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A collaborative approach to address the cumulative impacts of mine-water discharge: Negotiating a cross-sectoral waterway partnership in the Bowen Basin, Australia

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  • Eberhard, Rachel
  • Johnston, Nathan
  • Everingham, Jo-Anne

Abstract

The social and environmental impacts of rapidly expanding coal and gas industries have generated high levels of public concern and there is increasing evidence of cumulative impacts. In the Bowen Basin of Queensland (Australia) water quality issues have triggered a collaborative response to coordinate monitoring efforts, integrate data and information and undertake regional analysis to inform landscape-scale management. Collaborative governance is promoted as a response to complex environmental problems, such as cumulative impacts. However, application of this approach to the resources and energy sectors remains a significant research gap. This paper reports the results of action research in the 2 years taken to negotiate the establishment of collaborative governance arrangements to address mine-water discharge impacts in the Bowen Basin. The long establishment phase has been required to refine objectives, build trust, develop governance mechanisms and secure resourcing commitments. The partnership established involves more than 20 organisations including regulators, resources and energy companies, agricultural industries and research organisations. The breadth of participating sectors is a significant innovation, but also represents a major challenge in establishing this model of regional environmental governance. Promising strategies adopted to manage these tensions have included neutral brokerage, facilitative leadership, establishing legitimacy of the collaboration and credibility of its reports. The case study provides a cautionary tale of the pursuit of the promise of ‘everyone working together’ to address cumulative impacts. Policy implications include the need for extended commitment and integration of collaborative and other responses.

Suggested Citation

  • Eberhard, Rachel & Johnston, Nathan & Everingham, Jo-Anne, 2013. "A collaborative approach to address the cumulative impacts of mine-water discharge: Negotiating a cross-sectoral waterway partnership in the Bowen Basin, Australia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 678-687.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:38:y:2013:i:4:p:678-687
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2013.02.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Franks, Daniel M. & Brereton, David & Moran, Chris J., 2013. "The cumulative dimensions of impact in resource regions," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 640-647.
    2. Fordham, Anne Elizabeth & Robinson, Guy M. & Blackwell, Boyd Dirk, 2017. "Corporate social responsibility in resource companies – Opportunities for developing positive benefits and lasting legacies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 366-376.
    3. Elisabeth Eppinger, 2021. "How Open Innovation Practices Deliver Societal Benefits," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, January.
    4. Anne Elizabeth Fordham & Guy M. Robinson, 2018. "Mapping meanings of corporate social responsibility – an Australian case study," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 1-20, December.
    5. Anne Elizabeth Fordham & Guy M. Robinson, 2018. "Mechanisms of change: Stakeholder Engagement in the Australian Resource Sector through CSR," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(4), pages 674-689, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Collaboration; Resource governance; Cumulative impacts; Cumulative effects assessment and management (CEAM); Natural resource management; Water quality monitoring;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q38 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Government Policy (includes OPEC Policy)

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