Pipeline Construction (Dalton to Canberra) Act 1980
No. 21 of 1980
An Act to authorize the construction by the Pipeline Authority of a pipeline from Dalton in New South Wales to Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory
[Assented to 1 May 1980]
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen, and the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:
Short title
1. This Act may be cited as the Pipeline Construction (Dalton to Canberra) Act 1980.
Commencement
2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Authority to construct pipeline
3. (1) The Pipeline Authority shall construct a 273 millimetre diameter pipeline from Dalton in the State of New South Wales to Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory on the route described in the Schedule.
(2) The Pipeline Authority may make such deviations, not exceeding 1,000 metres on either side of the route described in the Schedule, as are, in its opinion, necessary or reasonable for the better construction and working of the pipeline.
(3) In this section, “pipeline” has the same meaning as in the Pipeline Authority Act 1973.
Estimated cost
4. The estimated cost of constructing the pipeline referred to in sub-section 3(1) is $7,500,000.
THE SCHEDULE Section 3
DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE OF THE PIPELINE
Commencing at a take-off point on the Moomba to Sydney natural gas pipeline situated about 2.1 km east of Dalton, New South Wales, 1132 km from Moomba, thence on a bearing of 234° for a distance of 2.0 km to a point on the Dalton-Gunning Road about 1.2 km south-east of Dalton, thence continuing on a bearing of 234° for a distance of 0.3 km, thence on a bearing of 161° for a distance of 2.5 km, thence on a bearing of 187° for a distance of 3.4 km to cross the Main Southern Railway about 7.5 km west of Gunning, thence continuing on a bearing of 187° for a distance of 0.4 km to cross the Hume Highway about 7.5 km west of Gunning, thence on a bearing of 188° for a distance of 6.3 km to a point on the Lade Vale-Berrebangalo Road 0.8 km north of Berrebangalo Homestead, thence on a bearing of 184° for a distance of 2.4 km, thence on a bearing of 174° for a distance of 6.1 km to a point adjacent to the Yass River about 0.7 km west of River View Homestead, thence on a bearing of 151° for a distance of 3.2 km, thence on a bearing of 171° for a distance of 8.4 km, thence on a bearing of 184° for a distance of 1.6 km to a point on Back Creek Road about 5.6 km west of Gundaroo, thence on a bearing of 181° for a distance of 2.0 km to a point on the Murrumbateman-Gundaroo Road about 1.0 km west of Balgriggan Homestead, thence on a bearing of 185° for a distance of 1.2 km, thence on a bearing of 197° for a distance of 4.2 km, thence on a bearing of 208° for a distance of 2.4 km to a point on Talagandra Road about 2.5 km east of Fernleigh Homestead, thence on a bearing of 199° for a distance of 3.2 km to a point on Gundaroo Road 0.4 km south-west of the Yarrowlumla-Goodradigbee Shire boundary, thence on a bearing of 183° for a distance of 1.7 km to a point on the New South Wales-Australian Capital Territory border, thence on a bearing of 181° for a distance of 4.2 km, thence on a bearing of 186° for a distance of 1.9 km to the Canberra custody transfer station site 0.2 km north-west of the Federal Highway and about 3.2 km north-east of the intersection of the Federal Highway and Stirling Avenue, Watson.
Overview
The Pipeline Construction (Dalton to Canberra) Act 1980 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to address the need for a reliable natural gas supply route from Dalton in New South Wales to Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. This Act empowers the Pipeline Authority to undertake the construction of a 273 millimetre diameter pipeline along a specific route outlined in the Schedule, with allowances for reasonable deviations to facilitate construction. The estimated cost of this project at the time of enactment was $7,500,000. By authorising this infrastructure, the Act aims to ensure a stable and efficient gas supply to the capital, thereby supporting the policy objectives of reliable energy distribution and regional development.
Scope and Application
The Pipeline Construction (Dalton to Canberra) Act 1980 applies to the Pipeline Authority, which is tasked with the responsibility of constructing a 273 millimetre diameter pipeline from Dalton in New South Wales to Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. The Act specifies the exact route of the pipeline and allows for deviations of up to 1,000 metres on either side of the route if deemed necessary or reasonable by the Pipeline Authority for the purposes of better construction and operation of the pipeline. The Act applies to the construction and operation of this particular pipeline within the defined geographic area between Dalton and Canberra. It does not extend to other pipelines or infrastructure projects. The Act does not explicitly mention any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and it is presumed to apply comprehensively to the construction and operation of the pipeline as specified. While the Act itself provides the primary framework, its application may be further detailed or clarified through subordinate instruments or regulations issued under the authority of the Pipeline Authority Act 1973 or other relevant legislation.
Key Provisions
The Pipeline Construction (Dalton to Canberra) Act 1980 (the "Act") is a legislative instrument that grants the Pipeline Authority the authority to construct a pipeline from Dalton in New South Wales to Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. Section 3 of the Act specifies the construction details, including the pipeline's 273 millimetre diameter and the precise route from Dalton to Canberra, as outlined in the attached schedule. It also allows the Pipeline Authority to make deviations of up to 1,000 metres on either side of the scheduled route if deemed necessary or reasonable for the pipeline's construction and operation.
Under the Act, the Pipeline Authority is obligated to adhere to the specified route and cost estimates, which are outlined in Section 3 and Section 4 respectively. The Authority must ensure that the pipeline is constructed according to the specifications provided and within the estimated budget of $7,500,000. The Act also imposes a responsibility on the Authority to make any necessary or reasonable deviations from the route for the pipeline's better construction and operation, as long as these deviations do not exceed 1,000 metres on either side of the specified route.
The Act does not explicitly outline any offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance with its provisions. However, the failure to adhere to the construction specifications, route, and budget estimates could potentially lead to legal action, fines, or other civil or criminal consequences under other applicable laws and regulations. The maximum penalties for such breaches would depend on the specific nature and severity of the non-compliance, as well as the relevant laws and regulations governing the situation.