It is expected 240km of the pipe – which spans from 45km north-west of Tennant Creek to 113km west of the Queensland border – will be laid this year.

This follows consent to construct the Phillip Creek Station Compressor Station, which was granted earlier last month.

Resources Minister Ken Vowles said the project was one of the Northern Territory Government’s key platforms for the development of Tennant Creek as a mining services centre for the Territory and to develop the North.

The 622km pipeline will link Tennant Creek to Mount Isa in Queensland.

The first gas from the 800 million project is scheduled to flow next year.

“The construction of the Northern Gas Pipeline will underpin jobs, investment and development in the region for years to come, with approximately 900 jobs generated during construction alone,” Mr Vowles said

“Jemena has indicated that it will start construction on this portion as soon as practicable to take advantage of the dry season.” 

Mr Vowles said Jemena’s Environmental Management Plan is available on the Jemena website and the Department of Primary Industry and Resources website.

“The NGP EMP outlines Jemena’s management of and compliance with all recommendations made by the NT Environmental Protection Authority and the Commonwealth’s Department of Environment and Energy,” Mr Vowles said.

The pipeline licence for the Northern Gas Pipeline project was granted on April 26, 2017.

Consent to construct the pipeline is being granted in stages with the first consent to construct for the Phillip Creek compressor station granted on May 2, and this next stage progresses the project further.

Mr Vowles said the Territory Government will continue to consider applications for the next construction stages and work through approval processes as part of its commitment to support the appropriate and timely development of the Northern Gas Pipeline.