Have your say on landholder protections from CSG-induced subsidence

Over the past 18 months, landholders in areas of intensively farmed land located on the Condamine River floodplain near Dalby have raised concerns with the GasFields Commission around what legislative protections are available to them should coal seam gas-induced (CSG-induced) subsidence have a financial impact on their farming business.

The concerns follow research undertaken by the Office for Groundwater Impact Assessment confirming CSG-induced subsidence is both occurring and is predicted to continue to occur as gas development proceeds.

In response to these concerns the Commission made the commitment to review the regulatory framework with a view to identifying potential enhancements relating to subsidence.

As part of the review, the Commission’s “Regulatory review of coal seam gas-induced subsidence” Discussion Paper is now open for feedback from targeted stakeholders including landholders, agricultural representatives, resource peak bodies and government agencies.

The paper outlines existing protections and how they could apply to the farming sector should CSG-induced subsidence result in a financial impact.

The Commission is also leading a collaborative research project seeking to better understand the potential impacts and risks to farming operations resulting from CSG-induced subsidence, and how these impacts may be assessed and managed should they occur.

• To provide feedback or for more information, download the “Regulatory review of coal seam gas-induced subsidence” Discussion Paper. Submissions close 5.00 pm on Thursday, 30 June 2022
• Download the “Risk to farm operations from land slope changes predicted to result from CSG-induced subsidence on Priority Agricultural Areas” Research Scoping Paper.

The Commission remains committed to publishing factual and contemporary information related to the onshore gas industry that is relevant, meaningful and valuable to our stakeholders.

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.