Queensland fact sheets

Understanding the sources of methane emissions in the Surat Basin, Queensland

This project will determine the potential sources of methane in air samples collected in the Western Downs Region of Queensland by using innovative sampling and analytical methods developed by CSIRO.

Surveying emissions from coal seam gas water holding ponds in Queensland

CSIRO scientists will survey coal seam gas (CSG) water holding ponds in Queensland’s Surat Basin to evaluate their methane emissions potential.

Controls and contributions to methane emissions from coal seam gas water holding ponds

CSIRO scientists are studying the various roles that methane-producing and methane-consuming microbes, algae, brine and sediment play in the methane emission contributions of water holding ponds in the Surat Basin, Queensland.

Methane contributions from coal seam gas holding ponds in Queensland

CSIRO scientists have completed a comprehensive desktop survey, evaluating the potential of Queensland’s coal seam gas (CSG) water holding ponds to act as a source of methane and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Assessing the exposure of identified chemicals used in the coal seam gas (CSG) activities in the Surat Basin, Queensland

Improving the understanding of the potential presence, distribution and exposure of identified chemicals associated with CSG activities in the Surat Basin, in southern Queensland.

Screening for potential hazards to human health from CSG activities

Scientists from CSIRO and The University of Queensland (UQ) have released results of a five-year research project – Identification and screening for potential physical hazards to human health from coal seam gas activities at a study site in the Surat Basin, southern Queensland.

Understanding the integrity of Queensland’s coal seam gas wells: Cements, steels and microbial activity

This fact sheet describes a CSIRO research project designed to bring together information on materials used in cements and casings in coal seam gas (CSG) wells along with microbial activity that may impact CSG well integrity.

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.

Methane contributions from holding ponds

This fact sheet provides an overview of the CSIRO research project investigating the potential contribution of Queensland’s coal seam gas (CSG) holding ponds to methane emissions.

Minkie Waterhole full of water, with the sun shining on it and surrounded by large trees and banks

Developing flood model scenarios for Cooper Creek

Enabling a better understanding of flooding in the Cooper Creek catchment in south-west Queensland.

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.

Cattle, pastures and coal seam gas – a case study

CSIRO scientists investigated graziers’ concerns about the impacts of CSG traffic and infrastructure on soils, pastures and livestock.

Assessing the ambient air quality in the Surat Basin

Research outcomes point to good air quality in the study region.

Groundwater contamination risk assessment

This fact sheet shares research outcomes that improve the understanding of water contamination risks due to hydraulic fracturing in CSG extraction.

Surat Basin regional air quality, Queensland

Coal seam gas (CSG) production has expanded rapidly in the Surat Basin in recent years, leading to an increase in the number of emission sources that may increase pollutant levels in the air. However limited information has been available about the levels of pollutants in the air, how these compare to other regions, and to air quality standards.

Characteristics of methane seeps

The Surat Basin is one of Australia’s largest coal seam gas regions. Over the coming years, production of gas will increase as Lique ed Natural Gas (LNG) facilities come online. This study will develop a better understanding and characterise methane sources across the region. It is important to distinguish between methane sources that occur naturally and those that are referred to as anthropogenic, or occur after some kind of human involvement.

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).

Groundwater flows in the Hutton Sandstone and Precipice Sandstone aquifers

CSIRO is undertaking a study to better understand groundwater flow in two Queensland aquifers which provide an important resource for domestic and stock water supply.

Methane seeps in the Condamine River

This fact sheet presents the current state of scientific knowledge on methane seeps in the Condamine River including natural and human causes, and the human and environmental health and safety impacts of methane escaping from underground. This fact sheet has been developed by CSIRO researchers with expertise in the hydrogeology, geology, ecology and biogeochemistry and from multiple sources to summarise what we currently know about these methane seeps.

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.

Looking to the Future: Job forecasts for the Surat Basin 2014 to 2034

This communiqué presents a summary of research about the economic effects of the CSG industry during the operations phase. The findings draw on two sets of data. The first is economic forecasting of indirect employment that flow on to other sectors from the CSG industry. The second is a set of interviews with local stakeholders identifying lessons from the construction phase which can be useful to small businesses during the operations phase.

Soil Compaction

Soil compaction has long been considered an important issue for soils of the region and modern farming methods have been developed to minimise damage to these soils from farm machinery. However, it has not been clear what damage may result from the large numbers of vehicles used along CSG pipelines and access tracks and within lease areas.

Access tracks and soil erosion

Aerial photogrammetry is used to monitor and model the impact of access tracks on water ows and erosion.

Understanding the way farmers see their farm

Farmers and CSG workers may come from different backgrounds and this can influence communications between them. The CSIRO Shared Space project has shown that the aesthetics (visual aspects) of a farm is quite individualised and specific to the farmer, and potentially a cause for a lack of understanding from others.

Ensuring biodiversity offset success: the right kind of seed for a rare daisy (Rutidosis lanata)

The woolly wrinklewort Rutidosis lanata (Asteraceae) is a rare and protected daisy from southern Queensland. As part of the biodiversity offset program for the Australia Pacific LNG project, more than 100,000 plants of this species will be translocated. Successful establishment of a self-sustaining population relies on knowledge of basic reproductive ecology and genetic diversity for the species. The Gas Industry Social & Environmental Research Alliance (GISERA) have initiated a research project on the woolly wrinklewort to better inform the conservation of this rare species.

GISERA Director briefing key stakeholders

Coal seam gas regions reverse rural decline trend

The development of Australia’s unconventional gas, specifically coal seam gas (CSG), in the past five years has resulted in significant economic change in agricultural areas. Understanding the social and economic implications of CSG production for rural towns and regions is critical to maximising the benefits and minimising the costs associated with the challenges and opportunities arising from this extractive industry.

Rural change as a result of coal seam gas developments and the associated economic impacts

At any given point in time, a community or region may appear static. Their populations, economies and identities may give the appearance that this is how they always were. This is not the case; history shows that a region’s population, economy and identity changes considerably over time.

Community resilience

The arrival of the coal seam gas (CSG) industry in regions and communities of southern Queensland is coupled with change. The benefits and costs of development are closely tied to the social, economic and environmental opportunities and challenges experienced by impacted communities and surrounding regions.

Group of people in hard hats standing near coal seam gas well

Social licence to operate

‘Social licence to operate’ has become central to discussions within extractive industries such as coal seam and shale gas, as they seek to recognise community interests. But where does the term actually come from and how is it currently understood?