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The challenge

Risks and benefits for society

Australia has vast resources of coal seam gas and shale gas, both of which have the potential to make a significant contribution to the Australian energy portfolio.

Checking air filter equipment in the Surat Basin, Queensland

There are risks and benefits for communities living in gas development regions, along with potential challenges to the local environment, biodiversity, agriculture, human health and wellbeing, and regional communities.

Our response

A collaborative research alliance

CSIRO is collaborating with the Australian, state and territory governments, communities and industry in the Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance (GISERA), to provide publicly reported, high-quality and independent research to support areas affected by gas development.

From an initial focus on Queensland in 2011, GISERA has expanded its research activity into regional New South Wales, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

The research is helping to inform and support decision making in regional areas and communities affected by onshore gas development. GISERA is also providing a legacy of knowledge to enable communities to benefit from future resource developments.

The results

Assessing social, economic and environmental impacts

Through GISERA, we conduct research ranging from using data visualisation techniques to ‘see’ potential changes in the landscape arising from new gas infrastructure, to measuring how people are getting on in places affected by conventional and coal seam gas development.

Collecting samples of stygofauna from water bores in the Beetaloo Sub-basin in the Northern Territory

GISERA’s integrated research program is helping us understand and make better-informed decisions around:

  • ground and surface waters
  • terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity
  • agricultural land management
  • regional socioeconomic impacts
  • human health and wellbeing
  • greenhouse gas emissions and air quality
  • land and infrastructure management.

We are also investigating the potential impacts of coal seam gas development on water resources through the Australian Government's Bioregional Assessment Program.

Communicating and sharing knowledge

CSIRO is keen to communicate and share knowledge about its collaboration and engagement with industry, government and communities, in landscapes impacted by onshore gas exploration and development.

GISERA’s aims are to inform stakeholders about research outcomes and project-generated knowledge widely available for decision-making and management of potential effects on society, the economy and the environment.

Discover more about onshore gas and the outcomes of our research projects through GISERA news, videos and animations and factsheets.

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