Coming apart at the seams? Social impact assessment and the coal seam gas controversy in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

This paper considers whether the scale, pace and nature of coal seam gas mining is booming ahead of social impact assessment requirements in the Australian state of Queensland. Plans for greatly expanding the coal seam gas industry, particularly in the farming regions of the Surat Basin, have raised questions not only about the safety of cumulative and longer-term impacts on aquifers and agriculture, including on the nation's food security, but also about the very future of Australia's rural and regional communities, environment and economy. These highly-charged debates are discussed in relation to current and proposed provisions for social and environmental impact assessment for informing development decisions across local, state and national levels.