Narrabri Shire Council has endorsed the draft Narrabri gas project voluntary planning agreement to go on public exhibition.
The VPA, the largest ever agreed to by council, totals $14.5 million.
A contribution amount of $13 million is included in the fund as well as $1.5 million towards road maintenance.
At last week’s council meeting, Cr Lloyd Finlay moved that the agreement be endorsed and subject to public exhibition.
The motion was seconded by Cr Robert Kneale.
Mayor Ron Campbell said the draft VPA being resolved to go on public exhibition is the next step of the process that has been in the development for some time.
“This is the largest VPA agreed by council and it also contains the highest community benefit percentage of any VPA offered to council at 90 per cent,” Cr Campbell said.
Council’s general manager, Stewart Todd, said the terms were agreed upon in principal at the February 2020 ordinary council meeting.
“Council has been working with Santos and legal representatives to ensure the agreement meets the needs of the community,” Mr Todd said.
“The agreement is a legal document that outlines the provision of funds that will be allocated in completing various infrastructure and community improvement projects over the life of the VPA.”
The draft VPA is on public exhibition from Wednesday, May 26 to Wednesday, June 23.
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