Economic benefits from environmental isotope studies released

CSIRO’s contribution to the Surat Cumulative Management Area estimated at 7.8 billion AUD (period 2016-2033).

Queensland’s independent Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment (OGIA) has developed ‘Make Good Arrangements’ to compensate landholders if their groundwater bores are affected due to depressurisation from coal seam gas (CSG) production. According to an independent assessment by the Research Triangle Institute International (RTI International), CSIRO’s noble gas isotope research and services have contributed to OGIA’s ability to assess the underground water impact to water bores.

RTI International conducted a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to quantitatively assess the economic value CSIRO’s noble gas isotope research. Key stakeholder interviews informed the attribution of benefits to CSIRO’s isotopes research.

A total of 43 projects were included in the assessment (from 2015 to 2024). Customers external to CSIRO included federal (38%) and state (8%) governments and (GISERA) (25%).

The CBA assumed 5% of economic impacts in Queensland can be attributed to CSIRO noble gas isotopes research supporting OGIA. The estimated benefits are based on the cumulative value-added benefits associated with CSIRO’s contribution to OGIA’s groundwater impact assessment. Economic benefits attributable to CSIRO are approximately 7.8 billion (medium scenario) with an average annual value-added benefit of 460 million (2016–2033).