Latest news with #DaleLast
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Environmentalists condemn ‘devastating' move to open nine new gas exploration areas in Queensland
The Queensland government has opened nine new areas for gas exploration across 16,000 sq kilometres in a step environmentalists say will only worsen the climate crisis. The state's natural resources minister, Dale Last, said the move would make Queensland more attractive for gas industry investment and would help bring down gas prices and ease the supply pressures on the east coast. The government said it was also starting a three-month review into the way exploration areas were identified and then released for tender, to make the process more efficient. Opened up for tender from tomorrow will be nine areas across the Cooper-Eromanga basin in the south-west and the Bowen-Surat basin in the state's centre. Land releases would not overlap with areas in the Channel Country region where flood plains and rivers have been protected from further oil and gas extraction. The areas open for tender from Thursday include conventional gas and places where more technically challenging reserves might require hydraulic fracturing. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Last said: 'The best way to bring down energy prices is to have more energy in the market, and that starts with exploration. 'These steps are about unlocking new supply, securing an investment pipeline and getting the right policy settings in place so Queensland can lead the way on energy security.' Gas industry group Australian Energy Producers said the move would be a 'critical step' in securing future gas supplies. Last week, the Crisafulli government rejected a proposal for a $1bn windfarm that would have provided enough clean power for about 260,000 homes. The government said its decision was based on a rejection of the proposal by 88% of residents and a local council. Dave Copeman, the director of the Queensland Conservation Council, said the announcement was 'devastating and deceitful'. He said: 'The government should be ashamed to look Queenslanders impacted by climate-fuelled disasters in the eye and pretend that they care while greenlighting new fossil fuel projects that will only turbocharge these impacts on our communities and country.' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion He said federal data suggested there was enough gas in just the Bowen Basin to release more than 1bn tonnes of CO2 if it was all extracted and burned. 'That's more extra climate pollution than the total Queensland can release between now and 2035 if we are to meet our emissions reduction targets. And this is only one of the four basins mentioned in today's low detail announcement.' He questioned whether the gas would make it to the domestic market, as no company was planning to pipe gas south from the Bowen basin to Victoria. Ellen Roberts, the national coordinator for climate campaign group Lock the Gate, said the announcement 'will only benefit multinational gas companies, not the people of Queensland'. She said there were already 16,000 gas wells drilled in Queensland that put groundwater relied on by farmers and communities at risk. 'We need an urgent moratorium on the gas expansions in Queensland to prevent further damage to land, water and our climate,' she said.
Epoch Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Epoch Times
Queensland Opens 9 New Gas Development Zones to Tackle Soaring Energy Prices
Queensland has revealed that from May 29, it will accept tenders for proposals to develop nine new gas exploration areas across the Cooper/Eromanga and Bowen/Surat Basins, aiming to boost domestic supply and ease energy prices. The announcement comes as the recently elected Crisafulli Liberal National Party (LNP) government shifts away from renewable energy projects, towards more traditional energy investment. 'The best way to bring down energy prices is to have more energy in the market, and that starts with exploration,' Natural Resources Minister Dale Last said in a statement. 'These steps are about unlocking new supply, securing an investment pipeline and getting the right policy settings in place.' The government confirmed that none of the newly released areas will intersect with the Lake Eyre Basin Strategic Environmental Area. The upcoming review will examine every stage—from expressions of interest to competitive tenders—to ensure that environmental, agricultural and community values are respected. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie (L) and Premier David Crisafulli arrive to talk to media after being sworn in at Government House in Brisbane, Australia, on Oct. 28, 2024. AAP Image/Jono Searle The move is also a major economic lever. Related Stories 5/25/2025 5/21/2025 Queensland's gas royalties have averaged $1.7 billion annually over the past three years, supporting nearly 6,000 direct jobs and thousands more across the supply chain. LNG is now the state's second-largest export after coal, with 1,550 petajoules of coal seam gas produced for domestic and international markets in 2024 alone. Minister Last criticised anti-gas policies in other states, particularly Victoria, for putting the east coast market under pressure. 'Unscientific decisions made by the southern states have left Queensland carrying the load,' he said. 'We need a regulatory framework that supports new development instead of holding it back.' Despite Victoria being one of the heaviest gas users in the country due to its colder winters, the previous Andrews Labor government maintained a strict ban on gas exploration and development to appease climate advocates. Australian Energy Producers CEO Samantha McCulloch called it a vital step in securing future gas supply for households and industry. McCulloch also praised Queensland for 'doing the heavy lifting' to ensure a reliable supply to the east coast. Report Warns of Australia's Waning Investment Appeal The announcement came just a day after energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie released a stark report warning that Australia is losing ground in global gas investment. Australia's Natural Gas Investment Competitiveness found that while global gas exploration spending rose nearly 30 percent over the past five years, Australia's grew by only 15 percent. The report also found that 95 percent of surveyed gas executives believe Australia is a less attractive investment destination than it was five years ago. The analysis included a CEO sentiment survey of Australian gas producers. Regulatory and policy uncertainty were cited as key deterrents, with one in five projects impacted either cancelled or relocated overseas. Australia's share in the investment portfolios of major international oil companies has plunged from 40 percent a decade ago to just 15 percent today. McCulloch said the findings underscore the need for stable, bipartisan policy. 'The new political landscape presents opportunities for industry to work with the government and opposition on enduring reforms for long-term energy security and economic growth,' she said.
West Australian
6 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Environmentalists slam new gas exploration sites
Environmentalists have slammed a state government's decision to open nine new gas exploration sites, claiming it will only support the international market. The Queensland government will open the new fields spanning 16,000 square kilometres across the state to tap into further gas reserves. The fields will span Cooper, Eromanga, Bowen and Surat basins in the state's regions using conventional gas extraction methods and coal seam gas. Resources Minister Dale Last said the exploration sites will be vital to finding a new supply to meet the growing demand for energy across Australia amid fears of blackouts along the east coast. "The best way to bring down energy prices is to have more energy in the market, and that starts with exploration," Mr Last said in a statement. "These steps are about unlocking new supply, securing an investment pipeline and getting the right policy settings in place so Queensland can lead the way on energy security." The Australian Energy Market Operator has previously issued blackout warnings in NSW and Queensland during summer due to high electricity demand and hot temperatures. Natural gas accounted for more than a quarter of Australia's total energy consumption in 2022-23, with 1518 petajoules used. Mr Last said "unscientific" decisions made by southern states have left Queensland carrying the load for the east coast gas market, leading to the need for more exploration. "We need a regulatory framework that supports new development, instead of holding it back," he said. But environmentalists have called the announcement devastating and deceitful. "The government should be ashamed to look Queenslanders impacted by climate-fuelled disasters in the eye, and pretend that they care," Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman said. Gas is Queensland's second-largest export behind coal, with the state producing 1550 petajoules of coal seam gas to supply both the international and domestic markets in 2024. Mr Copeman said it is a false narrative that the new exploration sites will support other states and territories when the bulk of the gas is exported. "No company is planning to pipe gas from the Bowen basin to Melbourne," he said. Other environmental advocates also say the announcement will only benefit multinational gas companies instead of Queenslanders. "The vast majority of Queensland's gas is destined for export, not for domestic use," Lock the Gate's Ellen Roberts said. She called for an urgent moratorium on the gas expansions to prevent any possible damage to the land and underground water resources regional communities rely on. The state government also announced it will carry out a three-month land release review starting on Wednesday to consider opening more gas exploration sites. The review is set to look at the needs of the energy market as well as the environmental and community impacts. It will consider changes to the land release expression of interest process, the land release area selection process, and the competitive tender process. The state government's gas expansion decision follows a previous pledge to scrap ambitious emissions reduction targets, ordering a review of the legislation. The former Labor government legislated 50 per cent emissions reduction targets by 2030, and 75 per cent by 2035. The Liberal National government has said it is committed to net zero by 2050.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Environmentalists slam new gas exploration sites
Environmentalists have slammed a state government's decision to open nine new gas exploration sites, claiming it will only support the international market. The Queensland government will open the new fields spanning 16,000 square kilometres across the state to tap into further gas reserves. The fields will span Cooper, Eromanga, Bowen and Surat basins in the state's regions using conventional gas extraction methods and coal seam gas. Resources Minister Dale Last said the exploration sites will be vital to finding a new supply to meet the growing demand for energy across Australia amid fears of blackouts along the east coast. "The best way to bring down energy prices is to have more energy in the market, and that starts with exploration," Mr Last said in a statement. "These steps are about unlocking new supply, securing an investment pipeline and getting the right policy settings in place so Queensland can lead the way on energy security." The Australian Energy Market Operator has previously issued blackout warnings in NSW and Queensland during summer due to high electricity demand and hot temperatures. Natural gas accounted for more than a quarter of Australia's total energy consumption in 2022-23, with 1518 petajoules used. Mr Last said "unscientific" decisions made by southern states have left Queensland carrying the load for the east coast gas market, leading to the need for more exploration. "We need a regulatory framework that supports new development, instead of holding it back," he said. But environmentalists have called the announcement devastating and deceitful. "The government should be ashamed to look Queenslanders impacted by climate-fuelled disasters in the eye, and pretend that they care," Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman said. Gas is Queensland's second-largest export behind coal, with the state producing 1550 petajoules of coal seam gas to supply both the international and domestic markets in 2024. Mr Copeman said it is a false narrative that the new exploration sites will support other states and territories when the bulk of the gas is exported. "No company is planning to pipe gas from the Bowen basin to Melbourne," he said. Other environmental advocates also say the announcement will only benefit multinational gas companies instead of Queenslanders. "The vast majority of Queensland's gas is destined for export, not for domestic use," Lock the Gate's Ellen Roberts said. She called for an urgent moratorium on the gas expansions to prevent any possible damage to the land and underground water resources regional communities rely on. The state government also announced it will carry out a three-month land release review starting on Wednesday to consider opening more gas exploration sites. The review is set to look at the needs of the energy market as well as the environmental and community impacts. It will consider changes to the land release expression of interest process, the land release area selection process, and the competitive tender process. The state government's gas expansion decision follows a previous pledge to scrap ambitious emissions reduction targets, ordering a review of the legislation. The former Labor government legislated 50 per cent emissions reduction targets by 2030, and 75 per cent by 2035. The Liberal National government has said it is committed to net zero by 2050.
ABC News
13-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
More than 120 Downer jobs at risk after Queensland Rail rejects tilt train proposal
As the fate of more than 120 manufacturing workers hangs in the balance, Queensland Rail says it is "re-scoping" its search for who will carry out significant works on its diesel tilt trains. Manufacturing powerhouse Downer, which is building trains for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, announced earlier this month that a reduced workload had prompted "potential" redundancy talks with staff. The company has more than 250 employees in the city of Maryborough, three hours north of Brisbane, and 122 of those are at risk. On Tuesday Manufacturing Minister Dale Last said workers facing redundancies would be offered jobs at Downer's new Torbanlea facility, where 65 trains for the Olympics are to be built. He said that project would create about 800 jobs, some of which would become available this year. "Certainly the employees that are engaged here in the construction of [the Torbanlea] facility and the employees at the facility in Maryborough, they will be offered those jobs first and foremost," Mr Last said. Queensland Rail's (QR) rejection of a direct proposal from Downer to overhaul the diesel tilt train fleet is believed to be a reason behind the regional company's reduced workload. "Downer's original proposal under a partnership alliance to undertake a major overhaul of the diesel tilt train fleet was unable to be approved by Queensland Rail as it did not represent value for money," a QR spokesperson said. "This was verified by an independent estimator." QR said it was working with Downer on other major manufacturing projects, including the South East Queensland fleet. The spokesperson said there would be another opportunity for the Maryborough facility to win the contract. "Queensland Rail is now re-scoping the diesel tilt train overhaul project," they said. The company made its announcement on May 1 and a week later Opposition Leader Steven Miles blamed the LNP for the "terrible implications" of job losses in Maryborough. But Transport Minister Brett Mickelberg rejected that accusation. "I've had no role in this decision … operational decisions for Queensland Rail are a matter for the board," he said. University of Queensland transport engineering professor Mark Hickman said state legislation gave free rein to the QR board to make decisions in the best interests of Queenslanders. "I think the interpretation that the minister bears responsibility for this kind of a decision is not true in light of the way that the Queensland Rail board functions," he said. State legislation requires the board to comply with a direction from the minister, but Dr Hickman said it would be unusual for Mr Mickelberg to use this power to force the rejection of the Downer proposal to be overturned. "They are required statutorily to follow the directions of the minister," Dr Hickman said. "But that is a fairly rare occurrence that only happens in very rare cases." Mr Mickelberg said the government would "fight every single day" to protect the at-risk jobs. "We will do whatever it takes and work with whoever we need to work with to ensure that jobs remain here in Maryborough," he said. On Tuesday Mr Last announced that a full-scale replica of an Olympic train was on display in Brisbane for public feedback. He said the government was seeking feedback, in particular, from people living with disabilities or limited mobility. "We want to ensure that that replica is assessed rigorously by the disabled community, because we're absolutely committed to getting this right," Mr Last said.
