Prime Minister’s task group on emissions trading
On 10 December 2006, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a joint government-business task group on emissions trading (Task Group). The Task Group was asked to advise on the nature and design of a workable global Emissions Trading System (ETS) in which Australia would be able to participate.
On 7 February 2007, an Emissions Trading Issues Paper, providing the context for the work to be undertaken by the Task Group, was issued and submissions were invited by 7 March 2007.
The Task Group received about 200 submissions. The submissions from ‘key players’ in trade-exposed industries (aluminium, petroleum, steel etc) generally demonstrated support for the implementation of a national ETS (in the absence of a global ETS), on the proviso that such a scheme does not compromise Australia’s competitiveness in the global market. The general tenor of these submissions was that an ETS alone is not an effective policy response to climate change and must be accompanied by other policies such as support for low emissions technologies.
Commonwealth’s proposed takeover of the Murray-Darling Basin
The Federal Government has proposed to transfer the states’ powers relating to the Murray-Darling Basin Commission to the Federal Government. The 10-point water plan includes a proposal to dedicate almost $6 billion into improving structures such as pipes and channels, with the aim of saving 3,000 gigalitres of water a year. Other investments include $1.5 billion to boost water efficiency on farms, and $3 billion to address over-allocation of water in the Murray-Darling basin, which has been severely affected by the drought.
Australian Government launches Global Initiative on Forests and Climate
On 29 March 2007 the Australian Government launched a Global Initiative on Forests and Climate, a ‘world leading initiative’ to ‘tackle climate change and protect the world’s forests’. The government has committed $200 million to, amongst other things:
- building technical capacity to assess and monitor forest resources
- developing national forest management plans, and
- to implement effective regulatory and enforcement arrangements to protect forests.
These projects will be developed in cooperation with regional countries and relevant international organisations including the World Bank.
Government invests to develop water trade
The Federal Government has announced a $5.6 million investment to fund three significant water projects. This investment is part of the Raising National Water Standards programme.
The projects include:
- the development of a national model for water accounting
- monitoring the social, environmental and economic impacts of water trading, and
- improving market confidence in water brokers.
The projects will ultimately investigate governance arrangement for the conduct of market intermediaries and determine whether licensing should be introduced.
New EPA contamination guideline
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has released a new contamination guideline entitled
Guidelines for the Assessment and Management of Groundwater Contamination (guidelines). The guidelines outline a best-practice framework for assessing and managing contaminated groundwater in New South Wales. The New South Wales Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) must be notified about certain groundwater contamination under the
Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 and the
Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. Following notification, DEC may decide that the contamination warrants regulatory intervention. These guidelines should help consultants and industry to devise groundwater assessment and management strategies that are consistent with DEC’s expectations.
Proposed guidelines for biodiversity conservation
The New South Wales Department of Environment and Conservation has released guidelines (in working draft form) entitled Guidelines for Biodiversity Certification of Environmental Planning Instruments (guidelines), which are intended to protect biodiversity values in planning decisions.
The guidelines are intended to establish a framework for preparing an Environmental Planning Instrument (EPI) for biodiversity certification by the Minister for the Environment. The minister will certify an EPI if he is satisfied that certification will lead to the overall improvement of biodiversity values. This certification is designed to ensure that biodiversity is considered at the commencement of the project, during the planning process. Certification will involve biodiversity surveys and mapping of biodiversity values and will remain valid for 10 years.
The guidelines are open for public comment until the end of 2007.
Premier announces new Sydney water recycling grid
The New South Wales Premier has announced plans to construct a recycled water grid to pump billions of litres of recycled water to new homes and industries across the Sydney metropolitan area. The new grid will be built around three major projects:
- Sydney Water’s $130 million Liverpool to Ashfield Pipeline that is currently under construction
- an $8 million pipeline to connect the Water Reclamation and Management Scheme operated by the Sydney Olympic Park Authority to the Liverpool to Ashfield Pipeline, and
- up to $10 million from the government’s new water recycling fund to extend the distribution network for the Orica recycled water project in Botany to Sydney Airport. To facilitate the grid, the government will introduce a Recycled Water State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP).
Sydney Water investing $45 million in renewable energy
Sydney Water will be investing $45 million to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by over 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. It will install nine hydro-generation and biogas cogeneration facilities at pipelines and sewage treatment plants in order to produce more than 50 gigawatt hours of electricity each year, which is enough power to supply more than 20 per cent of Sydney Water’s electricity needs by early 2008.
Sewage treatment environmental operations guideline released
The Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new environmental operations guideline titled ‘Sewage treatment works and peak design capacity’ (guideline). The guideline is designed to assist in determining whether an activity constitutes sewage treatment, and the peak design capacity in deciding whether a development approval and registration certificate is required for sewage treatment (ERA 15 under the Environmental Protection Regulation 1998). The guideline is available from the EPA.
Land to be released for geothermal exploration
The Department of Mines and Energy has announced the release of approximately 5,500 square kilometres of land around Longreach, Roma, Gladstone, Charters Towers, Georgetown and Aurukun for tender by geothermal exploration companies.
Tenders for Geothermal Exploration Permits closed on 5 April 2007.
Level 5 water restrictions introduced in South-East Queensland
Level 5 water restrictions were implemented in South-East Queensland on 10 April 2007. The Queensland Water Commission’s restrictions impose a range of requirements on residents, business and industry including:
- businesses using more than 10 million litres annually must prepare, submit and comply with a Water Efficiency Management Plan, and
- business consuming more than one million litres must install water efficient appliances. There are also a number of industry specific targets and guidelines for industries with high water consumption.
The new restrictions will affect Beaudesert Shire, Brisbane City, Caboolture Shire, Shire of Esk, Gatton Shire, Gold Coast City, Ipswich City, Kilcoy Shire, Laidley Shire, Logan City, Pine Rivers Shire and Redcliffe City. The restrictions are available via the Queensland Water Commission website.
Central Queensland regional water supply strategy released
The Department of Natural Resources and Water (DNRW) has released the Central Queensland regional water supply strategy (strategy), which addresses Central Queensland’s water needs up to and beyond 2020. The strategy outlines $1.3 billion worth of infrastructure projects which are proposed to be implemented over the next 10 years. The strategy is available via the Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy website.
Draft Wild Rivers code released
The Department of Natural Resources and Water has released a revised draft of the Wild Rivers Code (draft code). The draft code is designed to ensure that development in wild rivers areas is consistent with the Wild Rivers Act 2005. Submissions on the draft code closed on 28 February 2007.
Government declarations on water grid projects
Key elements of the South-East Queensland water grid have been declared as ‘prescribed projects’ and ‘critical infrastructure projects’ under section 76E of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SD Act).
The South East Queensland (Gold Coast) Desalination Facility at Tugun, the Southern Regional Water Pipeline and the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project are now prescribed projects. These declarations enliven powers under the SD Act to prevent delays in the assessment and approval processes for the water grid, and will expedite legal access to existing utility easements.
Water resource policy update
The Department of Natural Resources and Water (DNRW) has approved Water Resource Plans (WRPs) for the Moreton Basin and the Logan Basin.
The purpose of the Moreton WRP, which commenced on 16 March 2007, is to provide a framework for:
- reversing, where practicable, degradation that has occurred in natural ecosystems
- establishing water allocations to take surface water
- granting and amending water entitlements for groundwater, and
- granting water entitlements for overland flow water.
The Moreton WRP contains performance indicators for environmental flow objectives and water allocation security objectives.
The Logan Basin WRP, which commenced on 2 March 2007, provides for the required outcomes of a sustainable water management plan, including the process for determining suitable allocations and monitoring and reporting requirements.
The DNRW has also released a draft amendment of the Fitzroy Basin WRP (Draft Amendment) that proposes to incorporate groundwater resources in the Isaac-Connors catchment into the existing Fitzroy Basin WRP. Submissions on the Draft Amendment closed on 23 February 2007.
Submissions have also closed on the draft Border Rivers Resource Operations Plan (Draft ROP) which was released by the DNRW earlier this year.
The WRPs are available online at:
- Moreton WRP
- Logan WRP
- Fitzroy WRP Draft Amendment
- Border Rivers Draft ROP
Department of Environment and Conservation recommends submissions of contamination reports
Businesses and other organisations are being urged to report to the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) any contamination required to be reported under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 before the amnesty period ends in May 2007. Offences for failing to report will start from 31 May 2007. The form for reporting known or suspected contaminated sites is available from the DEC.
Mining guidelines released by Department of Industry and Resources
A guideline entitled Mining Environmental Management Guidelines: Calculating Environmental Performance Bonds has been released by the Department of Industry and Resources. The guideline outlines calculation methods for environment bonds and rates for the calculations, and is available via the Department of Industry and Resources website.
Federal Government to contribute to Western Australia water projects
The Federal Government will contribute $30 million to five Western Australian projects under the Water Smart Australia program, including $15.75 million to Western Australia’s Beenyup Reverse Osmosis Groundwater Replenishment Project.
Greenhouse and Energy taskforce report released
A report entitled Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce: A cleaner energy future has been released by the DEC. The report outlines fourteen recommendations on ways to improve and manage greenhouse gas emissions from the stationary energy sector.
National water initiative implementation
The Western Australia Government has released the following documents:
- the Blueprint for Water Reform in Western Australia (December 2006)
- the Government Response to the Blueprint for Water Reform in Western Australia (February 2007), and
- a final draft of Western Australia’s Implementation Plan for the National Water Initiative (February 2007) (implementation plan).
The implementation plan sets out the key tasks for the state under the National Water Initiative. According to the ministerial media release, the main changes to be introduced are:
- comprehensive water planning for water resources
- more water trading by those with a water access entitlement
- perpetual water entitlements
- provision for environmental water entitlements
- requiring water licence-holders to pay a licence administration fee, and
- widespread metering for licensed water users taking 50 million litres or more per year.
Initiative to combat illegal timber logging
The DEC and the Forest Products Commissions have agreed to take stricter measures to combat illegal timber logging. The measures include strictly reviewing the legalities of log deliveries and increasing the efficiency of enforcement operations.
Long Island Tourist Development recommendation released by EPA
The EPA has released its recommendation to the Environment Minister on the Long Island Tourist Development proposal submitted by Humfrey Land Developments Pty Ltd. The EPA has advised that the proposal is unlikely to compromise its objectives.
Primary Energy report released by EPA
The report and recommendations of the EPA on Primary Energy Pty Ltd’s proposal to operate an ethanol refinery in East Rockingham have been released. The EPA has decided that the proposal will be acceptable if the EPA’s recommendations are implemented.
Robe River Associates report released by EPA
The report and recommendations of the EPA regarding Robe River Associates’ proposal to increase the throughput of ore at its Cape Lambert Port Operations have been released. The EPA has decided that the proposal will be acceptable if the EPA’s recommendations are implemented and made legally binding.
Memorandum of Understanding to advance hydrogen use
The Western Australian Government has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to encourage the use of hydrogen as a fuel. The understanding includes six major European and Canadian cities. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Alannah MacTiernan, believes the memorandum is ‘vital.’
Ministers launch fund for conservation on Kangaroo Island
South Australian Minister for the Environment and the Tourism Minister announced on 16 March 2007 that a fund has been created to finance conservation projects on Kangaroo Island. The fund is a joint initiative between the South Australian Government and the developer of a nature based tourism venture to be located nearby, and is expected to generate between $20,000 and $50,000 annually.
Federal Government supports geothermal project
The Federal Resources Minister, together with the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, have announced that the Federal Government is providing a grant of $5 million for a new geothermal energy project located in the Flinders Ranges. Petratherm Ltd, the recipient of the grant, is investigating a new approach to the generation of geothermal energy. According to the Resources Minister, the new approach could accelerate the development of sustainable, large scale, geothermal energy generation.
Draft guidelines for Blandforia 4 Precinct, Forrest
Environment ACT has released draft guidelines for the use of the Blandforia Precinct, Forrest. The purpose of the draft guidelines is to determine how development in the region is to occur. In particular, the draft guidelines regulate the development of sites of potential heritage significance, with a view to conserving these heritage sites. Environment ACT is now seeking public comments on the draft guidelines. The closing date for submissions is 20 April 2007.
The guidelines are available at the Environment ACT website.
Greenhouse emissions mandatory reporting discussion paper released
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has released a discussion paper (February 2007) that examines the options for the mandatory reporting and disclosure of greenhouse gases and other regulated emissions. The purpose of the paper was to investigate and compare two regulatory options, and determine which would be the least burdensome for business. The two options considered are:
- a variation to the National Pollutant Inventory National Environment Protection Measure (NPI NEPM), and
- the creation of new legislation to enable mandatory reporting.
The paper concludes that option one would be the more efficient and desirable option as it would utilise existing institutions and processes, would be relatively less expensive, and could be in operation as early as the 2007/2008 financial year. If the recommendations of the discussion paper are accepted by the Victorian Government, businesses could be required to begin reporting and disclosing their emissions as early as July 2007.
Channel Deepening Supplementary Environmental Effects Statement (SEES) released for public comment
The SEES for the proposed dredging of shipping channels in Port Phillip Bay was released 21 March 2007.
The SEES emphasises the economic benefits of the plan to dredge Port Phillip Bay, claiming that the project will:
- inject $1.9 billion into the Victorian economy and create 2,300 jobs
- not ‘noticeably’ affect local marine life or habitats, and
- comply with any environmental regulatory requirements.
Public submissions on the proposed plan close on 7 May 2007.
The Victorian Minister for Planning has announced the Panel that will consider the SEES.
Top 1,500 water users ordered to prepare water management plans
The Victorian Premier has announced that all businesses and sites in Melbourne using more than 10 megalitres of water a year will be required to prepare water management plans. This constitutes an expansion of the previous optional program which involved the top 200 water users. The new mandatory scheme is expected to apply to 1,500 businesses. The first water management plans are likely to be required by the end of 2008.
New hazard classifications for industrial waste
The EPA has released a brochure notifying generators of solid prescribed industrial wastes of new obligations. The new obligations will commence on 1 July 2007. The brochure identifies the different categories of potentially hazardous industrial waste, and details the steps that generators of such waste must take to classify, treat and dispose of the waste.
Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability’s Strategic Audit 2007
The Victorian Government has released its response to the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability’s Strategic Audit 2007 (audit). The government supported in principle the majority of the twenty-two recommendations made in the audit, including:
- the establishment of ‘whole of government’ targets for water use, greenhouse gas emissions and the use of green power
- a review of the Financial Reporting Directive 24A and creation of training programs on the implementation of the directive
- the development of a water consumption reduction strategy, and
- the creation of government education programs on environmental sustainability.
East Gippsland forest industries project final report released
On 23 March 2007, the Victorian Minister for the Environment announced the publication of the final report from the East Gippsland Forest Industries Project.
The project involved consultation with the timber industry and community stakeholder groups, and analysis of timber resources in the East Gippsland Region in order to determine how to address old growth issues addressed and consider the best way forward for the timber industry in East Gippsland. The project considered seven different options and assessed them in terms of the likely impact on old growth forests, timber jobs in the region, and timber industry turnover. An analysis of each option’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats is also provided.
Regulatory changes to foster reuse of industrial water
EPA Victoria has released a discussion paper recommending regulatory changes to enable industrial water reuse for non-industrial purposes such as irrigation and dust suppression. The discussion paper notes that water used by industry can often be treated and reused for purposes such as wash-downs, boiler or cooling tower feed water, as well as for non-industrial purposes. It also recommends changes to the Environment Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998 and to Victoria’s industrial waste management policy, and the development of guidance on assessing the risks of reuse projects.
Landfill levy increase
The landfill levy is to increase from $26 a tonne to $130 a tonne on 1 July 2007, and will further increase to $250 per tonne on 1 July 2008.
The levy will raise around $30 million over the next four years to fund investment in new technologies for reuse, recycling, reprocessing and recovery of industrial waste.
Weekly greenhouse indicator
The Climate Group has developed a weekly greenhouse indicator for Victoria. This world-first indicator provides real time information on the greenhouse gas emissions produced from coal-fired electricity, natural gas and petroleum every week. Emissions for the week ending 6 April 2007 totalled 1.89 million tonnes CO2e.
Further information, including weekly updates, are available at The Climate Group website.
Tasmanian biosecurity policy and strategy released
The Department of Primary Industries and Water (DPIW) has released the final policy and implementation strategy on Tasmania’s biosecurity.
The biosecurity policy aims to improve the state’s biosecurity status by adopting the following seven elements:
- appropriate level of protection
- least restrictive sanitary and phytosanitary requirements
- science-based risk analysis
- risk-based resource allocation
- cost benefit decision making on control and eradication
- whole-of-government approach to biosecurity, and
- shared responsibility.
The implementation strategy provides details on how these goals are to be achieved, which include:
- policy, planning and legislation
- prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, and
- capacity of Tasmania’s biosecurity program.
The biosecurity policy and strategy is available via the Department of Primary Industries and Water website.
Draft Derwent River Drinking Water Catchment Management Plan released
Hobart Water has released the Draft Derwent River Drinking Water Catchment Management Plan (draft plan). The objectives of the draft plan are to:
- develop a management plan for the protection and preservation of the high quality drinking water resources within the catchment
- identify and engage key stakeholders using a collaborative and consultative approach
- identify and assess hazards to drinking water quality within the catchment
- develop and implement prioritised management actions to address significant hazards identified, and
- integrate actions with existing catchment management plans.
Public submissions on the draft plan have closed.
Marine Protected Areas Committee meets
The Northern Territory Marine Protected Areas Committee has held its inaugural meeting. The committee is commencing discussions on a draft strategy to implement a system of Marine Protected Areas in the Northern Territory waters.
Molyhil Mine report released by the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts
Information for the Public and Guidelines relevant to the preparation of a Public Environmental Report (PER) for the Molyhil Tungsten / Molybdenum Mine by Thor Mining PLC have been released by the Department of the Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts.
More information
For information regarding possible implications for your business, contact a member of the Environment & Planning team