Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

Overview

This bill protects the Condamine Alluvium, a large underground water aquifer in southern Queensland's Darling Downs, from potential harm caused by coal seam gas (CSG) extraction. It introduces mandatory water quality conditions for new CSG wells, expands landholder compensation rights for ground subsidence, and requires gas companies to get landholder agreement before drilling directional wells.

Who it affects

Farmers and landholders in the Condamine Alluvium area gain stronger protections and compensation rights, while CSG companies face new requirements for water quality, landholder agreements, and expanded subsidence liability.

Key changes

• New CSG wells in the Condamine Alluvium must not contaminate the aquifer's water quality, with breaches treated as offences under the Environmental Protection Act
• Landholders can claim compensation for CSG-induced ground subsidence that affects their farming, even if they are up to 5 km outside the gas company's tenement
• Gas companies must obtain a landholder's agreement before drilling directional (non-vertical) wells under their land
• The separate regional interests development approval (RIDA) for CSG is removed, with assessment now handled through the environmental authority process
• Existing approved wells and pending applications are grandfathered and not affected by the new water quality condition