ARROW Energy has withdrawn its application to extend gas exploration leases in the Scenic Rim.
Queensland Resource Minister Scott Stewart visited the region on Sunday accompannied by Mayor Greg Christensen, where he was able to see first hand why Scenic Rim farmers and residents objected to the leases being renewed.
The announcement in Parliament that Arrow Energy would not be pursuing the application came after both Mayor Christensen and Scenic Rim MP Jon Krause held meetings with Minister Stewart to voice their concerns.
"I can inform the House that Arrow Energy have formally withdrawn their application to renew their exploration permits ATPs 641 and 644 in the Scenic Rim," Minister Stewart told Parliament.
"My Department have accepted these withdrawal applications, meaning these exploration permits no longer exist."
"I would like to place on record my thanks to all those who engaged with me in a respectful manner in relation to this matter, including: Arrow Energy, the mayor of Scenic Rim Regional Council, Greg Christensen, and the member for Scenic Rim MP (Jon Krause)."
A spokesperson for Arrow Energy confirmed the withdrawal.
"Arrow has undertaken a review of our assets, including in the Scenic Rim, to better understand their strategic fit within our broader portfolio," the spokesperson said.
"We confirm we have voluntarily withdrawn our two ATP renewal applications for the Clarence Moreton Basin. The decision provides clarity to the Scenic Rim community."
Cr Christensen said the Minister's day in the Scenic Rim was a success.
"I was delighted with the Minister making time to visit the region with me last Sunday," Cr Chistensen said.
"Over a five-hour period we were able to drive through many areas that would have been affected including the Kerry, Christmas Creek, Logan and Warrill valleys."
Cr Christensen said the Minister was positive in his respons to the Mayor's concerns about the environmental, lifestyle and economic effect CSG exploration would have on the region.
"The announcement that the Scenic Rim is no longer a focus for Arrow Energy development is good news," he said
"It removes a shadow from many people.
"I will be looking to understand more detail to ensure that the tenements are permanently extinguished and not available for anyone to revisit in the future."
The decision came more than 10 years after the Kerry Blockade, where locals and farmers prevailed against Arrow Energy's plan to extract coal gas from the Kerry Valley and five years after the state government ruled out coal extraction anywhere in the Scenic Rim.
One of the instigators of the Kerry Blockade, Mount Barney Lodge owner Innes Larkin said he was excited when he heard the news.
"This is such an exciting moment," he said.
"It's outstanding. It's better than outstanding, it's brilliant."
Mr Larkin said it was a win for the community.
"We are really grateful to the community who dug in, who got arrested and did eveything in their power to show the level of opposition we have," he said.
"The farmers, the landowners, the tourism operators, these people showed the leaders of this community their absolute wish and finally, in 2022 under a new mayor and with the State Member behind us as well ... it's a great example when a community has given a message and leaders have actually acted on it."
Mr Larkin said he felt sorry for other regions who were hoping for a similar autcome in their own areas.
"We are proud ot have directed it and then had bakcing from the top to help produce a coal and gas free region," he said.
"So thanks to the State government for listening, thanks to our Mayor for standing shoulder to shoulder with us and thanks so much again to my community who has made it so easy to just stand in front and say no."
Scenic Rim MP Jon Krause, who also met with the Minister this week to discuss the issued, said persistence won the day.
"I made a commitment to the Scenic Rim when I was elected in 2012 to stop CSG in the Scenic Rim," he said.
"We did that in Government, and I have consistently advocated for Arrow's tenements to not be renewed. I stand with the community, farmers and the tourism sector who have made their views clear about this over a long time."
I acknowledge the position taken by the Government today which looks like it has put the issue to bed permanently. It took over 10 years of persistence, but the outcome is welcome."