7 August 2026

Submission: Osborne State Development Area (SDA)

The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) represents the owners, operators, designers, constructors and service providers of Australia’s pipeline infrastructure. APGA members ensure safe and reliable delivery of over 1,500 PJpa of gas consumed in Australia alongside over 4,500 PJpa of gas for export.

APGA welcomes the opportunity to contribute comments to the Government of South Australia’s proposal to create a State Development Area at Osborne, South Australia. This area represents considerable opportunity for development as a strategic infrastructure corridor.

APGA supports the proposed Osborne SDA and acknowledges the Government of South Australia’s facilitation of coordinated infrastructure development on the site. In doing so, the Osborne SDA planning framework should specifically recognise existing and future pipeline infrastructure to ensure any industrial and infrastructure development does not compromise the safe and lawful operation of licensed pipelines.

Recognise and protect existing infrastructure

The boundary zone includes within it existing pipeline transmission and distribution assets, some of which support the Torrens and Barker Inlet gas-powered generators. Assets include:

• SEA Gas – Port Campbell to Adelaide Pipeline, Torrens Island Lateral
• Epic Energy – Moomba to Adelaide Pipeline and Pelican Point Lateral, Wasleys to Adelaide Loop, Taperoo Lateral
• Australian Gas Networks – Adelaide Distribution Network.

Some of these assets are being physically moved to accommodate Department of Defence construction but will remain within the boundary of the Osborne SDA.

It is essential that the Osborne SDA explicitly recognises these existing pipeline assets as critical energy infrastructure for South Australia. The SDA must ensure that future planning and development assessments consider the risks any new infrastructure could present to existing pipeline infrastructure, and plan accordingly. The Osborne SDA planning framework should also ensure that future land use planning and development assessment processes appropriately consider the introduction of new risks to existing pipeline infrastructure; and the consequences associated with those risks.

The SDA must directly address and have provisions that recognise:

• Existing pipeline licences, statutory protections, and easements, including existing and any future following asset relocations.
• Access requirements for infrastructure operators to undertake ordinary operational activities including inspections, maintenance, emergency responses, environmental protection or remediation, asset security, and any other activities required by other statutory and regulatory frameworks.

While engagement with pipeline operators is an existing statutory requirement, it would be sensible for the Osborne SDA planning framework to emphasise early engagement with pipeline operators for any industrial or infrastructure development proposal.

Enable new gas infrastructure

As one of South Australia's most strategically significant industrial precincts, the Osborne SDA will require access to secure, reliable and scalable energy infrastructure. The SDA planning framework must ensure future greenfield and brownfield pipeline developments can be accommodated and assessed efficiently, including all requirements under AS 2885, recognising the important role gas infrastructure continues to play in supporting industrial development, electricity generation and energy security.