30 October 2015

Historic agreement will increase prosperity for all Western Australians 

Hon Peter Katsambanis MLC, Member for North Metropolitan Region, has hailed the hard work of Western Australia’s onshore oil and gas sector and the farming sector in reaching a breakthrough agreement which will provide a template to ensure balanced negotiation processes.

“The agricultural and onshore petroleum industries are vital to Western Australia’s economy, so it is fantastic to see them coming together to work out the best way forward for land access.” Mr Katsambanis said.

After two years of negotiations through a roundtable chaired by former Deputy Premier Hendy Cowan and involving WA Farmers, WA Pastoralists and Graziers, Vegetables WA and APPEA, the finalisation of a template agreement for access to private land for petroleum exploration outlines the rights and responsibilities of companies and land holders and ensure a balanced negotiation process. 

“This outcome would not be possible without tremendous goodwill between two industries facing various challenges in tough economic times. 

“Both industries are looking at the big picture for Western Australia’s future while avoiding the mindless hysteria propagated by tiny extremist groups intent solely on economic vandalism.

“While our state economy is diversifying through growing industries, Western Australia’s prosperity will remain largely driven through the success of the resources and agricultural industries. As such, we need to do all we can to ensure we maximise the benefits in these sectors.

“The leadership shown by both industries should be commended and used as an example of how to work together to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes, while not relenting to the pressure of radical agitators.

"All Western Australians will benefit from this historic agreement for many decades to come through more investment, the creation of high quality jobs, increased exports and increasing prosperity for future generations." Mr Katsambanis concluded. 

A copy of the Farming Land Access Agreement Template can be found here: http://www.appea.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Final-Template-Access-Agreement-Oct-2015.pdf