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SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH & COMMUNITY MEDICINE
UNSW BLACKBOARD ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET
FAMILY
NAME:
DORRITY GIVEN NAME: Mechele
STUDENT
NO:
3302928 EMAIL: Mechele.dorrity@gmail.com
PHONE (H): PHONE (W):
MOBILE: 0488952664 FAX:
COURSE NO: PHCM9628 COURSE
NAME:
Health ImpactAssessmentSummer
School U1-2013
LECTURER: Fiona Haigh DUE DATE: 8th February 2013 (extension
10thFebruary)
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:
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Opposition to AGL's northern
expansion of the Camden Gas
Project grows
 PEOPLE
27 NOV 12 @ 06:00AM BY DENNIS CLOUGH
SCREENING
The Health Impact Assessment (HIA) key concept assess the project, predict
likelihood, identify positive and negative impacts and recommends mitigation
measure to maximize positive health impacts and minimize negative health
impacts. This HIA looks at the preplanning extension gas extraction in the
Camden area by identifying hazards to health from the proposal.
Health in this context means;
“the ‘tight’ approach is situated within the traditional biomedical model of
health, which focuses on disease categories and the importance of having
quantitative evidence on health impacts.’3
The planning submission and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) does not
address underlying social impact, health inequities and where feasible
strengthen the proposed development and enhance health. This is a broader
view of health (which) looks at the social or wellness model of health, which
focuses on ’health and well-being’ and the importance of qualitative evidence on
health impacts. (2007, page 5, 3. Harris, P., Harris-Roxas, B.,Harris, E., & Kemp, L.
Health Impact Assessment; A practical guide, Sydney: Centre for Heath Equity
Training, Research and Evaluation (CHETRE).Part of the UNSW Research Centre
for Primary Health Care and Equity, UNSW). The development not only releases

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toxic gas but the changes in the community may create stress to Camden. At the
moment some residents are voicing their issues via the mass media.
The screening takes into account jurisdictional, political, and decision-making
context. The decision makers control the power to accept AGL construction. The
local community does not directly liaise with government. The HIA plan is to pre-
screen and create scope to facilitate community consultation prior to the
approval to stage 3 CSG.
Stage 1 & 2 have existing impacts, but may have potential cumulative impacts. In
each stage the Company has provided information on risk, such as, hazard, land
use, noise and vibration, air quality, water management, visual impact, soils,
stability, flora, fauna, cultural heritage, transport, traffic, social impact and
economic impact.
“Coal seam gas (CSG) is a natural gas consisting primarily of methane. Methane
is a natural by-product of coal formation and is held within the coal seam by
water pressure. When this water is removed the gas is released. CSG is used for
fuelling natural gas appliances and in the generation of electricity. It has an
overall lower impact on climate change than coal when used as an energy
source.” 9. The Sydney basin now supplies 6% NSW gas market and has been
producing since 2001. This type of energy is considered safe by AGL and
Resources NSW Government Department.
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure have received an amended
proposal for the Camden Gas Project - Northern Expansion (Stage 3) a State
Significant Development application with re-exhibited amendments influenced
by previous community consultation. The project, as amended, includes the
following:
• The construction and operation of gas wells at up to 11 surface locations,
containing up to 6 well heads each;
• The construction and operation of associated gas gathering lines, including
interconnection with the existing Camden Gas Project network, along

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with central water storage points;
• The construction of access roads and ancillary
infrastructure, including storage yards; and
• Subsurface drilling of lateral
-visual
-earth subsistance
AGL skill
credibility
AGL profits
 79%
AGL Ability
To Deliver
External
Science –
previous
examples
Quality of
construction Maintenance
levels
Ongoing
side
effects-
gas
leakage
Construction by
products dust, fumes
toxins
Health outcomes
physical
psychological
Technical
feasibility

5. 5
http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=
view_job&job_id=2921
There is a substantial amount of documentation available to review and
screening this will narrow HIA to the location of wells, ability to empower
vulnerable groups to promote health outcomes and subsequently
recommendations. The pre screening looked at the negative media coverage
from the local community in regards to this proposal and assessed the previous
approved CSG material. The current issues, concerns and problems appear after
a community being informed about the expansion through council of the CSG
wells. The residents see these changes as a direct threat to their values, lifestyle
and business.
 PRE-SCREENING TASKS
The HIA is limited in pre screening as this project ‘significant development’ and
will go ahead. The guide and tool CHETRE Screening checklist, (HIA training
2004) provides a set of fundamental objectives to see if the HIA is needed and to
what degree. AGL have supplied details about the construction, building layout,
chemicals, extraction, storage, flaring (pilot light 0.14%) infrequent /short
duration, ‘reduce –reuse-recycle and rehabilitation. The operations duration is
expected to last over 21 years. Based on a scan of the literature to proceed with
the HIA, plus ‘rapid desk top’ analysis of material.
The EIA has covered many impacts to the local environment if the CSG is
developed but lacks expert opinion on safety and risk of CSG in an easy to
understand format and community consultation. In the pre-screening meeting
create a steering committee with stakeholders and a community consultation to
proceed and review a set of negative and positive health impacts as follows;
1. Stress to the community due to construction and ongoing operations of
CSG
2. List of potential inequalities, the people’s health is not measured at the
same level nor the level of resources to deal with their health problems.

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This includes equity lens (Signal 2002). Measure in the population profile
health, education, poverty and income ratio. The community values such
as clean air, country quite peaceful living, a mechanism to assist
disadvantaged, and allocated structure for unanticipated impacts from
development. These would form key recommendations in the HIA for
implementation.
3. Technology issues need policy at multi sectoral level as the Health
Department claim they do not know of any issues with CSG. Developing
advice to the industry and the community through the planning bodies,
Health Population and Protection Branches in the HIA recommendations.
4. Prevention of negative health impact and promotion of sustainable
development, for example; CSG set distance is 200m away from dwellings, no
plan as yet for bush fires, flooding and disaster planning. Further
consultation with the Planning Department and Department of Health to set
up new requirements for a Healthy Public Policy
5. Building healthy communities, for example, insurance claims, noise,
transport, community structured forum (local action lobby), visual aspects
scenic hills versus changes due to metal man made wells, clean air and water.
 CONDUCT A SCREENING MEETING
Health Impact Assessment Guidelines (enhealth, September 2001 page 13)
suggest a screening tool to provide objectivity, transparency and consistency, for
example, Appendix 3 ‘The HIA Screening tool developed by the UK Department
of Health. This screening meeting needs a group to HIA plan and proposed a
draft by;
 “Investigating the parameters of the proposals

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 A checklist of questions about the nature of potential health impacts
 A check list of questions about the circumstances in which the HIA must
be conducted
 A short checklist of questions about the capacity within an organisation or
partnership to conduct the HIA”
The positive impact wealth creation via the natural resource for supplying
energy and consistent with gas supply over 17 years in Australia, but the local
Camden business rely to some extent on tourism and agriculture therefore this
development is a direct threat to their business if it effects the scenery and water
supply to the pastures. The population and demographic details need to be
supplied in screening and scoping of the HIA including a vulnerable groups
assessment. The rationale is to prevent further stress upon the community by
giving an avenue to communicate with the relevant parties
From the media report, the local residents who have recently bought in the area
told local news that they were not advised of the coal seam gas projects. The
concerns are the price of property will be devalued primarily due to the health
impacts on the local families living with gas flares from the extraction industry
and possible water problems in creeks and the Nepean River.
Emergency procedures and response plans for incidents and impact on the
surrounding population have yet to be discussed with local authorities.
In the structuring of the first screening group, key considerations, end points,
network, supply advice, ability change the proposal by including decision –
makers and HIA recommendations. The HIA membership should include an
experts on CSG, Health authority representative, AGL representative, community
representatives, local knowledge from Public Health Unit on related health
impacts and /or the population the proposal is likely to impact on.
The pre-screening activities will refer to EIA information and use available
information to complete the screening tool. Background information can be

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supplied via the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the local council for a basic
population profile of the population potentially affected, for example
demographics, the environment, living conditions and access to services. Some
feedback will have been collected from the exhibition at Council.
This HIA scope recommends a risk communication, especially focusing on an
equity lens in Camden. In reference to Dahlgren and Whitehead (1991) the wider
determinants of health involves their sex, age, lifestyle, social and community
networks when direct and indirect elements to be considered. Equity is a core
concern focusing on health impacts that are unequal potential impacting on the
elderly, limited income, children, cultural diverse language groups, homeless,
disable and vulnerable groups.
A recommendation for independent expert opinion on CSG, to provide up to date
information on the risk/safety and additional provide research information
including better alternatives through design on local issues or easy changes to
the development to monitor or reduce health impacts. Comparing current CSG
design and possible improvements to extract the gas without harming the water
supply to Sydney or the environment.
The manual, guidelines and screening tools to be used is as follows;
• Screening tool i) Health Assessment practical guide UNSW/chetre:
Appendix 1: Screening Tool for Health Impact Assessment
• HIA screening tool developed by the UK Department of Health Appendix
3, (http://enhealth.nphp.gov.au/council/pubs/ecpub.htm)
• HIA Planning cycle, page 6
• Healthy Public Policy – The Wider Determinants of Health ‘Rainbow’, page
6, . http://hiaconnect.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Health Impact
Assessment. A Practical Guide.pdf

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Consultants brief to HIA group -
Monitor on air and water quality for the report from State government and
geography map. Warragamba Dame is at the Northern Western propose
expansion area crossing the Nepean River
• Resources i) Australian Bureau of Statistics
• Profile of Camden population – size, density, distribution, age, sex, birth
rate, socio-economic status and identification of at-risk groups, eg. Aged
care facilities, schools.
• CDC/ WHO knowledge and experience in CSG development, risk and
health impacts

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SCOPING REPORT
Location, risk and people set out the parameters of the HIA prescreening
recommendations
In reference to Dahlgren and Whitehead (1991) the wider determinants of
health involves their sex, age, lifestyle, social and community networks when
adopting the Healthy Public policy. There are the direct and indirect elements to
be considered.
Ideally, the risk communication should be paramount to the local and wider
population. HIA focus on equity in the Camden Community from the proposed
CSG wells and extraction industry. This development warrants a comprehensive
HIA to refine the information provided, find areas that are not well understood
and develop control measures so that there are negligible health impacts based
on the screening report and recommendations.
PROFILING WHO IS AFFECTED AND THEIR
CURRENT HEALTH STATUS
SCOPING
-identify issues to be
addressed
-level of appraisal – how
comprehensive?
COMMUNITY
CONSULTATION
RISK MANAGEMENT
Risk assessment

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The amount of community concern and the large amount of research has not
adequately looked at the Camden’s health impacts and Communities values of
local small business and farming in the Camden District co existing with the
growing new residential communities. Camden is proud of being the first Merino
(sheep) Stud in Australia and created wealth from farming. Now the farmland is
being subdivided for new housing.
 SET UP A STEERING COMMITTEE
The membership of the committee should be a small group with the ability to
influence decision makers and liaise with the stakeholders. The members of the
committee will make recommendations and a report from their meetings,
investigations and research. The members proposed are as follows;
Chair: A person experience in HIA - UNSW CHETRE
Expert on CSG
NSW Health Representative (includes Population Health)
Local Council Representative
Local Camden Community Representative
Indigenous Representative
Health Impact Statement
Decision making and ongoing Management. Monitoring and Evaluation

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English as second language CALD representative
AGL representative (I hope CEO lends support)
 CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF DEPTH OF HIA THAT NEEDS TO
BE UNDERTAKEN
A rapid response HIA should take a month to look at the construction of the CSG
wells. The HIA will consider the monitoring of methane and production. Firstly,
the committee would start off with a site visit where the wells will be built. 100%
participation from committee members from regular meetings, quantitative and
qualitative research to capture the prospective values and risk assess major
impact on the local population if exposed to Methane. The water changes with
the extraction and effects to the Sydney Water supply and water table geo
(aquaratards). The research so far shows the fracking leeching toxic chemicals
into the immediate water tables and as the extracting increases more water is
used and removed from supply to the community.
 SET THE SCOPE OF GATHERING THE EVIDENCE
Background information prior to the screening meeting a summary description
of the proposal covering the aims and objectives, select the type of information
to be collected from the community, for example, blog sites, telephone surveys
and convening a conference with vulnerable groups. Compile a profile of the
Camden demographic and population, in relation to the location of the wells and
vulnerable groups.
The scope to include key decision points, end points, experts in the field, time
and recommendations. Typologies of evidence in scoping the questions help
identify and assess impacts of the local construction CSG.
PROFILING WHO IS AFFECTED AND THEIR CURRENT HEALTH STATUS

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The Environmental reports has not detailed if methane is released in the
atmosphere or through the ground or river and the likely negative health
impacts. Part of the scoping would be to monitor air and water. Research
indicates the likelihood of cancer to people if exposed to petro carbine over long
exposure time either through contact in liquid form or breathing (inspiration) in
the gas.
Build on the basic information and collect information from the internet on
current health profiles in the Camden area, draft a set of questions to be asked in
a survey, administer a discussion thread (blog site) for further interaction with
the Camden Community and steering group. This would establish the nature and
extent of the disruption to the population effected.
Transparency and up to date information prioritized issues from risk, safety,
health and equity issues. Develop a risk communication program for the
construction phase.
Plan focus groups for consultation and groups people to be surveyed on their
values and how to promote wellness early in the HIA identification process, for
example, the aged, cultural groups, homelessness and unemployed youth etc.
 DESIGN A PROJECT PLAN
No funding, limited time, Rapid HIA, 6-12 weeks, one person fulltime to provide
more details, overview potential health impacts. Involves, collecting and
analyzing existing data with limited input from experts and key stakeholders.
Activities include accessing resources, hosting and supporting meetings and
synthesizing and appraising information. The problem is no in house so
consideration to commissioning external assessor.
The purpose of scoping design and HIA plan for the community of Camden in
relation to the community concerns of the CSG wells.

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A technical part of the HIA will rely on expert opinion of the risks related to the
construction and operation of the wells.
The human side of the project will attempt to find the values of the community
and assess for health impacts. From data and focus groups.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The time frame is six – twelve weeks for a rapid HIA, meetings and site visits. The
funding and resources assessment and budget setting limits financially allows
the HIA to follow the project plan with screening, scoping, identification,
assessment and recommendation.
Reporting the analysis of data from multiple sources on the Camden CSG
construction and stress to the community. The water supply and effects over the
past year for stage 1 and 2.
Aim to development a risk communication plan with associated concerns and
recommendation to assist the construction and on going CGS operations for the
people who live and work at Camden.
Survey and report gaps in Health and equity have there been reports of illness
from the exposure to fracking, flares and toxic chemicals such as methane. Has
the Company implemented the safety risk measures such as 2km buffer zone
from wells and CSG extract site.
THE WRITTEN PROJECT PLAN

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The written Project Plan includes HIA planning cycle of needs assessment,
planning, draft proposal, screening. The cycle of HIA revised proposal at
screening to implementation, monitoring and evaluation.3
The nature of the potential health impacts assessed and identified in a HIA from
the needs analysis to the stakeholders (which differs from the information in the
Environmental Assessment of the stage 3 project but would be valuable for each
member to read) and reports from each member to provide to each member
their position at the beginning of the HIA through email prior to site visit. The
Project plan includes diagram of the proposed site CSG in relation to the
residential housing. Establish the quantitative, qualitative, grey information,
share expert knowledge and commence situational precise.
The plan is to list issues and concerns of unknown problems with CSG Methane
and the community expectation. Firstly, source information on CSG in the world
is functioning well. This limited expert opinion will form a briefing of
constructing CSG wells.
Committee behavior and business rules include recording minutes, information
to be released, and confidentiality of information through to the community
consultation. The quality of the engagement with the vulnerable community
groups by facilitating discussion through open ended questions on their health
and what is important to them. Compare health data from Community hea;th
profile.
At present there is an exhibition at council and information on the web site the
AGL and Department of Planning.
Through the networking find opportunities to influence decision makers by
finding the appropriate person in core business and government department and
document a contact list. A skill registry to establish partnership and expertise in

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HIA will help with the building of the report and recommendations. Develop a
contingency plan when key people cannot give time and availability to
committee for 100 % involvement.
The Health Impact Assessment (HIA) has shown variables within the community
with positive financial gains potentially for AGL. The Camden area is in conflict
with the development if the methane is released affects their health.
Development the target risk communication strategy and co-ordinates and
process in place. Allay community concerns but this may also lead to
improvements in the development proposal.
Screening and monitoring identifies health impacts working in conjunction with
local health service.
Communication plan to consult with the community to identify social and
cultural needs as health can encompass many qualities of life and well-being
issues that cannot be effectively capture in public health statistics and
projections.
Education gaps in Australian guidelines for the safety of CSG construction to
decision makers with identifications of current peer reviewed information to
form guidelines from WHO and CDC.
Develop community liaison strategy with key principles of effective risk
communication, and formulate a way to capture the community, follow up,
impact management, evaluation, and monitoring.
Ideally, looking for better outcomes for the affected group from the themes
exposed in the discussions. Change management and options if current locations
of wells need to be moved.

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Process impacts on stakeholders accepting and involving the public as a partner
and stakeholder. Casual pathways are complex to affect the population health.
Preliminary plan for the methods and procedure to be followed in the
subsequent identification and assessment steps, for example,
“works closely with the Population Health unit of South Western Sydney & Sydney Local Health
Districts on a body of work focusing on healthy spaces, places and people.
This includes:
 Points of health influence in the NSW Planning process
 Working with local government to create healthy environments
 Influencing health and wellbeing considerations in EIA
 Improving the consideration of health within local government planning processes
 Audit of urban development and land use planning correspondence between LG and SWSLHD”
Stakeholders to be involved in the HIA, how they will be involved and why
 Broad participation in the HIA to engage with a range of stakeholders
with insight, experience and expertise in the development of CSG to
provide wellness in the Camden community. Key issues need to be
compiled to share and translate knowledge, communicate with decision
makers, relevant voluntary organisation and the local population affected
by the proposal
Preliminary plan for decision-making and developing recommendations

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AN independent arbiter should be set up to review the science behind coal seam gas mining,
Camden Council said in a submission to the coal seam gas inquiry.
CSG science review call
 GO VERNMENT
 C O MMUNITY CONSULTATION A LIGN VALUES WITH DEVELOPMENT
 REC OMMENDATIONS FOR COMPREHENSIVE HIA DURING THE O PERATIONAL PHASE OF C AMDEN CSG
Preliminary plan for the evaluation, monitoring and follow up step of HIA
This HIA objective focused on the CSG construction at Camden. The assessment,
and evaluation from primary and grey information identifies that there are
guidelines for CSG from NIOSH part of Control Disease Centre (CDC) USA and
World Health Organisation (WHO) on various aspects from construction of CSG
through to the ongoing operations.11. Australia has limited information and
guidelines for CSG construction but no specific policies are available as broadly
the policies related to mining in Australia.

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The following manuals, guidelines or screening tools used;

www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/works/pdfs/dssfu.pdf
 CDC - Mining Topic - Methane Drainage and Migration ...
o must be designed according to specific geologic conditions, such as gassiness of the coal
seam and overlying strata, specific gas emissions of the ...
 www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/topics/MethaneDrainageandMigration.html
 CFD Modelling of Sampling Locations for Early Detection of ...
o In this paper, the gas data collected from a western coal mine long-wall panel ... wide
and 10 m (33 ft) high starting from the bottom of the coal seam. ...
 www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/Works/pdfs/cmosl.pdf
 Detection and Control of Spontaneous Heating in Coal Mine ...
o Borehole 2-5, 9.1 m (30 ft) deep, was angled downward into the coal
seam immediately below the D seam to obtaingas samples from that seam. ...
 www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/works/pdfs/ri9553.pdf
 Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Spontaneous ...
o of methane emissions from the mined coal seam, including the longwall face and
overlying rider seam reservoirs on the gob gas distribution was ...
 www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/works/pdfs/cfdmos.pdf
 A New Methane Control and Prediction Software Suite for ...
o 8. 3-D graph showing the predicted mine emissions (MMscf/day) from mines in various
states as a function of coal seam gas content (scf/ton) and ...
 www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/works/pdfs/anmca.pdf
 Modeling the Effect of Barometric Pressure Changes on ...
o it can affect the gas emission not only from the active mining seam, but also from the
overlying and underlying strata into the mined coal seam. ...
 www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/works/pdfs/mteob.pdf
The Health Impact Assessment (HIA) has shown variables within the community,
so typology of evidence tool adapted from Petticrew and Roberts for focus on
groups, stakeholders interviews and modeling (example table 4, page 18 .
http://hiaconnect.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Health Impact
Assessment. A Practical Guide.pdf). The open ended question on their values and
knowledge of the wells support by current information, key questions
differential impacts and salience, is the proposed change important to the

20. 20
community/stakeholders. Finally, satisfaction of the HIA with the local residents,
providers and other stakeholders satisfied with the proposed changes.
Rapid level of HIA and number and depth of impacts only allows for no more
than three impacts, assessed in details and provides a more detailed overview of
potential health impacts. To capture the stress of the community, as well as, the
other health impacts from the methane and other chemicals needs evidence to fit
the questions.
The analysis and formulation of theme gathered from the qualitative
consultation from the focus groups will be difficult (eg mathematical
modeling/normal distribution, benefits identified, brainstorming, semi-
structured or unstructured key informant interviews, citizens juries and Delphi
process). The population profile will show the demographic data and health.
Ideally, looking for better outcomes for the affected group. Change management
comes from Healthy Public Policy, compliance and AGL ability to modify the CSG
development.
Development the target risk communication strategy and co-ordinates and
process for different target audiences appropriate to cultural and language
diverse groups, illiterate, disable and tailor to the mass media the message.
Communication plan
Screening and monitoring identifies health impacts working in conjunction with
local health service. Casual pathways are too complex to affect the population
health. Further scientific and medical research on CSG is required. Process
impacts on stakeholders include education, develop community liaison
strategies, follow up, impact management, evaluation, and monitoring.

21. 21
REFLECTION
Rationale is that Methane (CH4) is a part of the Camden geography but ground
fracking and extraction may expose the community to this odour less,
colourless, flammable gas. The community needs an avenue to talk with
government about the health impacts from the construction of the CSG is
difficult due to the earth movement and bio transformation. Once CSG
completed the plant it would operate for twenty years. If funding became
available for a rapid HIA focusing on the equity in the Camden community this
data would serve not only for this development, but future developments.
Populations and values form the culture and demographics statistically.
The expertise and environments of the CSG development considered the
environmental aspect but did not engage with all community concerns. One
factor may be it is difficult to prioritize key consideration in relations to the
values of the community over a 6-12 week period, and a raising question if 6

22. 22
months to talk with the community and look at the issues at hand and see what
recommendations could be drawn out from the data. The negative impact from
the community to the change is practical and reasonable so developing a risk
communication or recommendations to assist Healthy Public Policy making
represents gains for the industry and social respect through government.
Queensland has a 20120 policy for CSG but not guidelines on construction for
CSG in Australia. In NSW there has been a paper put forward to parliament on
CSG, but no Healthy Public policy
developed.(https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/committee.ns
f/0/f96d076732225603ca25791b00102098/$FILE/Submission%200412.pdf)
Difficult to isolate the community needs analysis from background population
information and how to develop the project. Project planning influences in
screening was the toxic nature of the methane and awareness that the expertise
were not available to prevent problems. Science data has Lethal Dose 50 and
MSDS where it states in the first aid measures to remove person to fresh air for
inhalation but no problem to eyes, ingestion and skin contact. Clean Air Act
section 112(r) USA Risk Management Programs for chemical accidental release
– Methane is a regulated substance threshold Planning quantity (TPQ) :
10,000lbs.
The HIA Project Management model is structured. The practical application is
complex and expertise in setting typology of information and key questions is
an art form. Creative and insightful screening and scoping by limiting to but
primarily planning for identification, assessment of impacts, making decisions
and recommendations with the aim to write a clear and transparent project
plan.
Use a simple guide in collecting information literatures sources and collection
of quantitative and qualitative. Primary data is collected for the purpose of the
HIA itself, for example consultations with communities or sampling the air
quality. Secondary data is collected for another purpose, examples include peer
reviewed literature articles, routine data collected by the hospital or the

23. 23
Environmental Protection Agency. Other resources available previous HIA,
existing systematic reviews and grey literature review.
Therefore resources forsuch a project are limited and the quality of the
information and searching will not provide a substitute to talking with the
community. Engaging with people who are vulnerable is not easy and looking
for key people to help would resolve access and increase inclusion. Taking
advice from “u”tube videos on the people describing their values is useful.
The recommendations may not be approved or adopted by the decision makers
in Government or the company developing. A topic I hope to be mindful on how
to transfer the HIA screening in relation to identification to assessment end
points in recommendations. Understand the business of developing and people
need a conduit to speak the same terms.
From an Australian point of view, HIA is a preplanning tool when developments
occur. Local, State and Federal Government have specific responsibilities under
the UK Westminster system with separation of powers between judiciary,
executive and legislature.3. The NSW and National Health Department have
specific areas described by the legislator to administer the governance via policy
directive (PD). One of the main “integrated Primary and Community Health
Policy 2007-2012”, gives direction for the delivery of comprehensive and well
coordinated primary and community health services for the people of NSW.
HIA had the ability to capture community values, risks of adverse health
conditions and promote healthy communities at the planning stage.
Local councils, States and Federal organise social rights and complex
environment(s) through courts to review land and environment breaches. These
courts adjudicate development, how it effects the environment, planning and
development but the people are not primarily considered or their health. An

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example of this is Camden Gas Project - Northern Expansion (Stage
3).(www.agl.com.)
The Environmental Impact Assessment does not clearly explain the ground
breaking and possible leaching of contaminates into the near by Nepean River.
This project benefits fiscally an Australian Company, AGL and commenced
operations in 1870 delivering gas lighting to the city. The cold steam gas is
considered one of the safe energy, although toxic gases, such as, methane in high
concentration could be exposed upon breaking of the ground.
In utilising the Swedish ‘Landstings Forbundet’ hierarchy, the scoping and
screening requires a list of health impacts simply. (www.WHO.com). HIA should
then consider the short term and long term prioritised group and entire
population to the physical environment, opportunity to exert influence and
equality. The local Camden residents expressed concerns about their health from
the 6 new well heads to the local council and media. Council and State Planning
have an electronic forum in progress for Stage 3 but Stage 1 and 2 are
operational.
In Australia, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is preferred to a HIA in
application for developments. A support to EIA would be a HIA and consider
(Swedish) ‘Health Matrix’, which includes entire population group for this
assessment group would identify and assess negative health risk of the mining
affecting the water supply. The Gas proposal is located in a rural area with a
small number of families directly affected. These findings would be critical in the
‘Health Impact Analysis’ to make the foundation for the HIA recommendations
prior to decision-making.
“Health impact assessment is a structured process for assessment of the potential
health impacts of proposed policies, programs or projects. This allows decision-
makers, policy developers and regulatory agencies to improve proposals by
maximizing and optimizing potentially positive health impacts and mitigating
potentially negative impacts.”
Harris-Roxas,B. and Harris, P. (2013) HIA Sect Pp1.1 PHCM9628

25. 25
A supportive environment, which enables people to lead healthy lives, is of
utmost importance for populations being healthy. Healthy public policy is one of
the most important approaches to achieve this goal. Unfortunately, the concept
of “healthy public policy” is rather difficult to understand and it is frequently
misunderstood.
Further a comprehensive HIA and Healthy Public Policy on CSG construction in
Australia is a recommendation to Government.
HIA had the ability to capture community values, risks of adverse health
conditions and promote healthy communities at the planning stage. The HIA
assessment synthesis critical information in order to priority in health impacts a
written transparent, concise and action-orientated report. The decision-making
and recommendations basis will ask who will act on the recommendations.
Finally, the report needs drivers to implement the recommendations. CSG is a
significant development and the local and wider population regarded from the
2011 NSW Parliament inquiry summary as
“ Doctors for the Environment Australia regards the development of coal
seam gas (CSG) mining in Australia as a significant threat to public health”

26. 26
REFERENCE LIST
1.Ben Harris-Roxas and Patrick Harris (2013)
Section 1, pp1.1, Post Graduate Program School of Public Health and Community
Medicine
PHCM9628 Health Impact Assessment
Summer School U1 – 2013
2.ECHP 1999, adapted by Mahoney & Morgan 2001
3. Harris, P., Harris-Roxas, B.,Harris, E., & Kemp, L. Health Impact Assessmet; A
practical guide, Sydney: Centre for Heath Equity Training, Research and Evaluation
(CHETRE).Part of the UNSW Research Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity,
UNSW. http://hiaconnect.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Health Impact
Assessment. A Practical Guide.pdf

27. 27
4. Health Impact Assessment Guidelines, enhealth, Commonwealth of Australia,
September 2001 page 13.
5 http://eprints.qut.edu.au/27536/1/27536.pdf
6. http://hiaconnect.edu.au/old/files/NSWPHB_HIA_Issue_2005.pdf
7. http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2006/pdf/m5_health_impact.pdf
8. National Center for Environmental Health - Air Pollution and Respiratory
Health
The Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch of the National Center for
Environmental Health directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
fight against respiratory illness associated with air pollution.
9. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/aqms/aqi.htm
10. www.resources.nsw.gov.au/community-information/coal-seam-gas
 11.
o

www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/works/pdfs/dssfu.pdf
 CDC - Mining Topic - Methane Drainage and Migration ...
o must be designed according to specific geologic conditions, such as gassiness of the coal
seam and overlying strata, specific gas emissions of the ...
 www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/topics/MethaneDrainageandMigration.html
 CFD Modelling of Sampling Locations for Early Detection of ...
o In this paper, the gas data collected from a western coal mine long-wall panel ... wide
and 10 m (33 ft) high starting from the bottom of the coal seam. ...
 www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/Works/pdfs/cmosl.pdf

28. 28
 Detection and Control of Spontaneous Heating in Coal Mine ...
o Borehole 2-5, 9.1 m (30 ft) deep, was angled downward into the coal
seam immediately below the D seam to obtaingas samples from that seam. ...
 www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/works/pdfs/ri9553.pdf
 Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Spontaneous ...
o of methane emissions from the mined coal seam, including the longwall face and
overlying rider seam reservoirs on the gob gas distribution was ...
 www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/works/pdfs/cfdmos.pdf
 A New Methane Control and Prediction Software Suite for ...
o 8. 3-D graph showing the predicted mine emissions (MMscf/day) from mines in various
states as a function of coal seam gas content (scf/ton) and ...
 www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/works/pdfs/anmca.pdf
 Modeling the Effect of Barometric Pressure Changes on ...
o it can affect the gas emission not only from the active mining seam, but also from the
overlying and underlying strata into the mined coal seam. ...
 www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/works/pdfs/mteob.pdf
12. Clean Air Act section 112(r) USA Risk Management Programs for chemical
accidental release – Methane is a regulated substance threshold Planning
quantity (TPQ) :
13. AGL Annual Report 2012.www.agl.com.au
14.
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/f96d076
732225603ca25791b00102098/$FILE/Submission%200412.pdf

29. 29