The Queensland Resources Council welcomes the Federal Government's final approval of Senex's new $1 billion gas developments in Queensland's Surat Basin.
QRC Chief Executive Officer, Janette Hewson, congratulated Senex on achieving approval for the project, which will continue Queensland's critical importance to Australia's east coast gas supply.
"The QRC was pleased to support the Atlas and Roma North gas development applications, which underwent rigorous consultation and regulator review, which will create new local jobs and economic opportunities for regional southwest Queensland, and importantly boost energy supply for homes and businesses across our east coast," Ms Hewson said.
"Thousands of households and manufacturers rely on gas heading south from Queensland, particularly during the peak winter period, to keep the heaters on and their factories operating.
"The 60 petajoules the new Senex development will provide each year will make a big difference and reinforces Queensland's reputation as doing the heavy lifting to support the energy needs of Australia's east coast.
"Boosting supply is the key to lowering energy prices for households and businesses, and the extra domestic gas to be supplied by Senex will contribute to that," Ms Hewson said.
The QRC said while the approval is welcome, more Queensland gas projects need to come online along with an expansion of pipeline infrastructure if we are to avoid an energy shortfall.
"All levels of government have a role to play in reducing the heavy regulatory burden on industry and streamlining approval processes by removing state and federal duplication to get urgently needed new projects underway," Ms Hewson said.
"The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has warned of impending gas shortfalls without an expansion of existing pipelines and new gas projects in Queensland.
"Given the critical need for more gas to support Australia's energy transition, the QRC and industry wants to work with all governments to get the right policy settings to attract investment in the new projects required with timely approval processes."
