Narrabri gas project: NSW Independent Planning Commission told to finalise decision
The State’s Independent Planning Commission has been ordered to reach a final decision on the Narrabri gas project within months and hold a major public hearing as it assesses the scheme.
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The State’s Independent Planning Commission has been ordered to reach a final decision on the Narrabri gas project within months and hold a major public hearing as it assesses the scheme.
In a sign that the assessment of the project by the state government’s planning department is imminent, NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes made the order to the IPC in a written letter published on Wednesday night.
Santos is currently seeking government approval to develop natural gas reserves in the Narrabri area in northwest New South Wales.
The project would supply NSW with up to half the state’s natural gas needs and bring economic benefits to the Narrabri region.
The Daily Telegraph has learnt that there are more than 20,000 public submissions in relation to the project.
The scale of this public interest is part of the reason the Minister has ordered the IPC to conduct a public hearing.
In the written order to the IPC, the Minister says that he is requesting the IPC to “conduct a public hearing into the carrying out of the Narrabri gas project prior to determining the development application for the project”.
Minister Stokes asks that the IPC pays particular attention to the department’s assessment report, which has not yet been finalised but is understood to be imminent.
He also asks attention is paid to key issues raised in the public hearing.
He asks that a decision is made within 12 weeks of the referral from the department.
Originally published as Narrabri gas project: NSW Independent Planning Commission told to finalise decision
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