Using an Adaptive Environmental Management Framework to Regulate the Unconventional Gas Industry: A Case Study of Queensland, Australia

In: New water policy & practice: NWPP, Band 4, Heft 2, S. 57-73

Abstract

AbstractAustralia has just witnessed one of the longest resources booms in the country's history. But who benefited? Was the rapid expansion managed in such a way to protect affected communities, ecosystems, and water resources? And what legislative approach has delivered the best outcome? Unconventional gas has been touted as the great saviour in terms of energy, providing a transitional resource that will enable the global economy to shift from a non‐renewal hydrocarbon‐based economy to renewable energy sources. The development of the unconventional gas industry in the state of Queensland has created opportunities for the significant capital investment, job creation, and the beginnings of a massive liquefied natural gas export industry within the State. During the period of expansive development, water and environmental legislation was often at odds with both the industry and the community. Successive governments grappled with the best approach for capturing community concerns and supporting the development of a new industry that promised significant benefits to the State through jobs, taxes, and royalties. This paper evaluates the adaptive environmental management approach adopted by Queensland to manage the new unconventional gas industry and whether this has been successful.