Analysis of an Existing Policy for Coal Mines in Queensland - Case Study Example

Analysis of an existing policy for coal mines in Queensland Name: Class: Instructor: School, City: Date of submission: Background information Australia has one of the largest coal mines situated at Queensland. However, the mining activity is expected to deplete the areas resources to a signified position. This owes to the fact that the mine occupies an area of close to 200 square meters. The expected amount of coal that can get mined in the mine is approximately 60 million tonnes on an annual basis (Merz, 2012). Therefore, the government ought to develop a regulatory policy that would control the depletion of groundwater that very essential in maintaining the level of underground water. The initiation of the Adani Mining Pty Limited was followed by a set of policies that the project undertakings out to obey. The environmental protection (water) policy-2009, in this case, relates to groundwater management and monitoring policy is among the thirty-six renowned policies that got expressed during the initiation of the mining project by Adani. The groundwater and monitoring policy, which remained instituted under the sections 13(1) and 133 of the Environment-Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, constituted several requirements. Signing of these requirements led to the approval of the project. Precisely, the policy demanded that three months before the excavation process of the initial box started the directors, or approval recipients ought to submit the document of approval of groundwater management. The policy incorporated several sub-sections that described the monitoring network. First, it is intended to control the monitoring sites. Secondly, it would facilitate and ensure that sufficient monitoring of the impacts that the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) aquifers. There is no exception of whether the aquifers were within or outside the area where the project was situated. The policy then exhibits a rationale for the specific design to use when drafting the monitoring network (Merz, 2012). The major issues that ought to be considered are the expected potential impacts of mining activity that would resultantly bring about the occurrence of matters related to national environmental significance. Ideally, the impacts regulated include those which affect the project area and those from the outside. The policy also contains the baseline for monitoring the data. Preliminary data that can assist the environment body of the government to assess the miners’ endeavours that might endanger the life of ground water. Additionally, the policy incorporates details affiliated with values segregated to show potential impacts of mining. This will assist the state with managing the project while complying with the Environment Protection Act (1994). It also provides s basis of what actions can be taken to ensure that the outcomes of the mining endeavour are hazardous (Lindenmayer, 2009). Finally, the policy incorporates the baseline of monitoring the data which is available for the government of Queensland on semi-annual sessions. Aims and objectives of the environmental protection (water) policy-2009 The Environmental protection (water) policy of the year 2009 tries to achieve the set objectives affiliated with the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EPP) Act. Ideally, this policy tries to protect the waters of Queensland from feasible over depletion by mining activities. Concurrently, the policy intends to offer the allowance to development in the industrial sectors which give was for ecological sustainability (Panwar et.al, 2011) . That is; it aims at eliminating activities that would feasibly create ecological imbalance. The waters that are protected by this policy include the streams, rivers, wetlands, aquifers, lakes and coastal areas. This research, however, dwells on the issue of ground water. Accordingly, the policy aims at such issues: The policy makes sure that it identifies environmental values that are favourable for the aquatic ecosystem especially the water commodity that can easily be depleted by mining. The policy aims at achieving and determining the suitable quality water guidelines and management objectives of water to ensure that the ecosystem balance is fostered effectively. Therefore, the policy explores and instigates the possibilities of the mining activities to deplete the ecosystem. Then, it creates a platform on which the rule and regulations are set to protect the environment. The policy makes an achievement by providing a suitable framework which is suitable for making reliable, informed and impartial decisions related to Queensland waterscape. First, the level of water that ought to eject out of the mines should be determined. The policy aims at regulating the level of water that should be exhumed when mining of coal is taking place. Accordingly, the process aims at depicting the environmental value, as well as, determining the quality of water. Therefore, the policies achieve accrediting of the guidelines that the mining firms should follow. The policy’s principles are alleviated towards the National Water Quality management strategy implementation guidelines which were proposed and enacted in the year 1998. These guidelines, accordingly, are well stipulated within Queensland Water Quality Guidelines date in the year 2009. The policy, therefore, aims at regulating the mining activities that occur at Queensland. Therefore, the management of the mining entities is answerable to the federal government of Queensland if not of the Australian government concerning any issues related to the environment (Ivanova et.al, 2007). Implications beyond the policy area or the jurisdiction The environmental protection (water) policy-2009 facilitates, from a very intensive perspective the conservation of the environment within the mines in the Queensland region. One example is the Adani mining limited. However, its main focus is water and depletion of the same resource. That is; it does not only deal with the mining sector only. However, it also looks into different areas where water is either used or polluted. Therefore, it monitors waters in Queensland. For instance, the policy applies its rules upon the mines. However, the jurisdiction goes far beyond those boundaries. For instance, it plays a role in preparing, as well as, implementing water resource plans. The policy also expands its jurisdiction in developing resource operation plans related the water resources. The area of jurisdiction is also wider compared to the fact that the mines form the epicentre of the research. For instance, it extends its impacts on the assessment of reliability surface water, which in fact, can be defined as very low. In addition, the policy also applies in the case of coastal waters where it tries to harmonize and apply necessary restrictions. These restrictions are sometimes seen essential since they tally with the objectives of the policy, vis-à-vis the ecosystem balance. Accountability The environmental protection (water) policy-2009 is an environment initiative that is developed by the Environment sensitive organisations under the watch of the federal government in a bid to control the state of the ecosystem. Therefore, the organisations mandate the Queensland government to monitor water systems in the region. Some of the reasons behind the government performing the implementation role are affiliated with the fact that the government has better access to legal provisions and authorities that can facilitate (Validakis, 2014). First, the government can invest in legally approved decision making. This power makes the government be the best channel through which implementation of this policy, among other policies, can succeed. Additionally, implementation of such as solemn policy demands utmost seriousness. Thus, the persons who are under specific statutory approval are suitable. For instance, the implementation of this policy is conducted by the solemn organisations in Queensland. A perfect example is the local government, community-based groups and natural resource management entities based within the region participate in the implementation process. Evaluation is also carried out by bodies that observe legal protocol. Therefore, the government is also a stakeholder in that case. Implementation and evaluation by government or community-based entities facilitates consistency in the entire accountability process. The environmental protection (water) policy-2009 articulates need for trendy assessments since some of the projects that are evaluated demand long-run attentions. That is; the processes they engage into are not on the verge of terminating. Therefore, the government and the respective community organisations assess the nature and trends that Queensland waters are sustained both in the mining sectors and general water systems. Communications The environmental protection (water) policy-2009 is a government steered form of policy. Therefore, the manner in which the policy reaches the public ought to be government affiliated. In this case, the policy was drafted and gazetted (Rollo, 2014). In addition, the social media were used to relay the message concerning the policy. The signatories to the policy include the government and the environmentally sensitive entities. Therefore, the two play a vital role in reminding the public about the presence and essentiality of policy. Initially, when the policy got enacted, the official announcement was made. The policy gets declared a national policy that is elevated to protecting the waters of the state from depletion. The major objective of the policy, among other policies, was to ensure that the ecosystem remains balanced in the long run. Additionally, frequent notifications are made to potential investors and mining entities among others concerning the intensity and composition of the environmental protection (water) policy-2009. Essentially, this occurs to ensure that the policy does not distinguish its impacts due to dormancy. Outcome The environmental protection (water) policy-2009 has initiated a permanent impact in the Australian fraternity. First, the policy, being a provision by the government, has been strictly followed just like the rest of the policies. The policy has become effective in the country and especially in the mining sector. Waters in Australia are said to possess some quality despite the fact that it cannot get accounted for as the best. There are practical examples that can indicate the applicability of the policy. For instance, for entities that intend to engage into mining, they are supposed to undergo scrutiny on whether it is viable. According to scholarly evidence, the Adani and Bandana energy’s Springsure coal mine initiators were approved to mine in Queensland after they passed the evaluation with respect to the policy. In addition, these projects are assured of continues supervision. More projects in Australia have initiated their mining activities in the Queensland territory. However, they still operate under the environmental protection (water) policy-2009 in a bid to conserve the ecosystem core element, water. References CSG water and environmental management | Queensland Government. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/csg-lng-industry/csg-lng-information-landholders/csg-environment-water-management/csg-water-environmental-management Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009. (2012). Monitoring and Sampling Manual 2009, 1(2), 1-185. Garmichael Goal Mine and Rail Infrastructure Project, Qu""n"l"nd (EPBC 2O1Ot57361. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/notices/assessments/2010/5736/2010-5736-approval-decision.pdf Guideline: Healthy Waters. (2013). State Planning Policy, 1(1), 1-22. Merz, S. K. (2012). An assessment of groundwater management and monitoring costs in Australia. Retrieved from http://archive.nwc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/23314/FINAL-for-publishing-Assessment-of-groundwater-management-costs.pdf Rollo, W. (2014, July 29). Carmichael Coal and Rail Project: Queensland mine gets Federal Government approval - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-28/carmichael-coal-mine-project-gets-federal-approval/5628584 Validakis, V. (2014, June 12). New coal mine approved in Queensland | Mining Australia. Retrieved from http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/new-coal-mine-approved-in-queensland Panwar, N. L., Kaushik, S. C., & Kothari, S. (2011). Role of renewable energy sources in environmental protection: a review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(3), 1513-1524. Lindenmayer, D. B., & Likens, G. E. (2009). Adaptive monitoring: a new paradigm for long-term research and monitoring. Trends in Ecology & Evolution,24(9), 482-486. Ivanova, G., Rolfe, J., Lockie, S., & Timmer, V. (2007). Assessing social and economic impacts associated with changes in the coal mining industry in the Bowen Basin, Queensland, Australia. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 18(2), 211-228. Read More