Resources enquiries and complaints
You can make a complaint or submit an enquiry about mineral and energy resources activity in Queensland through the:
Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
Staff are located in offices across regional Queensland including Toowoomba, Dalby, Roma, Quilpie, Emerald, Winton, Rockhampton, Mount Isa, Charters Towers and Mareeba.
Services include:
- engagement with stakeholders, including landholders and industry, on wide-ranging resource matters including groundwater
- audits and inspections relating to land access for resources activity
- investigations of landholder complaints, including bore investigations
- groundwater monitoring
- activities to encourage industry understanding of the regulatory framework and compliance with obligations.
If you have questions, concerns or complaints regarding resource exploration or development contact the Resource community infoline.
Learn more about how we approach compliance.
Make a resources complaint or enquiry
Water bore investigation process
When your complaint relates to the impact of a resource operation on an existing water bore, our investigators will follow the process below.
| Timeline | Step | What we will do |
|---|---|---|
| Within 10 days of receiving your complaint | Desktop investigation and risk assessment | We will compile existing information and records. This includes checking resource company records and other activities in the surrounding area |
| Within 20 days of receiving your complaint | Field investigation (if required) | We will contact the bore owner to arrange an inspection. We may take a water sample and collect information on the bore's condition, water level, depth, water quality and performance |
| Within 20 days of final site inspection (however, detailed results may take up to 2 months to be finalised) | Data analysis and investigation report | The investigator will analyse data obtained from the field investigation and compile a report. We will send a copy to the bore owner and provide them with an opportunity to discuss findings with the investigating officer |
Land Access Ombudsman
The Office of the Land Access Ombudsman has been established to improve the land access framework for landholders and the resources sector.
The Land Access Ombudsman is an independent, impartial body to help landholders and resource companies resolve disputes about alleged breaches of conduct and compensation agreements and make good agreements.
For more information, visit the Land Access Ombudsman website.
GasFields Commission
The GasFields Commission is an independent statutory authority established to manage the co-existence of rural landholders, regional communities and the gas industry in Queensland.
The Commission provides information, engages with rural communities and facilitates connections across the gas and agricultural sectors. It supports best-practice business-to-business relationships in the gas fields and provides the tools for informed decision-making for all parties involved.
For more information, including details of the GasFields Commissioners, visit the GasFields Commission Queensland website.
- Last reviewed: 6 Nov 2019
- Last updated: 8 Jul 2020