Coal seam gas water

The Queensland Government changed the Water Act 2000 (Water Act) and other legislation in late 2010 to improve the management of water extraction by petroleum and gas tenure holders, which includes coal seam gas (CSG) water extraction. These changes addressed the issue of impacts on groundwater resources from CSG water extraction and created a new role for the Queensland Water Commission (QWC).

Petroleum tenure holders are authorised to undertake activities related to exploration for and production of petroleum. They have a right to take or interfere with underground water during the course of carrying out authorised activities. The Water Act requires petroleum tenure holders to assess and monitor impacts on groundwater resources and springs.

Water extraction by tenure holders will have an impact on water levels in the coal seams and potentially impact surrounding aquifers. The impacts may occur beyond the tenure area. Where multiple petroleum tenure holders operate in close proximity, the impacts of water extraction for individual operations can overlap.

In those areas, a regional approach is needed. The Queensland Government can declare those areas to be cumulative management areas. In those areas the QWC is responsible for assessing impacts and establishing integrated management arrangements.

The late 2010 changes to legislation also expanded the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM). For information about DERM's role in CSG refer to the website.