Critical analysis of Environmental Policy Integration: The case of Coal seam gas mining in the Great Barrier Reef
A critical analysis of the opportunities and challenges of environmental policy integration: the case of coal seam gas mining in the Great Barrier Reef.
** No introduction or No explanation of what Environmental Policy Integration is – I will do that.

Focus on:

Case Study: Curtis Island, Gladstone CSG Mining Ports within the Great Barrier Reef region (**See Four Corners documentary: http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2011/11/03/3355047.htm)

"The integration of economic, social and environmental consideration in policy and decision-making is a core principle in foundational policy statements on sustainable development"
A. (700 words) Explore and ANALYSE the mechanisms/tools used in the proposal phase of Curtis Island ports to achieve Environmental Policy Integration (EPI). Look at:
1) Coordinating mechanisms – Which organizations are responsible? State? Commonwealth? GBR Authority? Mining coorporation? — or are they all involved?
2) Environmental Impact Assessment – Mention what types and how many EIA’s have been put forward but have contradictions and drawbacks.
3) Strategic Environmental Assessment: Not a method, but a process and intent, and uses a range of methods:
i) Public Participation – What public participation methods did they use? What were the public opinions on the port establishment and new job openings? What suggestions were made to recognise the ‘peoples needs’. (Economic vs. Environmental).
ii) Possible CSG Task Force in the state government and Task Force by World Heritage Committee – what did they do? how did they observe economic, environmental and social impacts.

B) (1200 words ) Then CRITIQUE the success of those mechanisms to achieve a balanced outcome (i.e. what was decided, what mitigation options were put in place and how was the proposal changed etc to meet different objectives…).
1) Coordinating Mechanism – too many stakeholders. There is a coordination and leadership problem, thus a implementation of policy problem. etc
2) Environmental Impact Assessment – too many EIA due to having too many stakeholders and no overarching objective that suits economic, social and environmental needs. Thus no proper implementation of policies. etc
3) SEA
i) Public participation – local business are effected (fisheries and fisherman). They were not consulted and not offered an compensation? was a social impact assessment (SIA) taken place?
ii) CSG task force – just another stakeholder? environmental intention?

C) What are the opportunities from EPI from looking this case study.