AgForce policy director Drew Wagner said appointee Kay Gardiner must recognise the impacts of coal seam gas extraction on agricultural land and underground water as she takes on the challenge of managing supply and developing the market for the end product, LNG.

"As Queensland Gas Commissioner, Ms Gardiner has been charged with an annual review of the LNG industry to inform decision-making about security of supply issues, identify ways to better manage gas resources and examine ways to increase competition in the market," Mr Wagner said.

"The marketplace has a right to demand environmental accountability from any industry so sustainable production methods must be integral market development. If Queensland’s LNG is to be marketable, it must be produced through a responsible gas extraction and development process.

"The gas industry may contribute to the economy and create jobs but, unlike agriculture, it is a finite resource. It is unacceptable for any industry to have such a negative impact on the productivity of another industry – let alone the dire consequences on underground water and food production."

AgForce wants the government to demonstrate their accountability to the environment, food production and the community by:

· Appointing hydrologists to ensure the science behind gas extraction and the long-term impacts on the underground aquifer and salinity levels are understood and eliminated;

· Finalising the outcome for the proposed land access legislation so resource companies and landowners know their rights and responsibilities; and

· Securing a commitment from gas companies to keep landholders adequately informed through open and honest face-to-face discussions.