Integrating stakeholder perceptions of environmental risk into conventional management frameworks: coal seam gas development in Queensland

Social opposition to coal seam gas development in Queensland, Australia, reflects a broad and complex array of value-based issues, many of which are poorly represented in the regulatory decision-making process. The Queensland Government's adaptive policy framework for managing coal seam gas development has targeted risks identified through conventional risk management methodologies based solely on technical assessment. This study presents a novel approach to identifying risks during policy development. Socially perceived risks and policy gaps identified in news media are compared against existing policy using a three-phase mixed methodology. Three leverage points for strengthening the current management framework are proposed: (1) integration of policies to address cumulative and overlapping risks; (2) adoption of a prescribed development plan, allowing proactive data collection and impact assessment; and (3) establishment of a detailed, systematic approach for formulating and implementing adaptive policy measures.