Group considers new route for gas pipeline closer to Cobar
Wednesday June 3, 2009
Map showing the two routes being considered by the APA Group for a gas pipeline through Cobar Shire. ▪ Map courtesy of Cobar Shire Council
A group hoping to build a gas pipeline from Queensland to connect to the Moomba Gas Pipeline is considering moving their new line closer to Cobar.
APA Group are hoping to build a pipeline to direct a coal seam gas source in south western Queensland to the Moomba pipeline, which supplies eastern NSW including Sydney.
APA Group asset manager Geoff Callar addressed a meeting of Cobar Shire Council last Thursday to explain the company’s plans for the pipeline and the current developments in the project.
He said the originally proposed pipeline route had been slightly varied, with two options now being considered including one within 40km of the Cobar township.
“We have already met with some representatives from council where we were told of a number of issues with our original route including bad land.
“At that meeting the mayor [Cr Lilliane Brady] said council was interested in getting gas as close as possible to Cobar, possibly through a realignment of the pipeline to bring it closer to Cobar,” Mr Callar said.
“We are happy to look at bringing the pipeline closer to Cobar to facilitate potential future gas supply to town,” he said.
“APA is more than happy for offshoots from the pipeline, but the more people you get together to collude on this the better.”
Council resolved to form a subcommittee to gather potential users of gas in Cobar in an effort to attract an off-shoot pipeline into town.
“We’ve been trying to get a pipeline to Cobar for the last 20 years,” Cr Peter Yench said.
“I believe the town could go a long way if we had that gas supply.
“I’m talking about compressed gas for heavy transport, and council is in discussions to set up a major roadhouse here so they would be one user.
“Also there is a lot of exploration going on in the area, but a lot of what is found is low grade ore,” Cr Yench said.
“If we were connected to gas they could put in smelter works to make use of the low grade stuff,” he said.
Cr Yench explained that council has also been preparing for the town to be connected to gas, with pipelines laid in various parts of town when water line work was carried out.
Next story | News home
