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
2021-129	Australian Government	QLD	Gas Supply Security Project (EPBC 2020/8856) – Expansion	06 Feb 2022	Gas Supply Security Project (EPBC 2020/8856) – Expansion (PDF 578.9KB) Gas Supply Security Project (EPBC 2020/8856) – Expansion (DOC 476KB)
2021-128	Australian Government and NSW	NSW	Newstan Mine Extension Project (EPBC 2019/8528) – Expansion	15 Nov 2021	Newstan Mine Extension Project (EPBC 2019/8528) – Expansion (PDF 695.5KB) Newstan Mine Extension Project (EPBC 2019/8528) – Expansion (DOC 528.5KB)
2021-127	NSW	NSW	Tomingley Gold Extension Project (GA-15823373) – Expansion	09 Oct 2021	Details of advice provided under section 505D(2)(b) of the EPBC Act 1999 (Cth) (PDF 499.4KB) Details of advice provided under section 505D(2)(b) of the EPBC Act 1999 (Cth) (DOC 458.4KB)
2021-126	SA	SA	Leigh Creek Energy Project Stage 1 Commercial Development (EPBC 2021/8953) – Expansion	15 Sep 2021	Status of advice (PDF 156.8KB) Status of advice (DOC 456.2KB)
2021-124	Australian Government and QLD	QLD	Winchester South Project (EPBC 2019/8458, EPBC 2019/8459, EPBC 2019/8460) – New Development	05 Sep 2021	Winchester South Project (EPBC 2019/8458, EPBC 2019/8459, EPBC 2019/8460) – New Development (PDF 616.1KB) Winchester South Project (EPBC 2019/8458, EPBC 2019/8459, EPBC 2019/8460) – New Development (DOC 492KB)

Interim committee project advice

Regulator	Project location	Project name	Date of IESC advice	File
Australian Government	QLD	Codrilla Coal Project - EPBC 2009/4892	21 May 2012	Codrilla Coal IIESC Project Advice (PDF 150.4KB) Codrilla Coal IIESC Project Advice (DOC 91.5KB)
Australian Government	QLD	Sonoma Coal Mine Extension - EPBC 2011/5800	21 May 2012	Sonoma Coal Mine Extension IIESC Project Advice (PDF 141.8KB) Sonoma Coal Mine Extension IIESC Project Advice (DOC 93.3KB)
Australian Government	NSW	Dart Energy, Coal Seam Gas Exploration Pilot Appraisal Program - EPBC 2011/6154	19 Apr 2012	Dart Energy, Coal Seam Gas Exploration Pilot Appraisal Program IIESC Project Advice (PDF 28.1KB) Dart Energy, Coal Seam Gas Exploration Pilot Appraisal Program IIESC Project Advice (DOC 102.9KB)
Australian Government	NSW	Apex Illawarra Coal Seam Gas Exploration Drilling and Gas Monitoring – EPBC 2011/5821	27 Mar 2012	Apex Illawarra Coal Seam Gas Exploration Drilling and Gas Monitoring Program IIESC Project Advice (PDF 161.2KB) Apex Illawarra Coal Seam Gas Exploration Drilling and Gas Monitoring Program IIESC Project Advice (DOC 43.3KB)
Australian Government	NSW	Mount Pleasant Project - EPBC 2011/5795	24 Feb 2012	Mount Pleasant IIESC Project Advice (PDF 66.6KB) Mount Pleasant IIESC Project Advice (DOC 31.9KB)