New workshops encourage landholders to share their negotiation experiences

Wednesday, 21 Jan 2015

SHARING experiences, concerns and triumphs will be the focus of new Advanced Coal Seam Gas (CSG) Negotiation Support workshops, held by AgForce Projects in February. 

The Advanced workshops are a new offering from the AgForce Projects CSG Project, which began in 2011 to help landholders stay educated about the industry along with landholders rights and regulations governing the CSG industry.

CSG Project Leader Daniel Phipps said the new workshops are designed for landholders who are negotiating, have negotiated or are renegotiating a Conduct and Compensation Agreement (CCA) or a make good agreement with a resource company.

"This new series is about landholders sharing experiences, triumphs and tribulations with each other, as well as being updated on developments in the industry," Mr Phipps said.

"Knowledge is power, and when producers are equipped with the right information and tools, the more confident they will feel negotiating with the CSG companies to obtain the best possible outcome for their property and business."

Mr Phipps said the CSG Compliance Unit will attend the workshops organised by AgForce Projects to discuss specific issues with landholders.

"The rapid expansion of the industry means a lot of people have signed CCA's, but this doesn't mean producers should sit back and become complacent."

"CCA's and activities can change and landholders need to remain aware of changes within the industry and of their rights as well as learn how to develop more effective conduct provisions from experiences shared."

The AgForce Projects CSG Team will return in 2015 to deliver Advanced CSG Negotiation Support sessions with the first sessions being held in:

• Injune - 3 February
• Taroom - 4 February
• Miles - 5 February

The team will continue to hold CSG Information Sessions for those landholders that are not at the advanced negotiation stages as well as the community that are interested in general information about coal seam gas and mining activities. Producers that are interested in attending any AgForce Projects events should visit the Events Page.