Research Scientific advice on research priorities The IESC provides scientific advice to the Minister for the Environment and Energy on priorities and projects for the Australian Government’s research into the water-related impacts of coal seam gas and large coal mining development. The research aims to strengthen the science underpinning regulatory decisions, including by informing the advice the IESC provides to regulators. For example, during 2015-16, the IESC cited Australian Government research products in its advice to regulators on peat swamps and management of subsidence due to longwall coal mining. The IESC has previously provided advice on priorities for new research to address knowledge gaps. This advice concentrated on areas of high risk, significant knowledge gaps and where there was potential to produce outputs of national significance within three years. The IESC also took into account current and emerging research being undertaken in Australia and overseas. This process identified research across three priority themes: Hydrology—improved scientific understanding and modelling of alterations to groundwater and surface water characteristics and processes. Ecosystems and water—strengthening knowledge of potential impacts on key species and ecosystems, as well as methods for monitoring and mitigating these impacts. Chemicals— improved scientific understanding of coal seam gas chemicals, their movement in surface and groundwater systems, and their toxicity. Cumulative impacts are also of interest and form a cross-cutting issue that is informed by bioregional assessments and research in the priority themes. The Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy progressed priority research projects within these themes. Reports from 17 projects have been published. Given the progress made in the research program, the IESC has decided to undertake a review of its advice on research priorities. Preliminary consultation was carried out during 2015-16, and further consultation is planned. This review is expected to conclude in the 2017 calendar year. Case study: Research to inform the assessment of ecohydrological responses to coal seam gas extraction and coal mining This two-year research program is focused on ecohydrological responses to variations in interaction of the kind that might be expected due to coal seam gas extraction and coal mining developments. It is being carried out in two catchments, one in New South Wales and one in Queensland, in accordance with a detailed work plan agreed to by the IESC in 2015. The program has four major research components: Ecohydrology of groundwater dependent terrestrial vegetation. The objective is to understand the impacts of altered groundwater regimes as a result of coal seam gas and coal mining developments on groundwater dependent vegetation in different biophysical settings.
Research Scientific advice on research priorities The IESC provides scientific advice to the Minister for the Environment and Energy on priorities and projects for the Australian Government’s research into the water-related impacts of coal seam gas and large coal mining development. The research aims to strengthen the science underpinning regulatory decisions, including by informing the advice the IESC provides to regulators. For example, during 2015-16, the IESC cited Australian Government research products in its advice to regulators on peat swamps and management of subsidence due to longwall coal mining. The IESC has previously provided advice on priorities for new research to address knowledge gaps. This advice concentrated on areas of high risk, significant knowledge gaps and where there was potential to produce outputs of national significance within three years. The IESC also took into account current and emerging research being undertaken in Australia and overseas. This process identified research across three priority themes: Hydrology—improved scientific understanding and modelling of alterations to groundwater and surface water characteristics and processes. Ecosystems and water—strengthening knowledge of potential impacts on key species and ecosystems, as well as methods for monitoring and mitigating these impacts. Chemicals— improved scientific understanding of coal seam gas chemicals, their movement in surface and groundwater systems, and their toxicity. Cumulative impacts are also of interest and form a cross-cutting issue that is informed by bioregional assessments and research in the priority themes. The Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy progressed priority research projects within these themes. Reports from 17 projects have been published. Given the progress made in the research program, the IESC has decided to undertake a review of its advice on research priorities. Preliminary consultation was carried out during 2015-16, and further consultation is planned. This review is expected to conclude in the 2017 calendar year. Case study: Research to inform the assessment of ecohydrological responses to coal seam gas extraction and coal mining This two-year research program is focused on ecohydrological responses to variations in interaction of the kind that might be expected due to coal seam gas extraction and coal mining developments. It is being carried out in two catchments, one in New South Wales and one in Queensland, in accordance with a detailed work plan agreed to by the IESC in 2015. The program has four major research components: Ecohydrology of groundwater dependent terrestrial vegetation. The objective is to understand the impacts of altered groundwater regimes as a result of coal seam gas and coal mining developments on groundwater dependent vegetation in different biophysical settings.
iesc-review-jul-15-jun-16.docx