FAQs
Can we help?
If you are a farmer or rural landholder in dispute with a mining, oil, gas or development entity, Legal Aid Queensland’s Farm & Rural Legal Service (mining) might be able to help.
How can the service help me?
If you’re a farmer or rural landholder Legal Aid Queensland’s Farm & Rural Legal Service (mining) can provide you with legal advice and minor legal assistance about issues connected with mining, mineral exploration, gas and oil exploration and production, gas and oil pipelines, fossicking and similar activities like quarrying and infrastructure development.
Through negotiations with government, AgForce has been instrumental in obtaining the appointment of Toowoomba Legal Aid solicitor Glen Martin to work with Queensland’s Farm and Rural Legal Service providing free independent advice to rural landholders impacted by mining and related issues. Contact Glen Martin by email or phone 1300 651 188.
What services are provided as part of legal advice?
Legal advice and minor legal assistance might include advising you about your rights and responsibilities, writing letters on your behalf, examining and preparing documents and conducting negotiations and/or mediations on your behalf.
My problem is complex – is any extra help available?
Yes. People who have more complicated legal issues can access up to 35 hours of legal assistance through Legal Aid’s extended service. When experiencing a high level of demand for legal services, Legal Aid gives priority to people who:
- Are financially disadvantaged
- Would have difficulty accessing other legal help
To access this service you will need to complete a Legal Aid application form.
Can the service represent me in court?
No. A Legal Aid lawyer cannot act for people in court proceedings. They can give you general advice about court proceedings and if the matter is straight forward assist you in drafting court documents.
Am I eligible for this service?
The service is available to rural landholders, rural land occupiers or their representatives who are experiencing problems with:
- Mining
- Mineral, gas or oil exploration or production
- Gas or oil pipeline development
- Fossicking or
- Similar activities (like quarrying or infrastructure development)
Is there a fee for this service?
No, there is no charge for Glen’s services, however you might have to pay for certain services or products recommended by our lawyer to help with your legal problem. This includes land title and tenure searches, valuations and consultants fees.
Where else can I go to get information and assistance?
After AgForce negotiations in 2008, Department of Mines and Energy community liaison officer Gerry McKie was appointed to help landholders understand about the statutory framework and land access issues.
- Phone Gerry on (07) 3227 6564 or send an email.
Additionally, two new Deputy Mining Registrars have been appointed to the Roma office. These two Registrars, Todd Ellis and Waanda McCarthy perform the same functions as Gerry Mckie for the Surat Basin region. Todd and Waanda also work at the Department of Environment and Resource Management’s Dalby office every Wednesday. They are keen to talk to landholders about their issues and assist inform landholder of their rights and obligations when mining impacts their properties.
Where can I get detailed information about mining and gas exploration and production?
For details about mining and gas information, please click any of the files below:
There are a number of ‘projects of significance’ being considered by the energy sector (coal, gas, oil, power stations) in various parts of Queensland. These projects are overseen by the Department of Infrastructure and Planning because they are deemed to have a ‘significant’ impact and therefore subject to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process.