A significant milestone was reached today with the $19.8 million, 28.5 kilometre Bundaberg Port Gas Pipeline in Queensland.
High-pressure gas pipes that will form the much-anticipated pipeline today (Monday, 15 February 2016) started their near 400km journey from Brisbane to the major Queensland regional centre.
About 1900 lengths of piping – each 15.3 metres in length, and bundled in packs of 10 – started departing the Port of Brisbane this morning via truck bound for Bundaberg.
The pipes arrived in Australia late last month and have been thoroughly examined in preparation for transportation.
When fully-installed and operational, the piping will form the 28.5 kilometre Bundaberg Port Gas Pipeline.
The multi-million dollar project is part of a development agreement between the Queensland Government and Australian Gas Networks – the country’s largest gas distribution company – for the delivery and operation of the pipeline.
The Queensland Government has estimated that the project’s construction is expected to create 45 jobs, including up to 15 local construction jobs.
Further, the pipeline will support the development of the new $70 million Knauf Plasterboard facility, which is expected to deliver 200 construction jobs and 40 operational jobs.
AGN’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr Andrew Staniford, said: “This major infrastructure project – which is expected to deliver significant economic benefits to the Bundaberg region – is progressing well.
“Initial pipeline construction - which will be undertaken by the Zinfra Group and overseen by AGN’s long term operator, APA Group - is expected to commence in mid-March and take about six months to complete,” he said.
“Once that happens, tie-ins to station facilities will occur followed by commissioning and handover for operation, which is expected to occur in December.
“The natural gas pipeline will deliver a much-needed and welcomed economic boost for the broader Wide Bay Burnett area.
“Not only will the pipeline have the capacity to deliver a further 0.7 terrajoules of gas per day above that required to meet Knauf’s needs of 925 terrajoules of gas per day, it also has the potential to fuel new business and industry, and create further new jobs in the area.”
The Bundaberg Port Gas Pipeline is expected to be operational in early 2017 and is set to be the catalyst for further job creation in the Wide Bay and Burnett region.
Mr Staniford said transportation of the pipes to Bundaberg would take about a week to complete, with up to five trucks a day making the journey from the Port of Brisbane to AGN’s Kensington Gate Station at Bundaberg.
For further information contact
Andrew Staniford, Chief Operating Officer
T (08) 8418 1125
Sean Whittington, Field PR
T (08) 8234 9555
M (0412) 591 520
