Locational guidelines
Development in the Vicinity of Operating Coal Seam Methane Wells
Coal seam methane (CSM), also known as coalbed methane, a natural gas formed during the coalification process, is being produced from coal seams within the Sydney Basin and elsewhere in NSW. In 2001, Sydney Gas Ltd commenced production of CSM in the Camden/Wollondilly area. The existing operating wells are located in primarily agricultural/grazing land zoned rural.
The area is undergoing change as pressure for rural-residential development increases. In view of the potential for residential and other development in the vicinity of existing and future operating CSM wells and the desirability of developing a locally produced source of energy, the Department have developed locational guidelines on the siting of such development to ensure an appropriate balance between development on the land and community safety.
The locational guidelines provide advice to consent authorities across NSW in assessing proposals for development in the vicinity of existing and future operating CSM wells.
The guidelines are based on systematic hazard identification and quantified risk assessment of typical existing and future operating CSM well installations. The application of the guidelines' land use and technical controls should ensure that development in the vicinity of existing and future operating CSM well installations having design and operational controls consistent with the configurations described in these guidelines will not be exposed to an unacceptable level of risk.
The guidelines describe the use of separation distances to ensure an appropriate buffer between a development and an existing or future operating CSM well and its associated equipment. Separation distances result in circular areas around the existing and future operating CSM wells, within which controls should apply to development.
When considering rezoning or residential or sensitive use development in the vicinity of existing and future operating CSM wells, councils should confirm that the existing and future operating CSM well equipment configurations, controls and operating conditions are consistent with those set out in the guidelines before applying the separation distances. In situations where existing or future operating CSM well equipment and/or operations differ significantly from the guideline assumptions, development or rezoning proposals in their vicinity should be subject to a case-specific assessment.
Locational Guidelines - Development in the Vicinity of Operating Coal Seam Methane Wells
[PDF 333KB].