The Australian Energy Market Operator’s latest gas demand projections report has yet again pushed back forecasts of a shortfall, this time acknowledging the high price of gas and increasing renewables are pushing out the fossil fuel.
But the new forecast in the Gas Statement of Opportunities comes as both Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese talk up plans to cripple community groups' ability to request reconsiderations for big polluting projects that were not subject to determination under federal environment law.
Both parties seem determined to weaken our environment laws even further, even though approximately 99 percent of developments are approved under the current Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Lock the Gate Alliance and local communities have a current reconsideration request for Santos’ proposed Hunter Gas Pipeline with the Federal Government. The request was made in 2022 and is now before Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.
The then Federal Government determined the massive coal seam gas pipeline, that would travel from the QLD border to Newcastle via the Narrabri Gas Project, did not require EPBC assessment in 2009.
However, the pipeline has not yet been constructed and there is substantial new evidence about the impact that it would have on matters of national environmental significance.
“As AEMO’s latest gas statement of opportunity shows, the arguments made by industry as a reason to support big polluting projects can swiftly evaporate,” said Lock the Gate Alliance National Coordinator Carmel Flint.
“It is the export of two thirds of our gas that has driven up gas prices and created artificial ‘domestic shortages’, and it is everyday Australians who have been paying the price.
“Australia should be supporting households and the manufacturing sector to rapidly switch away from gas - not putting up legislation that makes it easier for gas companies to wreck communities, water, and nature.
“It is clear these plans to strip ordinary people’s rights to challenge destructive coal and gas projects would harm Australian communities and nature.
“Landholders and community groups along the proposed Hunter Gas Pipeline put in a reconsideration request three years ago because of new evidence they identified - it would be appalling if these new laws retrospectively dismissed this request before it was decided.
“It’s really important that ordinary Australians be afforded the right to have their say on projects that threaten what we love about this country.
“As the Samual Review showed, our environmental laws are not fit for purpose and are in need of an overhaul. They are letting Australian nature down, leading to ever more iconic species being placed on the endangered list.”
ENDS