Hunter Gas Pipeline comes into focus after NSW Government's Shenhua decision

The hopes come after the state government's decision last week to cancel Shenhua's mining license as well as the plans of Upper Hunter Greens candidate Sue Abbott and Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann to introduce a bill that would ban all future gas exploration or mining projects in the area.

"It should not be happening, it needs to be stopped in its tracks, it's very problematic in that there are land use issues in terms of the land and water," Ms Abbott said.

"Gas is finished, it's completely finished and there's no price for it, they won't make any money out of it and they'll have to actually look to the government to get public funds and that's, in my opinion, criminal."

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Meanwhile, Nationals candidate David Layzell and Labor candidate Jeff Drayton have avoided using such aggressive language but have vowed to examine the issue carefully.

"We need to look at the route, we need to make sure that farmers on the ground are happy with it and that consultation process is done in full," Mr Layzell said.

However, The Land understands Hunter Gas is committed to making the project a reality and has continued to consult with impacted producers, having reached out to 50 per cent of the landholders between Newcastle and Narrabri, of which a reported 90pc tolerate or support the project if its route is shifted.

Most recently, the company met with affected landholders on April 8 at Willow Tree and as a result of the consultation, is currently exploring ways to move the pipe away from agricultural land and onto road reserves.

Also discussed during the meeting was a report the company had commissioned by Strategic Engineering and Environmental Consulting which examined soil and drainage line constraints for a buried pipeline on the western Liverpool Plains.

The report recommended the company "locally relocate the pipe to avoid high-risk areas" and to "use trenchless construction techniques across higher-risk watercourses".

"Note that the above recommendations do not provide a comprehensive suite of recommendations for the construction of buried pipelines," the report stated.

"Further, adoption of the above recommendations does not guarantee that the pipeline would not be impacted by soil movement in reactive clay soils such as the vertosols on the Liverpool Plains.

"The above recommendations are put forward as potential methods to review of soil and drainage line constraints help reduce risk, but further investigations and detailed design are required before commencing construction."

As for the Greens' proposed bill, Hunter Gas Pipeline managing director Garbis Simonian said the company would be committed to collaborative engagement with those directly impacted despite the bill.

"In our democratic process, the Greens are able to propose any bill they wish," Mr Simonian told The Land.

"We will always abide by any law passed by parliament."

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