Land Access Code

Resource companies must comply with the mandatory provisions of the Land Access Code when on private land to carry out authorised activities.

The Code sets out:

• best practice guidelines for communicating and negotiating with landholders
• mandatory conditions about conduct when entering and carrying out authorised activities on private land.

These mandatory conditions cannot be altered or waived by agreement with the landholder. All parties are encouraged to comply with the Code's best practice recommendations.

The Code was reviewed in September 2016 to reflect administrative and legislative changes. No change has been made to the intent, scope or operation of the original 2010 Land Access Code.

• Download the Land Access Code 2016 (PDF, 430KB).

Who this applies to

The Code's best practice guidelines for communication between resource companies and landholders apply to all resource authority types in Queensland.

The Code's mandatory conditions about how authorised activities are carried out on private land apply to most resource authorities, including:

• exploration permits and mineral development licences under the Mineral Resources Act 1989
• petroleum authorities under the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004
• 1923 Act petroleum tenures under the Petroleum Act 1923
• geothermal authorities under the Geothermal Energy Act 2010
• greenhouse gas storage authorities under the Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009.

The mandatory provisions of the Code do not apply to some resource authority holders, including the holders of prospecting permits, mining claims or mining leases.

Communication and consultation

Land access requires ongoing communication and consultation. The Code's best practice guidelines outline the Queensland Government's expectations about how parties should communicate, consult and negotiate to maintain effective working relationships.

The Code recommends a central point of contact for the landholder. This person should have knowledge of the land and experience in liaising with landholders. This could be the field supervisor or site manager.

Mandatory conditions of conduct

The Code's mandatory conditions set out how resource companies must behave with regards to:

• induction training of staff and contractors
• access points, roads and tracks
• livestock and property
• weeds and pests
• camps
• items brought onto land
• gates, grids and fences.

Also consider...

• Find out about lodging land access notifications for coal and mineral activities and land access notifications for petroleum and gas activities.
• Make an enquiry or complaint about land access.
• Read details about land access requirements in A guide to land access in Queensland (PDF, 1.8MB).