12 May 2026
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), Cotton Australia and Central Downs Irrigators Limited (CDIL) have welcomed several key recommendations from the Primary Industries and Resources Committee’s report following their inquiry into the Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 (the Bill).
During recent Committee hearings QFF, Cotton Australia and CDIL made important recommendations to ensure the Bill did not result in weakened landholder rights and protections for the Condamine Alluvium - one of Queensland’s most important groundwater systems supporting some of our State’s most productive cropping land.
These recommendations included the retention of the Regional Interests Development Approval (RIDA) framework under the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014. The RIDA is a critical, front-end mechanism that ensures impacts on agricultural land, water assets and production are properly considered before development occurs.
Queensland agriculture acknowledges the following recommendations articulated within the Committee report:
The recommendation to amend the Bill to retain the Regional Interests Development Approval process under the Regional Planning Interests Act within the Condamine Alluvium CSG area.
The recommendation the Queensland Government considers allocating additional resources to the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment to facilitate the generation of more granular data about CSG-induced subsidence.
The recommendation that the Queensland Government develop practical guidance materials on evidentiary matters and baseline measurement and monitoring to assist landholders in understanding what is required to establish an evidence base where impacts may occur as a result of CSG activities.
QFF, Cotton Australia and CDIL have appreciated the opportunity to be involved in the committee process and remain committed to working with the Queensland Government on the appropriate implementation of the amended Bill.
It is critical that government work closely with industry to get these important legislative reforms right for the future of high value farming, the regional communities supported by the Alluvium and for future generations.
Read the Committee’s Report here.
Media contact:
Jak Kirwin
General Manager, Marketing and Communications, QFF
E: comms@qff.org.au
M: 0488 305 106