ARTICLE · 19 MARCH 2013

Water trigger for EPBC approval, but only for large coal mining and CSG projects

Clayton Utz

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More large coal mining and coal seam gas projects will require Commonwealth environmental approval if a new Bill passes.

AustraliaEnvironment

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More mining and coal seam gas projects will require Commonwealth environmental approval, if a new Government Bill passes Federal Parliament.

The Commonwealth Government has introduced a Bill to amend the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, which proposes to include as a "matter of national environmental significance" an action involving coal seam gas development or large coal mining development that has, will have or is likely to have a significant impact on a water resource. As a consequence, these actions will require approval under the EPBC Act.

Approval trigger for water impacts under the EPBC Bill

Under the Bill, a person, a constitutional corporation or the Commonwealth (or agency) commits an offence if they take an action involving:

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