Breadcrumb

Factsheets

Factsheets summarise the key findings from the bioregional assessments.

Detailed information about each region is available from the relevant assessment pages.

The bioregional assessment for the Gwydir subregion found that there is limited potential for coal resource development in the Gwydir subregion. As a result, coal mining and coal seam gas extraction is unlikely to affect water resources and water-dependent assets in the subregion.
The bioregional assessment found that there is very low potential for coal resource development in the Arckaringa subregion. Exploration for coal and coal seam gas is at an early stage. Although coal resources are present, it is unlikely that there will be development that would affect water resources or water-dependent assets in the foreseeable future. The research shows a potential connection between the Arckaringa Basin and the overlying Great Artesian Basin.
This bioregional assessment found there is limited potential for coal mining in the Pedirka subregion, due to the remoteness and depths of coal in the geological Pedirka Basin and the consequent lack of data. There may be potential for coal seam gas extraction in the eastern part of the basin, but exploration is at an early stage. Research shows possible connection between parts of the eastern Pedirka Basin and the overlying Great Artesian Basin.
This bioregional assessment found that there is no potential for coal mining in the Cooper subregion. One advanced coal seam gas proposal was identified: the proposed Southern Cooper Basin Gas Project, which targets coal seam gas in the Patchawarra Formation (a geological unit). Should it go to production, the project may increase surface water flows into Strzelecki Creek. Springwater levels of the Lake Blanche Springs are unlikely to be affected.
The bioregional assessment for the Clarence-Moreton bioregion found that potential changes in water resources due to the withdrawn West Casino Gas Project would likely have been minimal at the surface. This is because the proposed development would have extracted small volumes of groundwater compared to the volume of groundwater recharge. In addition, multiple layers of low permeability rock, called aquitards, are a partial barrier that limit changes to water within the coal seams and other deeper layers from reaching the surface. There is very limited potential for the commercial production of coal seam gas in the Queensland part of the bioregion and no new coal mining development was identified in the bioregion.
The bioregional assessment for the Maranoa-Balonne-Condamine bioregion found that the impacts of two proposed coal mines on water resources in the Maranoa-Balonne-Condamine subregion will be limited to small areas near the mines. Most water-dependent assets in the region will be unaffected. Possible impacts on 15 percent of the Barakula State Forest, a small number of bores, and some areas of groundwater-dependent ecosystems and threatened species habitat may require more detailed local investigation, for example, as part of an environmental impact assessment.

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