Queensland gas companies have now signed more than 2600 access agreements with landholders according to quarterly data released by the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) today.
APPEA Chief Operating Officer Eastern Region, Rick Wilkinson , told the Brisbane Mining Club that gas companies have also contributed $70 million to regional communities from funding for rescue helicopter services to new equipment for hospitals.
Mr Wilkinson said: “ Farming and gas extraction can co-exist through responsible cooperation that protects the environment . “W e are seeing extraordinary economic growth in Queensland where all stakeholders are binding together to support an industry that, in return, is providing so much benefit to regional areas .”
A recent ACIL Tasman report into the economic significance of coal seam gas in Queensland found the industry would increase Gross State Product by half a trillion dollars in coming decades, boosting employment, wages and the state’s reputation as an economic powerhouse.
Mr Wilkinson said NSW, on the other hand, has seen little gas activity this year. National Account figures for the March 2012 quarter show Western Australia recorded a growth rate of 13.6% over the last 12 months, Queensland’s growth rate was 7.8% yet NSW only grew by 2.1%.
“ The gas industry has the potential to be an economic game changer in NSW and we are looking forward to the release of the state’s Strategic Regional Land Use Plan to provide greater certainty for industry, landholders and communities alike .”
“ The appointment of a land and water commissioner, announced by the NSW Government last weekend, is an opportunity to ensure the industry’s benefits are delivered to local communities and that the challenges raised by the industry’s growth, are addressed .”
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LNG World News Staff, June 28, 2012