Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), Media Release, 5 April 2024

The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) will lead a delegation of industry and community leaders to see Queensland Premier the Hon Steven Miles today Friday, 5 April with a clear message: reject the proposed carbon capture and storage (CCS) project planned for the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) and put in place regulations to stop future CCS proposals into water aquifers in the GAB.

QFF will be joined by the Local Government Association of Queensland, Mayors from regional councils, the Queensland Conservation Council, and peak agricultural industry groups for a meeting with the Premier, a show of force from all corners of community, environment and agricultural interests who have come together to protect the GAB – one of Australia’s greatest natural assets.

If approved, the proposed carbon capture and storage (CCS) project would see liquified carbon dioxide injected into a water producing aquifer (the Precipice Sandstone) within the GAB.

At the meeting, QFF will present to the Premier the more than 1,500 signatures and messages that have been received from community and industry members expressing grave concerns about the proposed project.

The GAB is one of the largest underground freshwater resources in the world generating approximately $13 billion in value to the national economy every year, providing a vital resource for 180,000 people, 7,600 businesses and 120 towns.

“This decision is critical for industry, for communities, and for future generations to come and QFF calls on the Queensland Government to reject this project and protect water aquifers in the GAB from future CCS proposals,” QFF CEO Jo Sheppard said.

“In 30 years of industry development and advocacy work, I have never seen community and industry so unified and come together like they have on this issue. The concern and opposition is overwhelming.”