THE AgForce Projects CSG and Mining Landholder Support Project will again funded for another year by the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) and the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).
AgForce Projects CSG project leader Daniel Phipps said the commitment would help to ensure the project could continue to provide free support for landholders across regional Queensland into 2017.
"As the CSG industry moves into the production phase and with mining exploration and development continuing, landholders have more complex issues and continue to require assistance in understanding their rights and responsibilities to achieve the best outcomes in land access negotiations," Mr Phipps said.
"Free services like the AgForce Projects CSG and Mining Project are essential to give landholders more confidence to negotiate better agreements and to remain aware of industry developments and possible impacts.
"This will be the sixth year of the project providing support and landholder interest continues to remain strong, with more than 5000 landholders given support by the project since its inception in 2011."
APPEA Queensland director Chris Lamont said industry said the AgForce initiative had helped to improve dialogue and understanding between gas companies and landholders.
"The natural gas industry is successfully working with regional Queensland communities thanks in no small part to programs that educate and provide valuable information on how beneficial coexistence outcomes can be achieved," Mr Lamont said.
QRC chief executive Michael Roche said Australia was on a pathway to become the world's largest gas exporter by 2020, with Queensland leading the charge.
“Collaboration is key - transparency and continued understanding of landholders' business needs has seen the gas industry grow to make up seven percent of Queensland's gross regional product,” Mr Roche said.
“In fact, Queensland's onshore gas industry was even acknowledged in the International Energy Agency's 2015 World Energy Outlook Report, largely because of the mechanisms that ensure mutually-beneficial co-existence.”
AgForce Projects will work with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) to secure vital Government support for the CSG and Mining Landholder Support Project to all the Project to continue to deliver free workshops, field days and one-on-one support.