The gas will come from coal-seam methane deposits in the Bowen basin. Enertrade, a Queensland Government-owned corporation, has been selected as the preferred developer for the project.

Consultants GHD prepared for Enertrade an initial environmental assessment and was commissioned to supply pipeline engineering services.

In the initial assessment along the proposed alignment, GHD found three ecosystems that are under Federal environmental legislation, including Brigalow and the grass species Bluegrass.

"As Environment Australia investigations were likely to result, threatening tight time frames, alternative corridors were identified through our strong GIS capabilities and aerial reconnaissance," says GHD Project Manager George Tsiros. "These avoid constraints such as mining leases, mountain ranges, sterilisation of coal resources and listed vegetation communities."

Under its Cleaner Energy Strategy 2000, the Government wants gas to supply 13 per cent of the State's power generation. This has stimulated many projects including base load gas-fired generation in Townsville.

Methane is normally vented from coal mines, adding to greenhouse gases. Enertrade's initiatives allow the gas to be used for energy and also reduce its greenhouse impact.