Coal seam gas law changes would ‘weaken’ farmland protections, green groups say

The Environmental Defenders Office says proposed legal changes will ‘water down’ protections against subsidence caused by gas wells

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Environmental groups and farmers have criticised proposed amendments to Queensland’s planning laws that they say will make the regulation of coal seam gas “even weaker” and “abandon responsibility” for sinking farmland.

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) and Lock the Gate made the comments in a joint submission in response to draft amendments to two key pieces of state legislation regulating the management of CSG-induced subsidence – when the extraction of gas underground causes the ground above to sink.

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