The Queensland Government last week called on the public to comment on the environmental impact of the proposed 440km high-pressure gas transmission pipeline by November 20.

The project, to be constructed, owned and operated by government-owned corporation Enertrade, will provide a strategic link between the North Bowen Basin and Gladstone regions and will service the area’s industrial needs.

It will also provide the potential for future interconnection to south Queensland markets such as Brisbane.

The project builds on the success of the recently commissioned 400km North Queensland Gas Pipeline Project, which was developed and constructed during 2003 and 2004.

It would be initially configured to deliver 20 petajoules per annum but could be expanded through further gas compression to approximately 50PJpa.

Arrow chief executive Nick Davies today said the company is well positioned to deliver this gas from the projects in the Moranbah area operated by Arrow, in which it has a 50-100% stake.

Davies said the pipeline could open up a “whole new market” for the Brisbane-based company’s supply of coal seam methane from the Moranbah gas project to Gladstone.

“The potential increase in gas sales to industrial users in the Gladstone area would form a key part of our new margin-focused strategy,” Davies said.

The project is set to create employment for up to 300 people during construction and many more direct and indirect jobs when operational from 2007.

“The pipeline’s development is a welcome step forward for the Gladstone region,” Davies said.

“In addition to the jobs created during its construction, the supply of coal seam gas to the area would lead to further employment and industry growth.”

Arrow is set to supply 15% of Queensland’s gas needs this year and 25% next year, accounting for up to 35PJpa.

The Queensland Government said the environmental impact statement would provide the public with information about the project including the proposed route for the pipeline, its potential impact on the environment and how Enertrade proposes to address any impacts.

It said the pipeline would diversify the state’s energy mix, promote competition in the central Queensland industrial region, and ensure competitive energy pricing to encourage further major project development in the region.

The EIS will be available for viewing at the State Development Centres at Rockhampton and Gladstone, offices of the Belyando, Broadsound, Duaringa, Fitzroy and Calliope Shire Councils and the Gladstone City Council.

The text of the EIS can be downloaded from the Coordinator-General’s website at www.coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au/eis