NSW, NT in gas pipeline MoU

NSW Premier Mike Baird and NT Chief Minister Adam Giles signed a memorandum of understanding to work closely on the development of a pipeline connecting the Northern and Eastern gas markets.

Under the MOU, the NSW and NT Governments will cooperate to accelerate and promote development of a national and competitive domestic gas market.

Baird said: “The NSW Government recognises the benefits a gas pipeline connecting the Northern Territory and eastern seaboard would have for consumers in NSW. We are actively exploring all possibilities to increase gas supply to our domestic consumers and this MOU is an important step in offering NSW Government support to the process now underway.”

Establishing a national grid will help secure the energy needs and put downward pressure on household bills.

“Without affordable and reliable gas supplies our manufacturers will struggle to compete and households will pay higher prices,” added Baird.

Giles added that a gas pipeline between Central Australia and the East Coast is both a win for the territory economy and a win for states such as New South Wales that urgently need to secure an affordable new energy supply.

“Momentum for this nation-building project has been growing since the recent COAG meeting where leaders voiced unanimous support for the pipeline. It is fantastic to now also have a specific MOU with NSW agreeing to work together on this project. The Territory Government understands that time is of the essence and we are doing everything we can to get this project off the ground as quickly as possible,” he said.

Giles noted that more than 100 people from all sectors of the gas industry turned out at an industry briefing in Alice Springs last week to hear more details about the project.

“Expressions of interest from the private sector for building and operating the pipeline open on the 13th of November and we are expecting strong interest,” added Giles.

Press Release; Image: nt.gov.au