Resources and Energy Minister Gary Gray today announced the Government’s intention to change the way major petroleum activities in Commonwealth waters are assessed and approved.
Currently, petroleum activities in Commonwealth waters that are likely to impact matters of national environmental significance are subject to regulation under both the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (OPGGS Act) and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), which results in unnecessary duplication for industry.
Speaking at the annual APPEA conference in Brisbane today, Mr Gray said it is a priority for the Commonwealth to streamline the existing regulatory framework to further develop the industry for Australia’s economic benefit.
These changes would enable the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) to assess and approve certain petroleum activities, including exploration activities and appraisal drilling, as a streamlined way of meeting the environmental requirements of the EPBC Act.
“The endorsement under the EPBC Act of NOPSEMA’s process for offshore petroleum activities would provide a central point for regulation of these activities, leading to better outcomes for the industry and ensuring the strongest protections for our marine environment,” Mr Gray said.
“NOPSEMA is the regulator for environmental management of offshore petroleum in Commonwealth waters and already assesses and approves environment plans for all petroleum activities.
“Environment plans must demonstrate activities will be carried out in a manner consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development and with risks reduced to as low as reasonably practicable.”
A transparent process will be used to develop the new arrangements, and will demonstrate how NOPSEMA’s assessment procedures will provide the same robust environmental protection outcomes to that of the EPBC Act.
Public consultation will commence in June.
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