Commonwealth Government delays Australia Pacific LNG EIS decision for procedural reasons

abarrelfull wrote on 16 Dec 2010 06:59
Tags: australia australia-pacific conoco lng origin

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The Federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Honourable Tony Burke, has advised he will extend the time period for his determination of the Environmental Impact Statement for Australia Pacific LNG's proposed coal seam gas to LNG project in Queensland from the current statutory deadline of 21 December 2010 to Tuesday, 22 February 2011.

The Minister advised this additional time was required because of the scale and complexity of the Australia Pacific LNG project. He noted the extension was not for the purpose of seeking further information, but rather to allow sufficient time for a full assessment of the project and in recognition of the impact of the forthcoming Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Australia Pacific LNG is a 50:50 joint venture between Origin and ConocoPhillips. The joint venture is proposing a coal seam gas to LNG project which will involve the progressive development of coal seam gas fields in south central Queensland over a 30-year period, a 450km transmission pipeline from the gas fields to Curtis Island near Gladstone and an LNG facility on Curtis Island.

The project received approval of its EIS from the Queensland Coordinator-General on 9 November 2010 after an extensive consultation process. This included meetings with more than 6,000 stakeholders including landowners and non-government organisations during an 18 month period. Following approval from the Coordinator-General and as per statutory requirements, the project was referred to the Commonwealth Government for consideration under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999).

Australia Pacific LNG’s Project Director, Mr Page Maxson said “Commonwealth approval is the next step in gaining the necessary regulatory approvals for the project in order to pave the way for a Final Investment Decision. The project will not be able to proceed to FID until, at least, such time as the EIS approval process is complete,” he said.

• Commonwealth Government delays Australia Pacific LNG EIS decision for procedural reasons

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