Dalby Compressor Station

The Roma to Brisbane Pipeline (RBP) is 100%owned and operated by APA Group (APA) and transports natural gas from the gas hub neat Roma to the markets of Brisbane and the regional centres along the pipeline route.

The RBP has undergone significant expansion since the late 1980's, with the capacity increasing five fold through the installation of six compressor stations and pipeline duplication via six stages of looping. New inlet stations have been constructed to receive coal seam gas from new production areas in Queensland. The RBP mainline and metropolitan section were constructed in 1969 with the Peat Lateral constructed in 2001.

The RBP has made a significant contribution to the environment. In particular, through its supply of gas to a number of gas fired power stations over the past 10years, in excess of 7,000,000 mt of carbon dioxide emissions have been avoided (versus the coal fired alternative).

APA is proposing to upgrade the existing Dalby Compressor Station, located approximately 5 km south west of Dalby, Queensland, on the RBP. Due to population growth in the main urban centres of south-east Queensland, there is an increased demand for natural gas.

APA has determined that the most efficient way to meet this demand is to increase the throughput volume of gas in the RBP by compressing and pumping more gas. Subject to securing the relevant approvals, it is anticipated that construction could commence by the end of 2011 and be completed by December 2012. Construction activities will be limited to the project site and will require a maximum workforce of approximately 20 -45 personnel who will be accommodated at Dalby.

The upgrade of the Dalby Compressor Station will consist of the installation of two additional compressor units and the construction of ancillary infrastructure, immediately adjacent to the existing compressor station footprint. Desktop assessment of existing environmental values have been conducted and it has been determined that the proposed upgrade will involve minimal impacts on ecological values, as the site is already cleared, the surrounding area has been heavily disturbed through agricultural activities, and there are no watercourses or patches of remnant vegetation in close proximity to the site.The Dalby Compressor Station is being constructed.