Environment Bulletin - December 2024
New South Wales – Bill to amend pipelines and gas safety legislation introduced
The NSW Government has introduced the Energy Amendment (Pipelines and Gas Safety) Bill 2024 into Parliament. The Bill will make amendments to the Gas Supply Act 1996 and Pipelines Act 1967 that will increase penalties for offences, expand, clarify and align the powers of inspectors in both Acts, and introduce an offence for damaging gas works or pipelines, among other amendments.
New South Wales – Legislation to mandate food and garden organics introduced
The NSW Government has introduced the Protection of the Environment Legislation Amendment (FOGO Recycling) Bill 2024 into Parliament (see previous Bulletin here). The Bill will amend the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and its Regulations to mandate source-separated collection of food organics and garden organics waste from businesses. It will also introduce record-keeping and transport obligations, among other things.
Western Australia – Proposed planning schemes exempt from EPA assessment released
The WA Government has consulted on the Draft Environmental Protection Amendment Regulations (No. 2) 2024 which proposes additional classes of relevant planning schemes and scheme amendments that can be exempt from being referred to the EPA due to not having a significant impact on the environment. The changes will support current work to streamline the environmental approvals process (see previous Bulletin here). An information paper was also released.
Read more from the Department of Water and Environment Regulation here.