Conduct and Compensation Agreements

Energy, Environment & Agribusiness Solicitor, Amy Gudmann talks about the standard
Conduct and Compensation Agreement.


Amy can be contacted at Rees R & Sydney Jones Solicitors on (07) 4927 6333 or at enquire@reesjones.com.au.

Water Queensland

Water Queensland invites you...

You are invited to a presentation on the Callide Valley Flood Mitigation Study, Tuesday 19 July 2016 at Banana Civic Centre, Rainbow Street, Biloela from 6.30pm. Light refreshments will be available.

Queensland Government Restores Landowner & Community Rights on Mining!

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.

Mining Lease Application Notices as at 16 May 2016

Each week, our Landowner Lawyer shares the Queensland Government Mining Lease Application Notices.

Details of current mining lease applications: Mining Notices as at 16 May 2016.

According to Queensland law, anyone can object to a mining lease application or current environmental authority application for a mining lease. The objection period is a minimum of 20 business days. Make sure your objection is lodged by 4.30 pm on the last day of objections.

If you believe you are affected by a mining lease application or if you would like further information, please contact our Energy, Environment & Agribusiness team on 07 4927 6333 or at enquire@reesjones.com.au.

PASSED: Environmental Protection (Chain of Responsibility) Amendment Bill 2016

Energy, Environment & Agriculture Partner, Melanie Findlay has been closely following the proposed changes to the Environmental Protection (Chain of Responsibility) Amendment Bill 2016.

From identifying concerns with regards to the wording of "related persons" in the draft bill to speaking at the Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee's examination of the Mineral and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016, Melanie has been supporting landowner's rights.

On 21 April 2016, the State Government passed the Environmental Protection (Chain of Responsibility) Amendment Bill 2016 which protects landowners rights.

Queensland Law Society President Bill Potts has been quoted as saying

"It would have been an injustice for these people [landowners] to have been potentially responsible for the environmental clean-up of projects on their land, especially if it wasn't of their choosing."

"QLS is also pleased that a statutory guideline is to be developed to constrain the use of these powers and best direct them to ensuring polluters clean up their own mess." 

Read the full media release "QLS says environmental clean-up reform amendments a win for Queensland".

Gasfields Commission Queensland Pipeline Pointers

Below is a summary of the Pipeline Pointers Learnings from Pipeline Stocktake Topic Sheet, available on the GasFields Commission Queensland website.

Background

The GasFields Commission Queensland conducted a major stocktake of land rehabilitation across 64 property locations and tabled the following 10 key learnings.

10 Key Learnings

1. Communication with landholders critical to good relations
2. Contractor management key to best practice
3. Level of compensation to be relative to total impact
4. Multiple pipelines require coordination and cooperation
5. Tapping local knowledge can lead to better outcomes for all
6. Keeping on top of soil subsidence
7. Weed management requires joint effort
8. Fencing the easement can be a valued investment
9. Property and business security brings peace of mind
10. Specific rural industry requirements need to be understood

Rees R & Sydney Jones Energy, Environment and Agribusiness Partner, Melanie Findlay can be contacted on 07 4927 6333 or at enquire@reesjones.com.au.