MORE than 70 landholders have gathered in Quirindi to voice their objections to the Queensland-Hunter Gas Pipeline Project.
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The meeting comes after the company behind the project, Hunter Gas sought approval from the state government to survey easements of affected properties.
Meeting co-ordinator and Quirindi farmer Peter Wills said he "couldn't see the relationship between the company and landholders as anything but hostile".
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"This is the second meeting we've had and the first one we've had since our first in February," Mr Wills said.
"We've certainly seen a lot of changes come to light in the last two months, such as the authority to survey, which the company has requested permission from the government for.
"As well as the actual confirmation that Hunter Gas and Santos are actually talking to each other as detailed in the transcripts of the IPC hearing.
"After years of denying of wanting to use this pipeline route, they are now confirmed as talking to each other."
Hunter Gas managing director Garbis Simonian said consultation with landholders was essential to the project.
"We accept that some in the community have genuine questions and concerns about the project and we are committed to responding to them," Mr Simonian said.
"We prioritise the consultation with directly affected landholders; and with councils who represent the broader communities.
"HGP has recently met with all of the 10 councils along the NSW corridor, and twice in the last six weeks with local Liverpool Plains landholders.
"HGP's intent is to respond to any questions and concerns around the project and that this will take time and personal engagement, and we are committed to doing this over the next 12 months.
"We will share responses to all significant questions on our website."
Despite the promise of consultation, Mr Wills said many in the community had not heard from the company since the project was originally given the green light in 2008.
"There were a lot of landholders there who had never had any communication with Hunter Gas or they received their first contact in nine years, via a letter in mid-July," he said,
"Things have certainly shifted in the last two months toward more community awareness for those who don't want to host a high-pressure gas pipeline on their farm.
"I think I'm one of many who don't want a pipeline on my property and who don't want to have to deal with it for 40 years."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
