Anger at pipeline plan

A GAS pipeline stretching 145km from Casino in northern NSW to Ipswich has been proposed to supply a new power station at Swanbank and other south-east Queensland consumers.

But the project is running into opposition from farmers, business owners and environmentalists along the proposed route.

The company aiming to build the Lions Way Pipeline, Metgasco, says the plan is “conceptual” at this stage and CEO Peter Henderson told the QT that no start date had been set.

The news comes as Swanbank's last remaining coal-fired plant faces closure next year.

The Federal Government is hoping its carbon tax will increase demand for cleaner gas-fired power stations – such as the existing Swanbank E station outside Ipswich.

Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic spokesman Innes Larkin said the pipeline would further fracture the landscape of the Scenic Rim.

Mr Innes said a 30-metre clearing would be needed alongside the main pipeline, with the possibility of adjoining smaller pipelines running between gas wells.

“That's a very scary concept for a region that's based on rural beauty,” he said.

“It's incompatible land use.

"It should be totally not allowed.

"We want a moratorium on coal seam gas immediately.

"I can see no redeeming features to it, unless they change the way they get it.”

Mr Henderson said much work still needed to be done before the project could proceed.

“Before we can commit to build the pipeline, we need to have gas sales agreements with companies in Queensland to justify building it,” he said.

“It is hard to define when we will complete the gas sales agreements.

"After agreements are in place we have to complete environment submissions, consult with the community, get government approvals and then build the pipeline.

“It is unlikely that this can be done in less than two to three years.”

Metgasco has already made an environment submission for the NSW side of the pipeline.

“We have yet to prepare and lodge a submission for the Queensland side of the pipeline.

"Again, it is very early days for us,” Mr Henderson said.

“Metgasco recognises that we need to consult with people in both NSW and Queensland.

“This will happen when plans are more developed, environmental reviews completed and we have something material to talk to the community about.

“Metgasco has established significant gas resources in its three NSW exploration licences.

“These resources exceed the level of local demand.

"To realise the value of the gas, it may be necessary to transport the gas to the Queensland market.

“We are still in the exploration phase, hoping to start production and sales to small customers near Casino late in 2012.”

The protest group Lock the Gate has been fighting the spread of coal seam gas operations for months.

Ipswich member Cassie McMahon said Australians were rising up to protect the land, water and food security.

“Ipswich and Gatton are proposed to receive coal seam gas to generate power,” she said.

“Ipswich region Lock the Gate is uniting with other communities such as Scenic Rim, Kyogle, Lismore and Casino which are advocating that they do not want a pipeline through their community.

“Dalby has already shown that where a pipeline is built, gas wells will follow,” Ms McMahon said.