Theodore Bowls Club Vegetation and Land Clearing Information Session

Theodore Bowls Club Information Session

Energy, Environment & Agribusiness Partner Melanie Findlay will be at an AgForce hosted event this Friday 3 June from 10am at the Theodore Bowls Club, Theodore.

In conjunction with Ecosure, Melanie will be conducting an information session to inform graziers and landowners of the current vegetation and land clearing laws, the impacts of the SLATS data, what to do if you have illegally cleared and your property is currently under investigation and how to apply for a retrospective clearing permit (additional information is below).

There is also an opportunity to have a topic of your choosing included in this session when you RSVP.

What else would you like information on?

• Environmental/vegetation offsets
• Work place health and safety
• Wills and succession planning
• Biosecurity/weed management plans
• Vegetation law/protected plants (trigger mapping)
• Carbon farming and carbon projects

Rees R & Sydney Jones will be providing a BBQ lunch after the session.

RSVP ESSENTIAL to Emma Kime on 07 4927 6333 or emmak@reesjones.com.au

Vegetation and Land Clearing Release of Qld Government Data

Earlier this year, the Queensland Government publicly released their Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) data for the 2012 – 2014 period.

The purpose of the Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) is to monitor Queensland's forests and woodlands to assess vegetation extent and clearing activities.

In conjunction with Ecosure Pty Ltd, Rees R & Sydney Jones Solicitors has conducted inquires and identified areas in Queensland where vegetation and land clearing has occurred.

We are aware that the Department of Natural Resources and Mines on behalf of the Queensland Government will now be in the process of investigating all properties located on the SLATS 2012 – 2014 maps to determine whether vegetation and land clearing was authorised or illegal.

In particular with reference to the SLATS 2012 – 2014 maps, we note that:-

• Properties covered in darker red and showing higher levels of clearing (500 + hectares) will be the listed for priority investigation by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines; and,
• Properties covered yellow and orange with less levels of clearing will be subject to investigations by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines in due course.

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.

Information Session - Belmont Station Rockhampton

Energy, Environment & Agribusiness Partner Melanie Findlay will be at an AgForce hosted event at Belmont Station Rockhampton this Thurday 26 May from 10am.

Melanie will be conducting an information session on Vegetation and Land Clearing in conjunction with Ecosure Pty Ltd. Rees R & Sydney Jones will be providing a BBQ lunch after the session. 

There is also an opportunity to have a topic of your choosing included in this session, just let Emma know when you RSVP on (07) 4927 6333 or emmak@reesjones.com.au

Clermont Show

Energy, Environment & Agribusiness Partner, Melanie Findlay and Wills & Estates Associate, Lauren Farrelly are at the Clermont Show today and tomorrow.

You can find Mel and Lauren at the Rees R & Sydney Jones stand which is located in the Pavilion with the boarding school displays, near the chickens. Don't forget to pop in and say hello! 

Rees R & Sydney Jones are proud sponsors of the Clermont Show.

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.

Mining Lease Application Notices as at 6 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 6 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.

Mining Lease Application Notices as at 29 April 2016

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

Details of current mining lease applications: Mining Noticesas at 29 April 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.