ACCESS TO LAND FOR EXPLORATION — THE ADOPTION OF MULTIPLE LAND USE PRINCIPLES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Abstract

The continued access to land for exploration by the petroleum and mineral industries in Australia has been increasingly impeded by State and Commonwealth legislation aimed at dedicating Crown Land for single land uses.

In September 1986, South Australia's Minister for Mines and Energy, Ron Payne, announced a Cabinet decision for 'a package of recommendations designed to foster multiple land-use concepts and to ensure that no land is alienated from exploration without careful consideration of the sub-surface mineral/petroleum potential, relevant economic factors and the existing and potential sub-surface rights'.

In this one innovative and potentially far-reaching move, the South Australian Government has:

provided a framework to reconcile conflicting interests;

indicated a willingness to listen and act upon the expressed legitimate concerns of industries of vital economic importance to the State;

made it necessary for the proponents of reserve areas such as National Parks to be more accountable and to provide balanced, scientific substantiation;

indicated its intention to make legislative changes to allow for the adoption of multiple land-use principles; and

redressed the imbalance where, in the words of the Minister, 'Legislation providing for Aboriginal land rights, the creation of national and conservation parks, and State Government heritage areas have, to varying degrees, created unforeseen consequences for the resources industry'.

The first practical test of this new Government policy is the proposed declaration of the Innamincka Regional Reserve, currently a 14 000 sq km pastoral lease within some of the most productive areas of PELs 5 & 6 held jointly by Santos Ltd. and Delhi Petroleum Pty. Ltd.

It is intended that this new form of reserve will allow for the protection of specific areas of environmental sensitivity and of cultural, scientific and historic value, while still allowing for the continuation of pastoral, tourist and petroleum exploration/ production activity within the major part of the reserve area.