In Queensland, we continue to see the permanent loss of the best farmland from industrial uses, urban sprawl, services, utilities, and particularly mining. As a state rich in agriculture and resources, coexistence challenges occur as these critical industries attempt to manage their ongoing interactions. To assist with this continuing relationship, two recent reports have provided valuable insights for the agricultural community but left several critical questions unanswered.
The GasFields Commission Queensland’s (GFCQ) Review of Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 (RPI Act) Assessment Process Report considered whether the process adequately manages CSG activities in areas of regional interest, the land classifications provided by the legislation are consistent and adequate exemptions are available in the assessment process. The GFCQ’s report recommendations, if implemented by the government, will increase the level of protection for agricultural land and improve transparency for farmers encountering coal seam gas (CSG) activities. However, QFF preferred for all gas proponents to complete a more onerous Regional Interest Development Approval when dealing with agricultural land to adequately assess the extent of an activity’s impact on the area. While the rehabilitation of agricultural land continues to be poorly defined in environmental approvals and must be addressed.
The Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment (OGIA) also released their Consultation Draft of the Underground Water Impact Report 2021 for the Surat Cumulative Management Area which investigated subsidence for the first time and documented a direct link with CSG activities. Concerningly, there appears to be a large gap in the existing regulatory framework for dealing with subsidence and landholders require clarity around who is responsible for the consequences resulting from subsidence. There is also no framework for dealing with the negative impacts from subsidence on the financial value of the land.
QFF is currently undertaking a review of the agricultural land classifications as they relate to coexistence outcomes to ensure the certainty and strength of protection. With an increase in resource activity in recent years, and demands on agriculture increasing, agriculture land must be treated as the precious and irreplaceable commodity that it is, as major resources projects are considered, approved and developed.