Narrabri Shire Council has been buoyed by the NSW government’s release of the Future of Gas Statement.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro along with the Minister for Energy Matt Kean released the document on July 21.

Mayor Ron Campbell said he welcomed the release of the statement and the certainty it has provided.

“Narrabri Shire has been having conversations on coal seam gas now for more than a decade, although the Narrabri gas project was approved last year by the IPC, a level of uncertainty for the project has remained.”

With the release of the statement, the NSW government has now joined Narrabri Shire Council in backing the Narrabri gas project.

Council in November 2019 resolved to support the gas project through a motion moved by Cr Cameron Staines and seconded by Cr Annie McMahon.

In a statement, council said the resolution was reached after many years of actively seeking advice from multiple reputable authorities that the project can be undertaken safely.

“The gas project will be a major benefit to the Narrabri Shire community,” council said in its statement.

“In releasing the gas statement and backing the Narrabri gas project, the state government has stated that the project is a key part of their balanced approach to securing gas supplies, attracting industries and generating regional based jobs.

“The Northern NSW Inland Port (N2IP) is a key council-driven project that pulls together key competitive advantages of the Narrabri Shire as leverage to further diversify the local economy and produce locally based jobs.

Cr Campbell said council has worked proactively and extremely hard on establishing N2IP as a key economic driver for the future of the Shire.

“Pulling together the local competitive advantages such as the advent of Inland Rail, the shire’s other well-established road and rail freight networks, our strong agricultural sector and the Narrabri gas project – providing reasonably priced secure energy – brings very bright future prospects for Narrabri Shire,” he said.

“As part of council’s plans at N2IP, we have been aiming to add to our economy a high-energy manufacturing industry here in the shire, this announcement by the state government provides a level of certainty for not only our community but for investors now as well.

“Gas prices are cheapest at the well-head, the state government’s announcement has placed Narrabri Shire at the forefront of economic development in regional NSW.

“This announcement could not have come at a better time for us. Our Special Activation Precinct process has just gotten underway and as previously mentioned with the availability of reasonably priced secure energy the Special Activation Precinct will be turbo-charged.

“With all this culminating in fantastic job growth but also a wide variety and range of jobs, our youth who are often left with no option but to pursue employment elsewhere will be offered opportunities to stay local.

“Combine this with our Country Universities Centre and our investment in STEM programs – both jobs and educational opportunities will be at our doorstep – for the first time locally – nothing like we’ve seen before.”

A further part of the announcement that has also been welcomed by council is the announcement that communities where gas exploration occurs will receive access to additional rounds of funding through a future round of Resources for Regions program.

Cr Campbell said council has long lobbied for Narrabri Shire’s fair share when it comes to the presence of extractive industries in the shire.

“I am extremely pleased that the state government has heard our voice and has committed to additional funding being made available to Narrabri Shire as a community in which gas exploration is taking place,” he said.

“This council has been able to guide the shire toward a very prosperous and exciting future.”

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