Part 3/6:
Infrastructure and Supply Constraints
The situation is further complicated by the aging infrastructure in gas production and distribution. Major pipelines that should connect Queensland's gas supply to the southern markets are currently operating far below capacity. Instead of directing resources towards meeting local demand, these pipelines prioritize exports, underscoring a troubling preference for international profits over domestic needs.
The report indicates that, without new gas fields coming online, East Coast Australia is projected to experience a domestic gas supply shortfall beginning in 2027. This impending crisis has led to proposals for LNG imports, which critics dismiss as unfeasible and likely to drive prices higher.