The need to measure and manage the cumulative impacts of resource development on public health : an Australian perspective

Australia is currently experiencing strong growth in the resources sector, and most of the coal, energy and gas developments occurring in regional areas. The socio-economic impacts experienced by these ‘resource regions’ are already the focus of much research effort, especially since a Parliamentary Inquiry was convened to explore possible policy solutions to the ‘growing pains’ featured in these communities. In particular, understanding and addressing the cumulative impacts of resource extraction activities, where multiple projects occur in close physical proximity as well as in rapid succession, is now recognised as a key issue for sustainable regional development in Australia. A range of public health impacts may be linked with the cumulative effects of resource development, including direct and indirect health risks to not only resource sector employees, but also to the broader regional communities that host mining operations. Despite this, very little research has been undertaken on the causality, extent and appropriate management of public health concerns that are linked with resource sector development in regional Australia. This is a critical gap, given that large numbers of people could be affected by cumulative impacts, as a result of strong growth in the mining labour force, as well as demographic increases in the accompanying resource regions. Formal Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) have been applied in Australia for some time, but it appears that cumulative health impacts are not adequately provided for in assessment work relating to resource sector developments. This chapter reflects on some of the empirical as well as anecdotal evidence for the cumulative health impacts of resource development in regional Australia. It also explores the possibility for health assessments to be better incorporated into existing environmental and social impact assessments and mitigation plans, thereby allowing a combination of government, proponent and community-led responses to be brought to bear on this complex and important suite of problems.