General News
7 July, 2026
Central Downs farmers welcome retention of mechanism to protect prime agricultural land
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and Central Downs Irrigators have welcomed the Queensland Government’s reintroduced Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 (the Bill), which has adopted the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee in full.
The Bill implements reforms to planning, environmental and resources legislation, including:
Introducing a deemed condition to apply to environmental authorities for the operation of a coal seam gas well in the Condamine Alluvium Coal Seam Gas area to enhance the protection of the water quality of the aquifer.
Establishing a coal seam gas-induced subsidence compensation framework, which clarified compensation rights for landholders where coal seam gas-induced subsidence impacts agricultural land and productivity.
Retaining the existing Regional Interests Development Approval process to safeguard high-value agricultural areas and water resources.
Strengthening the precedence of water quality conditions across regulatory frameworks.
The QFF advocated strongly for the retention of the Regional Interests Development Approval (RIDA) framework and a number of other important measures.
QFF CEO Jo Sheppard said the RIDA is a critical, front-end mechanism that helps to ensure that impacts on agricultural land, water assets and production are properly considered before any development occurs.
“The RIDA provides farmers with an important negotiation tool when resource development is proposed and the retention of the framework in this amended legislation was a key ask from QFF and our peak body members throughout the Parliamentary Committee process,” Ms Sheppard said.
“We welcome the introduction of a compensatory framework in relation to the issue of subsidence and acknowledgement that additional resources be allocated to the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment to facilitate the generation of more granular data about CSG-induced subsidence.
“The Condamine Alluvium is one of Queensland’s most important groundwater systems supporting some of Australia’s most productive cropping land, significant stock, domestic and community supplies.
“Its ongoing viability is dependent on the integrity of its groundwater and surface water systems, as well as the condition of the highly fertile soils that overlay it.
“QFF and our members valued the opportunity to participate in the committee hearing process and appreciate the Queensland Government hearing the key concerns raised by the agricultural sector.
“As an industry, we look forward to working with the government to continue to enhance protection of the productive capacity of the Condamine Alluvium and the land that overlays it.”
Member for Condamine Pat Weir said he welcomed the retention of the Regional Interests Development Approval process and other practical measures in the Bill, including recognising directional drilling as an advanced activity.
“I also welcome the fact that coal seam gas induced subsidence is now recognised in legislation as a compensable impact, providing greater certainty and protection for landholders,” Mr Weir said.
“Importantly, the Bill introduces a new deemed condition that prohibits the release of contaminants from coal seam gas wells where it would be inconsistent with water quality objectives, helping to safeguard Queensland’s vital water resources while supporting responsible resource development.”
“These changes strike a sensible balance between supporting the resources sector, protecting agricultural land and ensuring landholders’ rights are respected.”
Central Downs Irrigators Limited Chairman Nic Clapham thanked the Committee for listening to the voices of local farmers and recommending the RPI Act provisions are not removed for the Condamine Alluvium area.
“The Condamine Alluvium area is one of Queensland’s most productive food and fibre growing regions,” he said.
“The Alluvium is fundamental to the agricultural production, economic prosperity and wellbeing of our region. Its protection must be assured.”
Farmers are still wondering why the RIDA was proposed to be removed in the first place and say more protections are need.
Cecil Plains grower Stuart Armitage said the subsidence compensation provisions in the Bill are the bare minimum.
“Much more work is needed to ensure landholders can obtain compensation without having to resort to costly, arduous and time-consuming court cases where the onus of proof unjustly rests on their shoulders,” he said.
Liza Balmain, cotton farmer and Save our Darling Downs spokesperson said she was relieved that existing protections for farms from gas mining will be retained, but was not happy.
“We have been put through a terrible ordeal, fighting to keep our existing limited protections which they had threatened to take away from us and now we are basically back to square one,” she said.
Mixed operations producer Glenn Ogden agreed more was needed.
“This region is highly vulnerable to the impacts of coal seam gas mining and should be provided better protections, as per Pat Weir’s commitment, not have them stripped away,” he said.
“We are disappointed that the end result of the Bill still falls short of the election commitment made to Darling Downs voters.”
