- Crisafulli Government is delivering stronger protections for the Condamine Alluvium.
- Legislation introduces clear protections and expands compensation for landholders, delivering on a key election commitment.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy, fixing Labor’s failure to support coexistence and delivering certainty for generational farming families.
The Crisafulli Government has delivered a key government election commitment, with legislation passing Parliament to strengthen protections for the Condamine Alluvium and high-value agricultural land in the Darling Downs.
Major legislative amendments passed in Parliament by the Crisafulli Government increase safeguards to ensure any new coal seam gas projects in the Condamine Alluvium are managed to protect the essential water resource.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy by creating lasting economic opportunities for regional Queensland, delivering jobs and investment certainty for generational farming families in the region.
Labor voted against stronger protections for landholders and Queensland’s water resources, once again demonstrating its disregard for the people and industries that underpin regional Queensland.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the Crisafulli Government’s reforms demonstrated its strong commitment to driving the economy while protecting the State’s vital groundwater resources, after a decade of decline under Labor, who failed to deliver any protections for high-value agricultural land.
“During their decade of decline, Labor repeatedly ignored local community and landholder concerns over the Condamine Alluvium and took no action taken to ensure protection of the water aquifer,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“Regional Queenslanders deserve a government that stands up for their property rights, safeguards precious water resources and backs the industries that keep our regional communities strong. Labor chose politics over the people of regional Queensland.
“The Condamine Alluvium is one of Queensland’s most important groundwater resources, supporting farmers, communities, and industries across the Darling Downs.
“We are delivering on our election commitment, with significant consultation in the development of these reforms which protect the Condamine Alluvium and increase support for local landholders and farmers.
“We have worked with the community and a range of stakeholders, including landholders, industry, and advocacy groups, to ensure these reforms deliver the certainty, transparency, and protections that Queenslanders expect.”
The Bill implements key reforms to planning, environmental and resources legislation, including:
- Introducing a deemed condition to apply to environmental authorities for the operation of a coal seam gas well in the Condamine Alluvium Coal Seam Gas area to enhance the protection of the water quality of the aquifer.
- Establishing a coal seam gas-induced subsidence compensation framework, which clarified compensation rights for landholders where coal seam gas-induced subsidence impacts agricultural land and productivity.
- Retaining the existing Regional Interests Development Approval process to safeguard high-value agricultural areas and water resources.
- Strengthening the precedence of water quality conditions across regulatory frameworks.
Member for Condamine Pat Weir said he welcomed the retention of the Regional Interests Development Approval process and other practical measures in the Bill, including recognising directional drilling as an advanced activity.
“I also welcome the fact that coal seam gas induced subsidence is now recognised in legislation as a compensable impact, providing greater certainty and protection for landholders.
“Importantly, the Bill introduces a new deemed condition that prohibits the release of contaminants from coal seam gas wells where it would be inconsistent with water quality objectives, helping to safeguard Queensland’s vital water resources while supporting responsible resource development.”
“These changes strike a sensible balance between supporting the resources sector, protecting agricultural land and ensuring landholders’ rights are respected.”
Queensland Farmers Federation CEO Jo Sheppard welcomed the amendments to the Regional Planning Interests Bill, and in particular the retention of the Regional Interests Development Act.
“The RIDA is a critical, front-end mechanism that helps to ensure impacts on agricultural land, water assets and production are properly considered before development occurs and provides farmers with an important negotiation tool when resource development is proposed” Ms Sheppard said.
“The Condamine Alluvium is one of Queensland’s most important groundwater systems supporting some of Australia’s most productive cropping land, significant stock, domestic and community supplies.
“Its ongoing viability is dependent on the integrity of its groundwater and surface water systems, as well as the condition of the highly fertile soils that overlay it.”
“QFF and our members valued the opportunity to participate in the committee hearing process and appreciates the Queensland Government considering the key concerns raised by the agricultural sector and looks forward to continuing to work with government to ensure the appropriate protection of the Condamine Alluvium for future generations.”
