Fracturing planners: A study of their contribution to Australia's coal seam gas debate

Planners are key actors in Australia's coal seam gas debate at local government, state government and industry levels. Literature on unconventional gas offers suggestions as to how planners should respond to these resources, without investigating the views of planners themselves. To highlight these professionals as a point of focus for researchers examining societal interactions with unconventional gas, this paper presents an empirical analysis of this profession's involvement in coal seam gas debates in the Australian States of New South Wales and Queensland. Using documentary sources, existing literature and interviews with 22 local/state government and industry consultant planners, this paper explores the contributions planners have made to coal seam discussions. Particular attention is given to planners’ views on the future challenges and opportunities of coal seam gas in Australia, including planners’ engagement with the general public, through their participation in community forums as employees for local and state governments. This paper extends prior analyses of public officials and their views on unconventional gas, exposing the value of planners as a diverse group of professionals worthy of analysis, not only in studies of unconventional gas planning policies, but also as a means to investigate other facets of this resource.