In a recent vote, Gladstone Regional Council has not provided development approval for the preferred site of the Hydrogen Park Gladstone (HyP Gladstone) project.
HyP Gladstone, a small demonstration facility designed to produce renewable hydrogen to start to decarbonise domestic gas supply, was proposed to be located on Derby Street, South Gladstone.
The Council decision was contrary to the Council Officers’ recommendation the project be approved as it complied with the relevant planning requirements.
HyP Gladstone has been supported by the Queensland Government with grant funding of up to $1.78 million from the Hydrogen Industry Development Fund.
The HyP Gladstone project would use renewable electricity and water to produce hydrogen, which would be blended with natural gas, creating a 10 per cent renewable gas blend. The blended gas would then be distributed to around 770 homes and businesses using the existing gas distribution network in Gladstone.
Australian Gas Networks (AGN) acting Executive General Manager, People and Strategy, Kristin Raman, said AGN was disappointed by the Council’s decision.
“The South Gladstone site was chosen for this small demonstration project after an extensive site selection process carefully balancing network planning considerations, environmental and natural constraints, public safety and proximity to sensitive land uses,” Ms Raman said.
AGN’s community consultation program had an outreach of thousands of business and community representatives throughout Gladstone.
Further information is available on the AGN’s website here.
Image courtesy of AGN’s artist’s impression of the project
