Biloela home base for pipeline project

BILOELA has been chosen as Australia Pacific LNG's northern base for operations and maintenance of its pipeline project.

This will create new opportunities for local business and boost employment.

Australia Pacific LNG purchased four acres in the Biloela industrial estate, which will be developed into an office, warehouse, stores and operations facility.

Australia Pacific LNG Pipeline project manager Graeme Hogarth said locating a long-term operations base in Biloela would provide greater control and efficiency for ongoing pipeline operation and maintenance activity.

"We're pleased to be investing in Biloela and building our northern pipeline operations and maintenance centre here in the industrial estate," Mr Hogarth said.

"The pipeline is a critical part of the Australia Pacific LNG Project infrastructure.

"Biloela is the ideal location for a centralised operations and maintenance base.

"We are working with Banana Shire Council to ensure the benefits flow through to Banana Shire communities."

Banana Shire Mayor Cr Ron Carige said the construction of the new northern pipeline operations and maintenance centre is great news for the region.

"This is a very positive regional development, as it will create employment for our local community and opportunities for regional suppliers and contractors," Cr Carige said.

The new facility will be the northern base of operation and maintenance for the Australia Pacific LNG pipeline.

The facility will comprise a warehouse and stores area for pipeline spare parts, an office designed to house permanent staff, and meeting and training rooms.

Australian Pacific LNG is a joint venture between Origin, Conoco Phillips and Sinopec, which is undertaking a major CSG-to- liquefied-natural-gas project that will supply natural gas to the domestic and international markets.

Construction is ongoing and is expected to be completed in early 2014.