This Act, consisting of six Parts and one Schedule, provides for the creation of the Gasfields Commission. It establishes composition, duties, functions and powers of the following functions: to manage and improve the sustainable coexistence of landholders, regional communities and the onshore gas industry in Queensland. In addition, it aims at facilitating better relationships between landholders, regional communities and the onshore gas industry; reviewing the effectiveness of government entities in implementing regulatory frameworks that relate to the onshore gas industry; advising Ministers and government entities about the ability of landholders, regional communities and the onshore gas industry to coexist within an identified area; giving advice about assessment applications and the ability of landholders, regional communities and the resources industry to coexist within the area the subject of the application; making recommendations to the relevant Minister that regulatory frameworks and legislation relating to the onshore gas industry be reviewed or amended; making recommendations to the relevant Minister and onshore gas industry about leading practice or management relating to the onshore gas industry; etc. The purpose of this Act is to facilitate and regulate the carrying out of responsible petroleum activities and the development of a safe, efficient and viable petroleum and fuel gas industry, in a way that: manages the State’s petroleum resources having regard to the need for ecologically sustainable development, and for the benefit of all Queenslanders; enhances knowledge of the State’s petroleum resources; creates an effective and efficient regulatory system for the carrying out of petroleum activities and the use of petroleum and fuel gas; encourages the construction and operation of transmission pipelines; ensures petroleum activities are carried on in a way that minimizes conflict with other land uses; optimizes coal seam gas production and coal or oil shale mining in a safe and efficient way; appropriately compensates owners or occupiers of land; encourages responsible land management in the carrying out of petroleum activities; acilitates constructive consultation with people affected by activities authorised under this Act; etc.
أستراليا · 2013-04-29