The Queensland government has passed new legislation to strengthen the state’s environmental framework. The legislation includes measures to improve consultation on resource projects, provide early certainty on unacceptable projects, and ensure that environmental impact statements (EISs) remain current. The updated framework also provides greater accountability for executive officers who do the wrong thing. The legislation strengthens end-of-life provisions for resource projects and includes measures to assist the transition to new Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plans. The legislation is aimed at providing certainty for landowners and industry while protecting the environment and ensuring that the independent regulator can be effective in its role. The updated framework also introduces measures to assist Queensland industry and individuals to meet their environmental requirements in an emergency situation.
Queensland’s environmental laws strengthened
The Queensland Government has passed legislation to improve its environmental framework. The Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment has been drafted after extensive consultation with conservation groups, industry, and the agriculture sector. The new legislation aims to provide greater consultation on resource projects, early certainty on clearly unacceptable projects, and ensure that environmental impact statements (EISs) remain up-to-date.
One of the major changes introduced by the new legislation is the introduction of an ‘early no’ step in the EIS process. This means that if a proposal is clearly unacceptable or would contravene laws, the regulator has the power to end the EIS process, saving industry and the regulator time and money. The new legislation also ensures public notification for any major amendments to environmental authorities for resource-sector projects, allowing local communities to have their say.
Moreover, the EPOLA Act modernizes the framework so that EISs remain current for three years. After that, proponents can apply to extend the period. This update aims to avoid outdated information being relied upon for project proposals.
Additionally, the legislation has been updated to make sure responsible directors and officers can be held liable where there is evidence of wrongdoing. This aims to ensure that responsible company directors and officers are accountable for environmental harm.
The LNP voted against the provision to hold responsible company directors and officers to account. However, the amendments will give effect to the original intent by ensuring that the relevant provision recognizes both when an offense occurs and when an act leading to the offense happened.
The EPOLA Act also provides a provision for Department of Environment regulation officers to have the ability to use body-worn cameras and drones. These provisions will commence following the finalization of additional policy work.
Overall, the new legislation provides greater certainty for the community and industry. The updated framework ensures that EISs remain current and that responsible directors and officers can be held accountable for environmental harm.
Queensland’s new legislation strengthens end-of-life provisions for resource projects
The new environmental legislation in Queensland includes measures to strengthen end-of-life provisions for resource projects. The legislation includes provisions to assist the transition to new Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plans and extends timeframes for estimated rehabilitated cost decisions.
According to Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon, the new legislation reflects the changing landscape of community expectations, technology, and industry. The changes are aimed at providing certainty for landowners and industry while protecting the environment and ensuring that the independent regulator can be effective in its role. The legislation also ensures that executive officers who do the wrong thing can be held accountable for their acts or omissions.
In addition to these measures, short-term environmental authorities will be provided for non-resource activities to trial innovations, and measures will be introduced to assist Queensland industry and individuals to meet their environmental requirements in an emergency situation.
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