Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACT 1999 - SECT 131AB

  (1)   This section applies if:

  (a)   the taking of an action, for the purposes of a controlling provision, involves:

  (i)   unconventional gas development; or

  (ii)   large coal mining development; and

  (b)   the Minister believes that the taking of the action:

  (i)   is likely to have a significant impact on water resources, including any impacts of associated salt production and/or salinity; and

  (ii)   may have an adverse impact on a matter protected by a provision of Part   3.

  (2)   Before the Minister decides whether or not to approve, for the purposes of the controlling provision, the taking of the action, the Minister must obtain the advice of the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Unconventional Gas Development and Large Coal Mining Development.