Submission: Northern Territory Coordinator Draft Bill

The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) represents the owners, operators, designers, constructors and service providers of Australia’s pipeline infrastructure, connecting natural and renewable gas production to demand centres in cities and other locations across Australia. Offering a wide range of services to gas users, retailers and producers, APGA members ensure safe and reliable delivery of over 1,500 PJ per annum of gas consumed in Australia alongside over 4,500 PJ per annum of gas for export. We are at the forefront of Australia’s renewable gas industry, helping achieve net-zero more quickly and affordably.

APGA welcomes the opportunity to provide further comment to the NT Government on the Draft Territory Coordinator Bill. APGA continues to support the proposal as a positive step in opening the way for gas infrastructure projects to develop in the NT.

The large-scale projects that will contribute to targeted economic development are necessarily complex and resource-intensive to oversee, both for proponents and for governments. A coordinator to shepherd projects through varying processes will go a long way to ensuring that these projects are approved in a timely manner.

APGA again cautions that implementation other ‘one window to government’ approaches have not necessarily worked as intended. For example, the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act (HRE Act) in South Australia – intended to streamline the interactions of renewable energy project proponents with Government – has experienced teething issues. For example, proponents must interact separately with the Essential Services Commission of South Australia for electricity works licensing, in addition to licensing under the HRE Act.

APGA recommends careful implementation of the Bill to ensure the Territory Coordinator role has sufficient delegations to reduce administrative burden on proponents.