Department of Environment and Science

The Department of Environment and Science conserves, protects and manages the state’s environment and natural resources.

Department of Environment and Science

The Department of Environment and Science conserves, protects and manages the state’s environment and natural resources by administering a range of legislation.

This includes tough laws based on scientific evidence to protect the environment from potential impacts from resource activities including petroleum, geothermal and greenhouse gas storage.  The aim is to:

  • protect groundwater and the Great Artesian Basin 
  • protect landholders’ water quality 
  • prohibit harmful chemicals being used in fraccing operations 
  • ensure high treatment and disposal standards for wastes, and more. 

Before companies start any work on any operation they must go through an application and approval process and meet stringent requirements.

Approval requirements may change depending on whether exploration, development or production activities are being carried out.