Access Agreements: Land Protecting Your Land and Your Future
Across Queensland, renewable energy projects and infrastructure developments are booming. From solar farms and wind turbines to telecommunications towers and battery storage facilities, more and more rural landowners are being approached to sign Land Access Agreements.
While these projects can bring financial benefits, they also carry significant risks for your land, business operations, and future property value. Land access agreements are complex legal documents, often drafted heavily in favour of developers or corporations. Signing without proper legal advice can leave you exposed to unfair terms, inadequate compensation, or hidden obligations.
At Enterprise Legal, we’re a regional Queensland law firm based in Toowoomba, right in the heart of farming country. We understand how these agreements impact rural businesses and families. We help you protect your land, negotiate fair terms, and secure your financial future.
We also offer fixed or capped fees wherever possible, so you know exactly what your matter will cost.
Types of Land Access Agreements We Handle
We regularly assist landowners with agreements for:
Solar and Wind Farm Leases
- negotiating lease terms for renewable energy projects
- ensuring fair rental payments and compensation for impacts
- addressing environmental obligations and rehabilitation requirements
Telecommunications Tower Agreements
- reviewing offers from major carriers or contractors
- securing fair compensation for loss of use or visual impacts
- advising on lease duration, termination rights, and site access terms
Renewable Energy Easements
- drafting easements for underground cabling, transmission lines, or access roads
- advising on Titles Office registration requirements
- ensuring easements don’t limit future development or resale value
Exploration Access Agreements
- negotiating access for developers conducting feasibility studies or geotechnical testing
- ensuring land restoration and minimal disruption to operations
Why Legal Advice is Critical for Land Access Agreements
Large corporations and developers often present access agreements as “standard documents.” They may tell you there’s little room for negotiation. However, these agreements frequently include:
- Low compensation rates that don’t reflect the real impact on your land or business
- Broad access rights allowing developers to enter your property at any time
- Environmental obligations that could leave you responsible for costly rehabilitation
- Long-term restrictions that limit how you can use or sell your property in the future
- Tax and GST implications that can create unexpected liabilities
One of the biggest hidden risks is dealing with project companies that have little financial substance. Many developers use “$1 companies” or special purpose vehicles (SPVs) to hold the project lease. If things go wrong or the project is abandoned, these companies can simply liquidate, leaving you:
- stuck with infrastructure no longer in use
- facing costly remediation or removal obligations
- unable to recover clean-up costs from the company that signed the agreement
At Enterprise Legal, we stand firmly on your side to:
- identify unfair or risky clauses
- negotiate better financial terms and protections
- ensure agreements require adequate security, bank guarantees, or parent company guarantees to cover remediation and removal costs
- preserve your land’s long-term value and future development potential
- ensure your agreements are practical and commercially sound
Our Land Access Agreement Services
Enterprise Legal provides fixed or capped fee services wherever possible for:
- reviewing and advising on draft land access agreements
- negotiating lease terms, easements, and compensation payments
- drafting and negotiating provisions requiring developers to provide adequate security or guarantees for rehabilitation, decommissioning, and removal costs
- advising on tax and GST implications of land access deals
- drafting easements and registering them with Titles Queensland
- preparing documentation to protect your rights and ensure clarity
- resolving disputes arising from existing land access agreements
- working alongside your accountant, agronomist, or rural advisor to secure holistic solutions
We ensure your agreements are fair, commercially practical, and protect your property, income, and long-term security.
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Why Choose Enterprise Legal for Land Access Agreements?
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Land Access Agreement FAQs
Been approached about a land access agreement? Book a consultation with our experienced land access lawyers today and protect your land and your rights.
What is a Land Access Agreement?
• solar or wind farms
• telecommunications towers
• pipelines or transmission lines
• exploration studies
It defines rights of entry, compensation, obligations, and how the land must be restored afterwards.
Can I Refuse to Sign a Land Access Agreement?
How is Compensation Calculated?
• the value of the land used
• disruption to your farming or business activities
• long-term impacts on your property’s value
Many initial offers from developers are well below what you’re entitled to. We help you negotiate a fair outcome.
Why Do I Need Security for Remediation or Removal?
• removing infrastructure
• remediating environmental damage
• paying substantial clean-up costs
We ensure your agreements include bank guarantees, bonds, or parent company guarantees so you’re financially protected.