About the document

This summary highlights research projects commissioned by the Department of the Environment and Energy between 2013 and 2017. Advice on priorities for research projects was provided by the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development (the Committee).

The research has advanced the scientific understanding of potential impacts of coal seam gas extraction and large coal mining developments on water flow, water quality, surface and groundwater connectivity, ecosystems and cumulative impacts. It has improved the available knowledge in these key areas, strengthened the science to support regulatory decision making and informed the Committee’s advice to regulators. The full suite of technical reports is available on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website at: Coal and coal seam gas - Science and research.