Land owner/occupier information

The last few years have seen an enormous increase in the exploration for petroleum, particularly coal seam gas, in Queensland. This exploration is likely to be further stimulated by proposed coal seam gas to liquid natural gas plants that require large amounts of coal seam gas for feedstock.

The State Government recognises landowners or occupiers are being faced with increasing pressure for access to their lands for exploration and production activities.

A Land Access Working Group has been established to foster improved relationships between explorers, rural landholders and the Queensland Government. During October and November 2008, the group held a series of public forums to inform landholders and explorers about their rights and obligations.

To assist landowners or occupiers to understand their rights and obligations with regard to entry provisions and compensation by petroleum/coal seam gas and explorers and producers and mineral and coal explorers, the Queensland Government has also developed a series of information sheets, which are available below.

Petroleum (Coal seam gas)

The information sheet titled Petroleum and gas exploration — Exploration laws explained (PDF - 106 kB) provides an overview of:

• the types of exploration activities that may be conducted on land,
• how petroleum/coal seam gas companies apply for an exploration permit (called an "authority to prospect") that provides them with certain rights, including the right to enter lands within the area of the authority to prospect,
• the requirements that MUST be met before a petroleum/coal seam gas explorer may enter lands, and
• compensation principles for landowners or occupiers.

The information sheet Petroleum and gas exploration - Petroleum and gas exploration - A guide for landowners and occupiers  (PDF - 167kB) provides similar information in a "frequently asked questions" format. This information sheet also provides landowners or occupiers with key contact details for the Department of Mines and Energy.

The information sheet titled Petroleum and gas - petroleum survey and pipeline licences outlines the rights and responsibilities of landowners whose properties are affected by a Petroleum Survey Licence or Petroleum Pipeline Licence and those of licence holders.

This information sheet also provides landowners or occupiers with key contact details for the Department of Mines and Energy.

Mineral exploration  

The information sheet titled Mineral exploration - Exploration laws explained (PDF - 269KB) provides an overview of:

• the types of exploration activities that mineral and coal explorers may conduct on land
• how mineral and coal exploration companies apply for exploration permits (either an "Exploration Permit for Minerals" or "Exploration Permit for Coal") that provide them with certain rights, including the right to enter lands within the areas of exploration covered by the permit
• the requirements that MUST be met before a mineral or coal explorer may enter lands
• compensation principles for landowners or occupiers.

The information sheet titled Mineral Development Licences (MDL) (PDF - 284KB) outlines the rights and responsibilities of landowners whose properties are affected by a Mineral Development Licence and those of licence holders in a "frequently asked questions" format.
 
This information sheet also provides landowners or occupiers with key contact details for the Department of Mines and Energy.

Code of Conduct for exploration

The Code of Conduct (PDF - 181KB) currently operates for exploration permits granted under the Mineral Resources Act 1989 in Queensland.  The Land Access Working Group is currently working with gas, mining and petroleum industries to develop a joint Code of Conduct which will modify or replace the current Code and will apply to all three sectors.