NSW Government Fast-Tracks Plans For Second Gas Pipeline To Port Kembla

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has today announced that the NSW Government has approved plans for a multi-million-dollar modification to the Port Kembla Lateral Pipeline, which will increase gas supply into the east coast network and put downward pressure on energy prices.

Mr Ward said that a second pipeline will be built along the existing pipeline that connects Port Kembla to the main Eastern Gas Pipeline at Kembla Grange by Jemena Gas.

“This will enable the proposed Port Kembla Gas Terminal to operate at its full capacity of 115 petajoules per year and the modification is critical to ensuring reduced energy costs in NSW,” he said.

“The new pipeline can be constructed without disrupting the current supply and it will allow more gas into the market while increasing the security, reliability and affordability of gas in NSW.

“It will also support $51 million economic investment for the Port Kembla region, and the opportunity for around 60 new constructions jobs,” he said.

Mr Ward added that the project will help support our State’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the NSW Government’s Planning System Assessment Program.

“It’s one of many projects we’re accelerating to support jobs and the construction industry as we ride out the pandemic and set our sights on recovery,” he said.

“This is the latest project of almost 100 to be approved as part of the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program.

“To date, the program has created opportunities for more than 50,000 direct jobs and more than $25 billion of economic investment,” Mr Ward concluded.