The Australian Government’s bioregional assessment programs provide transparent scientific information to better understand the potential impacts of unconventional gas and coal mining developments on water and the environment. There are two separate programs of bioregional assessments.
The Geological and Bioregional Assessment Program is assessing the potential impacts of shale and tight gas development on water and the environment. The Program began in 2017 and is assessing three priority regions: the Cooper GBA Region; the Isa GBA Region; and the Beetaloo GBA Region.
The Bioregional Assessment Program assessed the potential impacts of coal seam gas and large coal mining developments on surface water and groundwater, and ecosystems or assets that depend on them. The Program focussed on six bioregions across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. The Bioregional Assessment Program was completed in 2018.
