Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment Bill 2025

Introduced: 26/8/2025By: Hon D Last MPStatus: PASSED
Regional QueenslandEnvironment

Bill Story

The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.

Introduced26 Aug 2025View Hansard
First Reading26 Aug 2025View Hansard
Committee26 Aug 2025View Hansard

Referred to Primary Industries and Resources Committee

Primary Industries and Resources Committeeportfolio
6 members · Chair: Stephen Bennett
Committee Findings
Recommended passage

The Primary Industries and Resources Committee examined the bill and recommended it be passed. The bill amends the Greenhouse Gas Storage Act to enable the conversion and transfer of water supply bores, streamline development approval processes for conversion works, and provide rights of entry to land for decommissioning and rehabilitation activities. The committee considered concerns about the impact on landholders' property rights.

Key findings (4)
  • The bill enables the transfer of ownership of converted water supply bores and streamlines development approval processes
  • The bill provides CTSCo with rights of entry to landowners' properties for decommissioning and conversion works, subject to entry notification requirements
  • The committee considered human rights implications regarding property rights, including the temporary loss of access to land during conversion activities
  • The bill requires CTSCo to obtain signed written consent from landowners before proceeding with conversion and transfer
Recommendations (1)
  • The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
AI-generated summary — may contain errors
Second Reading9 Dec 2025 – 10 Dec 2025View Hansard

That the Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill be now read a second time

Vote on whether to pass the Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill to second reading - passed 52-34 along party lines with LNP and KAP in favour, ALP, Greens and independents opposed

Passed52 ayes – 34 noes2025-12-10

The motion passed.

▸Show individual votes

Ayes (52)

B. James(Liberal National Party)
Baillie(Liberal National Party)
Barounis(Liberal National Party)
Bates(Liberal National Party)
Bennett(Liberal National Party)
Bleijie(Liberal National Party)
Boothman(Liberal National Party)
Camm(Liberal National Party)
Chiesa(Liberal National Party)
Crandon(Liberal National Party)
Crisafulli(Liberal National Party)
Dalton(Liberal National Party)
Dillon(Liberal National Party)
Doolan(Liberal National Party)
Dooley(Liberal National Party)
Field(Liberal National Party)
Frecklington(Liberal National Party)
G. Kelly(Liberal National Party)
Gerber(Liberal National Party)
Head(Liberal National Party)
Hunt
Hutton(Liberal National Party)
Janetzki(Liberal National Party)
Kempton(Liberal National Party)
Kirkland(Liberal National Party)
Krause(Liberal National Party)
Langbroek(Liberal National Party)
Last(Liberal National Party)
Leahy(Liberal National Party)
Lee(Liberal National Party)
Lister(Liberal National Party)
Mander(Liberal National Party)
Marr(Liberal National Party)
McDonald(Liberal National Party)
Mickelberg(Liberal National Party)
Minnikin(Liberal National Party)
Molhoek(Liberal National Party)
Morton(Liberal National Party)
Nicholls(Liberal National Party)
O’Connor(Liberal National Party)
Perrett(Liberal National Party)
Poole(Liberal National Party)
Powell(Liberal National Party)
Purdie(Liberal National Party)
Rowan(Liberal National Party)
Simpson(Liberal National Party)
Stevens(Liberal National Party)
Stoker(Liberal National Party)
T. James(Liberal National Party)
Vorster(Liberal National Party)
Watts(Liberal National Party)
Young(Liberal National Party)

Noes (34)

Asif(Australian Labor Party)
Bailey(Australian Labor Party)
Berkman(Queensland Greens)
Bolton(Independent)
Bourne(Australian Labor Party)
Boyd(Australian Labor Party)
Bush(Australian Labor Party)
Dick(Australian Labor Party)
Enoch(Australian Labor Party)
Farmer(Australian Labor Party)
Fentiman(Australian Labor Party)
Furner(Australian Labor Party)
Grace(Australian Labor Party)
Healy(Australian Labor Party)
Howard(Australian Labor Party)
J. Kelly(Australian Labor Party)
King
Linard(Australian Labor Party)
Martin(Australian Labor Party)
McCallum(Australian Labor Party)
McMillan(Australian Labor Party)
Mellish(Australian Labor Party)
Miles(Australian Labor Party)
Nightingale(Australian Labor Party)
Pease(Australian Labor Party)
Power(Australian Labor Party)
Pugh(Australian Labor Party)
Russo(Australian Labor Party)
Ryan(Australian Labor Party)
Scanlon(Australian Labor Party)
Smith(Australian Labor Party)
Sullivan(Independent)
Whiting(Australian Labor Party)
de Brenni(Australian Labor Party)

That the Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill, as amended, be read a third

Final vote on passing the Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill - passed 53-34

Passed53 ayes – 34 noes2025-12-10

The motion passed.

▸Show individual votes

Ayes (53)

B. James(Liberal National Party)
Baillie(Liberal National Party)
Barounis(Liberal National Party)
Bates(Liberal National Party)
Bennett(Liberal National Party)
Bleijie(Liberal National Party)
Boothman(Liberal National Party)
Camm(Liberal National Party)
Chiesa(Liberal National Party)
Crandon(Liberal National Party)
Crisafulli(Liberal National Party)
Dalton(Liberal National Party)
Dillon(Liberal National Party)
Doolan(Liberal National Party)
Dooley(Liberal National Party)
Field(Liberal National Party)
Frecklington(Liberal National Party)
G. Kelly(Liberal National Party)
Gerber(Liberal National Party)
Head(Liberal National Party)
Hunt
Hutton(Liberal National Party)
Janetzki(Liberal National Party)
Kempton(Liberal National Party)
Kirkland(Liberal National Party)
Knuth(Katter's Australian Party)
Krause(Liberal National Party)
Langbroek(Liberal National Party)
Last(Liberal National Party)
Leahy(Liberal National Party)
Lee(Liberal National Party)
Lister(Liberal National Party)
Mander(Liberal National Party)
Marr(Liberal National Party)
McDonald(Liberal National Party)
Mickelberg(Liberal National Party)
Minnikin(Liberal National Party)
Molhoek(Liberal National Party)
Morton(Liberal National Party)
Nicholls(Liberal National Party)
O’Connor(Liberal National Party)
Perrett(Liberal National Party)
Poole(Liberal National Party)
Powell(Liberal National Party)
Purdie(Liberal National Party)
Rowan(Liberal National Party)
Simpson(Liberal National Party)
Stevens(Liberal National Party)
Stoker(Liberal National Party)
T. James(Liberal National Party)
Vorster(Liberal National Party)
Watts(Liberal National Party)
Young(Liberal National Party)

Noes (34)

Asif(Australian Labor Party)
Bailey(Australian Labor Party)
Berkman(Queensland Greens)
Bolton(Independent)
Bourne(Australian Labor Party)
Boyd(Australian Labor Party)
Bush(Australian Labor Party)
Dick(Australian Labor Party)
Enoch(Australian Labor Party)
Farmer(Australian Labor Party)
Fentiman(Australian Labor Party)
Furner(Australian Labor Party)
Grace(Australian Labor Party)
Healy(Australian Labor Party)
Howard(Australian Labor Party)
J. Kelly(Australian Labor Party)
King
Linard(Australian Labor Party)
Martin(Australian Labor Party)
McCallum(Australian Labor Party)
McMillan(Australian Labor Party)
Mellish(Australian Labor Party)
Miles(Australian Labor Party)
Nightingale(Australian Labor Party)
Pease(Australian Labor Party)
Power(Australian Labor Party)
Pugh(Australian Labor Party)
Russo(Australian Labor Party)
Ryan(Australian Labor Party)
Scanlon(Australian Labor Party)
Smith(Australian Labor Party)
Sullivan(Independent)
Whiting(Australian Labor Party)
de Brenni(Australian Labor Party)

That the long title of the Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill, as amended,

Passed53 ayes – 34 noes2025-12-10

The motion passed.

▸Show individual votes

Ayes (53)

B. James(Liberal National Party)
Baillie(Liberal National Party)
Barounis(Liberal National Party)
Bates(Liberal National Party)
Bennett(Liberal National Party)
Bleijie(Liberal National Party)
Boothman(Liberal National Party)
Camm(Liberal National Party)
Chiesa(Liberal National Party)
Crandon(Liberal National Party)
Crisafulli(Liberal National Party)
Dalton(Liberal National Party)
Dillon(Liberal National Party)
Doolan(Liberal National Party)
Dooley(Liberal National Party)
Field(Liberal National Party)
Frecklington(Liberal National Party)
G. Kelly(Liberal National Party)
Gerber(Liberal National Party)
Head(Liberal National Party)
Hunt
Hutton(Liberal National Party)
Janetzki(Liberal National Party)
Kempton(Liberal National Party)
Kirkland(Liberal National Party)
Knuth(Katter's Australian Party)
Krause(Liberal National Party)
Langbroek(Liberal National Party)
Last(Liberal National Party)
Leahy(Liberal National Party)
Lee(Liberal National Party)
Lister(Liberal National Party)
Mander(Liberal National Party)
Marr(Liberal National Party)
McDonald(Liberal National Party)
Mickelberg(Liberal National Party)
Minnikin(Liberal National Party)
Molhoek(Liberal National Party)
Morton(Liberal National Party)
Nicholls(Liberal National Party)
O’Connor(Liberal National Party)
Perrett(Liberal National Party)
Poole(Liberal National Party)
Powell(Liberal National Party)
Purdie(Liberal National Party)
Rowan(Liberal National Party)
Simpson(Liberal National Party)
Stevens(Liberal National Party)
Stoker(Liberal National Party)
T. James(Liberal National Party)
Vorster(Liberal National Party)
Watts(Liberal National Party)
Young(Liberal National Party)

Noes (34)

Asif(Australian Labor Party)
Bailey(Australian Labor Party)
Berkman(Queensland Greens)
Bolton(Independent)
Bourne(Australian Labor Party)
Boyd(Australian Labor Party)
Bush(Australian Labor Party)
Dick(Australian Labor Party)
Enoch(Australian Labor Party)
Farmer(Australian Labor Party)
Fentiman(Australian Labor Party)
Furner(Australian Labor Party)
Grace(Australian Labor Party)
Healy(Australian Labor Party)
Howard(Australian Labor Party)
J. Kelly(Australian Labor Party)
King
Linard(Australian Labor Party)
Martin(Australian Labor Party)
McCallum(Australian Labor Party)
McMillan(Australian Labor Party)
Mellish(Australian Labor Party)
Miles(Australian Labor Party)
Nightingale(Australian Labor Party)
Pease(Australian Labor Party)
Power(Australian Labor Party)
Pugh(Australian Labor Party)
Russo(Australian Labor Party)
Ryan(Australian Labor Party)
Scanlon(Australian Labor Party)
Smith(Australian Labor Party)
Sullivan(Independent)
Whiting(Australian Labor Party)
de Brenni(Australian Labor Party)
▸1 procedural vote

Vote to grant leave

Passed53 ayes – 34 noes2025-12-10

Permission was granted.

A vote on whether to grant permission — for example, to introduce an amendment or vary normal procedure.

▸Show individual votes

Ayes (53)

B. James(Liberal National Party)
Baillie(Liberal National Party)
Barounis(Liberal National Party)
Bates(Liberal National Party)
Bennett(Liberal National Party)
Bleijie(Liberal National Party)
Boothman(Liberal National Party)
Camm(Liberal National Party)
Chiesa(Liberal National Party)
Crandon(Liberal National Party)
Crisafulli(Liberal National Party)
Dalton(Liberal National Party)
Dillon(Liberal National Party)
Doolan(Liberal National Party)
Dooley(Liberal National Party)
Field(Liberal National Party)
Frecklington(Liberal National Party)
G. Kelly(Liberal National Party)
Gerber(Liberal National Party)
Head(Liberal National Party)
Hunt
Hutton(Liberal National Party)
Janetzki(Liberal National Party)
Kempton(Liberal National Party)
Kirkland(Liberal National Party)
Knuth(Katter's Australian Party)
Krause(Liberal National Party)
Langbroek(Liberal National Party)
Last(Liberal National Party)
Leahy(Liberal National Party)
Lee(Liberal National Party)
Lister(Liberal National Party)
Mander(Liberal National Party)
Marr(Liberal National Party)
McDonald(Liberal National Party)
Mickelberg(Liberal National Party)
Minnikin(Liberal National Party)
Molhoek(Liberal National Party)
Morton(Liberal National Party)
Nicholls(Liberal National Party)
O’Connor(Liberal National Party)
Perrett(Liberal National Party)
Poole(Liberal National Party)
Powell(Liberal National Party)
Purdie(Liberal National Party)
Rowan(Liberal National Party)
Simpson(Liberal National Party)
Stevens(Liberal National Party)
Stoker(Liberal National Party)
T. James(Liberal National Party)
Vorster(Liberal National Party)
Watts(Liberal National Party)
Young(Liberal National Party)

Noes (34)

Asif(Australian Labor Party)
Bailey(Australian Labor Party)
Berkman(Queensland Greens)
Bolton(Independent)
Bourne(Australian Labor Party)
Boyd(Australian Labor Party)
Bush(Australian Labor Party)
Dick(Australian Labor Party)
Enoch(Australian Labor Party)
Farmer(Australian Labor Party)
Fentiman(Australian Labor Party)
Furner(Australian Labor Party)
Grace(Australian Labor Party)
Healy(Australian Labor Party)
Howard(Australian Labor Party)
J. Kelly(Australian Labor Party)
King
Linard(Australian Labor Party)
Martin(Australian Labor Party)
McCallum(Australian Labor Party)
McMillan(Australian Labor Party)
Mellish(Australian Labor Party)
Miles(Australian Labor Party)
Nightingale(Australian Labor Party)
Pease(Australian Labor Party)
Power(Australian Labor Party)
Pugh(Australian Labor Party)
Russo(Australian Labor Party)
Ryan(Australian Labor Party)
Scanlon(Australian Labor Party)
Smith(Australian Labor Party)
Sullivan(Independent)
Whiting(Australian Labor Party)
de Brenni(Australian Labor Party)
4.23 pmMr BENNETTSupports

Supported the bill to allow former EPQ10 wells to be converted into water bores for agricultural use, providing practical benefits to landholders.

“This reform presents a practical and constructive solution to transform legacy infrastructure into a long-term asset for landholders.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
5.03 pmMr DALTONSupports

Supported both bills for protecting regional water resources and delivering a realistic, market-led energy policy.

“This bill sets out a strong framework: wells may be converted or plugged depending on suitability.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
7.42 pmMr G KELLYSupports

Supported both bills for backing agriculture, delivering a practical energy plan that reduces costs by $26 billion, and maintaining coal-fired baseload power.

“Coal-fired power keeps the lights on in Queensland. Coal provides the baseload stability.”— 2025-12-10View Hansard
In Detail10 Dec 2025View Hansard
Amendment

That the Treasurer’s amendments be agreed to

Passed53 ayes – 34 noes2025-12-10

The motion passed.

▸Show individual votes

Ayes (53)

B. James(Liberal National Party)
Baillie(Liberal National Party)
Barounis(Liberal National Party)
Bates(Liberal National Party)
Bennett(Liberal National Party)
Bleijie(Liberal National Party)
Boothman(Liberal National Party)
Camm(Liberal National Party)
Chiesa(Liberal National Party)
Crandon(Liberal National Party)
Crisafulli(Liberal National Party)
Dalton(Liberal National Party)
Dillon(Liberal National Party)
Doolan(Liberal National Party)
Dooley(Liberal National Party)
Field(Liberal National Party)
Frecklington(Liberal National Party)
G. Kelly(Liberal National Party)
Gerber(Liberal National Party)
Head(Liberal National Party)
Hunt
Hutton(Liberal National Party)
Janetzki(Liberal National Party)
Kempton(Liberal National Party)
Kirkland(Liberal National Party)
Knuth(Katter's Australian Party)
Krause(Liberal National Party)
Langbroek(Liberal National Party)
Last(Liberal National Party)
Leahy(Liberal National Party)
Lee(Liberal National Party)
Lister(Liberal National Party)
Mander(Liberal National Party)
Marr(Liberal National Party)
McDonald(Liberal National Party)
Mickelberg(Liberal National Party)
Minnikin(Liberal National Party)
Molhoek(Liberal National Party)
Morton(Liberal National Party)
Nicholls(Liberal National Party)
O’Connor(Liberal National Party)
Perrett(Liberal National Party)
Poole(Liberal National Party)
Powell(Liberal National Party)
Purdie(Liberal National Party)
Rowan(Liberal National Party)
Simpson(Liberal National Party)
Stevens(Liberal National Party)
Stoker(Liberal National Party)
T. James(Liberal National Party)
Vorster(Liberal National Party)
Watts(Liberal National Party)
Young(Liberal National Party)

Noes (34)

Asif(Australian Labor Party)
Bailey(Australian Labor Party)
Berkman(Queensland Greens)
Bolton(Independent)
Bourne(Australian Labor Party)
Boyd(Australian Labor Party)
Bush(Australian Labor Party)
Dick(Australian Labor Party)
Enoch(Australian Labor Party)
Farmer(Australian Labor Party)
Fentiman(Australian Labor Party)
Furner(Australian Labor Party)
Grace(Australian Labor Party)
Healy(Australian Labor Party)
Howard(Australian Labor Party)
J. Kelly(Australian Labor Party)
King
Linard(Australian Labor Party)
Martin(Australian Labor Party)
McCallum(Australian Labor Party)
McMillan(Australian Labor Party)
Mellish(Australian Labor Party)
Miles(Australian Labor Party)
Nightingale(Australian Labor Party)
Pease(Australian Labor Party)
Power(Australian Labor Party)
Pugh(Australian Labor Party)
Russo(Australian Labor Party)
Ryan(Australian Labor Party)
Scanlon(Australian Labor Party)
Smith(Australian Labor Party)
Sullivan(Independent)
Whiting(Australian Labor Party)
de Brenni(Australian Labor Party)
Amendment

That the amendment be agreed to

Passed53 ayes – 32 noes2025-12-10

The motion passed.

▸Show individual votes

Ayes (53)

B. James(Liberal National Party)
Baillie(Liberal National Party)
Barounis(Liberal National Party)
Bates(Liberal National Party)
Bennett(Liberal National Party)
Berkman(Queensland Greens)
Bleijie(Liberal National Party)
Bolton(Independent)
Boothman(Liberal National Party)
Camm(Liberal National Party)
Chiesa(Liberal National Party)
Crandon(Liberal National Party)
Crisafulli(Liberal National Party)
Dalton(Liberal National Party)
Dillon(Liberal National Party)
Doolan(Liberal National Party)
Dooley(Liberal National Party)
Field(Liberal National Party)
Frecklington(Liberal National Party)
G. Kelly(Liberal National Party)
Gerber(Liberal National Party)
Head(Liberal National Party)
Hunt
Hutton(Liberal National Party)
Janetzki(Liberal National Party)
Kempton(Liberal National Party)
Kirkland(Liberal National Party)
Knuth(Katter's Australian Party)
Krause(Liberal National Party)
Langbroek(Liberal National Party)
Last(Liberal National Party)
Leahy(Liberal National Party)
Lee(Liberal National Party)
Lister(Liberal National Party)
Mander(Liberal National Party)
Marr(Liberal National Party)
McDonald(Liberal National Party)
Mickelberg(Liberal National Party)
Minnikin(Liberal National Party)
Molhoek(Liberal National Party)
Morton(Liberal National Party)
Nicholls(Liberal National Party)
O’Connor(Liberal National Party)
Perrett(Liberal National Party)
Poole(Liberal National Party)
Powell(Liberal National Party)
Purdie(Liberal National Party)
Rowan(Liberal National Party)
Simpson(Liberal National Party)
Stevens(Liberal National Party)
Stoker(Liberal National Party)
Sullivan(Independent)
T. James(Liberal National Party)
Vorster(Liberal National Party)
Watts(Liberal National Party)
Young(Liberal National Party)

Noes (32)

Asif(Australian Labor Party)
Bailey(Australian Labor Party)
Bourne(Australian Labor Party)
Boyd(Australian Labor Party)
Bush(Australian Labor Party)
Dick(Australian Labor Party)
Enoch(Australian Labor Party)
Farmer(Australian Labor Party)
Fentiman(Australian Labor Party)
Furner(Australian Labor Party)
Grace(Australian Labor Party)
Healy(Australian Labor Party)
Howard(Australian Labor Party)
J. Kelly(Australian Labor Party)
King
Linard(Australian Labor Party)
Martin(Australian Labor Party)
McCallum(Australian Labor Party)
McMillan(Australian Labor Party)
Mellish(Australian Labor Party)
Miles(Australian Labor Party)
Mullen(Australian Labor Party)
Nightingale(Australian Labor Party)
Pease(Australian Labor Party)
Power(Australian Labor Party)
Pugh(Australian Labor Party)
Russo(Australian Labor Party)
Ryan(Australian Labor Party)
Scanlon(Australian Labor Party)
Smith(Australian Labor Party)
Whiting(Australian Labor Party)
de Brenni(Australian Labor Party)
▸1 clause vote (all passed)

That clauses 1 to 73 and schedule 1, as amended, stand part of the bill

Vote on clauses of Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill as amended - passed 53-34

Passed53 ayes – 34 noes2025-12-10

The motion passed.

▸Show individual votes

Ayes (53)

B. James(Liberal National Party)
Baillie(Liberal National Party)
Barounis(Liberal National Party)
Bates(Liberal National Party)
Bennett(Liberal National Party)
Bleijie(Liberal National Party)
Boothman(Liberal National Party)
Camm(Liberal National Party)
Chiesa(Liberal National Party)
Crandon(Liberal National Party)
Crisafulli(Liberal National Party)
Dalton(Liberal National Party)
Dillon(Liberal National Party)
Doolan(Liberal National Party)
Dooley(Liberal National Party)
Field(Liberal National Party)
Frecklington(Liberal National Party)
G. Kelly(Liberal National Party)
Gerber(Liberal National Party)
Head(Liberal National Party)
Hunt
Hutton(Liberal National Party)
Janetzki(Liberal National Party)
Kempton(Liberal National Party)
Kirkland(Liberal National Party)
Knuth(Katter's Australian Party)
Krause(Liberal National Party)
Langbroek(Liberal National Party)
Last(Liberal National Party)
Leahy(Liberal National Party)
Lee(Liberal National Party)
Lister(Liberal National Party)
Mander(Liberal National Party)
Marr(Liberal National Party)
McDonald(Liberal National Party)
Mickelberg(Liberal National Party)
Minnikin(Liberal National Party)
Molhoek(Liberal National Party)
Morton(Liberal National Party)
Nicholls(Liberal National Party)
O’Connor(Liberal National Party)
Perrett(Liberal National Party)
Poole(Liberal National Party)
Powell(Liberal National Party)
Purdie(Liberal National Party)
Rowan(Liberal National Party)
Simpson(Liberal National Party)
Stevens(Liberal National Party)
Stoker(Liberal National Party)
T. James(Liberal National Party)
Vorster(Liberal National Party)
Watts(Liberal National Party)
Young(Liberal National Party)

Noes (34)

Asif(Australian Labor Party)
Bailey(Australian Labor Party)
Berkman(Queensland Greens)
Bolton(Independent)
Bourne(Australian Labor Party)
Boyd(Australian Labor Party)
Bush(Australian Labor Party)
Dick(Australian Labor Party)
Enoch(Australian Labor Party)
Farmer(Australian Labor Party)
Fentiman(Australian Labor Party)
Furner(Australian Labor Party)
Grace(Australian Labor Party)
Healy(Australian Labor Party)
Howard(Australian Labor Party)
J. Kelly(Australian Labor Party)
King
Linard(Australian Labor Party)
Martin(Australian Labor Party)
McCallum(Australian Labor Party)
McMillan(Australian Labor Party)
Mellish(Australian Labor Party)
Miles(Australian Labor Party)
Nightingale(Australian Labor Party)
Pease(Australian Labor Party)
Power(Australian Labor Party)
Pugh(Australian Labor Party)
Russo(Australian Labor Party)
Ryan(Australian Labor Party)
Scanlon(Australian Labor Party)
Smith(Australian Labor Party)
Sullivan(Independent)
Whiting(Australian Labor Party)
de Brenni(Australian Labor Party)
Third Reading10 Dec 2025View Hansard
Became Act 31 of 202519 Dec 2025
This summary was generated by AI and has not yet been reviewed by a human.

Plain English Summary

Overview

This bill allows disused greenhouse gas exploration wells to be converted into water supply bores and given to rural landholders for free. After Queensland banned carbon storage in the Great Artesian Basin in 2024, the company CTSCo was left with wells that would normally be plugged and abandoned - this bill instead lets them be repurposed as a useful water resource for farming.

Who it affects

Landholders on the former EPQ10 exploration area near Roma can receive free water bores with automatic licensing for stock watering, while CTSCo gets a practical way to meet its decommissioning obligations.

Key changes

  • CTSCo can convert GHG wells into water supply bores instead of plugging and abandoning them
  • Converted bores transfer to landholders for free, with automatic water licences for stock purposes
  • Development approval requirements are waived - conversion works are classified as 'accepted development'
  • Licensed water bore drillers must certify conversions meet construction standards
  • Transitional regulation-making power expires on 18 June 2029

Referenced Entities

Legislation

Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024Water Act 2000Water Plan (Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers) 2017Planning Act 2016Environmental Protection Act 1994Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011Legislative Standards Act 1992Water Regulation 2016Greenhouse Gas Storage Regulation 2021

Organisations

Carbon Transport and Storage Corporation (CTSCo)Resources Safety and Health QueenslandDepartment of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural DevelopmentDepartment of Local Government, Water and VolunteersDepartment of the Premier and CabinetDepartment of Primary IndustriesDepartment of the Environment, Tourism, Science and InnovationDepartment of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning

Places

Great Artesian BasinEPQ10 exploration area

Roles & Offices

Water Act regulatorlicensed water bore driller (class 3)

Industries

carbon capture and storagewater supplypastoral agriculture

Source Documents