Managing coal seam gas activities

Tabled Report 12: 2019–20

Tabled date

2020-02-18

Report year

2019-20

Environmental protection Natural resources Regions

Entities audited

Not identified in the published HTML audit scope.

Recommendations

1. QAO's text Addressed to: the two entities

   make better use of their data to effectively deliver regulatory outcomes (Chapter 1), by:

   • collecting and analysing data from across the regulators and the industry to identify current and emerging coal seam gas risks, trends and priorities
   • using insights from the data analysis to inform their compliance planning and engagement across all areas of the departments
   • training and supporting staff in further analysis and use of data to better target compliance activities
   • improving their reporting to develop a collective understanding of industry compliance and regulatory outcomes

2. QAO's text Addressed to: the two entities

   enhance coordination between the departments to assist in providing greater clarity for applicants and stakeholders on the progress of tenure and environmental authority applications (Chapter 1).

3. QAO's text Addressed to: the three entities

   develop and implement a coordinated data sharing framework for sharing information relating to their regulatory activities (Chapter 1)

   This should include:

   • establishing systems and processes (and automation, to the extent possible) to improve their ability to use the data
   • agreeing on data requirements and a common identifier for coal seam gas related activities to better facilitate the exchange of information between the entities.

4. QAO's text Addressed to: the three entities

   work with key stakeholders to further evaluate the adequacy of remedy for property owners neighbouring coal seam gas activities (Chapter 1)

5. QAO's text Addressed to: the three entities

   evaluate their current collaborative engagement approach to determine its effectiveness and how they can better address the needs and concerns of stakeholders (Chapter 2)

6. QAO's text Addressed to: facilitate ways to further enhance the exchange of information between industry, government and landholders in situations where landholders have not been given the information to make an informed decision. This

   facilitate ways to further enhance the exchange of information between industry, government and landholders in situations where landholders have not been given the information to make an informed decision. This should consider potential legislative changes and commercial-in-confidence constraints (Chapter 2).

7. QAO's text Addressed to: the department

   publishes the weighting and any mandatory criteria used for assessing or excluding tender applications (Chapter 1).

8. QAO's text Addressed to: reviews the assessment process identified under the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 to determine whether the process adequately manages coal seam gas activities in areas of regional interest. This

   reviews the assessment process identified under the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 to determine whether the process adequately manages coal seam gas activities in areas of regional interest. This should take into consideration stakeholders’ concerns about inconsistent definitions of land and exceptions to the assessment process (Chapter 1). 

9. QAO's text Addressed to: the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning

   determines the scope, future function and role of the GasFields Commission Queensland, taking into consideration industry maturity and consultation with the commission, regulators and industry (Chapter 2).

Authoritative report — Queensland Audit Office

Report PDF on QAO