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This environmental bulletin provides information about selected 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.
It is published every two months - it is therefore recommended that you do not rely solely on it for upcoming information.
Exclusions.
Legislation
- Upcoming changes
Australia – Energy efficiency – DRET reviews EEO requirements – Closed for comment
The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (DRET) is reviewing the Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) program requirements, in consultation with industry. Comments have closed. More.
Australia – Packaging – Used packaging materials NEPM to be re-made
The Commonwealth Government intends to re-make the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure. The new NEPM will address administrative issues in relation to the registration of a Minor Variation, made in June 2010. A draft NEPM was published in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette on 23 February 2011. More.
Australia – Waste – e-waste regulations being prepared; consultation paper released - Open for comment until 8 Apr
The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities is preparing to draft regulations for collecting and recycling televisions and computers. The regulations will underpin the industry National Television and Computer Product Stewardship Scheme. A consultation paper on the proposed regulations has been released. Comments close 8 April 2011. More.
SA – Energy efficiency – Review of REES activities underway – Open for comment until 15 Apr
The Essential Services Commission is reviewing the approved list of Energy Efficiency Activities to apply from 1 January 2012, as part of the Residential Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES). The Commission has completed Phase 2 of the Review. It now seeks comments on the Phase 2 Report and accompanying Consultant’s Report. Comments close 15 April 2011. More.
VIC – Mining – Review of minerals resources regulations underway – Closed for comment
The Department of Primary Industries is undertaking a review of minerals regulations, in light of recent changes to the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act. Comments have closed. More.
WA – Noise – Proposed amendments to noise regulations released – Open for comment until 23 May
The DEC has released the proposed amendment to the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 for comment. Proposed changes include improved noise management of essentials services and reducing and increasing some noise limits. Comments close 23 May 2011. 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
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Abolition of Alpine Grazing) Bill 2011
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Bioregional Plans) Bill 2011
QLD
North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability Bill 2011
Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 |
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Publications - Draft
ACT – Waste - Commercial and organic waste targeted in draft waste strategy
The ACT has published a draft Sustainable Waste Strategy, which includes targets on the amount of waste diverted from landfill. Recycling of commercial and organic wastes is a focus of the strategy. More.
NSW – Climate change - Compost and carbon sequestration publication released
The DECCW has published a scientific literature review on the benefits of using compost to mitigate climate change. View review.
NSW – Coal mining and coal seam gas - Strategy being prepared – Open for comment until 15 Apr
The Government is holding forums and is seeking submissions relating to the sustainable development of the coal mining and coal seam gas industry. Comments close 15 April 2011. More.
NSW – Development applications - Updated guidelines for hazardous/offensive industry published
The Department of Planning has published updated guidance for councils and developers on assessing proposals for potentially hazardous and offensive industry or storage. More.
QLD – Biodiversity – Draft strategy released – Open for comment until 8 Apr
A draft biodiversity strategy for the next 10 years has been released. The draft strategy places nature’s resilience at the centre of Queensland’s conservation efforts. Comments were to close on 18 March but have now been extended until 8 April 2011. More.
QLD – Planning – Draft State Planning Policy released – Open for comment until 28 Apr
The Queensland Government has released the Draft State Planning Policy: Protecting Wetlands of High Ecological Significance in Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Catchments. The policy aims to protect freshwater wetlands of high ecological significance in Great Barrier Reef catchments from the detrimental effects of high-impact earthworks. Comments close 28 April 2011. More.
WA – Works approvals – Three draft industry guides released – Open for comment until 7 Apr
The DEC has released three draft industry guides related to works approvals for public comment. They include Determining whether a works approval is required, Wet commissioning under a works approval and Setting the boundary of prescribed premises. Comments close 7 April 2011. More.
WA – Water – Kimberley water plan released – Open for comment until 29 Apr
The Department of Water has released the Kimberley regional water plan: Strategic directions and actions 2010-2030, and supporting detail, for comment. Comments close 29 April 2011. More.
WA – Water – Lower Gascoyne water plan released – Closed for comment
The Department of Water has released the Lower Gascoyne groundwater and surface allocation plan, which will provide a frame work for licensing and water allocation in the area. Comments were originally due to close on 28 February but the comment period was extended until 1 April 2011. More.
WA – Water – Water monitoring guidelines released – Open for comment until 8 Apr
The Department of Water has released the Water monitoring guidelines for better urban water management strategies/plans for comment. Comments close 8 April 2011. More.
WA – Water – Water services customer code released – Comments close June 2011
The Department of Water is developing a Water Services Customer Code, which will provide a framework for a code of conduct for water service providers. It is seeking feedback. Comments close June 2011. More.
NZ – Dairy –Effluent Code of Practice released
Dairy NZ has released a Farm Dairy Effluent Design Code of Practice and Design Standards, to assist effluent system designers. The code was developed in conjunction with Irrigation New Zealand, the New Zealand Milking and Pumping Trade Association, Federated Farmers and Fonterra. More.
NZ – Erosion – Draft roadway erosion and sediment control standard released – Open for comment until 1 Jul
The NZ Transport Agency has released the draft erosion and sediment control standard for state highway infrastructure. The standard has been developed to assist construction companies in choosing the appropriate sediment and erosion control practices. Comments close 1 July 2011. More.
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News
Fines and prosecutions
Australia – Plastic bags – Company misleads on plastic bags
An Adelaide biodegradable plastic supplier has been declared to have engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct, after making false representations about its branded plastic bags.
The company claimed that its bags were biodegradable and compostable in accordance with Australian Standard AS4736-2006 for Biodegradable plastics suitable for composting and other microbial treatment and that they could be legally supplied in South Australia. This was not the case as they:
- contained more of the heavy metal Molybdenum than the maximum concentration prescribed by the Standard, and
- did not biodegrade, disintegrate, or compost in accordance with the Standard.
The company undertook to stop claiming the bags are biodegradable or compostable in accordance with the Standard. It was ordered to:
- publish corrective notices on its website and in the Adelaide Advertiser
- implement a Trade Practices Compliance and Education Program
- contribute $65,000 to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's costs.
The ACCC's proceedings against the bags’ distributor were detailed in the December 2010 Bulletin. More.
NSW – Water pollution – Undetected erosion in pipe no excuse
A food manufacturer has been fined $67,000, plus $30,000 investigation and prosecution costs, for polluting a river. Animal tallow and vegetable oil escaped into Tamworth’s Peel River from a food processing plant, due to undetected erosion of a steam pipe. The defendant could have (and subsequently did) collect condensate from the steam pipes in an intermediate bulk container, to enable its contents to be checked before discharge into the river. The fine will help fund river restoration works. More.
VIC – Sewage – Company pays for sewage spill
A Melbourne water company has been fined $50,000 for causing an environmental hazard, following an incident that saw approximately 115,000 L of raw sewage pumped into Jumping Creek at Warrandyte South. The company was also ordered to pay EPA costs of nearly $14,000. More.
VIC – Companies fined for environmental breaches
Two Victorian companies have been fined nearly $6,000 for environmental breaches:
a Craigieburn currency printing company, for spilling a green liquid to the stormwater system near the Merri Creek. More.
a Wangaratta textile company, for undertaking works without proper approvals. More.
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Other news
ACT – Energy and water efficiency - Rebates and assistance available for businesses
The ACT Government is providing rebates and assistance for installing photovoltaic panels, improving commercial building energy and water efficiency, and recycling. More.
TAS – Environmental policy update released
The Environment Division has published a newsletter summarising activities relating to policy development and implementation. It includes updates on water quality, air, noise, waste and contaminated sites policies, national environmental policy initiatives and EMPCA amendments. More.
NZ – EPA – Establishment Board announced
The Minister for the Environment has announced the four-member Establishment Board for the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The board will ensure that the EPA commences on 1 July 2011. The EPA will be an independent Crown agent with its own board of directors. More.
NZ – New Authority – Plans announced to merge the MAF and MoF
Plans have been announced to merge the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry with the Ministry of Fisheries. The new agency will be responsible for primary industries and will commence on 1 February 2012. More.
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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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