Nationals take a stance on CSG

The federal National Party has adopted a set of principles for the development of the coal seam gas industry in Australia and leader Warren Truss has been out on the hustings selling the plan.

"Managed properly, coal seam gas has the potential to revitalise parts of regional Australia, delivering a new economic boom. Poorly managed, it could become an environmental and social disaster," Mr Truss said.

He said apart from having approvals and permits from state and federal government authorities, mining companies need to have a "social licence" from the community.

"They have to earn that by being good corporate citizens, every day, to win the community's support," he said. "In some places where developments have progressed there is a legacy of community disquiet... If they are not getting a fair deal, then the community will not support the industry. The community has got to be better off from having the development in the region, otherwise they will continue to resist."

He said the CSG industry had an expected life of around 35 years whereas the need to grow food and fibre would always be there.

"When they leave there has to be a lasting legacy to the whole community, not stumps from dongers and degraded roads... Farmers should be entitled to more than compensation (for mining companies using their land), they should be entitled to part of the revenue stream and the community as a whole should be entitled to a share of the wealth too... Unless regional communities are engaged as partners, and have something to gain in the development of the coal seam gas industry, they will not support it."

Independent MP Tony Windsor has introduced a private members bill to strengthen Commonwealth powers in relation to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC), but Mr Truss thinks it goes too far.

"The proposed changes are too broad in scope and likely to impose yet more red tape and bureaucracy on landowners... There would be all of these green police watching over farmers' shoulders," he said.

Mr Truss conceded that the Nationals' plan was a bit toothless as many of the areas of responsibility are state powers. But he said there had been some good laws put in place by the Queensland Government protecting identified prime agricultural land and prohibiting developments from within a two-kilometre range of residential areas of over 1000 people.

The Nationals will now put out a discussion paper to flesh out how they can achieve their stated principles.

"For regional Australians we recognise that coal seam gas poses opportunities and risks. We must ensure the benefits of this emerging boom protect the environment. That means balancing the needs of mining companies, landowners and communities," he said.

The Nationals' stated principals are;

No coal seam gas development should proceed where it poses a significant impact to the quality of groundwater or surface water systems. It must be absolutely clear that no coal seam gas development should occur unless it is proven safe for the environment.

Prime agricultural land is an increasingly important natural asset. It must be protected from activities that destroy its capacity to deliver food security - not only for our nation, but for a hungrier world, for generations to come.

Coal seam gas development must not occur close to existing residential areas. People who have bought a home, with a reasonable expectation of being away from mining operations, must not be thrown into turmoil coal seam gas operations springing up on their doorstep.

Landowners are entitled to appropriate pecuniary returns sourced by reason of access to their land. Remuneration for landowners should not be limited to compensation.

The regions that deliver much of the wealth from coal seam gas developments deserve to see a fair share of generated revenues reinvested in their communities. This is an opportunity to grow our nation and encourage a lasting legacy from coal seam gas developments.