While work on the legislation remained underway, Windsor told ABC radio last week he hoped it was first introduced to parliament in May.

One of the key independents that helped form the Gillard minority government, Windsor expects this legislation to impact “not only coal developments on flood plains” but also environmental issues with the CSG sector.

The team behind drafting this legislation aim to either use the Corporations Act, or federal biodiversity legislation “to get the Commonwealth into what’s essentially a state game”, Windsor revealed to the radio program.

The independent further noted his proposed farmland policy was a key aspect of his support for the federal government.

“It’s part of my agreement with the Gillard government, and was in the proposal I put to Tony Abbott at the time when government was formed – so it may well be a bit of a test for the government.”

The legislation will appeal to farming and community interests who oppose coal mine development in the Liverpool Plains of New South Wales, especially BHP Billiton’s Caroona project and China Shenhua Energy’s Watermark project.

Windsor said there was other support for his policy in Queensland.