LNG Enforcement Unit up and running

QUEENSLAND'S new one-stop LNG Enforcement Unit is up and running, Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson told Parliament today.

Mr Robertson said Andrew Brier has been appointed to establish and have overall management responsibility for the new multi-disciplinary unit made up of specialists tasked with monitoring the emerging CSG-LNG industry.

"In November last year the Bligh Government made a commitment to increase and focus enforcement capability and resources by creating a one-stop LNG Enforcement Unit," he said.

"The Government has put in place laws to manage the development of Queensland's CSG-LNG industry.

"These laws quite rightly demand very high standards of this emerging industry, and we are determined to make sure that industry meets the standards that we, and the community, expect of it.

"This team is equipped with the power and the resources to make sure this industry adheres to its legislative obligations to the Queensland community."

Mr Robertson said the unit would 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 strictly adhered to.

"This team will also work closely with the Queensland Water Commission in monitoring bores across the Surat region."

"Additional Petroleum and Gas Safety Inspectors also form part of the team. They have the important task of making sure this industry operates safely, both for its own workers and for the community," he said.

"Our Mining Registrars are also a valuable support to landholders and will be called on to ensure industry meets its land access obligations, as well as to help resolve impasses in access and compensation negotiations, without the need to resort to the courts.

"Most importantly, the team is backed by the full policy, operational machinery and resources of supporting departments - the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) and the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI)."

Mr Robertson said Mr Brier had a high level of knowledge relating to the management and investigation of CSG and LNG activities and a thorough understanding of the issues facing landholders and the broader community.

"His role is integral to fulfilling the Government's commitment to ensure that as the CSG to LNG industry develops, we balance that with protecting landholders' rights and safeguarding our environment.

"The unit wil l deliver regionally-coordinated compliance and monitoring, and complaint resolution," Minister Robertson said.

"Staff will be spread across the Surat Basin at Roma, Dalby and Toowoomba - and will draw on additional resources and expertise from Central Queensland and Brisbane where required."