NSW Takes a Call on Santos' Narrabri CBM Project

Santos June 12 announced that the New South Wales government has said that the Narrabri coalbed methane project should be approved. The project has been mired in controversy as many activists say it poses a risk to the local environment. Santos has always denied these claims. 

The company said it “welcomes the release of the New South Wales department of planning's final assessment report on the Narrabri gas project and its recommendation that the project is capable of approval with conditions.”

The report will now be considered by the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission (IPC) which has been asked by planning minister Rob Stokes to conduct public hearings and make a final determination within 12 weeks of receiving the department's assessment report. Santos said it accepts the conditions proposed by the New South Wales department of planning and will now participate in the Independent Planning Commission's hearings and deliberations.

Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher said a decision on Narrabri is 'more important than ever' as the economy comes out of hibernation from Covid-19 restrictions.

"Narrabri means more jobs and more investment in New South Wales and the local region, and lower gas and electricity prices for customers in the state," Gallagher said. "We welcome the positive recommendation from the New South Wales department of planning and the sensible, independent planning process the project is going through.”

Gallagher said that the Narrabri project can be developed safely and sustainably, without harm to water resources or the environment.  “However, a consent decision is one for an independent umpire, the IPC, and we're looking forward to its decision within the next few months,” he said.

According to Santos, the project has the potential to supply enough natural gas to meet up to half of New South Wales' natural gas demand.