Springvale farmers celebrate after fending off drilling plans from multinational gas company Arrow Energy

A group of farmers that for years have been protesting gas drilling in the region have earnt a major win against multinational giant Arrow Energy. DETAILS.

Springvale Four farmer Doug Browne is one of four farmers who campaigned against Arrow Energy's plans to drill 14 gaswells on farms in Springvale. Photo: Lock the Gate.

A number of Springvale farmers are celebrating after gas giant Arrow Energy confirmed it had withdrawn plans to drill 14 gaswells on their properties.

The Springvale farmers were among the first to launch a challenge against the Regional Interests Development Approval application and it is believed to be the first time a gas company has withdrawn an application in response to farmer opposition.

Arrow has also withdrawn a second application, on the Darling Downs encompassing 25 wells and 13km of gathering lines.

In a press release “Springvale Four” farmer Doug Browne said he was celebrating after the announcement.

“I’ve farmed this land all my life. It’s been in my family for generations. There was no way I was ever going to let Arrow Energy onto my land,” he said.

“But we weren’t just doing this for our farms. We did it to protect the groundwater that sustains this district. Water is life. And we did this to show farmers all over Australia that even a small group of people can stand up to giant gas companies.”

Springvale Four farmer Doug Browne is one of four farmers who campaigned against Arrow Energy's plans to drill 14 gaswells on farms in Springvale. Photo: Lock the Gate.

In a press release Chinchilla based-consultant Dr Shay Dougal, who works with farmers required to host coal seam gas, said existing gas fields had not been subject to proper scrutiny.

“Queensland law allows coal seam gas companies to sideline the very farmers who are directly impacted by the drilling of expanding coal seam gas fields,” she said.

“Yet, as this example shows, it is farmers who hold the expert knowledge of their own agricultural land that is so vital when dealing with an industry as risky as coal seam gas.

“These farmers challenged Arrow’s attempts to drill, forcing the company to submit a development application under the Regional Planning Interests Act, and then used their own expert knowledge to highlight Arrow’s lack of consideration for the sustainability of their farms.

“This win proves existing gas fields have not been subject to proper scrutiny. Queensland’s planning laws are failing our agricultural industry and communities.

“All future gas activity in the district must undergo the same level of rigorous scrutiny as the Springvale RIDA.”

Coal seam gas wells in the Darling Downs.

Queensland Lock the Gate Alliance spokesman Nick Holliday said while Arrow claims it may still resubmit an application for six wells at a later date, the withdrawal was still a major win.

He said they were now calling upon the LNP and Condamine MP Pat Weir to make good on their pre-election commitment to protect the Condamine Alluvium

“This is a significant win, and goes to show what can be achieved when communities, even a very small group of people, work together,” he said in a press release.

“It’s more important than ever that the changes promised by the Queensland LNP government to protect the Condamine Alluvium are now implemented thoroughly, so that Arrow does not come back in a few years and try to access these farms again.”

An Arrow Energy spokesperson said the company’s Surat Gas Project will support more than 1000 jobs and inject $10bn dollars into the regional economy over 27 years.

The spokesperson also said development of their project relies on their commitment to working with landholders for mutually beneficial relationships and co-existence of two industries.

“We have almost 400 agreements with more than 300 farming families who see the value of partnering with us to support their agricultural enterprises, the spokesperson said.

“These relationships make agricultural enterprises more resilient, diversifying them away from the ups and downs of farming.

“In 2021 and 2022, we lodged two Regional Interests Development Applications for several properties in the region. Since then, we’ve refined our field design, enabling us to meet production obligations with the smallest possible footprint.

“Given the time that has elapsed, changes to our plans and our commitment to providing clarity to landholders, we decided to withdraw the applications.

“If a new application is required in the future, we will consult with relevant stakeholders and the community as part of our process.”

Originally published as Springvale farmers celebrate after fending off drilling plans from multinational gas company Arrow Energy