April 20, 2012
Kinbombi grazier John Cotter has been appointed to head up the State Government’s new Gasfields Commission which has been established “to restore Queensland’s confidence in the CSG industry”.
Deputy Premier and Member for Callide Jeff Seeney said yesterday the Toowoomba-based Commission would work with the State Government to ensure the CSG industry struck the right balance to meet the interests of landholders, local community groups and the environment.
Mr Cotter, a former AgForce president, will chair the Commission which will also have six commissioners appointed to represent the community.
“The Queensland Government fully supports the CSG industry but it must live up to the world’s best practice and work with the community, landholders and the Government to achieve the best outcomes for the state,” Mr Seeney said.
“The Gasfields Commission will be established to restore confidence in the CSG industry and meet the needs of the communities involved with and affected by CSG growth in Queensland.”
Mr Seeney said the government would seek expressions of interest over the next 30 days for the nomination of the commissioners and hoped to have the Gasfields Commission up and running in three months.
“The Commission will be based in Toowoomba so it will be in close contact with the communities involved and Chairman John Cotter will also be out on the ground meeting with local landholders and industry representatives and listening to their concerns,” he said.
Mr Seeney said the Commission would also engage with the newly established Gasfields Community Leader’s Council which is made up of representatives from local government, the CSG industry and landholder groups.
Mr Cotter is a fourth generation cattle producer. Kinbombi Station produces premium MSA-graded beef which is sold through the family’s butcher shop in Murgon and online
