Queensland passed laws on November 10 that require miners to get a water licence to extract groundwater.
However environment minister Steven Miles moved a last minute amendment to remove objection rights to groundwater licences for the Adani Carmichael mine.
New Hope’s proposed Acland Stage 3 coal expansion and the Alpha and Kevin Corner coalmines will now need licences.
Farmers and communities will retain the right to object to the grant of those water licences.
CSG miners will have to cover more of the costs incurred by farmers when negotiating “make good” agreements for their bore water and the onus of proof as to what caused bore draw-down will fall largely onto CSG companies.
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