Groundwater management – working with Queensland and EPBC regulation and processes
James Barker A , Sanjeev Pandey B , Jackie McKeay C , Kerynne Birch C and Matthew Paull D E *A Department of Environment and Energy, John Gorton Building, King Edward Terrace, Parkes, ACT 2600, Australia.
B Office of Groundwater Assessment, 1 William Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia.
C Department of Environment and Science, 400 George Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia.
D APPEA, Level 36/32 Turbot Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: mpaull@appea.com.au
The APPEA Journal 59(2) 516-519 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ18281
Accepted: 18 April 2019 Published: 17 June 2019
Abstract
Onshore gas development projects are often referred for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), administered by the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy (DOEE), and coal seam gas projects may require additional assessment under the ‘water trigger’ legislation. Queensland Government approval is also required and both governments’ approval processes can intersect. The two processes may have different scope and timeframes, and these are important considerations for proponents bringing forward new gas supply and project expansions. As co-regulators, the Queensland Government and DOEE routinely look for opportunities to better align regulatory practices and ensure they remain contemporary and fit for purpose. In this context, they are exploring opportunities to improve the administration of requirements for Queensland gas projects to enhance the ability of regulators to assess project approvals, ensure compliance, improve process efficiency, and maintain high environmental standards.
Keywords: EPBC Act, Commonwealth, environment, gas, groundwater, regulation, OGIA, Queensland.
James Barker is the Assistant Secretary managing EPBC assessments in Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania for the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy. His previous experience is variously as a senior manager of natural resource management (NRM) programs, environment and legislative policy and compliance. He has worked across various other Commonwealth portfolios, including Prime Minister and Cabinet, Workplace Relations, Attorney-General’s and the Australian Government Solicitor. |
Sanjeev Pandey is a hydrogeologist with 25 years of public and private sector experience in groundwater resource management in Australia and southern Africa. Sanjeev is the General Manager at the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment and has been responsible for leading two cycles of independent cumulative groundwater impact assessment of petroleum and gas (P&G) activities in the Surat and southern Bowen basins. Sanjeev was intimately involved in the development of strategic policy, legislation and implementation of the framework to manage groundwater impacts from P&G activities in Queensland. Sanjeev also led development of several groundwater management related policy initiatives to support the water resource planning framework in Queensland. He played a lead role in the management of the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) including development of the GAB Water Resource Plan and Resource Operations Plan in 2006. |
Jackie McKeay is based in Brisbane and holds a Bachelor of Environmental Management – Sustainable Development from the University of Queensland. For the last 8 years Jackie has worked in environmental regulatory and operational support roles for resource activities within Department of Environment and Science. Previously, Jackie worked in policy roles in local and state government and in environmental consultancies working in energy efficiency, sustainable development, recycling and waste management and behaviour change. Jackie currently leads the Resource Sector Regulation and Support Team that provides legislative interpretation and advice, operational policy and support. Currently her team leads the implementation of the Financial Assurance and Rehabilitation Reforms for the resource sector. |
Kerynne Birch is based in Brisbane and has worked in biosecurity and environmental regulatory roles in both Federal and State Government Agencies for 16 years and at the Department of Environment and Science for the last 8 years. During this time, Kerynne has worked in both compliance and assessment roles across a variety of regulated activities. Kerynne currently leads the Energy and Extractive Assessment Team that undertakes assessment of petroleum and gas, extractive activities, timber and sugar milling and energy generation activities across Queensland. |
Matthew Paull is APPEA’s Queensland Policy Director and previously worked in the Australian Government on resources and energy policy. Matt has broad responsibilities at APPEA and takes the lead in Queensland on a range of issues including land access, environment, water, financial assurance and resource management. |
