Archived News for Industry Professionals
The Queensland Government has announced the appointment of six new GasFields Commissioners, which, according to the State Government, will help restore confidence in the state’s Coal Seam Gas (CSG) industry.
Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the new GasFields Commissioners came from a range of fields and would bring their own individual expertise to the role.
“The GasFields Commissioners take on the important role of working with Commission Chairman John Cotter in managing the co existence between rural landholders, regional communities and the CSG industry,” Mr Seeney said.
The State Government announced the appointment of the following commissioenrs:
- Mr Don Stiller – a land holder and former Mayor of Taroom
- Mr Ian Hayllor – a cotton farmer and irrigator who has a long involvement in managing co-existence through his role as Chair of the Basin Sustainability Alliance
- Councillor Ray Brown – Mayor of Western Downs Regional Council
- Mr Rick Wilkinson – Chief Operating Officer of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association
- Professor Steven Raine – a leading academic and soil scientist from the University of Southern Queensland
- Mr Shane Charles – Chief Executive Officer of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise, with more than 20 years experience as a lawyer
Mr Seeney said Chairman Cotter would bring the group together in July to review the 55 public submissions and provide feedback on how the Gasfields Commission should operate.
“This input from the GasFields Commission will shape the legislation which will be introduced in Parliament later this year,” he said.
Regions left behind finds report
The Australia Local Government has released the 2012-13 State of the Regions Report, concluding that a new approach to regional development is urgently needed to address the growing inequality across the country’s regions.
New bilateral agreement over Alpha coal mine
The Federal and Queensland Governments have struck a new bilateral agreement over the disputed Alpha Coal mine project, agreeing to 'significant' changes to pre-existing environmental approvals for major projects.
Eureka deal inches closer
Aurora Oil & Gas’s takeover bid of Eureka Energy is inching closer to reality after estimates show that Aurora already owns some 33 per cent of the company.
Supreme Court gives Gloucester/Yancoal merger the green light
The Supreme Court of Victoria has given the final approval for the proposed merger of Gloucester Coal and Yancoal Australia. The approval by the Court is the final step needed before the announcement is made on the ASX.
ABS releases exploration data
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released the March quarter’s Mineral and Petroleum Exploration findings, showing that the sector is continuing to display healthy growth.
Government releases airborne electromagnetic survey
The Federal Government has released a report which provides detailed information for companies investigating north-eastern South Australia’s resource potential.
More gas investment for the Northern Territory
A new agreement between Santos, ConocoPhillips and major Korean energy company, SK E&S, will advance the development of gas discoveries in the Timor Sea. The agreement will see the progression of the development of the Caldita and Barossa gas discoveries.
New subsea gas technology developed
Curtin University researchers have developed a new process to dehydrate subsea gas that could open up gas fields currently deemed unviable.
NSW to fund uptake of mining and gas best practice
The New South Wales Government has announced it will provide $13 million on a cost-recovery basis for improved compliance measures to support the uptake of best practice regulatory regimes for the mining and gas industries in the state.
NSW to refinance major infrastructure works
The New South Wales Government has announced plans to refinance State-owned assets, including Port Kembla, in a bid to fund and expedite priority infrastructure projects.
Queensland greenlights Grosvenor mine
The Queensland Government has approved the construction of the $1.7 billion Grosvenor Coal Mine after the state granted Anglo American the requisite mining lease.
SA releases natural resources blueprint
The South Australian Government has released a new blueprint for managing the state's natural resources.
Burke to determine Alpha's future
The Federal Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke, and the Queensland Deputy Premier, Jeff Seeney, have met for the first time tor resolve their differences over the disputed environmental approval process of the multi-billion dollar Alpha Coal mine.
Low productivity threatens major projects
The Business Council of Australia (BCA) has warned that waning productivity and inflating costs are risking Australia’s unprecedented $921 billion pipeline of major investment in resources, energy and economic infrastructure. New research released by the council shows for the first time just how much capital investment is driving the economy.
Queensland seeks feedback on mine safety
The Queensland Government has announced it is seeking feedback from the resources sector on the proposal to harmonise the state’s mine safety legislation with other states.
Shell confirms Clyde closure
International petroleum giant Shell has confirmed that it will close its Clyde Refinery from the end of September, following an announcement last July that the refinery would be converted into a dedicated fuel terminal.
Two new rail corridors for Queensland coal basins
The Queensland Government has announced two new rail corridors to service new and existing coal mines in the Galilee and Bowen Basins. The east-west corridor will see an expansion of the existing QR National network near Moranbah to the central Galilee Basin and will provide links to coal ports of Abbot Point, Dalrymple Bay and Dudgeon Point.
$54m collaboration on CO2 geological storage
A $54.3 million agreement has been signed between Geoscience Australia, the NSW Minister for Resources and Energy, Chris Hartcher, and the Australian Coal Association to assess potential geological storage opportunities for greenhouse gases in NSW.
IEA predicts bright future for gas
The International Energy Agency has released a new report that predicts China will more than double its current demand for natural gas over the next five years, while the world will experience a 2.7 per cent growth in demand per year.
Australians back skilled immigration, but not foreign investment
A poll conducted by the Lowy Institute has found that the majority of Australians, 62 per cent, support the move to grant 1,715 skilled migrant visas to the Roy Hill iron ore project. However, the vast majority, 81 per cent, is against direct foreign investment.