About the document

The year in review provides an overview of the activities of the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development (the IESC) since its establishment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) in late 2012 to December 2013.

The report highlights the IESC’s achievements in carrying out its legislative functions to:

• Provide scientific advice to the Commonwealth Environment Minister and relevant state ministers on the water-related impacts of proposed coal seam gas or large coal mining developments.
• Provide scientific advice to the Commonwealth Environment Minister on:
  • bioregional assessments being undertaken by the Australian Government
  • research priorities and projects commissioned by the Commonwealth Environment Minister.
• Publish and disseminate scientific information about the impacts of coal seam gas and large coal mining activities on water resources.