Queensland Gas Infrastructure Study to Unlock Gas and Jobs

Work is underway to potentially help unlock Queensland’s Bowen Basin and create 1,000 construction jobs in the process. Minister for Resources Scott Stewart said the $5 million gas infrastructure study could lead to opening the Bowen Basin as Queensland’s next gas frontier.

The two-year study will investigate the best options for connecting gas reserves in the Bowen Basin to domestic customers and exports. “The study will also look at opportunities to capture gas emissions from coal mines in the Bowen Basin to contribute to supply and at the same time help reduce emissions,” Minister Stewart said.

“This opportunity is a win-win proposition as it will increase gas supply and at the same time reduce our emissions. The other, more important, reason is to help industry grow to drive future resource projects and the thousands of jobs that will flow from them.”

If the study finds the project stacks, Minister Stewart said there would be potentially 1,000 construction jobs available and countless opportunities in gas production and other industries which rely on affordable sources of gas.

“Like all resource projects in Queensland, the study will look at the feasibility of the gas infrastructure stacking up financially and provide a high-level guide on technical, environmental and other challenges which may impact timelines and construction costs,” he said.

“Where appropriate, local suppliers would be given preference in line with the Queensland Government’s policies. New gas infrastructure would boost the development of gas production in the Bowen Basin and make more gas available for Queensland manufacturers – leading to more affordable gas and supporting jobs across our critical supply chain and industries.”

Minister Stewart said the $5 million study is part of more than $29 million in exploration sector assistance, announced last week, being invested over the next few years to support the resources. “The resources sector played a key role in keeping the Queensland economy running throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the Queensland Government’s support it will continue to lead the way as we embark on our road to recovery,” he said.

To view Minister for Resources – Hon Scott Stewart’s Media Statement, visit: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/91152

Who are the GasFields Commission Queensland?

Established as an independent statutory body in 2013, the Commission’s purpose is to manage and improve the sustainable coexistence of landholders, regional communities and the onshore gas industry in Queensland. The Commission manages sustainable coexistence in petroleum and gas producing regions of Queensland, and will continue to do so as the industry expands into new and emerging basins.

Our vision is to achieve thriving communities in areas of gas development that are free from discord and supported by well-informed, respectful and balanced stakeholder relationships.

One way the Commission is endeavouring to realise this vision is by providing transparency and independent assurances that the onshore gas industry is appropriately regulated and held to account when needed. This in turn will help cultivate sustainable coexistence, whilst ensuring community and landholder confidence in the regulators and gas industry increases.

Drawing on its wealth of experience in the development of the gas industry and by collaborating with other relevant entities, the Commission provides a range of support to communities and landholders, primarily through education and engagement. These education and engagement activities occur with individual landholders via Commission facilitated webinars, information sessions, publications (The Gas Guide, Shared Landscapes Reports), face-to-face meetings and public workshops.

It should be noted that the Commission does not engage in individual negotiations between landholders and gas companies, but rather provides communities and landholders with the information and support they need to make informed decisions and achieve good outcomes.

How can we help?

If you’re a landholder in the Surat, Galilee or Bowen Basins and wish to know more about what to expect with gas field developments, the GasFields Commission (the Commission) strongly encourages you to download a copy of our flagship publication, The Gas Guide 2.0, to obtain all the information you need to negotiate a fair and reasonable outcome should a resource company request to operate on your land.

Gas Guide 2.0 catalogues pertinent information that landholders need to know about the various stages of petroleum and gas development in Queensland – if you have any questions regarding the exploration process, Queensland’s onshore gas industry or you would like to receive a hard copy (ring binder) of The Gas Guide 2.0, please contact us directly via:

• Web: Contact Form
• Phone: (07) 3067 9400
• Email: enquiries@gfcq.org.au