Australia's Northern Territory, News South Wales Ink Gas Pipeline MoU

Australian states of Northern Territory (NT) and New South Wales (NSW) on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work closely on the development of a pipeline connecting the Northern and Eastern gas markets.

Under the MoU, the two state governments will cooperate to accelerate and promote development of a national and competitive domestic gas market.

“The NSW Government recognises the benefits a gas pipeline connecting the Northern Territory and eastern seaboard would have for consumers in NSW,” NSW Premier Mike Baird said.

NT Chief Minister Adam Giles said 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.

"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,” Giles said.

Expressions of interest from the private sector for building and operating the pipeline open on 13 November.

“The construction of this gas pipeline is an infrastructure project of national significance. It’s also a matter of urgency for the eastern states which are fast approaching an energy security crisis,” Giles said.