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This environmental bulletin provides information about Australian national and state legislation, and New Zealand national legislation, that is upcoming and under review. It also offers information
on draft publications and a
selection of recent fines and prosecutions.
This bulletin has been collated by Environment Essentials
from selected Australian and New Zealand government and other websites.
The bulletin is published every two months.
Exclusions.
Legislation
- Upcoming changes
Australia – Biodiversity – Independent review of EPBC Act underway; interim report released – Open for comment until 3 Aug
An independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 is underway. An interim report outlines the major themes raised in public submissions, during the consultation process and in the Senate committee inquiry. Further public comment is being sought on the interim report in general and, in particular, on a number of specific areas identified in the report. Comments close 3 August 2009. More.
Australia – Climate change – Draft Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Regulations 2009 released – Open for comment until 14 Aug
The Commonwealth Government has released draft Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Regulations 2009, following industry consultation meetings in June 2009. It has also released a summary of the Emissions Intensive Trade Exposed (EITE) industry assistance program. A copy of the presentation from the consultation sessions is available. Comments close 14 August 2009. More.
Australia – Renewable energy – Exposure draft legislation released
To help achieve the Commonwealth Government's goal of 20% renewable energy in Australia's electricity supply by 2020, a national Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme is being established. It will increase the previous Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) by over four times, to 45,000 gigawatt-hours, by 2020. It also permits "Solar Credits" from 9 June 2009. Exposure draft legislation and commentaries have been released on the design of the RET scheme, including other elements of the RET design. More.
Australia – E-waste – Television and computer product stewardship consultation commenced – Open for comment until 13 Aug
The Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) has agreed to finalise product stewardship arrangements for end-of-life televisions and computers at its next meeting in November 2009. Comments are invited from stakeholders. The consultation package comprises:
- Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS): Televisions and Computers
- Willingness To Pay For E-Waste Recycling – Final Report (Choice Modelling study)
- Draft Code of Practice for Managing End-of-Life Televisions.
Other types of e-waste may be considered by the EPHC at a later date. A series of public consultation forums will be held in Adelaide, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne during the consultation period. Submissions close 13 August 2009. More.
Australia – Waste – National Waste Policy discussion paper released – Open for comment until 31 Jul
The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has released a discussion paper, Draft National Waste Policy Framework - Less Waste More Resources, for public comment. The draft Framework includes aims, a vision, principles, themes and key directions for change. These represent the views participants expressed during the original consultation process. Comments are being sought on the draft Framework. Comments close 31 July 2009. More.
NSW – Local councils - Reporting by local councils to change
The NSW Government is proposing to amend and increase the strategic planning and reporting requirements for local councils. More.
NSW – Fishing – Increased penalties for offences proposed
The NSW Government is proposing to increase penalties for fishing offences and introduce additional record-keeping requirements for fish sellers and those who take possession of fish. More.
NZ – General – Energy efficiency legislation to be amended
The NZ Government is proposing to amend energy efficiency legislation by incorporating new standards and introducing infringements. More.
NZ – Air – Air Quality Standards to be reviewed
The NZ Government has announced a review of the national air quality environmental standards. A technical advisory group has been established and will report its findings. More.
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Bills before Parliament
The Bills (draft Acts) listed below are being considered by Parliament. Only major environmental Bills are listed.
Australia
Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill 2009 - View Bill
Renewable Energy (Electricity) (Charge) Amendment Bill 2009 - View Bill
QLD
Great Barrier Reef Protection Amendment Bill 2009 - View Bill. View explanatory notes.
Sustainable Planning Bill 2009 - View Bill. View explanatory notes.
WA
Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Amendment Bill 2009 - View Bill
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Publications - Draft
WA – Air – Draft State Environmental (Ambient Air) Policy 2009 released - Open for comment until 11 Sep
The EPA has released the draft State Environmental (Ambient Air) Policy 2009 for public consultation. Comments close 11 September 2009. More. View Policy.
WA – Air – Discussion paper on Kwinana atmospheric wastes policy released – Open for comment until 7 Aug
The EPA has released a discussion paper on the review of the Environment Protection (Kwinana) (Atmospheric Wastes) Policy 1999. Comments close 7 August 2009. More. View paper.
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News
Fines and prosecutions
NSW – $30,000 fine for creek pollution
A company has been fined $30,000, plus costs, after a small spill of resin flowed into a stormwater pit and a creek. The decanting operation was unsupervised and done in an unbunded area. More.
VIC – Various companies fined for environmental breaches
The following companies have been fined $5,671 following breaches of environmental laws:
- a Numurkah concrete batching facility, for illegally dumping dried concrete washout material onto a neighbouring property. The occupiers of the neighbouring property were fined $1,361 for accepting industrial waste without an appropriate licence or permit. More.
- a water truck company, for causing or permitting an environmental hazard, after a water truck leaked more than 100 L of diesel from a ruptured tank into a stormwater drain at the Fitzroy Gardens. The company may face a further clean up bill from agencies such as Melbourne Water and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. More.
- a Dandenong South flavour and fragrance company, for allowing trade waste to be discharged into the stormwater system. More.
- a Gisborne water treatment plant, for spilling approximately 1.25 ML of raw sewage into Jacksons Creek. More.
- a Mernda hotel, for failing to manage sewage discharge, after samples taken from a discharge point, which leads to the stormwater system, were found to be excessively high in E. coli. More.
- a Yarroweyah portable toilet company, for spreading human effluent on a paddock. The company was also required to ensure that no further dumping or discharge of waste occurred. More.
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Other news
Australia – Climate change – National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Determination 2008 amended
The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Determination 2008 has been amended by the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Amendment Determination 2009 (the Amendment Determination). The Amendment Determination is generally applicable to the 2009-10 reporting year. Emission sources covered in the Determination include:
- fuel combustion for energy
- fugitive emissions from coal extraction
- oil and gas
- industrial processes, such as producing cement and steel
- waste management.
It does not address land-based emission sources. The methods are based on those used for the National Greenhouse Accounts. More.
ACT – General – New web address for EPA
The ACT Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water (incorporating the public servant who constitutes the EPA) has a new website address. Go to website.
NSW – Energy – New solar feed-in tariff launched
The NSW government has started a new solar feed-in tariff scheme. It is limited to small solar photovoltaic systems and energy users (systems no larger than 10 kilowatts (kW) and with average consumption no greater than 160 megawatts (MW) per annum). More.
NSW - Mining - Parliamentary briefing paper on mining and the environment released
The NSW Parliamentary Library Research Service has published an overview of environmental issues relating to mining. It includes relevant legislation and legislative initiatives as well as the impacts of mining in southern NSW’s coalfield region and on agricultural areas. More.
NSW – Water - Diffuse source water pollution publications released
The NSW Government has published a strategy, action plan and estimator for diffuse source water pollution. It may be of interest to local councils, building and construction companies and land managers. More.
NSW – Wind farms – Inquiry into rural wind farms underway – Open for comment until 25 Aug
The Legislative Council is inquiring into the social, environmental and economic costs and benefits of rural wind farms. Submissions close on 25 August 2009. More.
TAS – General - Government departments amalgamated
On 1 July 2009, the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) came into being. This new department is an amalgamation of the former Department of Primary Industries and Water and several divisions of the former Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts. The new department’s website is www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au.
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Case
briefs
This section includes a link to case briefs, from time to time.
No case briefs this Bulletin.
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