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Organic property in Queensland outback, Plevna Downs, coexists with gas exploration
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Stuart Mackenzie vividly remembers his household’s property being inspected to realize its natural standing again in 1996.
Key factors:
- One outback grazier says fuel exploration and fracking don’t impression his natural standing
- It comes after graziers and conventional house owners expressed their considerations over the way forward for their native natural trade in Queensland’s Channel Nation
- Natural certifier NASAA says the 2 can coexist, however there are extra dangers concerned
The 100,000-hectare property, 90 kilometres west of Eromanga in Queensland’s far west, was one of many first within the outback to take action.
“I keep in mind the primary inspector discovered the entire thing fairly confronting really,” Mr Mackenzie recalled.
“Earlier than that, it was actually little farms down on the coast that had been doing a little natural.
“It was a giant studying curve for everybody.”
On the time, the property had additionally been concerned in fuel exploration and fracking for nearly 30 years, with its first properly inbuilt 1967.
Extra dangers with fuel exploration
Whereas folks might be forgiven for considering the 2 weren’t suitable to function on the identical property, natural certifier NASAA Licensed Natural (NCO) mentioned it was extra widespread than most individuals thought.
Certification officer Wambui Gikenye mentioned, whereas it was attainable to do each, the dangers had been greater on properties the place there was fuel exploration.
“We perceive why folks would assume these two issues can’t coexist,” she mentioned.
“There isn’t a one measurement suits all; it is a case-by-case foundation.
“However there can be extra dangers that must be addressed.”
Ms Gikenye mentioned fracking and fuel exploration actions on a property would more than likely imply there have been greater exclusion areas inside a property.
“We take a look at any surrounding actions … and the way these actions would have an effect on the natural integrity of the farm,” she mentioned.
“On this case, we’d exclude sure areas … so that you’d solely be certifying the productive space and also you’d have bigger buffer zones.
“There should not be any particular considerations for fracking than [there are with] your neighbour rising crops and spraying on a regular basis.
“It is all about managing the dangers.”
Trade impacts misunderstood
For Mr Mackenzie, fuel exploration had develop into a traditional a part of operating his property.
“That is by no means been an issue,” he mentioned.
“On the finish of the day, they’re simply somebody who comes onto your property. It is no totally different to vans shifting inventory or contractors approaching.
“They know we’re natural … they have been glorious.”
This yr, graziers and conventional house owners within the Channel Nation expressed their considerations over the way forward for their native organic beef industry if gas exploration continued in the area.
Mr Mackenzie mentioned there was usually a false impression about fuel corporations not caring for the land they had been on, however he mentioned that had not been his expertise.
“They fence off the areas they’re drilling,” he mentioned.
“They’re so regulated and that is what folks do not realise … they are much extra regulated than what a grazing property is.
“I get that individuals fear about what they do not know about, however simply take a look at the info.
“We have had this trade right here for therefore lengthy and we simply have not had any points with it.”
