPBC Act are Sections 18 and 18A (listed threatened species and communities), Sections 23 and 24A (marine environment) and Sections 26 and 27A (Commonwealth Land). The project will require approval from the Australian Government under EPBC Act before it can proceed.

On 11 April 2006 the Northern Territory (NT) Minister for Natural Resources, the Environment and Heritage determined that the PNG to Queensland Gas Pipeline Project – Gove Lateral, be assessed under the Environmental Assessment Act 1982 at the level of an EIS. The NT component of the project would require approval from the NT Government before construction of that section could proceed.

An agreement was reached between the three jurisdictions regarding coordination of the EIS process. Whilst the proponent must satisfy the individual approval requirements for the three separate jurisdictions, one set of documentation will be provided to the Department of Environment and Heritage who will coordinate the process. In Queensland the project will be assessed under the provision of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.

Draft Terms of Reference / Guidelines that meet the legislative requirements relating to environmental assessments for the three jurisdictions were prepared by The Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage, The Northern Territory Environmental Protection Agency and The Queensland Coordinator-General. Submissions were invited on the Draft TOR by the Coordinator-General. The submission period concluded on Friday 19 May 2006 however late submissions were accepted from Queensland government agencies until 30 May 2006.

Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact Statement have been finalised following public and advisory agency submissions. Final Terms of Reference for the EIS have now been issued and are available for viewing and download.

• Terms of Reference (224 KB)

On 20 September 2006, APC formally advised The Coordinator-General that the PNG to Queensland Gas Pipeline - Gove Lateral Project has been placed on hold due to a lack of foundation load customers and escalating construction costs. Subsequently any further work on the Project, including environmental approvals has been suspended until such time as the issues can be resolved.

Pursuant to s.27A(1) of SDPWOA, the ‘significant project’ declaration for the Project and the associated TOR will lapse if the proponent does not submit an EIS to the Coordinator-General within two years of the TOR being finalised, ie by 26 June 2008.

Resources

• IAS - Part 1 (403 KB)
• IAS - Part 2 (485 KB)
• IAS - Part 3 (440 KB)
• IAS - Part 4 (201 KB)

Further information

For further information regarding the EIS process for the project, contact Infrastructure and Economic Development Group and address your enquiry to the PNG to Queensland Gas Pipeline project.