The Queensland Government is seeking to introduce legislation that will significantly decrease landholders’ rights in the Darling Downs when it comes to negotiating with Coal Seam Gas companies.

The Regional Planning Interest (Condamine Alluvium ) and other Legislation Amendment Bill 2926 is currently being examined by the Queensland Parliament’s Primary Industry and Resources Committee.

Cotton Australia has provided a detailed submission to the Committee and earlier this week was invited to appear in front of the Committee alongside the Queensland Farmer’s Federation (QFF) and immediately prior to Central Downs Irrigator Limited (CDIL).

The three representative groups presented a united front, calling for the Government to either restore the Regional Planning Interest Act provisions to the Bill or withdraw the Bill and engage with landholders to develop a more holistic approach to strengthen protections against possible impacts on land and water resources from the extraction of CSG.

Read the QFF media release here.