Queensland’s new LNG Enforcement Unit, established by the Queensland Government to monitor the emerging CSG-LNG industry, is up and running, headed by Andrew Brier.

 

The Queensland Government has introduced laws to manage the development of  the industry, and the Unit has been empowered to ensure the legislation is adhered to.

 

It will develop strategic compliance plans that included proactive and spot investigations, as well as monitoring the compliance reporting required of the industry.

 

The unit will also investigate formal complaints from landholders and lead prosecutions where investigations provide evidence of wrong-doing.

 

The unit includes environmental and groundwater experts, who will form part of the team monitoring environmental impacts, groundwater quality and pressures, and will ensure environmental authority conditions are adhered to.

 

The team will also work closely with the Queensland Water Commission in monitoring bores across the Surat region. Petroleum and Gas Safety Inspectors also form part of the team. Mining Registrars will ensure industry meets its land access obligations, as well help resolve impasses in access and compensation negotiations, without the need to resort to the courts.

 

The Unit is supported by the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) and the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI).”

The LNG Enforcement Unit can be contacted on the CSG-LNG Hotline: 13 25 23.

 

More information about CSG-LNG is at http://lng.industry.qld.gov.au