Scientific advice

The Australian Government and state government regulators refer coal seam gas and large coal mining proposals to the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development (IESC) for expert scientific advice on the potential water-related impacts of these developments.

In giving scientific advice the IESC considers all the potential impacts of the proposed development to water resources. This includes groundwater, surface water, water quantity and quality, ecosystems and ecological processes that affect the water resource and water-dependent assets.

This advice enables regulators to make their decisions based on the best available science.

The IESC publish all the scientific advice provided to regulators. You can use the search tool on this page to find any of this advice.

Project advice

Reference number	Regulator	Project location	Project name	Date of IESC advice	File
2022-134	Australian Government	QLD	Caval Ridge Mine Horse Pit Extension (EPBC 2021/9031) – Expansion	03 Sep 2022	Caval Ridge Mine Horse Pit Extension (EPBC 2021/9031) – Expansion (DOC 491.6KB) Caval Ridge Mine Horse Pit Extension (EPBC 2021/9031) – Expansion (PDF 273.2KB)
2022-133	Australian Government	QLD	Fairview Water Release Scheme (EPBC 2021/8914) – Expansion	30 Jul 2022	Fairview Water Release Scheme (EPBC 2021/8914) – Expansion (DOC 510.7KB) Fairview Water Release Scheme (EPBC 2021/8914) – Expansion (PDF 317.8KB)
2022-132	Australian Government and NSW	NSW	Dendrobium Mine Extension Project (EPBC 2021/9115 and State Ref No SSI-33143123) - Expansion	09 Jun 2022	Dendrobium Mine Extension Project (EPBC 20a21/9115 and State Ref No SSI-33143123) – Expansion (PDF 268.7KB) Dendrobium Mine Extension Project (EPBC 20a21/9115 and State Ref No SSI-33143123) – Expansion (DOC 483.4KB)
2022-131	Australian Government	QLD	Middlemount Southern Extension Project (EPBC 2021/8920) – Expansion	07 Jun 2022	Middlemount Southern Extension Project (EPBC 2021/8920) – Expansion (DOC 468.6KB) Middlemount Southern Extension Project (EPBC 2021/8920) – Expansion (PDF 327.9KB)
2021-130	Australian Government	QLD	Towrie Gas Development (EPBC 2021/8979) – New Development	07 Feb 2022	Towrie Gas Development (EPBC 2021/8979) – New Development (PDF 281.3KB) Towrie Gas Development (EPBC 2021/8979) – New Development (DOC 470.6KB)

Interim committee project advice

Regulator	Project location	Project name	Date of IESC advice	File
Australian Government	NSW	Extension of Warkworth Coal Mine - EPBC 2009/5081	29 Jun 2012	Extension of Warkworth Coal Mine IIESC Project Advice (PDF 34.8KB) Extension of Warkworth Coal Mine IIESC Project Advice (DOC 93.8KB)
Australian Government	QLD	Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Project - EPBC 2010/5736	29 Jun 2012	Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Infrastructure IIESC Project Advice (PDF 160.5KB) Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Infrastructure IIESC Project Advice (DOC 97.4KB)
Australian Government	QLD	Washpool Coal Mine Project - EPBC 2009/5240	29 Jun 2012	Washpool Mine Project IIESC Project Advice (PDF 78.9KB) Washpool Mine Project IIESC Project Advice (DOC 97.8KB)
Australian Government	QLD	South Galilee Coal Project - EPBC 2010/5496	29 Jun 2012	South Galilee IIESC Project Advice (PDF 34.3KB) South Galilee IIESC Project Advice (DOC 98.1KB)
Australian Government	QLD	North Surat Coal Project, Taroom - EPBC 2012/6237 and Collingwood North Surat Coal Mine Project - EPBC 2012/6236	28 May 2012	Collingwood Coal Project and Taroom Coal IIESC Project Advice (PDF 157.1KB) Collingwood Coal Project and Taroom Coal IIESC Project Advice (DOC 98.4KB)