Landholders encouraged to understand regional planning at local information sessions

Friday, 21 Nov 2014

Landholders encouraged to understand regional planning at local information sessions

21 November 2014

Landholders are being encouraged to stay informed on legislative changes pertaining to regional planning and land access at local information sessions being hosted by AgForce Projects in Roma and Dalby in December.

Guest speakers from AgForce Queensland will be in attendance to discuss regional planning, and AgForce Projects will host the session and provide an update on coal seam gas (CSG) activities in the area.

Senior AgForce Policy Officer Dr Dale Miller said in light of reforms from State Government, it is important landholders attend these sessions to understand how this affects them and their property.

"This year the Queensland Government has reformed the way land uses are managed in the state, including on high-value cropping lands, and placed more emphasis on negotiating with landholders when assessing new resource projects proposed to occur on these priority agricultural areas.

"If you would like to understand whether your property is affected by the changes and what protections you and your business may now have then I would encourage you to attend this workshop," Dr Miller said.

Through the Regional Planning Interests framework, the State Government has identified areas in Queensland where the priority land use is high value agriculture and where soils suitable for producing a range of crops need protections from the impacts of other activities, such as mining and petroleum and gas extraction.

"This workshop will cover how those areas have been identified, the new development assessment process that applies there and how landholder's interests and land uses will be considered in that process. This workshop will get you up to date," Dr Miller said.

AgForce Projects will also provide an update on CSG activities in the area; discuss points to consider during the negotiation process and make landholders aware of the changes to land access laws.

CSG Project Officer Daniel Phipps said that it was important for landholders to remain aware of the changes that have happened in legislation.

"There has been significant change in regards to CSG legislation and regulation recently which affect landholders and they need to remain aware of these changes to get the most out of their agreements with resource companies."

"Some changes include the notation of Conduct and Compensation Agreements on title searches now. Additionally a new mediation process has been integrated into the Land Court by the Queensland Government, which helps prevent landholders from being forced to or needing to have the matter presided over by the Court."

These CSG and Regional Planning Information sessions will be held in Roma on 3 December from 9am to 2pm; and Dalby on 4 December from 9am to 2pm.

For more information or to register visit www.agforceprojects.org.au

AgForce Projects CSG Project is delivered free with the support of the Queensland Government, the GasFields Commission Queensland, the Queensland Resources Council and Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.