Finally recognising concerns over Coal Seam Gas extraction heavily impacting water supplies, the QLD government has announced new regulatory trigger levels which will stop CSG producers from draining aquifers with impunity (as has happened in other parts of the world).

The new trigger thresholds will be a 5m drop for consolidated aquifers such as sandstone, a 2m drop for shallow alluvial aquifers and 0.2m drop for springs.  When trigger thresholds are exceeded, the CSG operator will have to investigate and report to the bore owner and QLD Water Commission.
Whilst the devil is likely to be in the detail, it is at least a start in protecting precious water supplies and QLD is to be congratulated for pioneering sustainable development. 

We ask what is the NSW government doing in this regard?
Why is it still dragging its feet over Water Study funding?  
Where is are the NSW Ministers for Mines and Water on these important issues?  
Just who is responsible for assessing cumulative impacts of CSG and mining projects on water supplies in NSW?
QLD is clearly leading the way….but in the words of the old tourism ad: “NSW government – where the b****y hell are you?”