A consultation paper setting out proposals to be included in draft legislation aimed at ending the ongoing row between the coal and petroleum sectors was recently released.

“There are cases where land targeted for gas production to supply the growing CSG-LNG industry may also be subject to existing tenure that allows coal exploration and mine development,” Queensland Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said.

“We need to strike an appropriate balance between the tenure rights of both sectors to optimise for Queensland the benefits from our abundant coal and CSG resources.

“This consultation paper sets out proposals to be included in draft legislation and gives industry the opportunity to put forward its ideas about how we can best achieve outcomes that meet the needs of all parties.”

Robertson called on the coal and CSG industries, including the Queensland Resources Council and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, to provide feedback to the review.

The proposed amendments will not change the requirements in place to gain access to privately owned land under the state’s land access laws.

Submissions will be open until February 25. The new legislation is expected to be introduced into Parliament later in the year.

The consultation paper and draft legislation are available at www.deedi.qld.gov.au.