Overview
We are updating our guidance document—the Significant Impact Guidelines 1.3 - Coal seam gas and large coal mining developments - impacts on water resources to reflect recent changes to the water trigger.
The new guidelines will be referred to as Significant Impact Guidelines 1.3 – Unconventional Gas developments and large coal mining developments - impacts on water resources
The purpose of this document is to help any person taking an action which involves an unconventional gas development or a large coal mining development to:
- decide whether the action has or is likely to have a significant impact on a water resource, and
- requires a referral to the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for a decision on whether assessment and approval is required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
These guidelines also assist members of the public or interest groups who wish to comment on actions which have been referred under the EPBC Act.
These guidelines have been amended to reflect the recent changes to the water trigger by the passage of the Nature Repair (Consequential Amendments) Act 2023. In particular,
- references have been made throughout to the new scope of the water trigger including unconventional gas production
- guidance on potential prior use exemptions have been updated to reflect the new legislation
- guidance on First Nation’s engagement has been included.
Additional amendments have been made to improve the structure and readability of the Guidelines, and update weblinks and email addresses.
We appreciate your views on the proposed changes. You can help us ensure the revised guidelines are fit for purpose and provide clear guidance on when to refer an action, including unconventional gas developments, for EPBC assessment. This consultation is to seek public feedback on the changes to Guidelines to reflect the amended water trigger and is not a wholesale review. Please limit your comments to the proposed changes.
To have your say:
We will consider all comments provided.
