THE Federal National Party have launched a “blueprint” to tackle the growing challenge of balancing coal seam gas mining with the long-term viability of agriculture and food production on prime farmland in Australia.
Launched by Federal Nationals leader Warren Truss after its principles were finalised at a party meeting in Cooma last week, the Nationals plan looks at taking strategic approach to the rapidly emerging CSG mining problem.
Mr Truss said CSG development requires a comprehensive policy approach that addresses the industry’s environmental, community and economic impacts.
He said the principles decided by his party adopt a measured, rational and balanced approach to the industry and its management.
The Nationals say that if managed properly, CSG has the potential to revitalise parts of regional Australia, delivering a new economic boom.
But poorly managed, it could become an “environmental and social disaster”.
The Nationals’ approach to the development of Australia’s CSG as resources is based on five core principles.
The first is that no CSG 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 CSG development should occur unless it is proven safe for the environment,” Mr Truss said.
Secondly, the Nationals say prime agricultural land is an increasingly important natural asset and 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.
Thirdly, CSG 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,” Mr Truss said.
The fourth principle is that 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 final one is that regions that deliver much of the wealth from CSG 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 CSG developments,” Mr Truss said.
In the near future, the Nationals are also planning to launch a discussion paper on specific policy options to achieve these core principles.
Mr Truss said political differences must be put aside to ensure that regional Australia gets the best deal from CSG and our environment is properly protected.
But he said The Nationals were concerned by an independent push to amend the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBCA), with proposed changes being too broad in scope and likely to impose yet more red tape and bureaucracy on landowners.
“The Nationals agree that new bio-regional studies will inform part of the response to managing the CSG industry, but right now a more comprehensive policy approach is essential,” he said.
“There is no doubt that the environment must be protected, but so do the economic development imperatives of regional Australia and the legitimate rights of landowners.
“Unless regional communities are engaged as partners and have something to gain, in the development of the CSG industry, they will not support it – let alone on their land.
“Without winning widespread support from regional communities, CSG development will not occur.
“The need to earn a social licence is a reality the CSG industry and governments must come to grips with.”
Mr Truss said State governments have primary responsibility for the approval and supervision of the CSG industry and The Nationals recognise the role and efforts of State governments in dealing with this issue.
However, he said the stakes are “so high” for regional Australia that Federal leadership is demanded – something the Gillard government has lacked.
But Australian Greens mining spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters said the bush deserved better than a discussion paper on coal seam gas, in slamming the Nationals’ plan.
“The Nationals are playing catch-up, but they're still far too slow to protect our water and our food security from CSG,” Senator Waters said.
"The bush, the city and the Greens are on a unity ticket to protect water and food security from coal seam gas mining.
“The Nationals no longer represent the bush on CSG, and Tony Abbott has more positions on CSG than appearances in speedos.
“Is this a Coalition position, or is this just a desperate grab for relevance by the Nationals in the lead-up to the QLD State election?”
Senator Waters urged the Nationals to vote for her two coal seam gas bills, which give farmers the right to lock the gate against CSG and allow the federal Environment Minister to consider the impacts of CSG on water.
The Greens Bill gives the federal Government power to consider the impact on Australia’s water resources during the assessment and approval of any mining activity, by adding a ‘water trigger’ to the EPBCA.
Meanwhile, National Farmers Federation president, Jock Laurie, has moved to clarify speculation NFF did not support Independent MP Tony Windsor’s CSG legislation, which centres on protecting farmers’ rights, through the EPBCA.
Mr Laurie said NFF members expressed concerns at a members’ council meeting last week, about potential precedents for agriculture that may arise from using the Federal legislation as a means of tackling the mining industry’s approach to land management.
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