Northern Territory Second Reading Speeches
[Index]
[Search]
[Bill]
[Help]
TRANS-TERRITORY PIPELINE AND BLACKTIP GAS PROJECTS (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) BILL 2005
(This an uncorrected proof of the daily report. It is made available under the condition that it is recognised as such.)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The purpose of this bill is to make special provisions in connection with the Trans-Territory Pipeline and Blacktip gas projects. These projects represent a $1bn investment in the Territory. The Trans-Territory Pipeline project involves the construction of an underground gas pipeline from Wadeye to Gove, including all the associated infrastructure to operate and maintain the pipeline.
The Blacktip gas project involves three elements: an offshore gas platform, an onshore gas plant near Wadeye community, and a pipeline from the gas platform to the onshore gas plant. Most major projects, such as the Trans-Territory Pipeline and the Blacktip gas projects, require special legislation to be enacted. In the Northern Territory such projects as the AustralAsia Railway, Merlin diamond mine and Granites Gold mines have all resulted in special project legislation.
As with the AustralAsia Railway, the approach for the Trans-Territory Pipeline and Blacktip gas projects has been to identify and clearly set out in legislation the modifications to existing Territory legislation. Following consultation with the project proponents for each project and their legal advisors in relation to the impact of Territory laws, I am pleased to report that only a handful of changes have been found necessary to support the projects.
The bill creates statutory rights in relation to road and water way crossings. These rights are required to maintain continuity of the pipeline corridor. The rights are exercisable with the relevant minister’s consent, after which the consortium can construct and operate the Trans-Territory Pipeline. The grant of this right may be subject to conditions concerning matters such as safety and construction.
The bill creates a mechanism to enable authority certificates issued under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act in connection with the projects, to be relied upon by the consortium subject to the same conditions, whether the consortium was the applicant or not. This mechanism enables future owners of the pipeline to have the benefit and the obligations imposed by the authority certificates.
Finally, the bill applies the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act to the Blacktip onshore gas plant near Wadeye. The application of the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act means that the construction and operation of the onshore gas plant will be subject to environmental protection practices and procedures under that act.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members.
Debateadjourned.
[Index]
[Search]
[Bill]
[Help]