Water management and the coal mining industry in New South Wales

The Water Management Act 2000 (NSW) has brought about major changes in how water is managed in New South Wales for all water users, including the environment. The New South Wales coal mining industry, a high value water user worth $8.5 billion a year, uses water as a fundamental component of its production process. Two of the most significant impacts on water resources from coal mining are salinity and subsidence. These impacts cannot be managed by the Water Management Act alone and this article argues that integrated strategic planning through the range of approvals that a coal mine needs in order to operate lawfully, including planning and environmental impact approval, a mining lease and a licence to discharge water, is essential for the effective management of water resources in New South Wales.