Apply for a pipeline licence

Before you apply for a pipeline licence in the Northern Territory (NT) you must identify the proposed pipeline route and access points along it including sites for equipment and other works.

Get access to land

You will need to negotiate access with the landholder, leaseholder, native title parties and / or Traditional Owner.

Check whether your route crosses any areas of Aboriginal freehold land or land affected by native title.

If the pipeline will be situated on Aboriginal freehold land, you must negotiate an agreement with the Traditional Owner and their representative land council to access the land.

For NT freehold or pastoral leasehold, you must negotiate an access agreement with the landowner or leaseholder.

If the route crosses any parks or reserves you may need to get special permission. To find out about getting a permit, and what special conditions might apply, contact NT Parks and Wildlife.

Apply for a pipeline permit

A pipeline permit provides you with the right to enter land with any vehicles, equipment and personnel, carry out surveys and undertake sampling activities, for the purpose of determining the proposed route of the pipeline, the proposed situation of apparatus or works and access routes.

You must apply for a pipeline permit, unless you already know the proposed route of the pipeline or location of apparatus and works. For example, you may not require a pipeline permit prior to applying for a pipeline licence, if the pipeline is to be situated in an existing road corridor or dedicated infrastructure corridor and no additional data is required.

To apply for a pipeline permit, you must do all of the following:

• fill in the permit application form
• provide all of the following information - see section 5(2) in the Energy Pipelines Act 1981:
  • the pipeline’s beginning and end points
  • title references for the land to be entered
  • maps showing the location of the land, the proposed pipeline route, locations for equipment or works and land needed for possible access points
  • details of any agreement, or proposed agreement, related to entry onto the land
  • details of financial and technical resources.
• pay the fee and submit the application.

Read more about fees and rents.