Professor Simmons is professor of hydrogeology at Flinders University and director of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training. He is a leading international authority in hydrogeology and is considered one of Australia's foremost groundwater academics. Professor Simmons has been a significant contributor to global advances in the science of hydrogeology for many years.

Professor Langford has had a 35-year career in the Australian water industry, serving as chief executive of the Rural Water Commission from 1989 to 1994. He is a Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and a Fellow, Institution of Engineers, Australia. Professor Langford has been the recipient of many awards including a Churchill Fellowship, the Peter Hughes award for contribution to Australian water management, a Centenary Medal and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2005.

Jane Coram has a master of hydrogeology, is a groundwater expert at Geoscience Australia and she is a current member of the Coal Seam Gas Water Management Panel. She has provided high-level technical advice on groundwater issues, including dryland salinity, groundwater sustainability, uranium mining and wetlands management, to federal, state and territory government agencies and regional catchment managers.

Associate Professor Laurence has a PhD in mining engineering and an MBA in international business. His research interests include sustainable mining practices; mine closure; community engagement and mine simulation; mining methods and mine design; mining law and mine management. He is a consultant to industry, government and aid organisations in sustainable mining practices. He is the inaugural director of the Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices.

Professor Moran is the director of the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland, interim director of the University of Queensland Centre for Coal Seam Gas and a current member of the Coal Seam Gas Water Management Panel. He was previously the founding director of the Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry at the University of Queensland. Prior to that, he worked as a natural resources and soil scientist in the CSIRO and has more than 20 years experience in landscape and water research.

Emeritus Professor Flood, retired Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of New England, is a geologist with 44 years experience in basin studies including within the Gunnedah, Bowen and Surat Basins. He is also a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. He has been a consultant to federal, state and territory governments and the mining, oil and gas industries and has studied the impacts of mining and coal seam gas extraction on water resources.