Jemena commences works at the former Bathurst Gasworks site

Energy infrastructure company, Jemena, has recently commenced works at the former Bathurst Gasworks site as the company prepares to return the site to Crown Lands at the cessation of its lease in 2028.

The works, which are currently scheduled to run from September through to the end of October / early November, will see a third-party contractor conduct structural and other assessments of the site, with this information informing the next steps in Jemena’s handover of the site back to Crown Lands.

Jemena’s General Manager of Procurement, Property and Fleet, Rod Hughan, said the company is keen to return the Bathurst Gasworks Site to Crown Lands ahead of its lease formally ending, so that the site can be repurposed for the benefit of the local community.

“Members of the Bathurst community have consistently told us that they’d like the Bathurst Gasworks Site to be repurposed for the benefit of the local community. While our lease formally ends in 2028, we are conducting this work now to support the early handover of the site so that it can be returned to the community as soon as practical,” said Mr Hughan.

“Since acquiring the site as part of a broader transaction in the early 2000s, Jemena has never conducted operational activities on it.”

Mr Hughan said that members of the community can expect increased activity at the site during the works.

“We anticipate increased traffic and a physical presence on site as crew complete the works. While we do not anticipate any safety concerns or risks to the broader community, crew will be following appropriate safety protocols. We ask that the community continue to respect the safety arrangements at the site during this time.”

While Jemena has not conducted operations on the site, it has implemented a number of measures in response to security concerns - such as CCTV surveillance, enhanced fencing, and hoarding of all entry points - in recent years. 

The Bathurst Gasworks were operated by local council to produce towns gas from 1888 until 1979. The site was then used for LPG reforming until 1987 after which time operational activities ceased. Jemena acquired the lease of the site as part of a broader transaction in 2008.   

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Jemena Media Contact
0428 742 804