One feature of the post-Peak scramble for scarce resources such as energy is extreme and unwise planning decisions.
The negotiations over the coal seam gas projects in the Surat Basin show this happening.
The Federal Government chose to water down its environmental concerns in order to getthe Surat Basin coal seam gas project accepted by the BG Group for its final investment decision.
The Government’s own National Water Commission raised fears of long-term impacts from the multiple projects planned for the Surat Basin.
Documents tabled in Federal Parliament showed that at least one of the three projects approved had raised its own concerns about shallow groundwater contamination from salt ponds and chemical and fuel storage sites associated with processing plants.
There have also been warnings that underground acquifers would be so depleted by the projects that it could take centuries to replenish them.
The National Water Commission estimates that the coal seam gas industry would extract about 7500 gigalitres of water during the next 25 years – six times the capacity of Wivenhoe Dam. If not adequately managed and regulated it risks haveing significant long-term and adverse impacts on adjacent surface and groundwater systems.