Assessing the Cumulative Risks of Mining and Other Extractive Industries to
the Namoi Catchment’s Natural Resource Assets
Background
The expansion of extractive industries has been identified as a key driver of change
for the Namoi Catchment. This was highlighted through the development of the new
Namoi Catchment Action Plan (2010-2020) and supported previous findings that
emerged through Scenario Planning and other initiatives undertaken previously by
Namoi CMA in collaboration with the Catchment community, natural resource
management stakeholders and experts.
In light of this, and based on the critical thresholds identified for natural resource
assets in the Namoi Catchment Action Plan (2010-2020), Namoi CMA initiated a
project to investigate developing a framework to assess the cumulative risk of
multiple mines to natural resource assets in the Namoi Catchment. Namoi CMA
wanted to see if it was possible to develop an interactive GIS tool based on best
available science and mapping that would allow the testing of different scenarios to
produce cumulative risk statements and associated maps.
Work completed to date
The proposed framework has been developed and peer reviewed by scientists
across Australia. A detailed report outlining the framework was completed in
September 2011.
The framework proposes a way to develop a spatially interactive cumulative risk
assessment tool that could be used to explore the potential cumulative impacts and
unmitigated risk of mining scenarios on key natural resource management assets in
the Namoi Catchment. It is consistent with the Australian Standard for Risk
Assessment and incorporates the critical thresholds identified in the Namoi
Catchment Action Plan. This report has generated considerable interest amongst
industry, all levels of Government, natural resource managers and the community
across the Namoi Catchment.
To access the full report, click here.
Current work underway
Namoi CMA has since engaged consultants to build a prototype of the proposed
model, and refine the data layers that will be fed into it, based on the peer reviewed
framework.
Currently, the project team is also consulting with industry, Government and other
stakeholders about it.
There has been a great deal of interest particularly from those involved in developing
Strategic Regional Landuse Plans and those considering how to undertake
Bioregional assessments in mining areas. The prototype is due for completion in
May 2012.
Future stages
The current approach models only unmitigated risk which is one of the issues raised
through the consultation to date. Following the completion of the current work, the
intention is to further improve the utility of this approach by being able to also assess
the impact of any proposed offsetting or mitigation proposals associated with mining
developments.
Namoi CMA is also exploring potential opportunities to assess other factors beyond
the “biophysical” assets (such as soil, water and native vegetation). The completion
of these next stages, however, will be dependant on securing the necessary funds to
undertake further work. If successful it is hoped this approach can be a useful tool in
informing landuse decisions and balancing the interests of a range of industry and
community interests in future.
For more information contact Francesca Andreoni, Strategic Planning Manager,
Namoi CMA on 02 6764 5946 or email her on francesca.andreoni@cma.nsw.gov.au