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.

In response to the expected growth in mining development in the Far North of the State and the need for more reliable water supplies for remote communities, the Department for Environment, Water and Natural Resources is leading the Facilitating Long Term Outback Water Solutions (FLOWS) Initiative to identify, quantify and manage the water resources of the region.