Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Expanding the Water Trigger) 2023

# Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Expanding the Water Trigger) 2023 ## What it does This bill expands Australia's environmental protection laws to cover more types of gas extraction. Currently, only coal seam gas projects need federal environmental approval if they could affect water resources. The bill extends this requirement to other unconventional gas developments (like shale gas and tight gas projects) — meaning they'll also need to go through the same environmental assessment process. ## Why it matters Water is precious, especially in farming regions and dry areas. By requiring more gas projects to prove they won't damage water supplies before they get the green light, the bill aims to protect groundwater and rivers from being depleted or contaminated by extraction. This affects where and how gas companies can operate across the country. ## Key details - **What changes**: The law replaces all references to "coal seam gas development" with the broader term "unconventional gas development" in the federal environmental approval framework - **When it starts**: The moment it receives Royal Assent (the Governor-General's signature) — there's no waiting period - **Who's affected**: Gas exploration and extraction companies proposing new projects, plus state and federal regulators assessing those projects