Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
Bill Journey
Referred to Health and Environment Committee
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill modernises Queensland's environmental protection laws by streamlining approval processes, strengthening compliance powers, and better protecting the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. It introduces temporary environmental authorities for emergency situations and bans mining in the Wet Tropics.
Who it affects
Mining and resource companies face new public notification and rehabilitation planning requirements. Landowners with contaminated sites get faster listing processes. Communities near industrial activities gain more input into major changes.
Environmental authority and EIS reforms
Environmental impact statement assessment reports now lapse after three years to ensure they reflect current standards. Businesses affected by emergencies like floods or pandemics can apply for temporary environmental authorities lasting up to four months.
- EIS assessment reports lapse after 3 years (extendable by chief executive)
- New temporary authority process for emergency situations
- Mandatory public notification for all major amendments to resource activity environmental authorities
- Chief executive can refuse EIS from proceeding if project unlikely to be approved
Contaminated land and auditor reforms
Landowners can now voluntarily request their land be listed on contaminated land registers without waiting for show cause processes. The auditor complaint process is strengthened with new requirements for written complaints and the ability to amend auditor approvals.
- New voluntary pathway for landowners to list contaminated land
- Enhanced environmental investigation requirements
- Chief executive can amend auditor approvals (not just suspend or cancel)
- Stronger complaint process against auditors
Compliance and enforcement powers
Environmental officers gain new tools including body-worn cameras and drones for inspections. Courts can order persistent offenders to stop particular activities. Executive officers can be held liable even after leaving their position.
- Body-worn cameras and drones authorised for compliance inspections
- Courts can ban persistent offenders from carrying out specific activities
- Criminal history checks available to protect officer safety
- Executive officer liability extends to former officers for acts done while in office
Wet Tropics World Heritage Area protection
Mining and mineral exploration are now prohibited in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The Wet Tropics Management Authority must consent to any land subdivisions in the area.
- Mining exemption removed - mining now prohibited in Wet Tropics
- Wet Tropics Management Authority consent required for land subdivisions
- Clarification of cooperative management agreement powers
Waste and recycling administration
Correctional facilities are exempted from single-use plastic bans for safety reasons. Decision timeframes for waste approvals are aligned and clarified.
- Single-use plastic exemption for correctional facilities
- Clarified take-effect dates for end-of-waste code amendments
- Aligned decision periods for waste approval applications