Source: APPEA
APPEA welcomes the Queensland Government's move to establish a Land Access Ombudsman to support co-existence between natural gas and agriculture.
Legislation to establish the new Land Access Ombudsman was introduced into the Queensland Parliament yesterday.
APPEA Queensland Director Rhys Turner said the Ombudsman would provide an alternative to court action should any disputes arise.He said while APPEA would need to review the legislation in detail, industry supported the principle of an independent umpire to help resolve disputes.
"Queensland continues to show the way in ensuring that natural gas and agriculture work and succeed side-by-side," Mr Turner said."The gas industry works with thousands of landholders and good working relationships are essential. We don't see evidence of widespread issues, but if there are any disputes industry and landholders need a balanced, timely, transparent, and accessible process to resolve them."
In the past five years, more than 5000 land access agreements have been successfully negotiated and more than $238 million paid to landholders.
