Arrow Energy publishes ‘Commitments to Surat Basin Landholders’
Following concerns raised by rural landholders relating to coal seam gas development activities in the Dalby district, the GasFields Commission Queensland has been proactively engaging with Arrow Energy, agricultural and resource sector peak bodies and the State Government to raise awareness of these landholders’ concerns and facilitate appropriate solutions.
Arrow Energy CEO Cecile Wake has today released a ‘Commitments to Surat Basin Landholders’ message which details not only how Arrow will meet their regulatory compliance obligations, but also how they will engage with landholders, what transparent information they will provide, and their willingness to support independent reviews and/or dispute resolutions.
The Commission is pleased to see Arrow has taken on board the feedback the Commission and other stakeholders have provided, and the fact they have sought to address the questions and concerns of landholders. We welcome the release of Arrow’s ‘Commitments to Surat Basin Landholders’ document as it represents an important step forward in working towards sustainable coexistence.
Who are the GasFields Commission Queensland?
Established as an independent statutory body in 2013, the Commission’s purpose is to manage and improve the sustainable coexistence of landholders, regional communities and the onshore gas industry in Queensland. The Commission manages sustainable coexistence in petroleum and gas producing regions of Queensland, and will continue to do so as the industry expands into new and emerging basins.
Our vision is to achieve thriving communities in areas of gas development that are free from discord and supported by well-informed, respectful and balanced stakeholder relationships.
One way the Commission is endeavouring to realise this vision is by providing transparency and independent assurances that the onshore gas industry is appropriately regulated and held to account when needed. This in turn will help cultivate sustainable coexistence, whilst ensuring community and landholder confidence in the regulators and gas industry increases.
Drawing on its wealth of experience in the development of the gas industry and by collaborating with other relevant entities, the Commission provides a range of support to communities and landholders, primarily through education and engagement. These education and engagement activities occur with individual landholders via Commission facilitated webinars, information sessions, publications (The Gas Guide, Shared Landscapes Reports), face-to-face meetings and public workshops.
It should be noted that the Commission does not engage in individual negotiations between landholders and gas companies, but rather provides communities and landholders with the information and support they need to make informed decisions and achieve good outcomes.