“Having carefully considered all materials filed in court to date, Sydney Gas remains of the view that this appeal will be found to be unmeritorious and will be dismissed,” said Sydney Gas chief executive Bruce Butcher.

He remained “extremely confident” the court would confirm all the approvals process the government authorities had undertook to ensure all stakeholders’ submissions and concerns were adequately addressed, as well as the environmental and safety procedures concerning the project.

“This is an important project for New South Wales and there is every reason why this matter will be resolved to Sydney Gas’ satisfaction.”

He said immediately that happened it was Sydney Gas’ intention to start construction of the new gas plant so that it could fulfill gas sales contracts with AGL Wholesale Gas worth in excess of A$450 million.

A land owner, whose house is almost 1km from the gas plant site, has appealed the development consent granted by the New South Wales government for the second stage of the project 50 km southwest of Sydney.

On April 22 the court June 9-11 as the final hearing dates of the appeal against the 300-well Camden project to be constructed adjacent to the M5 motorway.