Media release: APPEA welcomes court decision on the Narrabri Gas Project

The voice of Australia’s oil and gas industry welcomes today’s decision by the NSW Land and Environment Court on the Narrabri Gas Project that it will uphold the decision of the NSW Independent Planning Commission.

APPEA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said the decision gives certainty to the people of Narrabri, and certainty to gas customers throughout New South Wales.

‘’What’s important for the local community is to ensure the best gas and the most affordable gas is sourced from the region. That helps keep gas prices competitive. The Narrabri project is forecast to deliver 70PJ of supply to the NSW domestic market, meeting the half of the state’s forecast gas needs – powering more than 1 million homes and around 330,000 businesses,’’ Mr McConville said.

‘’New supply can only come from a new wave of investment across exploration, development, construction and operation. Reliable, secure and competitively priced energy is crucial to our everyday lives in Australia. Oil and gas plays a key role in meeting many of our energy needs.

“The Narrabri gas project can help NSW meet its energy needs and deliver secure and reliable energy. Today’s decision is a step towards delivering that reliable energy.

‘’Our abundant natural gas resources in particular, place Australia in an enviable position to maintain long-term, cleaner energy security domestically and internationally. Maintaining and enhancing this contribution will be vital as Australia looks to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19,’’ Mr McConville said.

‘’The best way to put downward pressure on gas prices for customers, including manufacturers, is to increase supply and competition. The Narrabri Project does just that. This is an important outcome for energy security and reliability for the state of NSW.’’

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