NSW premier Chris Minns says the state government is considering compulsory land acquisitions to progress a pipeline linking gas fields in Narrabri Shire to coastal markets.

The Hunter Gas Pipeline is not planned to run through the Western Plains but it is critical to the Narrabri Gas Project, which has drawn determined local opposition from farming, environmental and First Nations groups.

Mr Minns told a press conference yesterday morning that the project is "too important when it comes to jobs and opportunities," particularly in the Hunter region.

"I know that there's people who are vehemently against that project and others like it, but there's no other way of ensuring that we're putting downward pressure on bills, while ensuring that people can continue to work in manufacturing in NSW, without gas. We're deadly serious about it," Mr Minns said.

"We are closing down coal fired power stations in the coming decades. It will transform our energy needs and have a massive impact. 

"It's the shortest amount of time for the largest reform in energy markets in the state's history- by far. Part of it will be involving gas.

The approved route of the Hunter Gas Pipeline. [SOURCE: Santos]

"We can't be in a situation where we are buying international prices in relation to gas, and watching industry close and prices skyrocket as a result, when we've got fields sitting within our jurisdiction that are ready to go.

"Ultimately, we don't want to wait. We're looking at the Hunter.

"We believe that it is one of the drivers of economic growth for NSW. It has been that for decades and we are looking at major opportunities - not for assistance, but investment - in this crucial part of NSW."

The 833-kilometre underground pipeline would be roughly 50 centimetres in diameter and, according to developer Santos, supply 100 per cent of its gas for the domestic market.

Opponents to the gas fields say they risk contaminating the Great Artesian Basin, which is the main source of fresh water in a many Western Plains communities.

NSW Farmers president Xavier Martin condemned the Premier's stance.

"The Premier is seeing dollar signs and hearing the promises from Santos that they’ll never make a mistake, but guess what: That gas and those royalties from Narrabri will be tiny compared to the cost of buying out and relocating entire regions of water refugees," Mr Martin said.

Lock the Gate Alliance National Coordinator Carmel Flint said the comments were "very disappointing."

“These projects would damage Gomeroi Cultural Heritage and important ecological sites in the mighty Pilliga Forest, and they would drive dangerous climate change through the extraction and burning of fossil gas," Ms Flint said.

“Renewable energy, backed up with battery storage, is the solution to NSW’s power needs. Opening new polluting coal seam gas fields is financially reckless and at odds with the need to urgently reduce the burning of fossil fuels.”

A long fight over gas drilling

The proposed area for Narrabri Gas Project. [SOURCE: Santos]

The gas fields have faced numerous legal and regulatory hurdles over the last ten years.

Santos and APA Group had pursued the Western Slopes Pipeline through the Walgett, Coonamble, Warren, Bogan, Cobar and Lachlan Shires, although it was abandoned in 2022 as Santos refocused on the Hunter pipeline to bring gas to market.

In 2023, Gomeroi applicants lodged an appeal against a decision in 2022 to approve the lease for Santos to drill on their cultural lands in the Pilliga Forest.

However, in May 2025 the National Native Title Tribunal determined that the project benefits outweigh likely cultural impacts.

The Gomeroi made another appeal against that decision, which is set to be heard on 25 November 2025.

The NSW and federal governments gave the Narrabri Gas Project environmental approval in 2020.