Queensland Energy and Resources Insights

24 April 2008

Welcome to the April edition of a special Queensland-only Energy & Resources Insights. Some of you might remember we did these a few years ago; with the resource energy in our state booming it seemed a good idea to focus again on local developments. In the future we'll alternate with a national edition, so our next Queensland-only edition will be in June.

In this edition we'll look at

how the national apology to the Aboriginal community affects the resource sector
why special Agreement Act mines may soon have to comply with the same environmental protection legislation that applies to all other mines in Queensland
executive officers' OHS obligations; and
the challenges of building infrastructure for your resource project.

Finally we'll ask the important question: do you know what time it is?

"Sorry" - The implications for industry

By Graham Carter.

In the wake of Parliament's historic apology to the Aboriginal community, Graham Carter asks "how far is your company prepared to go to deliver on its 'moral obligations' to Aboriginal communities?", because failing to answer this may result in delays to negotiations and project approvals.

Director convicted over hand severed at work

By Andrew Cardell-Ree.

In a decision exploring the nature of an individual's duty to ensure that a company is meeting its safety obligations, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission has convicted and fined a director over a worker's hand being severed at work, as Andrew Cardell-Ree reports.

Easements in gross for private infrastructure

By Rory Whitefield and James Minchinton.

Rory Whitefield and James Minchinton ask if private operators can obtain the right to have an easement in gross for their infrastructure?

Uniformity in environmental laws for mining leases

By Sarah Reuter.

Sarah Reuter discusses the proposed legislation through which the Queensland Government intends to repeal the special status granted to some mining leases and create uniform environmental obligations for all mining leases.

Did you know… How time for performance is calculated?

By James Minchinton and Prudence Harvey.

Calculating the time for performance of legal obligations is not always straightforward as even slight changes in wording can have significant changes in interpretation. How can you ensure the timely performance of your legal obligations? James Minchinton and Prue Harvey investigate.

Key Contacts