Bush Summit 2023: Disputed $3.5bn gas field back in court as Santos faces hurdles

The agonisingly slow $3.5 billion Narrabri gas project takes another tortuous step towards coming on line in the Federal Court next week.

The agonisingly slow $3.5bn Narrabri gas project takes another tortuous step towards coming on line in the Federal Court next week.

Premier Chris Minns has backed natural gas as a critical element in NSW’s transition to renewable energy, and said it was now up to Santos to get on with delivering the project.

“The investment decision really sits with Santos,” Mr Minns said.

“We made a decision before the election campaign that it was settled. Industry in particular … needs new sources of energy.

“It’s less emitting than coal and it is part of the energy mix for the future,” he said on radio this week.

Farmer Peter Gett has four gas production wells on his property in Narrabri. Picture: Jonathan Ng

But the delivery of gas from the enormous Narrabri reserves to NSW homes to provide reliable power during the move from coal to renewable energy still faces a string of obstacles.

The next step will be heard in the Federal Court on Wednesday, when the Native Title Tribunal appeal will be heard over three days.

Whether the court decides in favour of gas developer Santos or the Gomeroi traditional owners, the case is likely to go to further appeal.

A Santos spokesman said it welcomed the Premier’s comments that endorsed gas, in direct contrast to Victoria which is banning natural gas in new homes.

“Santos welcomes the Premier’s comments, which recognise the ongoing importance of natural gas to provide cost-effective, reliable energy for manufacturing, electricity generation, businesses and households in NSW,” he said.

Santos has been given planning approval to provide 70 petajoules of gas every year but needs to negotiate with 700 landholders for permission for a pipeline to cross their land to get the gas into the main supply.

“Santos continues to work through land access, native title, pipeline licensing and secondary environmental approvals processes to get Narrabri and the Hunter Gas Pipeline ready for a final investment decision,” the spokesman said.

Santos has bought Hunter Gas Pipeline company and has been given authority to access land without the landholder’s consent to survey it.

However it has not used that power.

Narrabri farmer Peter Gett has four gas wells on his land that “have been developed and are ready to go” but are currently sitting dormant.

“I would like to see the project under way,” he said. “People need to realise that this is good for a lot of people, we are all going to benefit in the long run.”

Originally published as Bush Summit 2023: Disputed $3.5bn gas field back in court as Santos faces hurdles