Has your property been identified as part of the Hunter Gas Pipeline Corridor?
Whether you have been approached to sign a contract for a proposed easement on your property, or you have received a formal notice of compulsory acquisition, Rely Legal can advise you before you sign anything and represent you at every stage of the process.
Receiving a notice that your land may be required for a major infrastructure project is deeply upsetting and can raise a lot of questions regarding your options, your rights, and what fair compensation looks like. Rely Legal is here to walk you through each stage of the process, advocate on your behalf, and make sure you receive everything you're entitled to.
As a firm working exclusively in compulsory acquisitions and property law, we bring focused, experienced advice to every stage of your matter.
📞 0494 565 875 | 02 8215 1552
Santos Hunter Gas Pipeline – Project Details
The Hunter Gas Pipeline (HGP) runs close to Santos' Narrabri Gas Project (NGP). The 833-kilometre pipeline has received planning approval from both the NSW and Queensland Governments, and once built, will provide a second route linking the Wallumbilla Gas Supply Hub in Queensland to southern NSW markets for Queensland gas.
The route includes offtake points at a number of regional towns and has been designed to transport hydrogen as customer demand evolves during the energy transition.
Legal and Valuation Costs
Where land is compulsorily acquired for infrastructure projects such as gas pipelines, reasonable legal and valuation costs incurred by landowners are generally recoverable as part of the compensation process.
Areas affected by the Santos Hunter Gas Pipeline
The approved pipeline corridor passes through the following local government areas.
Moree Plains Shire Council
Boomi, Garah, Ashley, Moree, Gurley, Bellata
Narrabri Shire Council
Baan Baa, Blue Vale, Boggabri
Liverpool Plains Shire Council
Ardglen, Borambil, Braefield, Pine Ridge, Quipolly, Quirindi, Warrah Creek, Werris Creek, Willow Tree
Upper Hunter Shire Council
Aberdeen, Blandford, Middle Brook, Moobi, Murrurundi, Murulla, Parkville, Scone, Segenhoe, Wingen
Gunnedah Shire Council
Blue Vale, Boggabri, Breeza, Curlewis, Gunnedah, Kelvin, Piallaway
Muswellbrook Shire Council
Aberdeen, Bowmans Creek, Hebden, McCullys Gap, Muscle Creek, Muswellbrook
Singleton Council
Bridgman, Dyrring, Elderslie, Glendon Brook, Goorangoola, Greenlands, Hebden, Howes Valley, Lambs Valley, Mount Olive, Reedy Creek, Stanhope, Westbrook
Maitland City Council
Berry Park, Bolwarra Heights, Duckenfield, Gosforth, Hillsborough, Largs, Maitland Vale, Millers Forest, Mindaribba, Morpeth, Phoenix Park, Rosebrook, Woodberry, Woodville
Newcastle City Council
Tarro
Port Stephens Council
Tomago
If your property is in or near these areas and you have received or expect to receive a notice from Santos or an acquiring authority, contact Rely Legal for a free initial, no-obligation consultation.
View the Queensland-Hunter Gas Pipeline project on the NSW Planning Portal.
What Happens Next?
If your land is acquired by compulsory acquisition, understanding each stage of the process is essential to protecting your rights and maximising your compensation. Our guide walks you through every step clearly. Read our guide providing an explanation of the compulsory acquisition process.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have been advised that an easement is required on my property for the Hunter Gas Pipeline — what is this?
An easement gives the pipeline operator ongoing legal rights to use a defined part of your land. While you still own the property, an easement can affect how you use the land, what you can build, your future development plans, and even the sale of the property for many years.
Before signing, you should have the proposed easement terms and any compensation offer independently reviewed so you can understand the long-term impact and whether the compensation is appropriate.
Which areas may be affected by the Santos Hunter Gas Pipeline?
The approved pipeline corridor runs from Wallumbilla in Queensland through to Newcastle in NSW, passing through the local government areas of Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains, Maitland, Moree Plains, Muswellbrook, Narrabri, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter. If your property is within this corridor, we recommend contacting us to discuss your specific situation.
What is the Santos Hunter Gas Pipeline?
The Hunter Gas Pipeline (HGP) is an approved 833-kilometre underground gas pipeline running from Wallumbilla in Queensland to Newcastle in NSW. The route passes close to Santos' Narrabri Gas Project, and once built, will provide a second route linking Queensland gas supply to southern NSW markets.
What compensation am I entitled to under the Just Terms Act as a landowner if the matter progresses to compulsory acquisition?
Under the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (NSW), there are several heads of compensation to consider and depending on your circumstances, compensation can include:
- Market value of the land acquired,
- Special value of the land to you at the date of acquisition (if applicable),
- Loss attributable to severance (if part of your land is acquired),
- Disturbance reasonable costs and losses incurred as a result of the acquisition,
- Disadvantage resulting from relocation in certain cases (for example, where you are required to relocate from your principal place of residence),
- Any increase or decrease in the value of any other land which adjoins or is severed from the acquired land,
- Other losses payable under the Just Terms Act that are caused by the acquisition.
Rely Legal can advise you on your potential compensation entitlements and assist you to identify and substantiate the full range of compensation available in your situation.
Am I entitled to compensation if my property becomes subject to a temporary lease (construction lease) in connection with the pipeline?
Yes. If your property is subject to a temporary lease, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of use of the land during the lease period, and reinstatement of the land to its prior condition. Rely Legal can advise you on your entitlements and negotiate with Santos on your behalf.
We're Here
To Help
Outline your situation in our form, and we will get in touch to advise how we can help, otherwise you can book a free consultation now.