Oil and gas banned from Lake Eyre Basin in new Premier’s first week
New oil and gas developments will be banned in rivers and floodplains of Queensland’s Lake Eyre Basin, in the second major environmental decision under Premier Steven Miles.
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New oil and gas developments will be banned in rivers and floodplains of Queensland’s share of the mammoth Lake Eyre Basin, in the second major environmental decision under Premier Steven Miles.
The state government, days out from Christmas, announced it would deliver on a nine-year-old election commitment to protect the Lake Eyre Basin by bringing in changes ensuring there is no new oil and gas projects in the area.
This is Mr Miles second major environmental policy decision after he used his first major speech to confirm Queensland would set in law a new emissions reductions target of 75 per cent by 2035 — significantly higher than its existing target of 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.
Queensland’s section of the Lake Eyre Basin stretches from near Charters Towers across the Mount Isa and down to the South Australian and New South Wales border before cutting up through Quilpie.
It overlaps with a significant section of the North West Minerals Province — slated to provide Queensland with its next big mining boom.
According to the state government the changes strikes balance in protecting agriculture and tourism while providing certainty for the critical minerals industry.
But resource heavyweights and the gas industry have slammed the move.
Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the decision to ban new oil and gas was unnecessary and threatened the state’s capacity to ensure the country’s gas supply going forward.
“Queensland already has strict environmental regulations in place to manage project applications and the industry has shown that it can work cooperatively in the Basin to maintain highest standards to protect the environment,” he said.
Australian Energy Producers, the oil and gas peak body formerly known as Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, warned the decision displayed “reckless disregard” for the nation’s energy security.
Existing approved conventional gas development can continue. The changes will not be retrospective.
Holders of existing petroleum exploration tenures, including potential commercial areas within the rivers and floodplains, will be able to apply for a production lease until 30 August 2024 according to the state government.
Where an application has already been made, these will also continue to be considered under the existing requirements but unconventional oil and gas extraction will not be allowed.
Environment Minister Leanne Linard said more than 17,000 submissions were made during the consultation period, with 98 per cent supporting strengthened protections.
“Healthy water flow is the lifeblood of these landscapes, with communities, graziers, and Traditional Owners all understanding how precious and fragile the rivers and floodplains are,” she said.
“When the bigger flows come, these areas and the wetlands and waterholes they feed into come alive, with waterbirds like pelicans and stilts arriving in their thousands to breed.
“Maintaining clean and uninterrupted flow of the waterways in the basin is critical to the survival of the wildlife and the businesses and communities in the region.”
Originally published as Oil and gas banned from Lake Eyre Basin in new Premier’s first week
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