Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

An Act to amend the Environmental Protection Act 1994, the Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014, the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014, the Regional Planning Interests Regulation 2014 and the legislation mentioned in schedule 1 for particular purposes

1Short title

This Act may be cited as the Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026.

2Act amended

This part amends the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

3Amendment of s 206 (Environmental authorities for particular resource activities includes particular conditions)

(1)Section 206—
insert—

(2A)Further, an environmental authority issued for a CSG activity in the Condamine Alluvium CSG area is taken to include a condition prohibiting the release of contaminants, by the operation of a well—

(a)into waters in the Condamine Alluvium CSG area; and

(b)resulting in water quality that is inconsistent with the water quality objectives that apply to the waters.

Note—

This subsection does not apply to particular existing or proposed wells—see section 862.

(2)Section 206(3), ‘or (2)’—
omit, insert—

, (2) or (3)

(3)Section 206(4)—
insert—

Condamine Alluvium CSG area see the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014, section 11A.

operation, of a well, means any stage of the life of the well, including, for example, the drilling, completion, operation, suspension or decommissioning of the well.

water quality objectives means the water quality objectives prescribed by an environmental protection policy.

(4)Section 206(2A) to (4)—
renumber as section 206(3) to (5).

4Insertion of new ch 13, pt 36

Chapter 13—
insert—

Part 36 Transitional provision for Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026

862 Non-application of s 206(3) to particular existing or proposed wells

(1)Section 206(3) as in force on the commencement does not apply in relation to a well—

(a)that, on the commencement, is authorised under an environmental authority; or

(b)that is the subject of an existing application granted after the commencement.

(2)Subsection (1) continues to apply to the well even if—

(a)the environmental authority authorising the well—

(i)is amended to expand or otherwise change the stages of the operation of the well that are authorised under the authority; or

(ii)is replaced by a new environmental authority authorising the operation of the well; or

(b)the holder of the environmental authority authorising the well changes.

Note—

See schedule 4, definition holder, paragraphs 3 and 4.

(3)In this section—

existing application means either of the following applications made but not decided before the commencement—

(a)an application for an environmental authority;

(b)an amendment application for an environmental authority.

operation, of a well, see section 206(5) as in force on the commencement.

5Act amended

This part amends the Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014.

Note—

See also the amendments in schedule 1.

6Amendment of ch 3, hdg (Land access)

Chapter 3, heading, after ‘access’—
insert—

and impact on land

7Insertion of new ch 3, pt 9

Chapter 3—
insert—

Part 9 Condamine Alluvium CSG area

Division 1 Preliminary

101G Purpose of part

The purpose of this part is to provide additional protection to owners or occupiers of private land in the Condamine Alluvium CSG area (affected land) who may be affected by the carrying out of CSG activities.

101H Definitions for part

In this part—

affected land see section 101G.

CSG activity means an activity involving exploring for or producing coal seam gas.

CSG-induced subsidence means sinking of the ground resulting from CSG activities.

CSG resource authority means—

(a)an authority to prospect under the P&G Act that authorises exploring and testing for coal seam gas; or

(b)a petroleum lease under the P&G Act that authorises the production of coal seam gas.

eligible subsidence claimant means an eligible subsidence claimant under section 101J(2) or 101K(2).

subsidence compensatable effect, suffered by an owner or occupier of affected land because of a CSG resource authority, means an effect suffered by the owner or occupier—

(a)resulting from the impact of CSG-induced subsidence that—

(i)is caused by authorised activities carried out under the CSG resource authority, whether or not the activities were carried out on the owner’s or occupier’s land; and

(ii)affects the ability to carry out agricultural activities, or the productivity of agricultural activities carried out, on the owner’s or occupier’s land; and

(b)that—

(i)is of a kind mentioned in section 81(4), definition compensatable effect, paragraph (a)(i) to (v) or (b); or

(ii)would be of a kind mentioned in section 81(4), definition compensatable effect, paragraph (a)(i) to (v) or (b) if the authorised activities mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) were carried out on the owner’s or occupier’s land.

subsidence compensation liability, to an eligible subsidence claimant, see section 101J(3)(a) or 101K(3).

Division 2 Drilling directional well requires agreement

101I Application of s 43 in relation to drilling directional well

(1)This section applies in relation to drilling a directional well in the authorised area, or a part of the authorised area, of a CSG resource authority to the extent the area or part of the area is affected land.

(2)For section 43, drilling the directional well is an advanced activity for the CSG resource authority.

(3)Subsection (2) applies—

(a)whether or not the drilling would otherwise be an advanced activity under section 15A; and

(b)whether or not another advanced activity is carried out on the affected land under the CSG resource authority.

Division 3 Liability to compensate for CSG-induced subsidence

Subdivision 1 Subsidence compensation liability

101J Liability for land in authorised area or access land

(1)This section applies in relation to affected land that is—

(a)in the authorised area of a CSG resource authority; or

(b)access land for the CSG resource authority.

(2)The CSG resource authority holder is liable to compensate the owner or occupier of the affected land (each an eligible subsidence claimant) for each subsidence compensatable effect suffered by the eligible subsidence claimant because of the CSG resource authority.

(3)The CSG resource authority holder’s liability to compensate an eligible subsidence claimant under subsection (2)—

(a)is the holder’s subsidence compensation liability to the claimant; and

(b)is also—

(i)the holder’s compensation liability to the claimant under section 81; or

(ii)if the holder has other compensation liability to the claimant under section 81—a part of the holder’s compensation liability to the claimant under section 81.

(4)To remove any doubt, it is declared that, for applying subsection (3)(b) under part 7, the eligible subsidence claimant is an eligible claimant under section 81.

(5)This section does not limit the circumstances in which a resource authority holder’s compensation liability to an eligible claimant under section 81 may be or include liability for an effect resulting from subsidence suffered by the claimant.

101K Liability for particular other land

(1)This section applies in relation to affected land that is—

(a)within the prescribed distance outside the authorised area of a CSG resource authority; and

(b)not access land for the CSG resource authority.

(2)A CSG resource authority holder is liable to compensate the owner or occupier of the affected land (each an eligible subsidence claimant) for each subsidence compensatable effect suffered by the eligible subsidence claimant because of the CSG resource authority.

(3)The CSG resource authority holder’s liability to compensate an eligible subsidence claimant under subsection (2) is the holder’s subsidence compensation liability to the eligible subsidence claimant.

(4)In this section—

prescribed distance means—

(a)if a regulation prescribes a distance for this definition—the distance prescribed; or

(b)otherwise—5 km.

Subdivision 2 Disputes about subsidence compensation liability

101L Application of subdivision

(1)This subdivision applies in relation to a CSG resource authority holder’s subsidence compensation liability to an eligible subsidence claimant.

(2)However, this subdivision does not apply if—

(a)under part 7—

(i)the CSG resource authority holder and eligible subsidence claimant have entered into a conduct and compensation agreement relating to the holder’s compensation liability to the claimant; or

(ii)a dispute resolution process involving the CSG resource authority holder’s compensation liability to the eligible subsidence claimant has been started or decided, including by a decision of the Land Court; or

(b)under the CSG resource authority, the CSG resource authority holder, or a person authorised by the holder, is carrying out or proposing to carry out on the eligible subsidence claimant’s land authorised activities that are advanced activities.

101M References to subsidence compensation liability

A reference in this subdivision to subsidence compensation liability is taken to include a reference to future subsidence compensation liability.

101N Land Court may hear dispute

(1)This section applies if a dispute about subsidence compensation liability arises between the following persons (each a party)—

(a)the holder of a CSG resource authority;

(b)an eligible subsidence claimant.

(2)Either party may apply to the Land Court to decide the dispute.

(3)The Land Court may make any order it considers appropriate to enable or enforce its decision on an application under subsection (2).

(4)Without limiting subsection (3), the Land Court may do any or all of the following—

(a)assess all or part of the subsidence compensation liability;

(b)decide a matter related to the subsidence compensation liability;

(c)make any order it considers necessary or desirable for a matter mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b);

(d)order non-monetary compensation as well as monetary compensation.

101O Review of subsidence compensation by Land Court

(1)This section applies if—

(a)the subsidence compensation liability of a CSG resource authority holder to an eligible subsidence claimant (the original compensation) has been decided by the Land Court under section 101N; and

(b)there has been a material change in circumstances (the change) since the decision was made.

(2)Either the CSG resource authority holder or eligible subsidence claimant may apply to the Land Court for a review of the original compensation.

(3)In carrying out the review, the Land Court may review the original compensation only to the extent it is affected by the change.

(4)If the Land Court considers the original compensation is not affected by the change, it must not carry out or continue with the review.

(5)The Land Court may, after carrying out the review, decide to confirm the original compensation or amend it in a way the court considers appropriate.

101P Land Court decision binding on successors and assigns

(1)This section applies to a decision of the Land Court under section 101N or 101O.

(2)The decision binds the parties in the proceeding that led to the decision, and each of their successors and assigns.

8Insertion of new ch 10, pt 4

Chapter 10—
insert—

Part 4 Transitional provisions for Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026

249Meaning of particular terms

If the context permits, a term used in this part and defined in section 101H has the same meaning in this part as it has under that section.

250Application of s 43 in relation to drilling directional well

(1)Section 101I applies in relation to drilling a directional well, as mentioned in that section, that starts after the commencement.

(2)Subsection (1) applies even if drilling the directional well was an authorised activity for the CSG resource authority immediately before the commencement.

(3)For section 43(1)(a), each of the following is taken to be a conduct and compensation agreement about drilling the directional well and its effects—

(a)a conduct and compensation agreement between the CSG resource authority holder and the owner or occupier of the affected land about the drilling and its effects that was in effect immediately before the commencement;

(b)an agreement, other than a conduct and compensation agreement, between the CSG resource authority holder and the owner or occupier of the affected land that—

(i)provides for the holder making a financial payment to the owner or occupier in relation to the drilling; and

(ii)was in effect immediately before the commencement.

(4)Subsection (3) applies in relation to an agreement even if the agreement does not expressly provide for compensation for CSG-induced subsidence on the affected land caused by drilling the directional well.

251Subsidence compensation liability—affected land that is in an authorised area or access land

(1)A CSG resource authority holder’s subsidence compensation liability to an eligible subsidence claimant under section 101J applies in relation to—

(a)a CSG activity carried out under the CSG resource authority, whether before or after the commencement; and

(b)a subsidence compensatable effect suffered by the eligible subsidence claimant, whether before or after the commencement.

(2)A conduct and compensation agreement between the CSG resource authority holder and the eligible subsidence claimant that was in effect immediately before the commencement—

(a)continues to apply in relation to the holder’s compensation liability to the claimant; and

(b)is taken to also apply to the holder’s subsidence compensation liability to the claimant.

(3)Subsection (2) applies even if the conduct and compensation agreement does not provide for the CSG resource authority holder’s subsidence compensation liability to the eligible subsidence claimant.

(4)A decision of the Land Court under chapter 3, part 7 about the CSG resource authority holder’s compensation liability to the eligible subsidence claimant made before the commencement—

(a)continues to apply in relation to the holder’s compensation liability to the claimant; and

(b)is taken to also apply to the holder’s subsidence compensation liability to the claimant.

(5)Subsection (4) applies even if the Land Court’s decision does not provide for the CSG resource authority holder’s subsidence compensation liability to the eligible subsidence claimant.

252Subsidence compensation liability—other particular affected land

A CSG resource authority holder’s subsidence compensation liability to an eligible subsidence claimant under section 101K applies in relation to—

(a)a CSG activity carried out under the CSG resource authority, whether before or after the commencement; and

(b)a subsidence compensatable effect suffered by the eligible subsidence claimant, whether before or after the commencement.

9Amendment of sch 2 (Dictionary)

(1)Schedule 2—
insert—

affected land, for chapter 3, part 9, see section 101G.

Condamine Alluvium CSG area see the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014, section 11A.

CSG activity, for chapter 3, part 9, see section 101H.

CSG-induced subsidence see section 101H.

CSG resource authority, for chapter 3, part 9, see section 101H.

directional well means a part of a petroleum well, within the meaning given by the P&G Act, that is intentionally not drilled vertically.

eligible subsidence claimant, for chapter 3, part 9, see section 101H.

subsidence compensatable effect, suffered by an owner or occupier of affected land because of a CSG resource authority, for chapter 3, part 9, see section 101H.

subsidence compensation liability, to an eligible subsidence claimant, for chapter 3, part 9, see section 101J(3)(a) or 101K(3).

(2)Schedule 2, definition compensation liability, paragraph (a)(i)—
insert—

Note—

See also section 101J(3)(b) for other amounts that are compensation liability to an eligible claimant.

10Act amended

This part amends the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014.

11Insertion of new s 5A

After section 5—
insert—

5A Application of Act in relation to Condamine Alluvium CSG area

Part 2 does not apply to carrying out a CSG activity in the Condamine Alluvium CSG area.

Note—

Generally speaking, carrying out a CSG activity in the Condamine Alluvium CSG area is regulated under other Acts, including, for example, the Environmental Protection Act, the Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014 and the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004.

12Insertion of new s 11A

After section 11—
insert—

11A Condamine Alluvium CSG area

The Condamine Alluvium CSG area is an area that—

(a)includes all or part of the aquifer known as the Condamine Alluvium; and

(b)is shown as the Condamine Alluvium CSG area on a map approved by regulation and published on the department’s website.

13Amendment of pt 2 (Restrictions on resource and regulated activities in areas of regional interest)

Part 2, after heading—
insert—

Note—

See, however, section 5A in relation to carrying out a CSG activity in the Condamine Alluvium CSG area.

14Insertion of new pt 11

After part 10—
insert—

Part 11 Transitional provisions for Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026

110Definition for part

In this part—

amendment Act means the Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026.

111Existing assessment applications for CSG activities in Condamine Alluvium CSG area

(1)This section applies to an assessment application—

(a)for carrying out a resource activity that is or includes a CSG activity in the Condamine Alluvium CSG area; and

(b)made but not decided before the commencement.

(2)The amendment of this Act by the amendment Act does not affect the assessment application or a regional interests development approval granted to the applicant.

Note—

See section 32 in relation to withdrawing assessment applications.

112Existing regional interests development approval for CSG activities in Condamine Alluvium CSG area

(1)This section applies to a regional interests development approval—

(a)for carrying out a resource activity that is or includes a CSG activity in the Condamine Alluvium CSG area; and

(b)that was in effect immediately before the commencement.

(2)The amendment of this Act by the amendment Act does not affect the regional interests development approval.

(3)This Act as in force immediately before the commencement continues to apply in relation to the regional interests development approval as if the amendment Act had not been enacted.

113Proceedings for particular offences

(1)This section applies in relation to an offence against former section 19 committed by a person before the commencement.

(2)Without limiting the Acts Interpretation Act 1954, section 20, a proceeding for the offence may be continued or started, and the person may be convicted of and punished for the offence, as if section 5A had not commenced.

(3)Subsection (2) applies despite the Criminal Code, section 11.

(4)In this section—

former section 19 means section 19 as applying before the commencement of section 5A.

15Amendment of sch 1 (Dictionary)

Schedule 1—
insert—

Condamine Alluvium CSG area see section 11A.

CSG activity see the Environmental Protection Act, schedule 4.

16Regulation amended

This part amends the Regional Planning Interests Regulation 2014.

Note—

See also the amendment in schedule 1.

17Insertion of new pt 3A

After part 3—
insert—

Part 3A Condamine Alluvium CSG area

10ACondamine Alluvium CSG area—Act, s 11A

For section 11A(b) of the Act, the map titled ‘Condamine Alluvium CSG area map–version 1.0’ held by the department is approved.

Note—

The map is published on the department’s website.

18Legislation amended

Schedule 1 amends the legislation it mentions.

section 18

1Section 37—

insert—

Note—

See also part 9 for other provisions that apply to private land in the Condamine Alluvium CSG area.

2Section 43(1), after penalty—

insert—

Note—

See also section 101I for the application of this section in relation to drilling a directional well in the Condamine Alluvium CSG area.

3Section 45(4), note, ‘section 81’—

omit, insert—

sections 81 and 101J

4Section 81(2)—

insert—

Note—

See also part 9, division 3 in relation to compensation liability relating to CSG-induced subsidence on private land in the Condamine Alluvium CSG area.

5Section 92(11), definition party, ‘chapter 3, part 7,’—

omit.

1Section 2, definitions compensation liability, conduct and compensation agreement, conduct and compensation agreement requirement and deferral agreement—

omit.

1Section 560(5)—

insert—

access land, for a petroleum authority, see the Common Provisions Act, section 47(3).

2Schedule 2, definitions access land, access rights, conduct and compensation agreement and deferral agreement—

omit.

1Section 3(2), note, ‘www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2012L02240’—

omit, insert—

www.legislation.gov.au

© State of Queensland 2026