Australia Pacific LNG Pty Limited today said it has received state environmental approval for its coal seam gas (CSG) to liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. Australia Pacific LNG is a 50:50 CSG to LNG joint venture between Origin and ConocoPhillips.

Approval, subject to the strict conditions outlined in the Coordinator-General?s report, has been granted for the development of the gas field occurring progressively over a 30-year period; a 450km transmission pipeline and an LNG facility on Curtis Island.

Australia Pacific LNG Project Director Page Maxson said gaining the approval was a significant milestone in realising the potential benefits of the project and ensuring appropriate management of the potential environmental impacts.

According to him, "The stringent conditions contained in the Coordinator-General?s report, including detailed on-going monitoring and reporting requirements, should give the community confidence that the project will meet the high standards required during construction and operation.

"The project will form part of a burgeoning world scale, long term industry in Queensland, utilising Australia Pacific LNG?s substantial coal seam gas resources in the Surat and Bowen Basins," said Mr Maxson.

Compliance with the Coordinator-General?s conditions will be independently audited, with Australia Pacific LNG also required to provide an annual environmental report.

The Coordinator-General?s report recognises the comprehensive nature of the Australia Pacific LNG EIS. The EIS included an assessment of the cumulative impacts of all existing projects proposed for the region including other CSG to LNG projects and an undertaking to develop and implement a comprehensive biodiversity protection strategy.

To support the EIS consultation process, Australia Pacific LNG met with more than 6,000 stakeholders including landowners and non-government organisations during an 18 month period. Thirty-six formal submissions were received from government agencies and the public, all of which were considered as part of the Co-ordinator General's approval.

Mr Maxson said, "The Australia Pacific LNG project will deliver a range of significant opportunities and benefits for many local communities and we look forward to continued, positive engagement and being an integral part of these communities for decades to come.

The Queensland Coordinator-General's report will now be provided to the Commonwealth Government for further consideration and approval.

At 11:35 AEDT, shares in Origin were up 6 cents, or 0.36 per cent, at $16.63.