Northern Gas Pipeline Finalizes Land Arrangements

Jemena has finalized land access arrangements with the Wakaya People for the $800 million Northern Gas Pipeline. The company has now secured land access with all Traditional Owner groups across the 386-mile pipeline route in both the Northern Territory and Queensland.

Northern Gas Pipeline Project Director, Jonathan Spink, said the agreement shows Jemena’s strong commitment to working closely with local communities along the NGP pipeline route.

“This is an important next step towards delivering the Northern Gas Pipeline, and Jemena is pleased to have reached a positive outcome with the Wakaya People and other Traditional Owner groups in the Territory and Queensland,” said Spink. “We are also grateful for the hard work and efforts of the Northern Land Council and Central Land Council. It was an extremely tough consultation process given the vast physical distance needed to be covered to ensure agreement by all parties.”

Senior Traditional Wakaya Elder, Tony Willy, was complimentary of the discussion and negotiation process with Jemena.

“I am pleased to reach agreement with Jemena for the NGP,” Willy said. “The jobs and contracts for my people will lay a strong foundation for their future. Jemena has worked well with us to understand our needs and hopes and we look forward to working together in the future.”

As part of the agreement, Jemena will work with the Wakaya People to make sure they benefit from the NGP’s $6 million Jobs and Training Package alongside all Traditional Owners on the pipeline route.

In other news, following a review, Jemena has also announced it will part ways with McConnell Dowell, its construction partner for the project.

“Jemena will shortly look to appoint a construction partner for the Northern Territory portion of the project through a competitive tender process, with appointment of a Queensland contractor expected in the next couple of months,” Spink said.

Construction of the Northern Gas Pipeline is scheduled to begin mid-2017, and the project is expected to be operational in 2018.

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