Direct response to Parliamentary Inquiry
| Date: | Thursday, 15 September 2016 |
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A new Land Access Working Group has been established to review the statutory framework for land access by the resources industry.
The move is a direct response to recommendations from the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs report on ‘Implications for Western Australia of Hydraulic Fracturing for Unconventional Gas’.
Department of Mines and Petroleum’s (DMP) Executive Director Jeff Haworth said the working group will review existing provisions related to provisions under the State’s mining and petroleum legislation, with a primary focus for onshore petroleum.
“The Land Access Working Group will comprise representatives from industry and farmer bodies, local government (WALGA), the Conservation Council of WA and various State Government agencies and will be chaired by DMP’s Director General,” Mr Haworth said.
The group will meet at least once each quarter, unless agreed otherwise, and executive and administrative support will be provided by DMP.
Mr Haworth said the working group would compare land access arrangements in other jurisdictions’, legislative and non-legislative, and make recommendations to the State Government, including any recommendations for change to APPEA’s ‘Farming Land Access Agreement’ template.
After consultation with stakeholders the group will provide a report and recommendations before 30 June 2018 for consideration by the State Government in relation to resources land access issues.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Sean L’Estrange announced the establishment of the group earlier today.
Mr L’Estrange said the group would also consider and advise in relation to recommendations for a statutory body to act as an independent arbiter for land owners and resource companies in land access negotiations.
