Thursday 26 May 2016

Queensland Government Restores Landowner & Community Rights on Mining!

Landowner & Community Rights Restored


On Tuesday 24 May 2016, the Queensland Government restored balance between the rights of farmers, miners, and the community by passing legislation that protects farm infrastructure and restores community objection rights.

The Mineral and Other Legislation Amendment Bill restores the rights of landowners and community members to object to proposed mining projects and protect key agricultural infrastructure.

Landowners 


This Bill provides Landowners with
"a minimum 50 metre protection zone around key agricultural infrastructure such as principal stockyards, bores and artesian wells, dams and artificial water storages connected to a water supply; 
the right to prevent any mining lease being granted over restricted land without the consent of the owner; and, the security of knowing ministers cannot extinguish restricted status for their land – a power a minister would have had under the LNP’s proposed laws."1

Community Members


This Bill provides Community Members at large with the opportunity
"to have their say on mining lease and environmental authority applications for mining projects to be advised of any proposed mining projects through ads in newspapers."2
The above changes are set to come into affect from 27 September 2016.

View the Queensland Government Statement regarding the passing of this Bill.

If you have any queries or would like to discuss this Bill further, please do not hesitate to contact Rees R & Sydney Jones Energy, Environment & Agribusiness Partner, Melanie Findlay on (07) 4927 6333.

[1] Queensland Government, 'Govt restores farmer & community rights on mining' (24 May 2016) <http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/5/24/govt-restores-farmer--community-rights-on-mining>.
[2] Ibid.



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