Section 146CA — Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: Minister must obtain advice from Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Unconventional Gas Development and Large Coal Mining Development

(1) This section applies if: (a) the Minister is deciding whether or not to approve, under section 146B, the taking of an action or a class of actions in accordance with an endorsed policy, plan or program; and (b) the taking of the action or class of actions involves: (i) unconventional gas development; or (ii) large coal mining development; and (c) the Minister believes that the taking of the action or class of actions is likely to have a significant impact on water resources, including any impacts of associated salt production or salinity. (2) Before the Minister decides whether or not to approve the taking of the action or class of actions, the Minister must obtain the advice of the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Unconventional Gas Development and Large Coal Mining Development.