Gladstone's APLNG gets green light

AUSTRALIAN Pacific LNG received  their environmental approval today, making the company the third LNG proponent in six months to receive the go ahead on Curtis Island.

Tony Burke, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, has approved, with strict environmental conditions, the Australia Pacific LNG project at Gladstone proposed by Origin Energy and ConocoPhillips.

“After a rigorous assessment, which sought the advice of experts and included public consultation, I have concluded that the APLNG project can go ahead without unacceptable impacts on matters protected under national environment law,” Mr Burke said.

“While I have considered the significant economic benefits of this project, my focus has been on protecting environmental matters of national significance through strict conditions that will minimise any potential environmental impacts.

“In relation to the Great Artesian Basin, I have taken a precautionary approach by requiring ‘early warning’ thresholds and detailed ongoing monitoring.

“The companies must submit for my approval water management and monitoring plans detailing how impacts on aquifers, groundwater and surface water will be minimised, including through strict limits to maintain aquifer pressures.

“Water pressure must be maintained above conservative thresholds that will be set on the advice of experts. Should these be exceeded, the companies must have plans ready to re-establish pressure, through re-injection or other means.

The APLNG project involves the development of Australia Pacific LNG’s substantial CSG resources in the Surat and Bowen Basins; building a 450 km transmission pipeline; and construction of a multi-train LNG facility on Curtis Island, near Gladstone.

“In making my decision, I considered the potential impacts on agricultural land, and have set strict environmental conditions to ensure water resources are properly managed to protect nationally significant matters," Mr Bourke said.

“These conditions are consistent with those I attached to the Santos and Queensland Gas Company coal seam gas projects in October last year.

“I appreciate the importance of looking at the cumulative impacts of previously approved and other proposed coal seam gas projects in the region. That’s why I’m requiring the companies to work on a regional groundwater flow model for coal seam gas developments across the Surat and Bowen basins.

“The conditions also contain protection measures for threatened species and ecological communities, migratory species and national and world heritage values. For the LNG facilities on Curtis Island, these include requirements to minimise light and noise, reduce vessel speeds, limit vessel movements, and manage feral species and weeds."

Australia Pacific LNG Project Director, Mr Page Maxson, welcomed the Government’s decision, reaffirming APLNG's commitment to managing potential environmental impacts of the project.

“Approval is conditional on a large number of environmental strategies and ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements being put in place. The conditions outlined in today’s approval complement those contained in the Queensland Coordinator-General’s report and reinforce the commitments made in our EIS,” Mr Maxson said.

“Australia Pacific LNG will pursue high environmental, community consultation and development standards not only during the construction period but also throughout the ongoing operational life of this exciting project.

“The Project builds on Australia Pacific LNG’s existing business which provides one third of Queensland’s current gas requirements and stands to deliver significant opportunities for many local communities as well as broader economic benefits.".

The federal minister said to offset unavoidable impacts in the Curtis Island industry precinct, the companies must secure an area five times the size of their project sites, to be added to the National Park estate or protected in perpetuity.

“Any dredging activity will be subject to strict conditions to minimise impacts on marine species and water quality, including through ongoing water quality monitoring and restrictions on the number and types of dredges that can be used at any one time to reduce turbidity," Mr Bourke said.

“This project will contribute significantly to the Queensland economy and support thousands of jobs, and my conditional approval shows that we can support growth while protecting our precious environment.”

Australia Pacific LNG is a 50:50 incorporated joint venture between Origin and ConocoPhillips

For more information, and the full list of conditions, go to: www.environment.gov.au/epbc.

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