This Bill proposes to place a moratorium on prospecting for, or the mining, of coal seam gas or other unconventional gas.
This Bill contains provisions that prohibit prospecting or mining of coal seam gas or other unconventional gas until the Minister publishes an order lifting the moratorium. The Minister is only permitted to make such an order if several conditions are met including the Minister being satisfied on reasonable grounds that no part of the area is within a no go zone and that the Standing Expert Advisory Body believes the regulatory framework will be complied with. The Standing Expert Advisory Body is established by the Bill with responsibility for the provision of advice and recommendations to the Minister in connection with matters such as petroleum mining operations, undertaking research and updating risk management tools.
An individual engaging in the prohibited activity will be committing an offence under s 7 of the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991. This bill establishes no go zones for coal seam or other gas extraction, these areas are outlined in Schedule 1 of the Bill. The Bill also affects existing production leases, prohibiting the holder from conducting petroleum mining operations involving drilling or hydraulic fracturing. The Bill may therefore affect native title holders in relation to future acts.
For further information please see the Explanatory Note.