SEA GAS conducts safety tests on high pressure pipeline between Adelaide and Port Campbell
Safety tests have been conducted on a high-pressure gas pipeline — and whether it poses a risk to new housing being built in close proximity in areas such as Gawler.
North & North East
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The operator of a high-pressure gas pipeline between Adelaide and Victoria has conducted safety tests amid concerns about its close proximity to new housing.
SEA Gas has simulated the impact of excavators hitting the pipeline to determine how much it can withstand before rupturing during construction activity.
Senior staff have told a gas industry conference in Adelaide that the tests have shown the pipeline should be protected by concrete slabbing if housing estates are going to be built nearby.
In a paper presented to the conference, SEA Gas said it had identified several locations in the greater Adelaide area where “land zoning had changed and the change was not anticipated when the pipeline was designed”.
“Planned urban encroachment around the Port Campbell to Adelaide pipeline will increase the consequence of a pipeline failure and this has prompted SEA Gas to undertake testing to better understand potential threats in areas of the pipeline not originally designed for residential living,” it said.
SEA Gas said its tests had shown the pipeline could be punctured if hit repeatedly by excavators with digging implements known as “tiger teeth”.
The findings had been reported to the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) to help with planning approvals for future housing developments near the pipeline.
The tests followed lengthy discussions between SEA Gas and the private developer of a large residential development in foothills near Gawler, Springwood Estate.
SEA Gas had been expressing concern about how close houses have been permitted to be built near the pipeline, which was approved two decades ago when the area was zoned for rural use.
The land was subsequently rezoned by the previous Labor government to allow residential development despite it being in the Hills Face Zone.
Conditions controlling housing development near the pipeline were relaxed further this year by Planning Minister Stephan Knoll, who removed requirements for a 640m-wide buffer zone and the installation of safety warning valves.
Gawler Council recently joined SEA Gas in seeking the reintroduction of the buffer zone and safety valves, initially required under Australian Standard 2885.
The council gave evidence to a parliamentary committee, saying it was concerned that the removal of the requirements created confusion over who was responsibile for public safety — private developers, local government or the pipeline operator.
The committee decided to write to Mr Knoll, asking him to consider reinstating the Australian Standard which set out requirements for safety management studies, buffer zones and installation of warning valves in the event of ruptures.
Mayor Karen Redman said Australian Standard 2885 was “important as it informs prospective developers and relevant planning authorities about specific obligations during the assessment process”.
“This includes the need to refer proposed developments to the State Government regulator and the need for the licensed operator to conduct a safety management study to minimise any potential risk to safety or the ongoing operation of the pipeline through appropriate controls,” she said.
“The decision of the Environment, Resource and Development Committee to write to the Minister for Planning recommending that he reinstate reference to Australian Standard 2885 into the Development Plan to guide future development vindicates council’s strong advocacy on this important matter on behalf of the community.”
Comment has been sought from Mr Knoll.