Frequently asked questions

    Environment

    Will resource activity operators (such as petroleum, geothermal and greenhouse gas storage) be required to carry out rehabilitation?

    Environmental authority (EA) holders are required to fully rehabilitate all areas of disturbance caused by their activities. This is why EA holders for resource activities are required to apply for an estimated rehabilitation cost (ERC) decision. The ERC amount is based on the likely costs and expenses that the Queensland Government may incur when taking action to rehabilitate or restore and protect the environment because of environmental harm that the resource activity may cause.

    Further information on ERC is available.

    What about gas leaks?

    Operators must undergo regular gas well head audits. The government undertakes separate auditing activities to verify the industry reports on these audits. Certain safety requirements have been legislated to minimise any risk to the public. More information on coal seam gas safety for landholders is available.

    Water

    Will landholders’ water supplies be protected?

    An adaptive management framework is in place that protects landholders' groundwater supplies.

    As part of this, operators must:

    • undertake baseline assessments of water bores
    • develop spring impact management strategies
    • conduct bore assessments as required
    • enter into ‘make good agreements’ with landholders to restore a bore’s capacity to supply water, or provide the bore owner with an alternative water supply.

    In areas where the impacts of water extraction by individual operations overlap—called ‘cumulative management areas’ (CMA)—underground water impact reports are prepared to assess the impacts and assigns responsibilities to individual operators.

    More information on underground water is available.

    Are BTEX chemicals used in fraccing?

    Laws strictly regulate the use of BTEX chemicals in fraccing. BTEX chemicals benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene are not allowed to be added to fraccing fluids.

    What happens to CSG water?

    CSG water (the water that is removed from coals seams to access the gas) contains varying concentrations of salt.

    This water is treated to ensure it meets water quality standards before it is either injected back into underground water systems, or used for other beneficial purposes, such as irrigating crops, watering livestock or supplementing town drinking water supplies.

    If CSG water is likely to end up in a drinking water system, strict water quality and human health standards must be met.

    For more information on CSG water and its effects.