Brisbane 18 June 2013. One of Queensland’s most successful landholder education programs will receive ongoing support from the Newman Government.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps announced today in Toowoomba that the Queensland Government would be part of an alliance of five organisations that would provide funding to ensure the AgForce Coal Seam Gas (CSG) Landholder Project continues.

“The Newman Government is pleased to join AgForce, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) and the GasFields Commission to continue this valuable program,” Mr Cripps said.

“Both my Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will provide financial and in-kind support to the CSG Landholder Project.”

Mr Cripps said the respected program had successfully reached more than 2,500 landholders since its inception in 2010, and had now expanded from the Surat Basin of southern Queensland, to the Galilee and Bowen Basins.

“These AgForce workshops have provided essential information to landholders seeking to negotiate conduct and compensation agreements with coal seam gas companies to ensure the successful co-existence between the agriculture and resources sectors.

“With the CSG industry forecast to expand in coming years, this program is essential to giving landowners confidence in their dealings with resource operators.

“I particularly congratulate APPEA for having the foresight to support this alliance and for recognising the importance of equitable and respectful relationships with farmers and graziers.”

AgForce President Ian Burnett said today’s announcement would ensure critical information would continue to flow to landholders.

“Given the rate of growth of the CSG industry, information is fundamental to ensuring the wellbeing of both the agriculture and resources sectors,” Mr Burnett said.

“AgForce is proud of its record as a key source of independent advice and we are very pleased to be able to continue that role.”

AgForce plans to present 35 information sessions and nine water and technical field days throughout 2013 and 2014 across southern, central and western Queensland.

The information sessions will provide information regarding legal and land access frameworks, the rights and responsibilities of both landholders and CSG companies, and explain the use of mapping to plan for and negotiate around the impacts of CSG production on agricultural and grazing enterprises.