The GasFields Commission is an independent statutory body established to manage and improve sustainable coexistence between rural landholders, regional communities and the onshore gas industry.
Established in 2013, the commission was under review in March this year as the coal seam gas to liquiefied natural gas industry (CSG-LNG) transitioned from rapid expansion to operations.
The review undertaken by former Land Court of Queensland member Bob Scott returned a number of recommendations, including:
• reduce to one chair and three part-time commissioners
• improve the information that is available to landholders
• set up a community reference group to focus on health and wellbeing concerns for residents and their families in areas such as the Tara Estates
• work with the various agencies in the CSG industry to clarify their responsibilities and how they respond to inquiries and complaints.
The Queensland government will also establish a new Land Access Ombudsman, which will give landholders an independent decision maker to resolve issues before they escalate into legal disputes.
Former Queensland Farmers Federation interim CEO Ruth Wade was also appointed as Commission chair – which was welcomed by QFF president Stuart Armitage.
“Having worked professionally with Ruth in her previous role as interim QFF CEO, I am confident she will competently lead the Commission in a balanced way to ensure it works more effectively to realise the new charter,” Armitage said.
“QFF also welcomes the reappointment of current commissioners Ian Hayllor and Rick Wilkinson, and the new appointment of Theodore cotton farmer Fleur Anderson.”
Armitage slammed the previous commission as a ‘failure’ to facilitate farmers.
“For many farmers and those within the agricultural sector, the previous Gasfields Commission failed to live up to its intended mandate to act as proactive facilitator at the interface between landholders and the coal seam gas industry,” Armitage said.
“QFF commends the government for making the changes required to refocus the Commission, enabling it to better deliver upon community and industry."
