Update of the information guidelines to improve scientific information provided to the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development
Glen Walker A , Sarah Taylor B , Peter Baker B and Mitchell Bouma B CA Member, Independent Expert Scientific Committee, C/o. IESC Secretariat, GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
B Department of the Environment and Energy, GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: Mitchell.Bouma@environment.gov.au
The APPEA Journal 58(2) 640-642 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ17070
Accepted: 22 February 2018 Published: 28 May 2018
Abstract
The Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development (IESC) provides scientific advice to decision makers on the impact that coal resource development may have on Australia’s water resources. In particular, advice is provided on development proposals that have been submitted to the Australian Government and relevant state governments in the form of environmental impact statements (EISs). The Information Guidelines developed by the IESC outline the information considered necessary to enable the IESC to provide robust scientific advice to government regulators on the water-related impacts of coal resource development proposals. Proponents preparing EISs are strongly encouraged to consult the Information Guidelines before developing and submitting a proposal.
The Information Guidelines have been updated for the first time since 2015 and will be presented. The update includes important and more detailed information about what types and the level of information that should be included in EISs. In addition a series of ‘explanatory notes’ have been developed which provide practical examples of how information should be presented in an EIS. The first two explanatory notes relate to uncertainty analysis in numerical groundwater modelling and how to undertake comprehensive assessments and manage impacts to groundwater dependent ecosystems. Two additional explanatory notes will be released for use later in 2018. The updated Information Guidelines are a continuing step towards improving the robustness of information provided to the IESC.
Keywords: EIS, environmental assessment, environmental impact statement, EPBC Act, groundwater modelling, regulation.
Dr Glen Walker has 30 years of hydrology, groundwater and salinity research experience. He is the author of over 70 scientific papers in the international literature and was involved in the preliminary risk assessment and development of priorities for science needs for coal seam gas for the Office of Water Science in the Department of the Environment in 2012. Glen currently operates his own consultancy, having retired from the CSIRO. Glen was the 2017 NCGRT/IAH Distinguished Lecturer, giving talks on Climate Change and Australian Groundwater around Australia. He was also a member of the 2017 Independent Audit Group-Salinity for the Murray–Darling Basin Authority. Over the last few years he has been involved in international projects with a focus on surface water–groundwater interactions and on salinity impacts in the Mallee region in south-east Australia. |
Sarah Taylor currently works as a hydrogeochemist with the Office of Water Science in the Department of the Environment and Energy. Sarah’s role includes providing technical support to the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development and technical advice to other areas within the Department on the water-related impacts of developments. Prior to this Sarah completed a PhD examining the hydrogeochemistry of shallow groundwater in Western Sydney at the University of Sydney. She previously worked as a hydrographer in industrial, urban and coastal environments. Sarah is a member of the International Association of Hydrogeologists. |
Peter Baker has over 35 years’ experience working across the private and public sectors as well as academia. He is currently Director and Senior Principal Research Scientist of the Office of Water Science within the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy. In this role he leads a dedicated group of scientists that support the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development, the Supervising Scientist on uranium mining and the broader department in regard to the impacts of developments on water resources. Previously Peter led the Water Program with the Bureau of Rural Sciences and for 10 years led a range of multi-discipline projects ranging across the full spectrum of Natural Resource Management. Working in the Queensland public service he led several hydrogeological investigations particularly in the Bundaberg region. Prior to joining the public service, Peter spent time working as a tutor at the Flinders University of South Australia and as a Petroleum Geologist with several operating oil and gas companies in Australia. In his early career he worked with gold mining companies in Western Australia. |
Mitchell Bouma has more than 10 years’ experience working across private and public sectors. He is currently an Assistant Director of the Office of Water Science Technical Analysis Team within the Department of the Environment and Energy. In this role, Mitchell provides scientific support to the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development and other areas within the Department on the impacts of developments on water resources. Mitchell has a Bachelor of Science (geology major) with honours in economic geology and a Bachelor of Science (Forestry), both from the Australian National University. Mitchell previously worked in regulatory positions within the Commonwealth public service and before that worked as a consultant. |
