PROSPECTIVE lessees will throughout September be allowed to inspect gas field properties being made available for agricultural use by Origin.
Origin is seeking to lease twelve properties throughout the Western Downs and Maranoa, ranging in size from 217 to 3,575 hectares.
The company announced in July it had engaged agribusiness commercial partner CBRE to oversee the leasing process.
Community information sessions were held in Roma, Miles and Chinchilla throughout August.
Property inspections are now underway, and leases are expected to be finalised by the end of October.
“Origin is committed to successful coexistence between the gas and agricultural industries in the management of its land assets and will retain unfettered access to the properties for ongoing operation and development,” the company said in a statement.
“The goal of this leasing project is to facilitate commercially sustainable use of the land with the major development period now complete.
“The lease arrangement is intended to be a long-term partnership to provide for the sustainable management of the land.”
CSG infrastructure on the properties comprises predominantly gas wells while one property has a gas processing facility.
Agricultural infrastructure includes access roads, cattle yards, dams and water troughs, dwellings and machinery sheds.
Those who lodge expressions of interest will be assessed on relevant land management criteria and asked to detail their current agricultural operations and intentions for land use
Prospective lessees will have an advantage if they “enhance local employment, indigenous partnerships or general community support” the statement said.
Origin’s Alexandra Kennedy-Clark, who manages the company’s operations at Condabri, Talinga and Orana, said the leasing package demonstrated the successful coexistence between the local gas and agricultural industries.
“We’ve been working side by side with hundreds of landholders over the past decade as we develop Queensland’s natural gas resources,” Ms Kennedy-Clark said.
“Now that these properties are well developed, we are keen to see continued productive agricultural use.”
