Access regulations for the Petroleum Act

Petroleum Act will come into force on 1 January 2021

The implementation of land access regulations for the Petroleum Act must be the catalyst for requiring the mining sector to operate in a similar manner, this is the position the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association chief executive officer: Ashley Manicaros in conjunction with advisor Emanate Legal: Barry Taylor have taken.

The Northern Territory Government announced the Petroleum Regulations 2020 applying to the Petroleum Act will come into force on 1 January 2021.

The Petroleum Regulations 2020 provides a new land access framework that ensures no land access without a land access agreement, thus correcting an imbalance of power identified by Justice Rachel Pepper during the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing.

Mr Manicaros said now is the time for change because the NT government is currently reviewing the approval process for mine management plans to bring them into line with the Petroleum Act.

He said now is the obvious time to also develop land access agreement regulations for the mining and minerals sector.

The pastoral industry is worth more than $1 billion and employs more than 10,000 people “Pastoralists want to be able to operate their businesses with the least amount of disruption,” he said. “Having a set of regulations enshrined in legislation gives both parties genuine certainty.”

“Having voluntary codes of conduct or industry handshake agreements don’t offer the same level of certainty for any company planning on spending money whether that is a pastoralist or a mining company.”

The Petroleum Regulations 2020 and associated land access framework will come into force on 1 January 2021.

The pastoral industry is worth more than $1 billion and employs more than 10,000

To discuss with an expert for legal advice, you can arrange a meeting with Barry Taylor or any other member of the Emanate Legal team in Brisbane, Roma or Townsville by calling +61 (07) 4727 0100 or emailing info@emanatelegal.com.au