A handful of Moree people were among more than 100 to attend a meeting in Quirindi earlier this month to learn more about the proposed $1 billion Queensland Hunter Gas Pipeline.
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Originally approved in 2009, the project - an 820 kilometre high-pressure natural gas pipeline running from Queensland's gas hub at Wallumbilla, near Roma, to Newcastle, via Moree and the Hunter Valley - was last year granted a five-year extension by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, after it failed to get underway in the past decade.
Garah landholder Helen Carrigan, who is one of potentially hundreds of people directly affected by the proposed pipeline, attended the Quirindi meeting on February 8 with Moree businesswoman Kerrie Matchett and fellow landowners Liz and Rob Woods.
Mrs Carrigan said she was only made aware of the pipeline project by Ms Matchett just this year, prior to the meeting in Quirindi.
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"Years ago my husband knew about it; he received a letter in 2007/2008 but that was before we were married," she said.
"Most of the people in our area were approached at the time, but people hadn't heard about it in years, and had thought it wasn't going ahead.
"We were surprised to hear about it again. Surprised the extension to go ahead and develop the pipeline had happened with nobody knowing.
"I spoke to a farmer yesterday who only found out again because he saw the article in the Champion."
The proposed pipeline will run along the Carrigans' boundary, which is predominantly used as grazing country, according to the latest available maps which show the 200 metre corridor within which the proposed pipeline will go.
And while the proposed pipeline won't run directly through the Carrigans' paddocks, Mrs Carrigan said they will still be impacted by having a pipeline on their property and raised a number of concerns.
"Where does the pipeline go in relation to the artesian bore pipeline?" she questioned.
"What happens if there's land movement, with our black soil? How does that affect the pipeline in terms of cracking? What happens if it leaks? Where does all that high-pressure gas go?
"It could also impact how much the property is going to be worth if families are looking to sell. I spoke to one family whose property is listed for sale. It may have an impact on their re-sale value."
Since the meeting in Quirindi, Mrs Carrigan has so far spoken to about 20 affected landholders in the district, most of whom she said were not aware the pipeline was still going ahead.
"I have spoken to some who had bought property and didn't realise a pipeline might be going through it," she said.
"There are many landholders that would have purchased a property, or developed their existing property, since that 2007/2008 period when the first correspondence by the company was sent out and so they may not be aware that this pipeline could be through their property."
To further inform Moree Plains Shire landholders who might be directly or potentially impacted by the proposed pipeline, Mrs Carrigan and Ms Matchett have decided to hold a meeting in Moree to share what they learnt at the Quirindi meeting, discuss how the project could impact people in this district and explore available options.
"We want to spread the word about this proposed project, and gather everyone's questions so we can approach the company as a group to ensure we get the answers we need," Mrs Carrigan said.
"It's also to provide a link and contact point that will help people feel empowered rather than overwhelmed."
Anyone who might be impacted is encouraged to attend the Moree meeting on Thursday, March 5.
Landholders are encouraged to bring any questions they have so that they can be collated.
"The aim is to be fully informed about your rights and other relevant information when the gas pipeline people come knocking on doors," Ms Matchett said.
"By the end of the meeting we aim to have a list of questions for the company that will address the unique concerns of our community and agricultural industries, among requests for other relevant and up-to-date information that landholders might require."
A copy of the map is currently up in the window of Moree Custom Framing. If people are unsure if their property is along the pipeline route, they can email the Moree Plains Gas Pipeline Group on mpgpg@outlook.com or call Helen on 0438 679 592. Text Helen to RSVP to the meeting, which will be held at Moree Town and Country Club at 3.30pm for a 4pm start on Thursday, March 5.