LOCK the Gate Alliance says the government’s review of the “water trigger” legislation is an opportunity to expand federal oversight to the impacts of shale and tight gas mining on water resources.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The water trigger is a national environment law created in June 2013, which says water resources are a matter of national significance.
Under the legislation, any action involving a coal seam gas development or a large coal mining development requires approval from the federal environment minister if it has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on a water resource.
Lock the Gate national co-ordinator Phil Laird said the water trigger had effectively provided national scrutiny to a number of projects and should be expanded to other unconventional gas mining, such as shale and tight gas.
“Shale and tight gas mining aren’t covered by the water trigger, but they are very similar to coal seam gas and the impacts they can have on ground water are similar,” Mr Laird said.
“Coal seam gas mining goes about 300 to 1000 metres deep – shale gas goes 3000 metres underground and requires much higher pressure for fracking.”
He said at such a depth there was a real possibility the Great Artesian Basin could be pierced, affecting the water supply of thousands of landholders.
Mr Laird said it was “essential” the federal government kept control of the water trigger, because of the conflict of interest when a state government received royalties from mining and gas operations.
