Major gas pipeline could be built through NT after talks with Chinese government-owned State Grid Corporation

ANOTHER major gas pipeline could soon be built down the centre of the Territory following discussions between Chief Minister Michael Gunner and a Chinese government-owned company

Another major gas pipeline could soon be built down the centre of the Territory following discussions between NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner and Chinese government-owned State Grid Corporation.

ANOTHER major gas pipeline could soon be built down the centre of the Territory following discussions between NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner and Chinese government-owned State Grid Corporation.

Mr Gunner met with Chinese officials in Beijing on Monday, his first overseas meeting to discuss gas since the moratorium on fracking was lifted in April.

State Grid is majority shareholder of Jemena, the company which manages the 622km Northern Gas pipeline from Tennant Creek.

“Jemena is already looking at the potential of a second pipe to the East Coast,” Mr Gunner said.

“They’ve got that first pipe and they’re making plans around the second pipe based on the lifting of the moratorium.

“I’m talking to them to make sure we are still thinking north and making active plans for that gas to come north to Darwin and make sure we are creating a downstream economy.

“I’m here in China to make sure State Grid has us – Darwin – as part of their plans.”

Mr Gunner said 17 mines across the Territory would soon come online, each of which had the potential to earn the NT big dollars.

“The potential for the Territory if we get this right around gas – the value add is huge for us,” he said.

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The proposal is likely to be met with objections though as activist group Lock the Gate pledged last month to continue the fight against fracking the Territory.

Frack-free NT spokeswoman Lauren Mellor said Territorians and impacted communities had rejected the fracking industry.

“Territorians don’t want empty promises to mitigate fracking risks,” she said.

“The Gunner Government has a responsibility to protect our land, water and human health by eliminating these risks through a permanent ban on dangerous fracking.”

Monday was the first day of the NT Government’s five-day delegation to China.

Mr Gunner will on Tuesday meet with Landbridge Group, operator of the Darwin Port.

“We want to sell the Territory to make jobs for locals,” Mr Gunner said.

“We want to make it clear that we are open to investment into those things that create a larger economy.”