By Martin Klapper, Partner and Andre Dauwalder,
Solicitor.
The Queensland Government today passed legislation to achieve a
different balance between ensuring the continued growth of the coal
seam gas (CSG) industry and the protection of
landowner rights.
The South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail
Restructuring) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2010
amends current legislation, including the Environmental
Protection Act 1994 and the Water Act 2000, with the
aim of creating a more sustainable CSG industry and increasing
certainty for both CSG proponents and landowners.
Key amendments
The key impacts on CSG companies will be as follows:
- When applying for a level 1 environmental authority, the
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) must also consider the impact
on underground water supplies. The EMP is now required to include
information about:
- the quantity of CSG water that the applicant expects will be
generated;
