All applications for major coal seam gas (CSG) production, gas pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing plant projects are subject to a strict assessment and approvals process through an environmental impact statement (EIS) process.

The EIS may be carried out under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 or through the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

A regional interests development approval (RIDA) may also be required where a resource activity is proposed in an area of regional interest. Find out more about applying for a RIDA under the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014.

Three projects have already achieved conditional approval from this process with numerous conditions imposed on each.

The EIS must include an environmental management plan that identifies potential impacts on the surrounding environment, and proposes actions to minimise and manage those impacts.

At the end of the EIS process, projects may be granted an environmental authority (EA) that includes conditions to protect the environment and minimise environmental harm.

The government has a compliance program in place to monitor industry compliance with environmental standards.

Small-scale CSG operations or exploration activities may not require an EIS but still undergo assessment by qualified and experienced assessment staff and public notification processes as part of the EA process required before operations can start.

CSG applications may also need to be referred to the Australian Government for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth). The Australian Government can impose conditions on the project to protect specific matters of national environmental significance. All of the approved CSG-LNG projects to date have been subject to this process and can be referenced in the Coordinator General's report for each individual project.

Local government approvals are required for any project component located outside the petroleum and pipeline tenure.

Also consider...

• Read about environmental authorities for CSG-LNG projects.
• Read about water and environmental management for the CSG-LNG industry.
• Find out about CSG-LNG activities and agriculture.
• Find out how to apply for a RIDA under the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014.

Coal seam gas (CSG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations in Queensland are subject to strict laws to minimise their impacts on the environment. The Queensland Government has stringent monitoring and compliance regimes in place to make sure companies are meeting their obligations.

The Queensland Government has put in place laws that:

• Protect groundwater and the Great Artesian Basin – Landholders and rural communities depend on groundwater and the Great Artesian Basin. The Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment (OGIA) provides the groundwater management functions previously carried out by the Queensland Water Commission. OGIA is responsible for assessing potential future cumulative impacts on groundwater and developing management responses that help to minimise those impacts.
• Adopt a precautionary approach – The Queensland Government has introduced an adaptive environmental management regime. This allows for the alteration of environmental conditions placed on a project on the basis of new information and/or research as it becomes available.
• Control water quality – The Queensland Government has banned the use of evaporation dams and strengthened conditions around the treatment and use of CSG water. These measures further protect the Great Artesian Basin, creeks and rivers, and farming land.
• Prohibit harmful chemicals – CSG operators are not allowed to use the petroleum compounds benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene – also known as BTEX – as a deliberate component of hydraulic fracturing fluids.
• Protect landholders' water quality – CSG operators must measure the water quantity in landholders' water bores before CSG activities start and during CSG extraction. This provides baseline information for monitoring impacts over time and compensation if bores are affected.
• Protect regional interests – A regional interests development approval (RIDA) may be required under the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 for activities proposed in areas of regional interest.

A range of enforcement tools and penalties are in place to deal with environmental incidents and compliance breaches. The Queensland Government has also established the CSG Compliance Unit (formerly the LNG Enforcement Unit) to monitor CSG operators and ensure that they are in compliance with industry laws and regulations.

Reporting CSG concerns

If you have any concerns about CSG operations, you can contact us with your resource enquiry or complaint.

Also consider...

• Read more about Queensland gas legislation.
• Learn more about water and environmental management for the CSG-LNG industry.
• Find out about CSG-LNG activities and landholders.
• Find out how to apply for a RIDA under the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014.

The laws managing the growth of Queensland's coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas (CSG-LNG) industry have been developed after more than 2 years of intensive examination to create the right policy settings for an expanding industry.

At the heart of the Queensland Government's management is a commitment to sustainable development.

We've been working with local residents, landholders, peak farming groups and the resources sector to get the ground rules right.

We have strong laws and regulations in place that:

• deliver safe and high standards of environmental responsibility
• protect local water supplies and farming land
• manage the impact of resource activities on areas of regional interest
• provide fair conditions for landholders
• establish strict compliance regimes.

CSG-LNG compliance and enforcement is managed through local, Queensland and Australian government agencies.

Reporting CSG concerns

For emergencies, dial 000 and the emergency contact numbers displayed at the incident location.

Other CSG-related health and safety concerns should be reported to the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate.

Environmental concerns, including noise, light and odour, should be reported to the Pollution Hotline.

Land access concerns, including entry notices, directional drilling and negotiating a conduct and compensation agreement, can be directed to the Mining Community Infoline.

Also consider...

• Read about environmental authorities for CSG-LNG projects.
• Find out more about complying with environmental authorities.
• Learn more about fraccing regulations and chemicals.
• Learn more about water and environmental management for the CSG-LNG industry.
• Find out how to apply for a RIDA under the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014.
• Find out about CSG-LNG activities and agriculture.
• Read the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation's CSG-LNG Compliance Plan.
• Make an enquiry or complaint about CSG-LNG operations.