Environment Bulletin - June 2023
New Zealand – Illegal timber trade laws to commence
The Forests (Legal Harvest Assurance) Amendment Bill has now received royal assent, and will stop the importation of illegally harvested timber into New Zealand. The legislation, which allows up to 3 years for commencement, introduces the legal harvest assurance system, which will require forest owners, log traders, primary processors, timber exporters and importers to provide assurance the timber they are dealing with has been legally harvested, or sourced from timber that has been legally harvested.
Read more from the New Zealand government’s website here.
Queensland – Hydrogen Industry Development Bill introduced
The Queensland Government has introduced the Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023 to Parliament. The Bill aims to support the establishment of hydrogen projects and other renewable gas pipelines such as ammonia, methanol, methyl-cyclohexane (MCH), dimethyl-ether and toluene, by providing a clear approvals pathway for their construction, operation and safety management.
Read the Queensland government’s statement here.
South Australia – Bill to improve Aboriginal heritage protection introduced
The South Australian Government has introduced the Aboriginal Heritage (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2023 to Parliament, which proposes various amendments to strengthen protection of Aboriginal heritage across the State. This includes an increase in penalties for damaging, disturbing or interfering with Aboriginal heritage, and the introduction of new powers, offences, and reporting requirements.