"Santos rep Andrew Snars confirmed that along the Hunter Gas Pipeline, only a third of landholders have agreed to host Santos' proposed pipelines. Sixteen years after the study corridor for the pipeline was approved, two-thirds of landholders have rejected all advances from the pipeline proponent."

Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018.

In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education.

He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.