Qld Budget

Qld Budget

The Qld Government Budget paper No.4 provides a consolidation of expense, capital and revenue measures reflecting decisions by the Qld Government since the 2012-13 austerity Budget.

The following is summary of some of the highlights of measures of the Qld Government concerning the Environment.

The Qld Government will provide additional net funding of $1.7m over four years, which together with existing funding will provide a total of $4.6m over four years to coordinate, develop and implement The Queensland Plan: a 30 year vision for Queensland which will inform the Government's response and future policy program.

CSG

The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) will undertake a comprehensive review of the State's approach to Coal Seam Gas industry regulation.  The OBPR will develop options for cost recovery.

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection will receive $3.7m for the regulation and administration of the Coal Seam Gas industry.  A total of $11m for CSG regulation is spread across the following departments:

·  Environment and Heritage Protection

·  Energy and Water Supply,

·  Natural Resources and Mines and

·  State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.

Gladstone Harbour and the Reef

The Qld Government will provide an additional $4m over two years towards the Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership, investigating the hydrodynamic, biogeochemistry, marine biodiversity, water quality, marine toxicology, ecosystem health and decision support and modelling.

The funds are subject to an industry contribution of $1.5m per year (total of $3m) in funding for collaborative action between Government, the community and industry to maintain and continuously improve harbour health.

The Qld budget has increased funding of $2.8m over three years from 2014-15 for the coordination of the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan. The Plan aims to conserve this internationally recognised world heritage site from the impact of poor water quality by promoting land management improvements including the reduction of wasteful run-off of fertilizers, pesticides and soil.

The Federal Government has also progressed an independent and public review of environmental management arrangements and governance of Qld's Port of Gladstone.

The Qld Government will provide funding of $80m over five years from 2013-14 towards natural resource management investment in Qld including initiatives to protect the Great Barrier Reef. 

Incidentally, the Federal Government renewed its commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef with the State Party Report on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The Federal and Qld Governments are currently progressing draft strategic assessment and program reports and these will be released for public comment in the first half of the year.

Waterways, Resilience and other Measures

There is increased funding of $8m over four years commencing in 2013-14 towards the South East Queensland (SEQ) Healthy Waterways Partnership. This program will provide project funding for water quality improvement and waterway resilience across SEQ including Moreton Bay. Projects will run in partnership with local governments, Healthy Waterways Ltd and SEQ Catchments.

Following on from floods and cyclones, the Qld Government is providing additional funding of $40m towards the Betterment Fund which will support the building of stronger, more resilient infrastructure. The Federal Government is matching the funding provided by the Government so that the total value of the program is $80m.

The Government is providing increased funding of $41.7m over two years for the continuation of the Qld Reconstruction Authority through to 30 June 2014.

The Qld Government is providing additional funding of $3.9m over three years and has approved the reallocation of $0.55m for the establishment of the Community Resilience Team. The team will provide effective coordination, governance and reporting of the whole-of-Government response to the 2012-13 natural disasters and to oversee community resilience activities across Qld.

The Qld Government is providing additional funding of $1m over three years and has approved the reallocation of $0.32m for the appointment of three Disaster Recovery Coordinators. These officers will provide a coordinated approach to the recovery and rebuilding of Qld following the 2012-13 natural disasters.

The Qld Government will provide increased funding of $15.9m over four years from 2013-14 for the implementation of joint park management and maintenance for lands to be declared protected areas under the Cape York Peninsula Tenure Resolution Program. Further funding for this measure was allocated to the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs.

The Qld Government has approved the reallocation of $1.4m in 2013-14 to establish the Building and Construction Compliance Branch with responsibility for monitoring, educating, reporting and ensuring compliance with the Qld Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry.

Bowen CSG pipeline project EIS receives approval

Media Statements

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection
The Honourable Andrew Powell

Monday, March 25, 2013

Bowen pipeline project EIS receives approval

A proposed billion dollar coal seam gas pipeline has been given the go-ahead by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP).

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell said the department had completed its assessment of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Arrow Energy Bowen Pipeline Project.

“The project would involve the construction and operation of a 580 kilometre high-pressure gas pipeline to deliver coal seam gas from gas fields in the Bowen Basin to a proposed LNG plant at Gladstone,” Mr Powell said.

“The department considered the EIS documentation, as well as public submissions, before deciding it was satisfied the environmental impacts of the pipeline would not be unacceptable.

“The buried pipeline route would cross private land, roads, railway lines, watercourses and wetlands. 

“Arrow Energy has outlined a range of practices in the EIS to ensure that activities conducted across various types of terrain and land uses would deliver an acceptable environmental outcome.

“The pipeline will also require an Environmental Authority from the department which will set out enforceable environmental performance requirements during the construction and operation of the pipeline.

“These conditions would ensure commitments made in the EIS are fully implemented.” 

Mr Powell said the pipeline would involve a capital investment of approximately $1 billion and generate around 700 new jobs.

“Over the past twelve months we have consistently said we would work with industry to deliver sustainable economic development while upholding strong environmental standards and this project is a great example of that,” he said.

“While the EIS process is now finalised, Arrow Energy will need to obtain some final approvals from EHP and other government agencies. This project will also require Federal Government approval before construction can commence.”

“The Newman Government is confident we can work with industry to deliver positive economic outcomes for Queensland while protecting our environment.”

[ENDS] 25 March 2013

Media contact: Brooke Hargraves 0458 689 043

Water Resources, CSG and Coal

The Federal Government is implementing more environmental protection for water resources impacted by coal seam gas and large coal mining developments.

Amendments will be made to Australia’s national environment law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 that will require federal assessment and approval of coal seam gas and large coal mining developments which have a significant impact on a water resource.

The Independent Expert Scientific Committee (IESC) established by the Federal Government last year will continue to provide advice for coal seam gas and large coal mining projects which may require federal assessment, including assessments of impacts on water resources.

Energy Assets - not for sale

Energy Assets

Energy Minister Mark McArdle has responded to the Prime Minister’s call for the State Government’s energy assets to be sold.

This may be because the Qld Government’s energy generation asset would be difficult to sell in the current political and economic climate.

Asset sales proved to be quite unpopular for the previous Qld Government.  The wholesale electricity market is over-supplied and newer gas fired assets can produce electricity more efficiently.  Domestic gas prices are artificially low, as the coal seam gas industry ramps up.  This paradigm may change when the liquefied natural gas industry matures and opens up to international export markets.

Mr McArdle said, in the Executive Summary of a submission to the Senate Select Committee on Electricity Pricing, compiled by the Department for Resources, Energy and Tourism in conjunction with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Treasury, the Federal Labor Government stated that:

“The Australian Government has a clear path for better-functioning energy markets through the progression of a set of critical reform issues. These include: … privatising government-owned energy assets – continued government ownership of energy businesses is impeding greater competition and efficiency, and reduces market confidence by creating uncertainty and risk for private sector investors.”

The Qld Department of Energy and Water Supply is in the process of developing a 30 year energy plan.

The terms of reference for an Inter-Departmental Committee and Independent Review Panel for Energy have been released.

The objectives of the Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) on Electricity Sector Reform are to ensure:

1.   Electricity in Queensland is delivered in a cost-effective manner for consumers;

2.   Queensland has a viable, sustainable and competitive electricity industry; and

3.   Electricity is delivered in a financially sustainable manner from the Queensland Government’s perspective.

clearer rules on CSG water

A Media Release from:

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
The Honourable Andrew Cripps

Thursday, August 02, 2012

Government delivers clearer rules on CSG water

The Newman Government has proposed new rules to govern the management of water and brine produced from the coal seam gas industry.

The changes will deliver improved environmental outcomes and economic benefits for industry and landholders.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Andrew Cripps, introduced proposed amendments to the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 in State Parliament today relating to CSG water and brine, registration of pipeline easements, and incidental activities across tenure associated with CSG-LNG projects.

“The safe storage and treatment of water and brine produced by CSG activities is a priority issue for landholders and industry,” he said.

“Currently, CSG companies store untreated water and brine in containment ponds on each petroleum lease and treat it through infrastructure built on site. It is inefficient and costly.

“If the water and brine could be transported off-site to a central location for treatment and salt recovery, the environmental and economic benefits could be significant.

“These amendments provide much-needed flexibility that will help reduce the CSG industry’s environmental footprint through centralising water treatment facilities and limiting the need for holding ponds on each petroleum lease.

“Landholders are naturally concerned about the potential environmental impacts of untreated CSG water seeping from containment ponds or affecting their land and water aquifers during floods.”

Mr Cripps said, importantly, CSG companies would still require an Environmental Authority and a water licence to transport water and brine off their lease.

“Additionally, the current framework for land access, compensation and land tenure will be extended to ensure landholders are fully compensated for any impacts on their properties,” he said.

“There are obvious environmental, economic and community benefits from taking this more flexible approach to managing CSG water and brine transportation and treatment,” Mr Cripps said.

“These amendments could result in the beneficial use of salt produced by the CSG industry for products such as soda ash and soda bicarbonate rather than it being dumped in landfill, and will boost potential for beneficial re-use of CSG water for irrigation.”

ASBG Contaminated Land Conference

ASBG is running a Contaminated Land Conference in Brisbane.

I would appreciate it if you could forward this flyer on to your personal and professional networks.

The Standing Council on Environment and Water has approved an amendment to the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure.

The Measure establishes a nationally consistent approach to the assessment of site contamination to ensure sound environmental management practices by the community. The amendment ensures it will remain the premier document for the assessment of site contamination in Australia, used by regulators, site assessors, consultants, environmental auditors, landowners, developers and industry. The measure incorporates updated methodologies for assessing human and ecological risks and site assessment methods now in line with advances in Australia and overseas. Ministers recognised the contributions from all stakeholders, including the National Health and Medical Research Council, in the development of the updated measure.

Brought to you by ASBG, sponsored by Henry Davis York, Supported by: ALGA and ACLCA QLD Contaminated Land Conference 2013 BRISBANE    Thursday 30 May 2013 This conference will focus on the current legislative and policy issues surrounding contaminated land management.  It is aimed at land owners, environmental professionals and others dealing in contaminated land management. Additionally, the Assessment of Contaminated Sites National Environment Protection Measure (ACS NEPM) will be adopted on 11 April 2013 and will bring with it major changes to the way in which contaminated land is investigated and remediated.  Speakers include: Liz Wild, Partner, Henry Davis York A legal perspective on property transfer legislation involving contaminated land Michael Warne, Chief Scientist, Catchment Water Science, Qld DoSITIA Overview of the EIL methodologies and other issues covered under draft NEPM schedules 5(a) and 5(b) Damien Davidson, Caltex An industry perspective on managing contaminated land and dealing with the rules and regulations Michael Dunbavan, Auditor Coffey, Environments Impacts on site auditing, monitoring and remediation costs resulting from the NEPM Changes Therese Manning, EnRiskS Impacts on site auditing and remediation costs resulting from changes to the NEPM Leona Kopittke, Lloyd Consulting Contaminated soil off-site management options – reuse, landfill and dealing with hazardous soils Plus more speakers Key issues addressed at the conference include: Changes to the Assessment of Site Contamination NEPM’s reference papers and documents including: Health Risk Assessment, Ecological Investigation Limits Estimated impact of the changes on auditing, monitoring and clean-up costs Overview of the legal risks of managing contaminated land and transfer liabilities. A landowners experiences with contaminated land clean up and prevention. Contaminated soil management options – reuse, landfill, containment and dealing with hazardous soils. Supported by:                           Date:         30 May 2013 Time:        9 am – 4:40pm Venue:     L19, HDY, 324 Queen Street                     BRISBANE Price:                                                    Full Day  Members, including ASBG, ALGA, ACLCA and HDY clients                                                                $395 non-members                                  $480 Click Here To View More Information and The Conference Overview and Flyer link or link:  http://www.asbg.net.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=276:qld-contaminated-land-conference-30-may-2013&catid=6:nsw-seminars&Itemid=10 Click Here To Register Link: http://www.asbg.net.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=13 _

here is details of the 2012 conference......

Brought to you by ASBG and SBA sponsored by HDY, Supported by: ALGA, ACLCA QLD 18 July 2012 – BRISBANE A special conference to assist landowners and practitioners in preparing for the new and current contaminated land liabilities, legislation, policies and obligations The Conference will be looking at the main changes to the Assessment of Contaminated Site NEPM, which has been finalised and is waiting for acceptance by the environment Ministers.  It will also discuss other policy and legislative changes coming through for NSW such as the land-farming guidelines. The conference's agenda includes: ·         Rowan Barber, ASBG- Overview of the current contaminated land legislation and impact of the green tape review in this area ·         Prashant Srivastava, CRC CARE - CRC CARE’s role in NEPM Schedule B1 review and supporting research undertaken to generate the HSLs and other documents Michael Warne, Chief Scientist, Catchment Water Science, Qld DoSITIA - Overview of the EIL methodologies and other issues covered under draft NEPM schedules 5(a) and 5(b) Liz Wild, Partner, HDY - A legal perspective on property transfer legislation involving contaminated land    ·         Tony Scott, Coffey Environments - Managing asbestos in contaminated sites – Using the draft NEPM standard and dealing with off-site asbestos containing wastes Sophie Wood, Partner, ERM - NEPM’s new schedule changes - Hydrocarbon and vapour intrusion – VI exclusion distances and emerging issues John Hunt, Technical Manager, Thiess Services Data requirements to enable effective assessment and remediation ·          Plus others Supported by Date:      18 July 2012      Time: 9 am – 4:40pm Venue:   Henry Davis York’s Rooms                L19, 324 Queen Street, BRISBANE Price: ASBG, SBA, , ALGA, ACLCA QLD, Members / Clients                     - $395 Non-members                            - $480 Click Here To View More Information and The Conference Overview and Flyer link or link:  http://www.asbg.net.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=240:qld-contaminated-land-laws-and-policy-conference-18-june&catid=7:qld-seminars&Itemid=11 Click Here To Register Link:  http://www.asbg.net.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=13l __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Enquiries: phone 0407 238 258 or email: rowan@asbg.net.au

cutting unnecessary environmental red tape and ideology.

Here is a snap shot of a few things I have gleaned from Hansard...concerning Environmental Law & Sustainability.  Some of this may end up in my "Sustainable Business Weekly" newsletter.

Cutting Green Tape

During the recent election the Liberal National Party made five pledges to:

1.   Lower the cost of living for families by cutting waste;

2.   Deliver better infrastructure and better planning;

3.   Revitalise front-line services for families;

4.   Restore accountability in government,

5.   Grow a four-pillar economy to provide better opportunities for all Queenslanders in all walks of life.

The Qld Treasurer Tim Nichols believes that, the Qld Government needs to cut back on the red and green tape.  In removing the regulation that he believes has at times strangled industry and endangered Qld’s reputation as a safe place to invest (particularly in reference to Coal Seam Gas Development).  He is adamant that in simplifying and or removing regulation (green tape) the Qld Government will not do so at the risk of endangering our most productive farmland and our most valuable environmental assets. Mr Nicholls introduced the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill to Parliament, to give effect to a number of key election commitments including:

•     Increasing the payroll tax exemption threshold for businesses  to $1.1m,

•     Freezing the standard electricity tariff (Tariff 11);

•     Abolishing Sustainability Declar-ations when selling houses

•     Introducing an Office of Best Practice Regulation to save unnecessary red tape.

In his opening speech to Parliament, Premier Campbell Newman spoke of his plan that will free Qld of debt, red tape, impractical ideology and indecision.  As a foot note, the Premier says will protect Queensland’s environment by raising the bar on environmental performance and by cutting unnecessary environmental red tape and ideology.  There is anecdotal evidence of a recent increase in enforcement activities by the regulators.

The Premier reiterated his ambition to build a broader, stronger Queensland economy based on the four key pillars of agriculture, resources, tourism and construction.  

We have seen some of this in action with the split up of DERM  into the:

·       Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

·       Department of Natural Resources and Mines

·       Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing

·       Department of Energy and Water Supply

·       Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts

Don’t forget the move to abolish the waste levy in Queensland from 1 July 2012, which will undoubtedly attract large amounts of waste from NSW.

In agriculture, the Premier has set a target to double Queensland’s food production by 2040. He aims to do this by improving education, skills, technology and practices.

ASBG members involved in food processing industries may be interested to know that the Premier has promised to protect strategic cropping land through statutory regional planning and he declared that he will go further to identify and develop new areas for intensive food production.

Those involved in mining, minerals or hydrocarbon processing should note that the Premier claims he will deliver investment certainty and he will facilitate major projects instead of impeding them.

In her maiden speech the incoming Shadow Minister for Shadow Minister for Transport, Environment and Heritage Protection, Small Business, Consumer Affairs and The Arts: Ms Jackie Trad said: “we will ensure that our environment is protected for future generations. The Labor Party is part of a political movement that is acutely aware of its responsibility to this state and this nation.”

The Member for Gympie, David Gibson noted in his speech that his electorate has a particularly special environmental area, the Mary Valley and the Mary River. He reminded Parliament of the previous Government’s failed plans for the Traveston Crossing Dam.

Bill Byrne (ALP – Rockhampton) "We have been resoundingly defeated at the polls. ‘Belted’ is a more accurate term. However, it would be a factual misrepresentation to condemn every facet of Labor’s record. Labor made some very substantial investments and progress in areas such as education, disabilities, child protection and environmental protection. These achievements were before my time so I will not be dwelling further on the past. As we have already seen this morning, I am sure that the government will be reminding us enough over the next 12 to 18 months about their recollections and, I dare say, interpretations of the legacy of this period."

Links between CSG and Bore Depletion

The Queensland Water Commission’s (QWC) independent scientific study of underground water supplies found that there would be impacts on the Great Artesian Basin. The Deputy premier Jeff Seeney is downplaying these impacts.

The Queensland Water Act 2000 requires petroleum tenure holders to carry out baseline assessments of water

bores before commencing production, and to make good impairment of bore supplies now and into the future.  With the Surat and southern Bowen Basin undergoing a major expansion in CSG production, the region was declared a Cumulative Management Area (CMA) under the  Water Act which gave the QWC the responsibility of preparing an Underground Water Impact Report (UWIR).

The draft report found some across the Surat Cumulative Management Area would be affected by the CSG industry in the next three years.  The report states that in the longer term bores will be affected.  Laws will require the CSG companies to “make good” & the Gasfields Commission will be an important part of making sure that those laws are enforced.

The QWC’s independent scientific study of underground water supplies found relatively small impacts on the Great Artesian Basin. Its draft report released found just 85 of some 21,000 bores across the Surat Cumulative Management Area would be affected by the CSG industry in the next three years.  The CSG industry and the State Government are assessing options for treatment and reuse for irrigation or other agricultural purposes.  Reinjection of treated CSG product water into the groundwater systems might be cost prohibitive.

The new State Government wants to work on all of these issues in cooperation and consultation with those involved.  The report is open for public comment until 22 June 2012.