A high-pressure gas pipeline through the Scenic Rim: a main line which threatens to  open up the entire Scenic Rim to a massive expansion in coal seam gas production.

Development of a high-pressure gas pipeline through the Scenic Rim has progressed to planning application stage, with resource company Metgasco submitting details of the project to the New South Wales government for approval.

The 145 kilometre line will connect gaslands in northern New South Wales with the planned Bromelton Industrial Estate and Swanbank power station near Ipswich.  Experts believe gas companies, active in the Scenic Rim, will also use the pipeline to export gas from our area.  In similar situations elsewhere, this has involved a network extensive feeder pipelines, noisy 24-hour compressor stations and trucks to transport gas from areas not serviced by pipelines. 

(coal seam gas pipelines and access roads in the Tara area)

Serious concerns have also been raised about the impact on agricultural land and farm operations in the Christmas Creek Valley, residential areas to the north of Beaudesert and the World Heritage Border Ranges National Park.  The pipeline involves clearing a 30 metre wide corridor and will require numerous service roads, impacting on some landowner’s ability to work their creek flat paddocks.

“Metgasco plans to run this pipeline along one of the steepest and windiest roads in the region, the Lions Road through the Border Ranges NP, and we simply do not believe that is possible without causing serious environmental damage” said Kyogle shire resident Boudicca Cerese.

“The environmental record of Metgasco has raised alarm bells – if they can’t even properly remediate a water storage pond near Casino, then how can they be trusted to drive a major gas pipeline through a World Heritage area?” she said

“Lions Way is renowned as being a high slip area, which has been closed for weeks at a time after rainy periods due to the road literally falling away. This is an extremely sensitive area which will be severely damaged by the proposed pipeline,” said Rural Fire Service volunteer Thorsten Jones.

“Construction activities may include blasting with explosives through rock and will lead to serious impacts on wildlife and vegetation from heavy machinery operation, noise, dust and erosion” he said.

North from the Border Ranges, residents are also concerned about the impact of the pipeline on creek flats and Christmas Creek - one of the most pristine watercourses in the region.  “We must ensure there is no risk from sedimentation and erosion in black soil and where the pipeline crosses the creek” said Heidi Ross, whose property borders Christmas Creek.

“We are also concerned about clearing adjacent to the creek. Dairy farmers in the valley rely on this pure water to produce quality milk that is consumed throughout the region and they also cannot afford to loose food producing paddocks.

Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic is calling on both state and federal governments to reject this pipeline. Not only will it do direct and irreversible damage, but it will open up the entire Scenic Rim to a massive expansion in coal seam gas production. Our local communities intend to fight this every step of the way. 

For more information about Metgasco’s plans and more detailed mapping, you can download their planning application from the New South Wales Government Planning website.