Environment Bulletin – December 2025
Australia – Regulation – Bills to reform environment protection legislation introduced
The Australian Government has introduced the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 to Parliament, as part of a package of proposed reforms to Australia’s environmental legislation, including the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (see previous Bulletin here). Additionally, the Environment Information Australia Bill 2025 and National Environmental Protection Agency Bill 2025, which would establish the Head of Environment Information Australia and the National Environmental Protection Agency, have also been introduced.
- View the Environment Protection reforms page here
- Read the media release from Minster for Environment and Water here.
Queensland – Environment – Bill to streamline and modernise environmental regulation introduced
The QLD Government is proposing to streamline and modernise the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and has introduced the Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 to Parliament. The changes will introduce a new regulatory option for certain lower-risk activities by replacing the requirement for environmental authorities with regulatory codes, reframe the way environmentally relevant activities (ERAs) are identified and regulated, and consolidate significant environmental values into one schedule.
Additional changes will clarify the progressive rehabilitation and closure plan framework, remove duplication in the environmental impact statement process and improve agricultural ERA administration. The processes for managing underground water impacts in the Water Act 2000 will be streamlined, and the definition of protected area in the Nature Conservation Act 1992 will be refined, among other changes.
Australia – Climate change Draft national climate scenario guidance released – Open for comment until 19 Dec
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has released the Draft National Climate Scenario Guidance for consultation. The Guidance will clarify climate scenario analysis for governments, businesses, engineers and other decision-makers, and support climate-related disclosure reporting, risk assessment and management, and delivery of long-term infrastructure. Comments close 19 December 2025.