The Queensland government is to invest AUS$7 million over the next two years to support the continuing work of the Coal Seam Gas Compliance Unit, which supports community and landowner relations within the state’s coalbed methane (CBM; called coal seam gas – or CSG – In Australia) industry.

“The unit is a one-stop show for community and landholder enquiries, concerns and assistance, relating to CSG issues,” said Queensland’s Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Dr Anthony Lynham.

The unit’s work includes investigating landholder complaints about potential water contamination by CSG operations, audits and inspections relating to CSG land assess issues and community information events. It has offices in Toowoomba, Roma and Brisbane and offers field services throughout the Surat, Bowen and Galilee Basins.

“The government expects landholders and industry to treat each other with mutual respect and the CSG compliance unit is an integral part of maintaining the relations,” Dr Lynham concluded.

Edited by Jonathan Rowland.