Big energy matures in dealings with graziers

If there’s one family who knows what it’s like to deal with big energy, it’s the Mackenzies. Their Plevna Downs property about 160km from Thargomindah in far South-West Queensland has hosted gas and oil tenements since 1967. That’s more than half the time of its existence since Stuart Mackenzie’s grandfather staked a claim in 1937. Stuart Mackenzie on his family property Plevna Downs The Mitchell Grass plains borders Cooper Creek and the Channel Country on the western side of the station. Mr Mackenzie is a progressive grazier and in 2000, the first in Western Queensland to have his wool certified ‘organic’. There's been a string of smaller companies put down wells on Plevna since Santos first broke ground in 1967. There was no comparison between the early drillers and the latest company Bengal Energy which bought the Wareena lease off Santos about 12 months ago, Mr Mackenzie said. Quilpie Mayor Cr Stuart Mackenzie “Famous story, there was an actual bore well drilling on us, and my father rocked up, went over to have a yarn to them, but didn't know it was there, and the bloke said to him, ’What are you doing here, mate?’ " “And he said, ‘Oh, we just own the place.’ So, they actually, literally, would come on to their leases without letting you know, even bringing a rig site on, not even let you know they were there. “I don't think they had any idea what property they were even on back then. So, we've learned a hell of a lot since then. “And, that never happens now. We have compensation agreements, access agreements, they let you know when they're coming, what roads they'll be using, all that sort of thing. “So, the relationship's changed a hell of a lot.” The resource was conventional gas which was much less intensive than coal seam gas Mr Mackenzie, who’s also Mayor of Quilpie Shire, said while defending the mining process against popular myths. “It's a proven safe industry in the Cooper Basin, and there's been so much political argy-bargy around it for many years, about trying to, as they say, protect the basin. “And, they are already incredibly regulated anyway. So, they can't spill a litre of oil or diesel without having to declare it. “It's kind of crazy. But, their methods they use, the level of casing, and the safeguards around contamination between different aquifers, et cetera, is very strong. “So, I have absolute faith in the industry, because they've worked it out, they know what they're doing.” Feature image at top of page: Mitchell Grass country near Thargomindah

Big energy matures in dealings with graziers

Industry Queensland

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