News

Residents from across the Maranoa and Western Downs came together this week to learn about potential oil and gas development in the Taroom Trough and what it could mean locally. More than 160 people attended the Taroom Trough Information Forums in Surat on 2 September and Condamine on 3 September.

Residents, landholders, businesses and community members across the Western Downs and Maranoa are invited to attend one of two free public information forums in early September to discuss potential oil and gas exploration in the region.

Community members from across the Goondiwindi and Southern Downs shires turned out in force at the Queensland Community Energy Forum in Inglewood yesterday. More than 80 local landholders and community members, along with local and state government, agriculture and energy industry representatives came together to discuss the energy future of the region.

Over 40 leaders gathered in Julia Creek to discuss the future of energy and resources development in the North West last week. The Coexistence Symposium, hosted by Coexistence Queensland, in partnership with McKinlay Shire Council and MITEZ Economic Development, brought together representatives from local and state government, the agriculture and minerals sectors, and regional organisations.

Recent legislative changes mean Coexistence Queensland CEO Warwick Squire has also taken on the statutory role of Land Access Ombudsman. The change creates opportunities for stronger coordination across related land access and coexistence issues, earlier support when issues arise, and a clearer pathway for on-the-ground experiences to inform broader advice and practice.

Community members from across the Southern Downs region are invited to attend a free energy information forum in Inglewood on Thursday 6 August.

More than 90 local, regional and state leaders met in Roma last week to discuss the future of the region. The Community Leaders Council brought together landholders, local business owners, Traditional Owners and senior leaders from government, agriculture, energy and resources.

The Resources Safety and Health Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026 has passed in the Queensland Parliament. One of the resulting changes of this legislation is that the Coexistence Queensland CEO will also take on the role of Land Access Ombudsman, while Coexistence Queensland Board members will also serve as members of the LAO Advisory Committee.

The Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy recently released its final report, The Integrity Gap: Restoring Trust in the Climate and Energy Debate. It lands at a critical moment. Across regional and rural Queensland – and right across Australia – we are seeing firsthand how trust is being tested.