Origin Energy Limited (ASX:ORG) is planning a demonstration farm to not only prove mining and agriculture go together, they can also produce a farm that is ‘drought free’.
News Ltd reports the energy company’s planned farm, across the Condamine River from its coal-seam gas facility in Queensland, will have a guaranteed water supply from the facility.
District land and water supervisor Ronald Thompson says this will mean a “drought-proof” farm.
Federal energy minister Martin Ferguson says it must be ensured appropriate regulation is in place as the coal-seam industry expands, but the Queensland government says it won’t sign a deal to allow the demonstration farm to go ahead if it blocks investment in the state’s $45 billion coal-seam gas industry.
In the 2011 financial year Origin Energy reported a net profit of $248 million.
