Dr Anthony Lynham
September 14, 2018
Landholders and mining companies have a new avenue to resolve disputes with the appointment of Queensland’s first Land Access Ombudsman.
Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the LAO office would provide a faster, free alternative to legal action for industry and landholders.
“Ms Jane Pires is currently the Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland with extensive experience as a dispute resolution specialist,” Dr Lynham said.
“She will bring these highly transferrable skills to the role of the Land Access Ombudsman.
“Ms Pires has a proven track record in resolving complex complaints – helping more than 10,200 Queenslanders work through issues with their electricity or water providers during 2017-18.
“There are more than 5700 conduct and compensation agreements in place in the petroleum and gas sector alone, with more than $387 million paid in compensation to landholders as at 30 June last year.”
The Land Access Ombudsman will:
- Provide a free alternative to legal action for landholders and resource companies who have a land access dispute
- Facilitate the resolution of referred disputes that are within its jurisdiction
- Give advice to the parties and make non-binding recommendations as to how a dispute could be resolved
- Refer potential breaches by companies to appropriate government departments for investigation
- Identify and advise government on systemic land access issues
- Promote public awareness of the Ombudsman’s functions
