A MINISTERIAL visit to gas operations in the Surat Basin was a well-timed venture on Wednesday when state MPs toured sites near Roma.
Stephen Bennett from Burnett, Rob Molhoek from Southport and Dale Last from Burdekin joined local member Ann Leahy for a tour of Santos and Senex sites to learn about the industry's environmental practices and relationship with the region.
Mr Bennett said he would be going homeback to his electorate armed with facts to start conversations about prospecting.
"We're having conversations around what extraction industries might look like around the Bundaberg/Wide Bay area,” he said.
"I've been out to Roma a couple of times with a number of different stakeholders, some for and some against, but again For me it was about making sure that when we are lobbied or are having conversations, not only in our electorates, but as members of a state team that we are fully attuned to the facts about extraction industries.”
The MPs commended industry efforts and Ms Leahy highlighted improvements in coexistence of the industries.
"I deal with gas every day with four major companies across the electorate, plus the smaller companies getting tenders in Surat and out towards Quilpie.
"Sometimes we get stuck in our own little bubble and we're talking our own gas language, so it's good to come out and see the scale of this and the investment that the industry has bought to our region,” she said.
"Oil and gas has been happening for around 100 years out in the Cooper Basin near Quilpie, but we've got to get it right.
"We have this very open and encompassing approach to work with the people there because we know that agriculture will be there for hundreds of years to come.
"We know the gas is there and can be utilised for the next few decades but we have to make sure we look after agriculture because it will be there after gas as well.
"As legislators we need to be listening to both sides of the story and I think that's one of the things I've said is that 'yes, we talk to the gas companies but we also talk to the land owners as well'.”
"Not only is it environmental, but it's economic.
"We drive around Roma and we see success, we see vibrancy, we see sustainable businesses operating, but more importantly the employment and the gross domestic product that is coming out of this industry.
"For me it's about getting all the facts and being able to have informed and mature conversations with all stakeholders from a point of truth.”
Mr Molhoek commented on how the gas industry had changed and grown in recent years.
"It was pleasing to see some of the practices in place now are a result of the work we did to put in legislation,” he said.”
"There are still challenges, there is still some conflict between farmers and miners, so to speak, but it has come a long way and the general impression I've gotten is that people are a lot more comfortable with [mining].
"It's been good to see the coal seam gas companies actually taking a much more responsible stance when it comes to the environment.”
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