A FURTHER 1500 square kilometres of land around Moonie and Injune has been opened up for gas exploration.
The five parcels to be released for tender are:
- 834km2 50km west of Moonie.
- 357km2 25km north-east of Moonie.
- 77km2 17km east of Injune
- 37km2 29km south-east of Injune.
- 154km2 32km south-east of Injune.
Next week's land release comes just weeks before exploration tenders close for 12 areas across more than 6700 square kilometres of other land in the south and central west.
Those 12 areas lie between Blackwater and Goondiwindi. They include 872km2 that can only supply gas to the Australian market.
Mines Minister Anthony Lynham said it was essential to keep exploration underway to identify the resources projects as Queensland emerged from COVID-19.
Mr Lynham said gas explorers had previously expressed interest on these parcels of land, making sense to open them for tender.
"Queensland has a plan for our economy to Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs," Dr Lynham said.
"Part of that plan is building on our traditional strengths like the resources industry and maintaining a pipeline of projects is essential."
Tenders for the five parcels of land close on September 3.
