Budget backs coal seam gas specialist team

The Palaszczuk Government is investing more than $7 million over two years to support landholders and communities co-existing with the coal seam gas industry.

Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham said the money would be allocated over two years to fund the ongoing operations of the specialist Coal Seam Gas Compliance Unit .

“The unit is a one-stop shop for community and landholder enquiries, concerns and assistance relating to CSG issues,” Dr Lynham said.

“The CSG-LNG industry makes a significant contribution to the Queensland economy through the jobs and royalties, regional growth and economic benefits it delivers for our communities.

“However, the long-term success of this industry must continue with community support and grow with a strong social licence.

“That means the industry has to operate sustainably within a strict regime of environmental, land access, safety and health and water monitoring requirements.

“The government expects landholders and industry to treat each other with mutual respect and the CSG compliance unit is an integral part of maintaining the relationship.”

The unit comprises groundwater experts and field staff skilled in environment and land access issues and currently has 25 fulltime positions based in Toowoomba, Roma and Brisbane.

Unit field officers provide services throughout the Surat, Bowen and Galilee Basins. The unit has responded to more than 2000 enquiries since the unit was established by a previous Labor Government in 2011.

Dr Lynham said the unit’s work included:

• investigating landholder complaints about potential water bore impacts by CSG operations
• audits and inspections relating to CSG land access issues and weed hygiene on properties
• community information events.

[ENDS]                       6 June, 2016

Media contact:           Jan Martin     0439 341 314