Queensland to Release Gas Action Plan

Queensland government will launch a Gas Supply and Demand Action Plan by end of this year in consultation with key industry stakeholders, a government statement published Wednesday said.

The Plan will aim to reinforce Queensland's status as a lead jurisdiction for on-shore gas supply, market development and demand issues.

The Queensland Gas Supply and Demand Action Plan will work to provide an alternative to market interventions, such as reservation policies, demonstrate government's support for the sector, facilitate leadership on policy issues impacting the sector, deliver a clear picture of Queensland's gas commercialisation potential, realise demand opportunities, build on current jobs and revenue streams and forge closer relations with the Federal, Northern Territory and South Australian governments.

The terms of reference were released at the Energy Stakeholder Forum on 7 July 2015. These propose developing the plan along four core themes: characterising the Queensland gas sector, identifying barriers to achieving least cost supply, ensuring markets are able to continue to evolve and ensuring Queensland capitalises on all possible demand opportunities.

A discussion paper will be released for further consultation prior to the release of the final Queensland Gas Supply and Demand Action Plan in December 2015, the statement said.