Gas Commission to hold CCA register

The GasFields Commission will be asked to compile a confidential register of Conduct and Compensation Agreements (CCA) between landholders and the CSG industry in Queensland.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney told Parliament today the Newman Government considered the independent commission was best placed for the role of collecting, collating and maintaining a register of compensation arrangements.

Mr Seeney today introduced legislation to formally establish the commission and provide its powers from July 1 – powers developed through an extensive process of public consultation and engagement.

“This legislation gives the GasFields Commission the teeth to do its job of managing and improving co-existence between the gas industry, landholders and communities,” Mr Seeney said.

“Those powers include the ability to compel government agencies, gas companies and landholders to provide information so the commission has the evidence it needs to fully understand issues and make informed recommendations and provide an independent, balanced point of view on the industry.

“Given that wide access to information held by all parties, the commission is best placed to keep a database on conduct and compensation agreements.

“We made a commitment that this information would be made available to interested parties, but have accepted the argument that individual arrangements should remain confidential.

“The commission can make publicly available an indicative, de-identified list of financial arrangements between landholders and gas companies for access and use of land.

“This will provide the necessary detailed information for others to negotiate agreements with the gas industry.

“But importantly the independent commission will decide what information is made available.

“With almost 3,500 such conduct and compensation agreements already in place in Queensland, the government believed this was a practical solution to providing information on such arrangements,” Mr Seeney said. 

The Gasfields Commission was formed in June last year - fulfilling an election commitment by the LNP to balance the CSG industry’s development against the interests of landholders, communities and the environment.

There were 82 nominations to fill the six commissioners’ roles, 55 submissions on the commission’s proposed powers and 17 submissions from the public on the Bill now before the Parliament.

Mr Seeney said he believed the Commission had already proved its worth.

“It is already facilitating negotiations between gas companies and landowners, has had input into government policy on coal seam gas water management and land access arrangements, collated scientific research into groundwater impacts and held lengthy public consultations across Queensland,” he said.

“In fact Commission chair John Cotter has attended almost 300 meetings and travelled more than 17,000 kilometres on commission business in less than a year.”

 [ENDS] 17 April 2013

Media Contact: John Wiseman – 0409 791 281