Santos and Petronas' $7.7B GNLG project to boost employment
The $7.7 billion Gladstone liquefied natural gas (GLNG) project of Santos and Petronas in Queensland is expected to create a huge number of jobs for the region.
The Queensland Government said the conditional approval of the multi-billion project will be a significant boost to the state's central region.
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe said the GLNG project alone could generate 4,800 construction jobs and 1,200 permanent jobs in Gladstone and Roma.
Last week, the Queensland government granted conditional environmental approval to Santos and Petronas' GLNG project, following review of the project's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by the Queensland Coordinator-General.
The Queensland Government approval covers the development of coal seam gas resources in the Bowen and Surat Basins around Roma, construction of a 435-km pipeline from the gas fields to the coast, and construction of up to three processing trains at a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and export facility on Curtis Island, off Gladstone.
Gladstone Mayor George Creed said conditions regarding infrastructure funding imposed by the coordinator-general are vital for the future of the region.
"It's also absolutely necessary - you can't expect our current residents and ratepayers to foot the bill to provide infrastructure for future development so that's entirely appropriate," said Creed.
GLNG president Rick Wilkinson said GLNG supportive of the conditions outlined by the Coordinator-General.
GLNG's environmental approval process will now continue with Federal government consideration of the project.