IPC panel visit next step for gas

The process which will decide the future of the Narrabri Gas Project moves ahead another step next week.

A three member panel of the NSW Independent Planning Commission will come to Narrabri as part of the IPC’s determination of the project.

The NSW Department of Planning recently completed its assessment of the Narrabri Gas Project, recommending that ‘on balance, the project is in the public interest and is approvable with conditions’.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes referred the State Significant Development to the IPC, the final consent authority, for a determination, requesting that a decision be made within 12 weeks.

The IPC panel, chair Steve O’Connor, John Hann and Professor ‘Snow’ Barlow, will visit Santos sites and meet members of Narrabri and Gunnedah shire councils and some community representatives at Narrabri.

“The panel will be in Narrabri from Monday to Wednesday,” said a spokesperson for the IPC, Troy Deighton.

The IPC will conduct public hearings from July 20 to 24.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the public hearings will be held electronically.

People can participate by video-conference, attending a local studio hosted by the IPC in Narrabri where they can present to the panel via video link.

“If you wish to apply to speak at the electronic Public Hearing, you must complete an expression of interest form,” the IPC advises.

The studio will be set up by the IPC at The Crossing Theatre where registered speakers who have nominated to participate in the process via the studio will present by videolink to the panel.

Speakers will be allocated a slot and told how long they have to present.

Proceedings will be supervised by IPC staff. Meanwhile, the studio has already been operating this week for the Vickery Mine IPC hearings.