Coal seam gas-induced subsidence

The Queensland Government has passed legislative amendments relating to coal seam gas (CSG)-induced subsidence in the Condamine Alluvium area.

The amendments were made through the Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026 (RPIOLA Act), which amended the Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014 (MERCP Act), the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 (RPI Act) and the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act).

The Act delivers on the Queensland Government commitment to require gas companies to demonstrate beyond any reasonable doubt that new projects would not have a long-term, detrimental impact on the Condamine Alluvium aquifer.

Protecting the Condamine Alluvium

The Condamine Alluvium is a major groundwater system located within the Surat Basin, including areas such as Dalby and Cecil Plains. It supports agricultural activities, communities and environmental values across the region.

Coal seam gas and agricultural activities both occur in the area and interact with the Condamine Alluvium. The amendments clarify regulatory arrangements within existing frameworks to address potential impacts on land and groundwater.

The changes also establish compensation arrangements associated with CSG-induced subsidence impacts within the Condamine Alluvium.

Changes to MERCP Act address CSG-induced subsidence

Amendments have been made to the MERCP Act, which establishes a common framework for the administration of resource authorities, including land access and compensation arrangements.

These amendments apply only to the Condamine Alluvium CSG area and:

• clarify that impacts from CSG-induced subsidence may constitute a compensatable effect
• require CSG resource authority holders to enter a Conduct and Compensation Agreement (CCA) before undertaking directional drilling activities as directional drilling is deemed an advanced activity
• extend eligibility for CSG-induced subsidence compensation to landholders within 5km of a CSG resource authority boundary
• introduce an additional dispute resolution pathway for disputes relating to CSG-induced subsidence compensation, separate from existing CCA processes.

Supporting materials

Additional information has been prepared to support understanding of the amendments and the legislative process, including:

• MERCP changes fact sheet (PDF, 235KB) – an overview of the amendments to the MERCP Act and how they may apply to landholders and resource operators
• Condamine Alluvium CSG Area map (PDF, 384KB) – a map showing the area that the reforms apply to
• Overview of how the subsidence compensation reforms will apply (PDF, 309KB) – includes visuals
• updated Directional drilling factsheet (PDF, 253KB)
• updated A guide to land access in Queensland (PDF, 910KB)
• updated Conduct and compensation agreement standard template (DOCX, 64KB)
• Mental health and wellbeing support information (PDF, 160KB).

More information

Learn more about the amendments to other legislation included in the RPIOLA Act:

• Changes to Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 – Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
• Changes to Environmental Protection Act 1994 – Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation