Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries has applauded the release of the NSW Gas Plan, which he says will ensure landholders share in the benefits of any coal seam gas development.
Releasing the Plan, Minister for Resources and Energy Mr Anthony Roberts said the government had accepted all the Chief Scientist, Professor Mary O’Kane’s recommendations on the industry.
“We will legislate for gas companies to negotiate land access arrangements with landholders at both exploration and production stages and make compensation a requirement of these agreements,” Mr Humphries said.
The NSW Gas Plan confirms that Santos has publicly committed to making all gas produced from the project available to the NSW market.
It makes clear the government’s intentions to determine the capacity of the industry to expand into other areas, but also announces a reduction in gas exploration licences.
“We will dramatically reduce the coverage of gas exploration licences across NSW by extinguishing all current applications and implementing a one-off buy back of existing licences,” the plan details.
“We have been listening to communities and landholders across NSW about their environmental and social concerns. We also recognise the need to secure our future gas supply needs in NSW” the Minister said.
The plan includes a new Community Benefits Fund which aims to ensure that communities benefit from gas development through local infrastructure projects.
It also confirms the government’s intention to explore possibilities to expand gas pipelines to NSW as a way of securing an energy supply and putting downward pressure on household gas bills.
“We believe that the safe and sustainable development of an onshore gas industry in NSW will bring significant benefits to households and businesses across the state.”
To view the Gas Plan visit: www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au