Maranoa cattle farmers, Maller, take Origin Energy and APLNG to court

Australia’s largest producer of CSG is embroiled in a court case against Queensland farmers, who allege they suffered financial loss during the construction or operation of a major Surat Basin project.

Wallumbilla cattle farmers have launched legal action against Australian Pacific LNG for allegedly causing a noxious weed outbreak on their property during the construction or operation of a major coal seam gas project.

Selwyn Richard Maller and Jocelyn Therese Maller allege the energy giant introduced Parthenium to their property along Cattle Creek Road, Wallumbilla North.

Parthenium is classified by Queensland’s Biosecurity Act as a restricted invasive plant which can be harmful to humans and toxic to livestock, and it has been known to taint meat products and reduce beef production.

However, the particulars surrounding the weed infestation and its alleged impact on the cattle property is not yet known.

The Maller’s property is located near extensive gas fields, pipelines, critical CSG infrastructure, and one of Origin Energy’s major mining camps, Reedy Creek, which is home to hundreds of fly-in-fly-out workers.

The high activity CSG area is located northeast of Roma and southwest of Wandoan.

The piece of land of concern id just north of Origin Energy's Reedy Creek base camp. Picture: Google Maps.

According to Land Court documents, the case between the Maller’s and Australia Pacific LNG CSG Transmissions Pty Limited, Origin Energy Upstream Operator Pty Limited, and Australia Pacific LNG Limited, has been lagging before the courts due to disputes around the disclosure of documents.

Land Court member Peta Gwen Stilgoe said how, when, and who introduced the weed was, of course, at the centre of the case.

“The parties have been engaged in extensive debates about disclosure of documents relating to those issues for over a year,” Member Stilgoe said.

“In the intervening period, new Land Court rules have been issued.”

Following the new rules, Member Stilgoe ordered the parties to provide the relevant disclosures in accordance with a document plan and also noted the case would proceed online as an eTrial.

Any relevant documents had to be submitted to the court by Tuesday, January 31.

Parthenium Weed. Picture: Supplied

An Origin Energy spokesman said it was not appropriate to discuss or comment on the case while it was before the court.

However the spokesman noted work activities were planned and “conducted to prevent the introduction and spread of weeds in line with the agreements we have with landowners and the applicable biosecurity regulations”.

“This includes processes such as the wash-down and certification of vehicles and equipment,” he said.