State Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson said “There are cases where land targeted for gas production to supply the growing CSG-LNG industry may also be subject to existing tenure that allows coal exploration and mine development.”
“We need to strike an appropriate balance between the tenure rights of both sectors to optimise for Queensland the benefits from our abundant coal and CSG resources. That’s why the Government is working with industry on important legislative reforms to improve tenure arrangements and resolve overlapping tenure issues,” Mr Robertson said.
The draft bill proposes a number of amendments to legislation, including:
- the introduction of timeframes to more clearly define the ministerial preference decision-making process
- removal of the mandatory requirement for separate applications to be lodged where there is overlapping tenure for the alternative resource
- a requirement that producers refusing explorers consent to undertake activities on overlapping production tenure must provide reasons
- a requirement that consent from, or a joint application or coordination arrangement with, overlapping tenure holders must be obtained before a petroleum licence is granted for a project which allows for delayed production.
Mr Robertson said the amendments would give companies undertaking exploration and resource development activities greater certainty and support development of the coal industry and CSG projects.
The draft bill is available at the Queensland Government’s website. Comments on the draft bill should be submitted by 25 February 2011.