Land access security
Land access security
Wednesday, 2 Dec 2009
Security, consistency essential for land access
AgForce welcomes the Queensland Government’s commitment to continue working towards an equitable land access strategy, but says today’s announcement by Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson does not remove the uncertainty facing landholders.
Minister Robertson announced the Government's intention to act on proposals from the land access working group – which brings together the resource industry, farming sector and government – in Oakey today.
Chair of AgForce’s mining taskforce, Ian Burnett, said landholders were rightly frustrated by the time taken for the Government to deliver a comprehensive policy framework to secure the future of farming enterprises and food production and ensure parity and consistency for all stakeholders.
“We hoped today’s announcement would provide the rules of engagement between resource companies and land holders, to ensure a fair and equitable playing field so all stakeholders know their obligations and rights,” Mr Burnett said.
“There is currently no consistent code of conduct between the gas and mining industries or compensatory arrangements, so the Land Access Working Group has been trying to gain consistency so all stakeholders know their rights and obligations.
“However, the Minister did not provide a tangible outcome in the ‘farming vs mining’ debate and we are concerned that a further delay will open the gate for more productive farm land to be lost to gas and mining infrastructure.
“A year after the State Government held community mining summit meetings into land use and competition, and two years after the Land Access Working group process began, we are only now seeing any progress that they are committed to preserving good quality ag land in the face of development impacts such as gas and mining. But this commitment is yet to translate into a comprehensive policy.”
Mr Burnett said AgForce, which participates in the land access working group, has long advocated the preservation of iconic agricultural land.
“We are constantly seeing some of our most productive farming areas threatened through the complete lack of strong proactive policy,” Mr Burnett said.
“Again, AgForce calls on the Queensland Government to follow through with the long overdue need to identify these good quality agricultural areas appropriately and provide a comprehensive policy framework to secure the future of farming enterprises and food production.”
AgForce welcomes the Queensland Government’s commitment to continue working towards an equitable land access strategy, but says today’s announcement by Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson does not remove the uncertainty facing landholders.
Minister Robertson announced the Government's intention to act on proposals from the land access working group – which brings together the resource industry, farming sector and government – in Oakey today.
Chair of AgForce’s mining taskforce, Ian Burnett, said landholders were rightly frustrated by the time taken for the Government to deliver a comprehensive policy framework to secure the future of farming enterprises and food production and ensure parity and consistency for all stakeholders.
“We hoped today’s announcement would provide the rules of engagement between resource companies and land holders, to ensure a fair and equitable playing field so all stakeholders know their obligations and rights,” Mr Burnett said.
“There is currently no consistent code of conduct between the gas and mining industries or compensatory arrangements, so the Land Access Working Group has been trying to gain consistency so all stakeholders know their rights and obligations.
“However, the Minister did not provide a tangible outcome in the ‘farming vs mining’ debate and we are concerned that a further delay will open the gate for more productive farm land to be lost to gas and mining infrastructure.
“A year after the State Government held community mining summit meetings into land use and competition, and two years after the Land Access Working group process began, we are only now seeing any progress that they are committed to preserving good quality ag land in the face of development impacts such as gas and mining. But this commitment is yet to translate into a comprehensive policy.”
Mr Burnett said AgForce, which participates in the land access working group, has long advocated the preservation of iconic agricultural land.
“We are constantly seeing some of our most productive farming areas threatened through the complete lack of strong proactive policy,” Mr Burnett said.
“Again, AgForce calls on the Queensland Government to follow through with the long overdue need to identify these good quality agricultural areas appropriately and provide a comprehensive policy framework to secure the future of farming enterprises and food production.”