Port Kembla Terminal Gets OK

The Government of New South Wales has given planning approval for Australian Industrial Energy to construct the gas terminal at Port Kembla.

According to an official announcement, the new terminal will accommodate Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier ships, a floating LNG handling facility, wharf infrastructure and a pipeline to connect to the existing NSW east coast gas network nearby.

Commenting the latest news, Minister for Energy and Environment, Matt Kean, said that the Port Kembla gas terminal will be a game-changer for improving energy security and helping to ease energy costs, adding that “It could support gas-fired electricity generation in NSW and help make sure we have reliable electricity.”

Before approving the terminal, the NSW Government assessed the environmental, social and economic impacts identified by community, government and independent stakeholders.

Planning approval includes conditions to:

• manage impacts during the construction of the import terminal, including excavation and dredging activities in Port Kembla harbor and management of contaminated materials and acid sulphate soils;
• manage hazards and risks associated with the operation of the LNG import facility and gas pipeline;
• regulate and monitor air and water discharges from the project during construction and operations.