The majority of Australia’s primary energy production and transportation occurs in regional communities. And this will be no different as coal power stations retire, and renewable energy, firmed by gas and batteries, provides the energy homes and industry needs.

As we transition our energy system, we cannot be blind to the fact that gas will remain critical to support key industries across regional Australia.

Gas is essential to keep the lights on for households, and for thousands of commercial and industrial users - businesses that make the building products for our homes, fertilisers for our food and ensure the safe operations of our hospitals and hospitality venues.

And it’s essential for key export sectors in regional Australia, like agriculture and mining. Sectors that provide jobs and keep regional Australia a desired place to live.

Ongoing investment in new gas supply and associated gas infrastructure is critical to the success of the energy transition and will bring significant opportunity to regional Australia.

Unlike electricity transmission infrastructure, a significant part of the gas transmission network already exists and can be easily expanded to not only deliver our energy needs, but deliver jobs, economic development and positive social outcomes.

At APA, we understand the importance of regional communities. We own and operate assets all over Australia, and we have more than 1,000 employees living and working in these communities.

Australia has an abundance of natural gas. New gas projects in northern gas basins such as the Surat in Queensland and the Beetaloo in the Northern Territory have the potential to power our economy for decades. These projects would support employment during delivery and ensure reliable and affordable energy for our nation.

And the infrastructure required to get this gas where it’s needed also brings opportunity.

APA’s existing infrastructure transports domestic gas from places like Roma in Queensland all the way down to Young in NSW and Wollert in Victoria. We plan to expand our existing east-coast pipeline network to ensure Australian gas is available to meet demand up and down the east coast.

In the Beetaloo, south-east of Darwin, the delivery of the Sturt Plateau Pipeline later this year will mean Australian gas is available to keep the lights on in the Northern Territory, generating 150 jobs during peak construction.

Dedicated gas storage facilities will also be needed, connected to new gas-powered generation infrastructure. Batteries have a role to play but can’t provide the long duration energy storage needed to get us through long periods of low renewable generation.

APA is progressing plans to deliver the proposed new Riverina Storage Pipeline to bring new energy storage online in 2028 and 2029. Again, this project will deliver jobs, economic development and strengthen local communities.

Investing in new power generation assets in regions like the Pilbara in Western Australia and Mount Isa in Queensland will power homes and industry and support growth across these key economic regions.

APA has invested more than $1 billion to power North-West Queensland. Our assets, such as the Diamantina Power Station, with over 300-megawatts of gas capacity, and the 100-megawatt Dugald River Solar Farm, are working together to supply the regions energy.

And this is just the beginning of what we hope to deliver in this community.

New local investment in renewables projects, firmed by APA’s existing gas fired power station, will support the North West Minerals Province with lower emissions, reliable and cost-effective energy and deliver employment and broader economic benefits.

APA is a proud employer of over 1000 Australians in regional communities. And we are proud to supply the energy needed to the businesses and industry in these regions who employ thousands more.