FAQs
What is coexistence and why is it important?
Sustainable coexistence involves managing competing land uses such as resource extraction and agriculture to ensure both sectors experience ongoing benefits. It requires parties to go beyond tolerance to form long-lasting relationships.
Queensland’s resource and agricultural sectors are vital to our economy and the success of our regions. Both industries contribute to the economy through their substantial exports and added value and represent large sectors of employment in regional Queensland.
What are the coexistence institutions and what do they currently do?
There are three coexistence institutions.
The GasFields Commission Queensland’s primary role is to manage and improve the sustainable coexistence of landholders, regional communities, and the onshore gas industry in Queensland.
The Land Access Ombudsman is an independent dispute resolution body that assists with disputes between landholders and resource companies in relation to existing conduct and compensation agreements (CCAs) and make good agreements (MGAs).
The Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment (OGIA) has a role of periodically assessing and managing the impacts of cumulative groundwater impacts including modelling, monitoring, and assigning specific management responsibilities to tenure holders. OGIA is also active in engaging and educating the community on these issues to promote coexistence.
In addition to these institutions, government departments and the Land Court of Queensland also have certain roles and functions that contribute to coexistence outcomes.
What are the next steps following consultation on the discussion paper?
After consultation closes, the Department of Resources will analyse the submissions and release a consultation report detailing how feedback on this discussion paper was considered.
Feedback on Part A of this discussion paper will be used to finalise the principles for coexistence, which will be integrated into the Land Access Code 2016 by mid-2023.
Feedback on Part B of this discussion paper will be used to inform the preparation of options to improve the design of the State’s land access and coexistence institutions. If changes are required to the design of the institutional arrangement, legislative amendments are likely to be required. It is anticipated that key stakeholders will be consulted on any proposed legislative amendments in 2023.
Are the principles for coexistence enforceable?
Once finalised, the principles for coexistence will be integrated into the Land Access Code 2016 (Land Access Code) which must be provided to landholders by a resource authority holder as part of the first entry notice received by the landholder and as part of a negotiation notice.
While the principles will not be enforceable, their integration into the Land Access Code will help to set government's minimum expectations of the behaviours required from industry and landholders when they interact.
Will the coexistence institutions be combined into a single entity?
At this stage, there has been no government decision to combine the coexistence institutions into a single entity. Feedback we received from consultation on the discussion paper will help to inform if changes to the design or legislative roles and functions of the institutions are required.
Will the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment (OGIA) remain independent?
Yes. The Queensland Government understands that stakeholders value the role of OGIA as an independent scientific body. Stakeholder feedback will inform if any changes to the legislative role and function of OGIA is required and what that might look like, including whether an expanded role is required to address other issues such as coal seam gas-induced subsidence.
Does the discussion paper address coal seam gas (CSG) induced subsidence?
Coal-seam gas induced subsidence is out of scope of this discussion paper. The Queensland Government is aware of the concerns of some stakeholders regarding CSG-induced subsidence.
The GasFields Commission Queensland (GFCQ) is leading two CSG-induced subsidence related research projects and will report its findings and recommendations to the Queensland Government. The GFCQ recommendations will help to inform government's response to CSG-induced subsidence.
Contact the GasFields Commission Queensland for more information.