Southern Queensland
| Natalie Pears (Brisbane) |
Throughout the months of May and June I have been on the road visiting Tambo, Augathella, Charleville, Taroom, Wandoan and Theodore to deliver landholder CSG information sessions. These were all well received with over 90 people attending the sessions. The sessions around Taroom and Theodore were particularly well attended, which reinforces how quickly this industry has spread north from the Surat Basin.
Natalie Pears catches up with Andrew Palmer, Rockhampton at a landholder CSG information session in Theodore on Wednesday 6 June
The Theodore session was also attended by Tim Smith from McInnes Wilson lawyers. The firms has a contract with DEEDI to provide five hours of free, non-means tested legal advice to all Queensland landholders in negotiations with a CSG company. This service is provided through the CQ hotline (Please take advantage of this service on 1800 557 992 or the Legal Aid service based in Toowoomba on 07 4687 2934).
After speaking with landholders in these areas it has become clear to me how much you will all require legal advice in finalising Conduct and Compensation Agreements (CCA). They are complex legal documents and I can’t emphasise enough how much you should get legal advice. Also keep in mind that all necessary and reasonable legal fees incurred to negotiate a CCA will be reimbursed by the resource company.
At all of the sessions I have attended and presented at this year I hear repeatedly how shocked landholders are that there aren’t more people attending. Please, if you have attended a session and feel it has increased your understanding, encourage your friends and neighbours to attend. They can complete an Expression of Interest form or register for an upcoming session.
One tip – if you are negotiating with a company, ensure that the tenure covering your property is also owned by that same company. To confirm this check the IRTM Portal as this will tell you who has tenure over your property. If you have difficulty using the website, contact me and I can look into it for you.
Stanmore Coal – Wandoan
The Stanmore Coal ‘The Range’ Project at Wandoan has released its Environmental Impact Statement. If you would like a copy please contact Stanmore on (07) 3239 9700 or by emailing therange@elp.com.au. Written submissions will be accepted until 27 July 2012.
CSG information sessions – Phase 2
AgForce Projects has a new round of CSG information sessions that will be launched in July. This second phase of information sessions will build on the information we have already provided to over 1,900 landholders throughout Queensland. The focus of the phase 2 information sessions is to be more “hands on” and is designed to specifically assist you in your negotiations with a resource company.
Topics include:
- An update on CSG activities and legislative amendments across Queensland
- Developing and using a tailored checklist to assess CSG impacts to your business
- Identifying the benefits of a sound property plan and map for use in CCA negotiations; and
- Real world examples of information required when preparing to negotiate.
Upcoming dates for Southern Inland and Western Queensland for Phase 2 are on our website. You can register for these directly here or call 3238 6048.
Southern Inland and South West CSG news - May 2012
