Environment Bulletin - October 2025
Australia – National Climate Risk Assessment and Adaptation Plan released
The Australian Government has released two documents to help improve understanding of climate change and determine how to respond to its impacts. The National Climate Risk Assessment provides a comprehensive assessment of the risks posed by climate change, and the National Adaptation Plan sets out a framework to guide Australia’s response to those risks.
South Australia – Mining – Improvements to mining legislation proposed
The Department for Energy and Mining has released a draft bill that proposes improvements to the Mining Act 1971 and consequential amendments to the Energy Resources Act 2000 and Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023. The bill proposes changes to requirements for the release of prescribed material, licensing, tenements, the mining rehabilitation fund, and the review of Programs for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation, among other things.
Read more on the Energy & Mining consultation page here.
Western Australia – Planning – State Development Bill introduced
The WA Government has introduced the State Development Bill 2025 to Parliament. The Bill aims to streamline approvals for strategically significant projects and supports the State’s energy transition and decarbonisation goals, among other things. It builds upon the government’s recent planning and environmental approvals reforms, but does not replace it.
Read the Western Australian Government’s media state here and here.