Environment Bulletin - September 2023
Australia – National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme under review
The Climate Change Authority is inviting feedback on its second review of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007. The review covers the operation of the NGER scheme, measurement, reporting and verification of fugitive methane, and administration and compliance, among other things. The outcome of the review will be submitted to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy before 31 December 2023.
Read more from the Climate Change Authority here.
Queensland – Wind farm development requirements under review
The Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning is undertaking a review of the regulatory framework for wind farms, and has released the Draft State Code 23: Wind Farm Development and its associated Draft Planning Guidance for stakeholder feedback. The proposed changes will strengthen the environmental assessment criteria to better protect areas of high ecological and biodiversity value, require proponents to investigate the impacts of their construction, particularly in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, and provide clearer requirements for replanting and rehabilitation, among other things.
Read more from the Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory here.
Victoria – New circular economy regulations proposed
The Victorian Government is seeking feedback on the proposed Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) (Risk, Consequence and Contingency Plans) Regulations 2023, to support the implementation of a statutory risk, consequence and contingency planning framework in the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021. The regulations seek to ensure that the management of risks is shared between industry and government, and will prescribe ‘essential’ waste, recycling or resource recovery services that have a duty to minimise the risks of disruption to their services, among other things.
Read the regulatory impact statement here.