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Department of Climate Change, Energy, Enviroment and Water

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  3. Coal, Coal seam gas (CSG) and water

Sidebar first - EN - Coal, coal seam gas and water

  • Water
    • Coal, Coal seam gas and water
      • About
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      • Office of Water Science
        • National Partnership Agreement
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      • Science and research
        • Ecosystems and water
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            • Coal seam gas workers’ health
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Coal, Coal seam gas (CSG) and water

The Australian Government plays an important role in protecting our environment from potential impacts of development activity, with a focus on matters of national environmental significance. In the case of development activity related to large coal mines and the extraction of coal seam gas, this includes potential impacts on water resources.

The Commonwealth regulatory regime works in concert with state and territory governments, which have primary responsibility for water resources and regulating environmental impacts associated with the resources sector.

The Australian Government’s approach to regulating coal seam gas extraction and coal mining is risk-based and deals with uncertainty through adaptive management. Specialist officers monitor approved projects to ensure that conditions are complied with — non-compliance is treated seriously and significant penalties can be applied.

The best available science informs the Commonwealth’s approach at every step along the way.

About

Coal seam gas well

Information on coal seam gas production, coal mining and potential impacts on water resources

  • More about coal seam gas

Coal and coal seam gas – water trigger projects

Aerial view of coal seam gas operations

This project list includes:

  • all projects referred to the Commonwealth under the water trigger, including those that have been referred recently for which the IESC have not yet provided advice, and
  • projects referred prior to the introduction of the water trigger for which IESC advice was sought from the Commonwealth and/or state regulators .
  • List of projects

Office of Water Science

Border Rivers - Condamine Catchment Area

The Office of Water Science is leading the Australian Government’s efforts to improve our understanding of the water-related impacts of coal seam gas and large coal mining development.

  • More about the Office of Water Science

Regulation

Wetlands bird life

The Australian Government protects water resources from the impacts of coal and coal seam gas development through the ‘water trigger’ provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

  • More about regulation

Science and research

Diagram of Coal Seam Gas extraction process

The best available science informs the Australian Government’s approach to managing the environmental impacts of coal and coal seam gas development.

  • More about science and research

Resources

Red-necked wallabies

Case studies, fact sheets, research reports, websites

  • View resources
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Last updated: 09 March 2022

© Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.