APA CEO and Managing Director, Adam Watson.

“The 2026 Gas Statement Of Opportunities recognises the important role that ongoing infrastructure expansion will play in meeting gas demand in southern markets, including APA’s ~$500 million Stage 3 East Coast Gas Grid Expansion commitment which was announced in February.

“Stage 3A will increase north-to-south capacity by 11%, including a 20% increase in capacity for northern gas into Victoria and will be completed by winter 2028. When combined with Stage 3B, the expansion will deliver a 30% overall north to south gas transport capacity increase.

“However, the GSOO also highlights that further investment will be needed to address emerging supply gaps from 2030 as production from legacy fields in southern markets continues to decline. APA is committed to further investment to address future bottlenecks, providing that the regulatory and policy frameworks for domestic gas supply are conducive.

“APA believes a well-designed east coast gas reservation will be central to ensuring these gaps are addressed in a reliable and affordable way. Between Queensland and the Northern Territory, there is enough gas in the ground to support both our east coast domestic market and Asian LNG customers for decades to come.

“With instability in the Middle East highlighting the vulnerability of global energy markets and supply chains, now is the time to double down on unlocking our abundant gas supplies and delivering the infrastructure needed to support long-term energy security and independence.”