2.3.1.2 Developing causal pathways

The approach undertaken in the Gloucester subregion closely follows the process laid out in the companion submethodology M05 (as listed in Table 1) for developing a conceptual model of causal pathways (Henderson et al., 2016).

The key system components, processes and interactions for the geology, hydrogeology and surface water of the subregion were synthesised based on Component 1: Contextual information and in conjunction with the development of the companion products for surface water modelling (companion product 2.6.1 for the Gloucester subregion (Zhang et al., 2018)), groundwater modelling (companion product 2.6.2 for the Gloucester subregion (Peeters et al., 2018) and water balance assessment (companion product 2.5 for the Gloucester subregion (Herron et al., 2018)).

The geological synthesis relied on a detailed new geological model developed by the Assessment team that integrated existing knowledge of the relevant geology for the Gloucester subregion (in companion product 2.1-2.2 for the Gloucester subregion (Frery et al., 2018)). A landscape classification that represents the main biophysical and human ecosystems and that captures the high-level conceptualisation of the subregion was created.

Future coal resource development was discussed with external stakeholders from the subregion at a workshop in December 2013 and was subsequently refined based on external feedback and information.

A hazard analysis for the Gloucester subregion was conducted over five days via workshops with a range of experts present from CSIRO, Geoscience Australia and the Department of the Environment. The hazards were prioritised and subsequently aggregated by common impact causes to a reduced set of causal pathways for baseline and CRDP.

The causal pathways for the Gloucester subregion were discussed and tested with external stakeholders; this discussion focused on knowledge gaps and uncertainties identified by the Assessment team.

Last updated:
23 October 2018