Peak farm group AgForce welcomes a state government investigation into complaints from Darling Downs landholders that the Qld Gas Company (QGC) issued “notice of entry” letters in areas where it didn’t have mining exploration authority.

The letters, issued to 14 landholders in the Condamine district, requested access to properties to conduct driving or walking inspections. Notice of Entry letters are often the first time a property owner knows a company has rights in the area.

AgForce CEO Robert Walker said QGC’s blunder is symptomatic of the entire CSG process where gas companies are impinging on people’s lives without regard to the emotional impacts.

“We constantly hear of CSG companies issuing notices in the wrong format, providing false or misleading information and now they are issuing notices on land where they hold no tenure,” Mr Walker said.

“They are out there telling people they care, telling communities that they are good citizens and painting a picture that is often far from the truth.”

Mr Walker said QGC’s admission that it “made administrative mistakes” is even more embarrassing in the week the gas industry launched a glitzy campaign to improve its’ public image.

“The CSG industry has to get its house in order before trying to extol its virtues through a myopic and somewhat naïve advertising campaign,” Mr Walker said.

AgForce will watch the Department of Environment and Resource Management investigation into QGC’s activities with interest.