Pipeline group meets to discuss possible gas line project
Wednesday April 29, 2009
A company hoping to build a gas pipeline through part of Cobar Shire held a roundtable discussion in Cobar last Friday morning. Cr Michael Cox, APA group manager of asset management Geoff Callar, Ray Deetlefs (Unidel Energy) and Cobar mayor Lilliane Brady and council’s general manager Ray Smith are pictured discussing the project.
Representatives from the APA Group were in Cobar last week to discuss plans for a gas pipeline to be built through the Cobar Shire.
The group is proposing to build a 645km pipeline from Newstead in Queensland to Bulla Park (in the Cobar Shire) to connect the Wallumbilla Gas Hub in south central Queensland to the Moomba Wilton Pipeline
in NSW.
Cobar mayor Lilliane Brady, councillor Michael Cox and council’s general manager Ray Smith held a roundtable discussion with APA representatives last Friday, including discussions about the possibility of an extension of the pipeline to Cobar.
At council’s general meeting last week, Cr Cox suggested a variation to the path of the pipeline via Cobar would be more feasible than asking for a spur off the proposed pipeline route.
“We need a viable proposal on who would use it,” Mr Cox said.
At last Friday’s meeting the APA Group representatives explained the project, and also held brief discussions about the possibility of varying the pipeline to come via Cobar.
Council’s general manager Ray Smith said the group will give a more formal presentation to the May general meeting of council.
“They told us that having the pipeline come via Cobar is not out of the question.
“At the moment the proposal is just a line on a map, so they are certainly open to discussions about the exact route,” Mr Smith said.
Even if the pipeline is not diverted to Cobar, the construction of the current proposed route still has the potential to inject significant cash into the Cobar economy.
“There will be around 200-300 people involved in the construction of the pipeline and with their campsite located in the Cobar Shire for around six months, that will be a good boost to the economy,” Mr Smith said at last week’s council meeting.
According to the APA Group’s Project Description Report, up to 350 people could be working on the project at its peak period.
“It is anticipated, due to the proximity to populated areas, that the construction crew for this project would be able to be accommodated in existing local accommodation,” the report said.
The project is expected to cost approximately $500 million, although the cost could change depending on a number of factors including the final route of the pipeline and the pipe diameter used.
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