Social and economic impacts

Research on social and economic impacts and opportunities aims to inform and support change arising from CSG development to enhance regional and community benefit, and to provide a legacy of knowledge that enables communities in this and other regions to benefit from future resource developments.

Perspectives on risk to local markets and industries

This fact sheet describes research project aims and objectives designed to assist community understanding of any potential impacts of onshore gas development on the image and place-of-origin branding of agricultural markets in south east South Australia.

Community wellbeing and attitudes to coal seam gas development in 2022, in Narrabri Shire, NSW

Monitoring changes in community wellbeing and local attitudes to coal seam gas (CSG) development in the Narrabri Shire, NSW, between 2017 and 2022

South Australia: The role of gas

This project explored the outlook for the South Australian energy industry and its economic implications within the context of the national economy and energy industry, with a particular focus on the role of gas, both natural gas and hydrogen.

Evaluating the medium-term socio-economic impacts of onshore gas activity in southern Queensland

This fact sheet desctibes a CSIRO research project designed to update our understanding of the medium-term impacts of onshore natural gas extraction in Queensland’s Bowen and Surat Basins, by analysing socio economic data from last 10 years.

Community wellbeing and attitudes to coal seam gas development in south-west Queensland – 2014 to 2024

This fact sheet provides an overview of the CSIRO research project exploring trends in community wellbeing and attitudes to coal seam gas (CSG) development over the past decade across different industry phases: from construction through to full operation.

About onshore gas in the NT

CSIRO has developed some resources for communities about onshore gas and its potential impacts in the Northern Territory

Mapping future transport for improved planning and operation in the Northern Territory

Construction phases of onshore gas projects can impact regional road networks through increases in the type and number of vehicles along many roads.

A conventional gas well is drilled in a forest in South Australia's South East

The role of gas in South Australia

This project will clarify the role of natural gas in meeting the state’s renewable energy, security, emissions and energy pricing goals.

Community wellbeing and local attitudes to conventional gas development in south east South Australia

This fact sheet summarises key points of research into community wellbeing and local attitudes and perceptions of conventional gas development in the southern Limestone Coast or lower south east region of South Australia.

Local attitudes and perceptions of CSG development: 2014 – 2018

Results of the 2018 CSIRO Community Wellbeing and Responding to Change # 3 survey in Queensland, Australia.

Community resilience and adapting during CSG development: 2014 – 2018

Results of the 2018 CSIRO Community Wellbeing and Responding to Change survey # 3 in Queensland, Australia.

Trends in community wellbeing during CSG development: 2014 – 2018

Results of the 2018 CSIRO Community Wellbeing and Responding to Change survey # 3 in Queensland, Australia.

Research on conventional gas in South East South Australia

This project develops a profile of the local onshore conventional gas industry and its role within the regional economy to date

Investigating the environmental, social and economic impacts of conventional gas development in South East South Australia

CSIRO's three-year research program on cumulative environmental, social and economic impacts of gas development in the South East

Decommissioning coal seam gas wells

Fact sheet on decommissioning of CSG wells in Queensland and New South Wales

Truck on highway, near Cowra, NSW, with Canola and wheat fields in the background.

Attitudes to Coal Seam Gas development in the Narrabri Shire of New South Wales

Key findings on community attitudes to potential CSG development

New South Wales coal seam gas research projects: Update summary

Progress summary of research by GISERA in regional NSW, September 2017.

Community attitudes towards CSG development: 2014 and 2016

Views towards CSG development in the Western Downs region differ within communities and also between communities. On average, views towards CSG development became slightly more negative in 2016.

Community Wellbeing in the Western Downs: 2014 and 2016

Even though some aspects of wellbeing decreased and others improved, overall community wellbeing remains similar and robust over two years of CSG development. The 2016 CSIRO Community Wellbeing and Responding to Change survey shows the biggest change in wellbeing from 2014 was the decrease in satisfaction in relation to jobs and employment opportunities, and the biggest improvements were in roads and the quality of the environment (e.g. dust and noise).

Community wellbeing and adapting to coal seam gas

This communique highlights key findings from the 2016 CSIRO Community Wellbeing and Responding to Change survey, changes between 2016 and 2014, and implications for community, industry, and government stakeholders involved with Coal Seam Gas (CSG) development. Key messages describe lessons learned from investigating wellbeing over four years in this region – a period of rapid economic development associated with the construction phase of the industry ending with local economic slowdown post-construction.