After two decades of conflict and controversy over a plan to build 850 coal seam gas wells near Narrabri, residents have just one sleep until they learn if the project will be approved.
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The $3.6 billion Narrabri Gas Project will get final determination by the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) on Wednesday.
Narrabri Mayor Ron Campbell took over from former mayor Cathy Redding just last week. He is confident the project will get the green light and help trigger a century-long boom for the small town.
The IPC heard largely opposition to the project during its record seven-day public hearing. But Cr Campbell said planning is "not a popularity contest."
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"It's simply a matter of law when it comes to planning. I think it will get through."
Local MP Roy Butler, who opposes the project, also believes it is likely to be approved.
But the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers politician said there are "question marks around approval". The Prime Minister and Deputy Premier have talked up a gas-fired recovery in recent weeks. Mr Butler said that was putting pressure on the IPC.
"I think the key thing here is perception," he said.
"You can have the most independent group in the world who has ever check and balance to make sure that they are independent.
"But if the public believe their independence has been compromised that's the what's they're going to believe and that's the lens they will look at the world."
Like many, including a parade of local farmers, Mr Butler is concerned about the potential negative effects on water aquifers.
"All the economic benefits in the world won't matter if we compromise groundwater. Through the drought the town pulled its domestic supply from the Great Artesian Basin, from groundwater."
Cr Campbell hopes the project will help juice up a plan to construct a major rail freight hub near the route of the massive Inland Rail project. With gas, the Northern Inland Port would be "unique", he said.
"The future for us is not mining and coal seam gas, it's the Northern Inland Port hooked into gas," he said.
"That's Narrabri's future and that's what I'm 100 per cent behind. That's what will see us into the future, uniquely, for the next 100-odd years."
Last month, Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the project could win state government assistance through a special activation precinct.
With the right project, Cr Campbell said, the industrial precinct could create 2000 or 3000 jobs, with thousands more knock-on jobs.
The plan is to use the gas project as a catalyst to grow the town to about 14,000 people - enough for the town to be self-sustaining, he said.
Santos has committed to start construction of the project "shortly" after it is approved.
The company has also committed to trial a plan to convert salt waste by-product from the project into baking soda.
And it has talked up the potential industrial benefits of the gas scheme, including a new fertiliser factor for Narrabri.
Andrew Messenger
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
