New legislation will allow disused wells to be converted into water bores, providing lasting benefits for Queensland landholders.
Queensland landholders are set to benefit from new water security measures following the introduction of the Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment Bill 2025.
The legislation creates a pathway to repurpose six disused greenhouse gas storage wells into productive water bores for landholders, delivering long-term certainty for grazing operations and regional communities. Importantly, the ban on greenhouse gas storage in the Great Artesian Basin remains unchanged.
Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the amendment addressed the lack of clear planning for decommissioning greenhouse gas storage wells in the region.
“As the law currently stands, these wells would have to be plugged and abandoned, which means landholders would miss out entirely on a valuable water supply asset,” Dale Last said.
He explained that the new framework ensures affected farmers are not left behind.
“This Bill ensures farmers get the benefit of a new water bore at no cost,” Dale Last said. “Every landholder affected wants this change, which delivers long-term water security for grazing operations and local communities.”
The legislation also outlines that the Carbon Transport and Storage Corporation (CTSCo) will remain responsible for all costs, whether plugging and abandoning wells or converting them into safe and reliable water bores.
“Under this Bill, CTSCo will remain responsible for meeting all costs of either plugging and abandoning wells or safely converting them into water bores for transfer to landholders,” Dale Last said.
He added that the change would deliver confidence for regional families who depend on water infrastructure.
“This amendment is about providing certainty and delivering a lasting benefit for Queensland’s farming families,” Dale Last said.
