QGC SECURES LAND FOR QLD GAS PROJECT

QGC, a BG Group business, today moved a step closer to building its Queensland Curtis Liquefied Natural Gas plant at Gladstone, finalising a deal to purchase land on Curtis Island from the Queensland Government.

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas this morning signed an agreement with QGC’s Senior Vice President, Growth, David Maxwell, for about 270 hectares at North China Bay.

“It’s great to see a company of BG Group’s calibre investing in Queensland’s future, to create jobs and economic growth,” said Mr Lucas.

“This is a really promising step towards having a plant and export facility on the island in four years time capable of producing up to 12 million tonnes of LNG a year.

“QGC expects this project will create more than 3000 jobs at the peak of construction and about 800 ongoing jobs, subject to getting State and Federal Government environmental approvals.

“Nearly 50 per cent of these jobs will be in Gladstone at the processing end.

“The rest will provide work for people in the Surat Basin, where the gas will be extracted and transported by underground pipeline to the coast.

“Gladstone will benefit from diversifying and adding to its existing strengths like coal and aluminium.

“In tough economic times, a broader business base will make the local economy far more resilient and provide security for workers.

“The LNG industry could add hundred of millions of dollars to the State economy every year from royalties and taxes.

“That translates into better schools, hospitals and services for people across Queensland.

“This land contract will only be finalised if numerous conditions are met including environmental assessments.

“And this land can only ever be used for an LNG plant.”

Mr Maxwell said QGC would make an initial A$5 million contribution towards management of the Curtis Island Environmental Management Precinct, created when the Gladstone State Development Area was extended to the island in 2008.

“This contribution enables the environmental values of the precinct to be studied and for plans to be developed and implemented in consultation with the community to protect these values,” he said.

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas welcomed QGC’s contribution to the Environmental Management Precinct.

“This is a great example for other companies interested in doing business in Gladstone,” said Mr Lucas.

“The Environmental Management Precinct will be protected as an asset for the people of Gladstone.

“It places 75% of the State Development Area on Curtis Island off limits to industry.

“Consideration will be given to rehabilitating degraded land, protecting areas of high ecological value and any other use that would be compatible, such as walking trails and access to recreational fishing areas.”

Media contacts: Deputy Premier’s office - Matthew Klar 0437 435 223.