Introduction

In March 2012, South Australia signed the National Partnership Agreement on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development (NPA). Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria are also signed parties to the NPA.

The Agreement strengthens the regulation of coal seam gas (CSG) and large coal mining by informing decisions with best-available science and advice from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Developments (IESC).

Under the Agreement, South Australia must refer a coal seam gas or coal mining proposal to the IESC for advice if the proposal is likely to have a significant impact on water resources, either in its own right or cumulatively with other actions.

The South Australian Protocol for the referral of project applications to the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development guides the referral of CSG and large coal mining development applications to the IESC for advice. As with other stakeholder consultation, IESC advice informs decision-making on licences and conditions.

See also Independent Expert Scientific Committee | Water Knowledge Program

The list below shows the most recent additions and updates. View a complete list by clicking More or the relevant link under In this section (right).