Projects and the community—coexistence in practice

Abstract

Strong domestic and global demand for energy will continue to drive further gas exploration and development across Australia over coming years. From Queensland’s onshore gas industry experience the key foundation stones that have helped to build community trust have included: clear and unambiguous industry policy for resources and agriculture; science based approach to managing and monitoring groundwater; fair and balanced approach to land access; greater transparency on industry data and activities; investment in long term community infrastructure such as roads and telecommunications; and genuine opportunities for local businesses to grow and succeed. Queensland has this year also introduced a new regional planning framework that seeks to control what is appropriate development in areas of agricultural and environmental significance. The new approach gives landholders and communities a greater say upfront on how onshore gas and resource developments can occur. As other East Coast States grapple to establish their own onshore gas industry, there is still much more to be done in Queensland as the major CSG-LNG export projects move from construction to operation and ongoing gas well development programs are rolled out into new areas and communities. In addition, exploration by the emerging shale gas industry is bringing similar community engagement challenges to other parts of the Queensland. Formally established as an independent statutory body less than 12 months ago, the GasFields Commission Queensland seeks to manage and oversee the relationship between landholders, regional communities and the onshore gas industry in Queensland. It has and will continue to play an important role in helping identify and address community expectations about how the onshore gas industry develops and evolves.