Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Act 2023

1Short title

This Act may be cited as the Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Act 2023.

2Commencement

This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

3Act amended

This part amends the Gas Supply Act 2003.

Note—

See also the amendments in schedule 1.

4Amendment of long title

Long title, ‘processed natural gas’—
omit, insert—

covered gases

5Amendment of s 3 (Main purposes of Act)

(1)Section 3(a), from ‘processed’—
omit, insert—

supply of covered gases; and

(2)Section 3(b)(i), ‘processed natural gas’—
omit, insert—

covered gases

6Amendment of s 4 (Gas-related matters to which Act does not apply)

Section 4(1)(a), (b) and (c)(i), ‘processed natural gas’—
omit, insert—

covered gases

7Replacement of ch 1, pt 3, div 2, sdiv 2 (Processed natural gas)

Chapter 1, part 3, division 2, subdivision 2—
omit, insert—

Subdivision 2 Covered gases

9What is a covered gas

(1)A covered gas is a primary gas or a gas blend.

(2)A primary gas is—

(a)processed natural gas; or

(b)hydrogen; or

(c)biomethane; or

(d)synthetic methane; or

(e)a gas, prescribed by regulation, that is suitable for consumption.

(3)Processed natural gas is a substance that—

(a)is in a gaseous state at standard temperature and pressure; and

(b)consists of hydrocarbons that occur naturally and other substances; and

(c)is more than half, by volume, methane; and

(d)has been processed to be suitable for consumption.

(4)In this section—

biogas means a gas derived or recovered from organic matter other than fossilised organic matter.

biomethane means a substance—

(a)that is in a gaseous state at standard temperature and pressure; and

(b)the principal constituent of which is methane; and

(c)that is produced by refining biogas; and

(d)that is suitable for consumption.

gas blend means primary gases that have been blended together to be suitable for consumption.

synthetic methane means a substance—

(a)that is in a gaseous state at standard temperature and pressure; and

(b)the principal constituent of which is methane; and

(c)that is produced by the methanation of carbon dioxide; and

(d)that is suitable for consumption.

8Amendment of s 28 (Requirements for application)

(1)Section 28, after paragraph (a)—
insert—

(aa)state the type of covered gas for the distribution authority; and

(2)Section 28(aa) and (b)—
renumber as section 28(b) and (c).

9Amendment of s 29 (Public notice by regulator and submissions)

Section 29(2)(a)—
insert—

(v)the type of covered gas for the distribution authority; and

10Insertion of new ch 7, pt 4

Chapter 7—
insert—

Part 4 Transitional provisions for Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Act 2023

342Definitions for part

In this part—

amendment Act means the Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Act 2023.

former, for a provision of this Act, means the provision as in force from time to time before the commencement.

new, for a provision of this Act, means the provision as in force from the commencement.

343Existing distribution authorities

(1)This section applies to a distribution authority that was in effect immediately before the commencement.

(2)Despite new section 21, on the commencement, the distribution authority does not authorise its holder to transport, or provide customer connection services relating to, a covered gas that is hydrogen or a gas blend.

(3)However, subsection (2) does not apply to the extent the distribution authority is amended under chapter 2, part 1, division 3 so it applies in relation to a covered gas that is hydrogen or a gas blend.

344Insufficiency of supply declarations

(1)This section applies if, immediately before the commencement, an insufficiency of supply declaration under former section 251 was in effect.

(2)On the commencement, former chapter 4, part 5, division 1 continues to apply in relation to the supply declaration.

345Insufficiency of supply directions

(1)This section applies if, immediately before the commencement, an insufficiency of supply direction under former section 254 was in effect.

(2)On the commencement, former chapter 4, part 5, division 2 continues to apply in relation to the supply direction.

11Act amended

This part amends the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004.

Note—

See also the amendments in schedule 1.

12Amendment of s 3A (Secondary purpose—facilitation of Geothermal Energy Act 2010 and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009)

(1)Section 3A, heading—
omit, insert—

3AOther purposes of Act

(2)Section 3A(1)—
omit, insert—

(1)Other purposes of this Act are—

(a)to facilitate the operation of the Geothermal Energy Act 2010 (the Geothermal Act) and the Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009 (the GHG storage Act); and

(b)to facilitate and regulate, as a key authorised activity for pipeline licences, the construction and operation of pipelines for regulated hydrogen in a way that is safe, effective and efficient.

13Amendment of s 11 (Meaning of LPG and fuel gas)

(1)Section 11, heading—
omit, insert—

11Meaning of LPG, fuel gas and hydrogen gas blend

(2)Section 11(2)—
insert—

(ba)hydrogen, or a hydrogen gas blend, used or intended to be used as a fuel to produce heat, light or power; or

(3)Section 11(2)(c), ‘under a’—
omit, insert—

by

(4)Section 11(2)(ba) and (c)—
renumber as section 11(2)(c) and (d).

(5)Section 11—
insert—

(2A)A hydrogen gas blend is processed natural gas and hydrogen that have been blended together.

(6)Section 11(3), definition processed natural gas, paragraph (b)—
omit, insert—

(b)consists of hydrocarbons that occur naturally and other substances; and

(7)Section 11(2A) and (3)—
renumber as section 11(3) and (4).

14Insertion of new s 11A

After section 11—
insert—

11AMeaning of regulated hydrogen

Regulated hydrogen is—

(a)hydrogen; or

(b)a hydrogen gas blend; or

(c)another substance prescribed by regulation that is involved in, or produced for, a process related to the storage or transport of hydrogen.

15Amendment of s 16 (What is a pipeline)

Section 16(1)(a), ‘or prescribed storage gases’—
omit, insert—

, prescribed storage gases or regulated hydrogen

16Amendment of s 16A (What is a distribution pipeline)

(1)Section 16A(1)(a) and (b)—
omit, insert—

(a)a pipeline that transports fuel gas as part of a reticulation system within a gas market; or

(b)a single point-to-point pipeline that transports fuel gas to—

(i)a place other than a major user facility; or

(ii)another single point-to-point pipeline that transports fuel gas to a place other than a major user facility.

(2)Section 16A(3), definition major user facility, after paragraph (a)—
insert—

(aa)a facility operated as a place of export for fuel gas, including, for example, a port; or

(ab)a facility operated for the liquefaction of fuel gas before it is transported to a facility mentioned in paragraph (b); or

(3)Section 16A(3), definition major user facility, paragraphs (aa) to (e)—
renumber as paragraphs (b) to (g).

17Amendment of s 399 (What is pipeline land for a pipeline licence)

Section 399(3), ‘to transport petroleum’—
omit.

18Amendment of s 409 (Requirements for making application)

(1)Section 409—
insert—

(ea)be accompanied by information, prescribed by regulation, that is relevant to the matters mentioned in section 410(1)(a)(iii); and

(2)Section 409(ea) and (f)—
renumber as section 409(f) and (g).

19Amendment of s 410 (Deciding whether to grant licence)

Section 410(1)(a)—
insert—

(iii)the Minister is satisfied the applicant is able to competently and safely manage, for each pipeline the subject of the licence, the location, design, construction and operation of the pipeline; and

20Amendment of s 411 (Public notice requirement)

(1)Section 411(2)(a)—
insert—

(iiia)each substance proposed to be transported through the pipeline;

(2)Section 411(2)(a)(iiia) to (vi)—
renumber as section 411(2)(a)(iv) to (vii).

21Amendment of s 412 (Provisions of licence)

Section 412(1)—
insert—

(e)each substance that is to be transported through the pipeline.

22Amendment of s 415 (Criteria for decisions)

Section 415(1)(a)—
omit, insert—

(a)the applicant’s financial and technical resources;

23Insertion of new s 418

After section 417—
insert—

418Obligations relating to safety management study

(1)A pipeline licence holder must—

(a)give the chief inspector notice of the holder’s intention to start a safety management study for a pipeline the subject of the licence at least 20 business days before the study starts; and

Note—

For other relevant provisions about giving the chief inspector documents, see section 851AA.

(b)comply with any requirement prescribed by regulation about keeping a record relating to the study.

(2)However, if the licence is an area pipeline licence, subsection (1) only applies for each initial pipeline mentioned in the licence.

(3)An applicant for a pipeline licence may give a notice under subsection (1)(a).

(4)This section does not apply to the holder of a pipeline licence if the pipeline to be constructed is for transporting produced water.

(5)In this section—

safety management study, for a pipeline, means a process that is carried out before construction of the pipeline starts to identify, and apply controls to, threats to the safety and integrity of the pipeline.

24Amendment of s 422 (Obligations in operating pipeline)

(1)Section 422(1)(a), ‘or produced water’—
omit, insert—

, produced water, prescribed storage gas or regulated hydrogen

(2)Section 422—
insert—

(1A)The pipeline licence holder must not use the pipeline to transport a substance unless the substance is stated in the licence.

(3)Section 422(1A) and (2)—
renumber as section 422(2) and (3).

25Amendment of s 437 (Limitation of pipeline licence holder’s liability)

(1)Section 437(1)(a), ‘or fuel gas’—
omit, insert—

, fuel gas or regulated hydrogen

(2)Section 437(1)(b), after ‘quality’—
insert—

being

26Amendment of s 577 (Notice of application required for particular pipeline licences)

(1)Section 577, heading—
omit, insert—

577Notice to surrender a pipeline licence

(2)Section 577(1) and (2)—
omit, insert—

(1)A surrender application can not be made for a petroleum authority that is a pipeline licence unless the holder has, at least 3 months before the application is lodged, lodged a notice to surrender the licence.

(3)Section 577(3) and (4), ‘application notice’—
omit, insert—

notice to surrender

(4)Section 577(5), penalty, ‘(5)’—
omit, insert—

(4)

(5)Section 577(3) to (5)—
renumber as section 577(2) to (4).

27Amendment of s 670 (What is an operating plant)

(1)Section 670(2)(d), after ‘only’—
insert—

an excluded compound or

(2)Section 670(6)(a)—
omit, insert—

(a)all of the authorised activities for a petroleum authority other than authorised activities related to the operation of a pipeline used only to transport an excluded compound; or

(aa)all of the authorised activities for a geothermal tenure or GHG authority; or

(3)Section 670(6)(aa) and (b)—
renumber as section 670(6)(b) and (c).

(4)Section 670(7), ‘and (b)’—
omit, insert—

, (b) and (c)

(5)Section 670(10)—
insert—

excluded compound means a substance that is—

(a)prescribed under section 11A(c); and

(b)declared by regulation to be an excluded compound for this section.

28Amendment of s 809 (Unlawful taking of petroleum or fuel gas prohibited)

(1)Section 809, heading, ‘or fuel gas’—
omit, insert—

, fuel gas and other substances

(2)Section 809, ‘or produced water’—
omit, insert—

, produced water or regulated hydrogen

29Replacement of s 815 (Fuel gas suppliers must not use other supplier’s containers)

Section 815—
omit, insert—

815Supply of fuel gas in containers

(1)This section applies to a container that—

(a)has a water capacity of more than 25kg; and

(b)is owned or provided by a product supplier for a fuel gas delivery network.

(2)A person must not supply fuel gas to or in the container without the product supplier’s permission to use the container.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

30Insertion of new ch 15, pt 30

Chapter 15—
insert—

Part 30 Transitional provisions for Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Act 2023

1035 Definitions for part

In this part—

amended Act means this Act as in force on the commencement.

amendment Act means the Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Act 2023.

former, for a provision of this Act, means the provision as in force from time to time before the commencement.

new, for a provision of this Act, means the provision as in force from the commencement.

transitional period means the period starting on day of the commencement and ending on the day that is 1 year after the commencement.

1036 Existing applications for pipeline licences

(1)This section applies if—

(a)before the commencement, an application was made under former section 407, former section 474 or former section 479 for a pipeline licence; and

(b)immediately before the commencement, the application had not been decided.

(2)This Act, as in force immediately before the commencement, continues to apply in relation to the application as if the amendment Act had not been enacted.

1037 Existing pipeline licences

(1)This section applies to a pipeline licence that was in effect immediately before the commencement.

(2)During the transitional period, this Act as in force immediately before the commencement continues to apply in relation to the pipeline licence as if the amendment Act had not been enacted.

(3)However, the holder of the pipeline licence may apply under new chapter 4, part 6, to state a substance, including, for example, regulated hydrogen under new section 11A, to be transported through the pipeline.

(4)If the pipeline licence is amended to state a substance to be transported through the pipeline—

(a)subsection (2) stops applying in relation to the pipeline licence; and

(b)the amended Act applies in relation to the licence.

(5)This section is subject to section 1038(3).

1038 Notice of substances transported through existing pipeline

(1)This section applies to a holder of a pipeline licence that was in effect immediately before the commencement.

(2)The holder may, during the transitional period, give the chief executive a notice stating each substance that is, when the notice is given, transported through the pipeline.

(3)If the holder gives the chief executive a notice under subsection (2)—

(a)section 1037(2) stops applying in relation to the pipeline licence; and

(b)the amended Act applies in relation to the licence as if each substance stated in the notice were stated in the licence as a substance to be transported through the pipeline.

1039 Existing pipes and systems

(1)This section applies if—

(a)immediately before the commencement, a pipe, or system of pipes, for transporting a substance (an existing pipe or system) was not a pipeline under former section 16; and

(b)on the commencement, the existing pipe or system becomes a pipeline under new section 16 because the substance transported through the pipe or system is prescribed under new section 11A(c).

(2)Despite new sections 16 and 670, the existing pipe or system is not a pipeline or an operating plant under the amended Act.

31Legislation amended

Schedule 1 amends the legislation it mentions.

section 31

1Particular references to processed natural gas—

In the following table, each provision mentioned in column 1 is amended by omitting the words ‘processed natural gas’ and inserting the words mentioned in column 2—

Column 1	Column 2
section 12	a covered gas
section 13(a)(i)	covered gas
section 15, heading	covered gas
section 16(3)(b), first mention	a covered gas
section 16(3)(b)(i)	the covered gas
section 19(1)(b)	the covered gas
section 19(2)	a covered gas
section 21(a)	a covered gas
section 42(2) and (3)	covered gases
section 109(1)(a)(iii)	a covered gas
section 109A(2)(a)	a covered gas
section 131A	covered gas
section 133(d)	a covered gas
section 140(1)	a covered gas
section 213(1)(b), (2) and (4)	a covered gas
section 222(1)	a covered gas
section 222(2)(a)	the covered gas
section 223(1)(b)	the covered gas
section 228(1)(a), (b) and (c), examples	a covered gas
section 231(a)	a covered gas
section 236(d)(ii)	a covered gas
section 236(f) and (g)	covered gases
section 237(1)	a covered gas
section 237(4)	covered gas
section 244	a covered gas
section 245(1), first mention	a covered gas
section 247(3)	a covered gas
section 247(4)(a) and (5), definition required notice, paragraph (d)	the covered gas
section 254(1)	a covered gas
section 254(5), examples	the covered gas
section 256, heading	covered gas
section 256(1)(a)	the covered gas stated in the direction
section 256(1)(b) and (c), (2) and (3)	covered gas
section 257(b)	the covered gas
section 270A(1)	covered gas
section 270K(1)(a)	covered gas
section 286(2), first mention	a covered gas
section 286(2)(c)	covered gas
section 289, heading	covered gas
section 289(1)	a covered gas
section 295	covered gas
chapter 6, part 3, division 2, heading	covered gases
section 298, first mention	a covered gas
section 298(a)	the covered gas
section 301(1)	a covered gas
section 301(2)(a)	covered gas
section 316(1)(a)	a covered gas
section 321B(2)	covered gas
schedule 2, definition meter	a covered gas
schedule 2, definition reticulated	a covered gas

2Section 13(a), ‘transports processed natural gas’—

omit, insert—

transports a covered gas

3Section 14(1), from ‘supply of processed’—

omit, insert—

supply of a covered gas to more than 1 customer within a covered gas market.

4Section 15, ‘Processed natural gas’—

omit, insert—

A covered gas

5Section 16(1), ‘reticulated processed natural gas’—

omit, insert—

a reticulated covered gas

6Section 16(2), ‘a processed natural gas installation’—

omit, insert—

an installation for a covered gas

7Section 16(3)(a), ‘gas’—

omit, insert—

covered gas

8Section 19(1)(a)(i), ‘system—’—

omit, insert—

system for a covered gas—

9Section 19(1)(a)(ii), from ‘system’, first mention to ‘gas’—

omit, insert—

system for a covered gas—opening a physical connection to the pipeline or system to allow reticulated covered gas

10Section 21(b), after ‘services’—

insert—

for the covered gas

11Section 22(1)(b) and (c), after ‘services’—

insert—

for a covered gas

12Chapter 2, heading—

omit, insert—

Chapter 2 Distribution of covered gases

13Section 27(2), from ‘relating’ to ‘gas’, second mention—

omit, insert—

for a covered gas to be transported through a pipeline if the retailer sells the covered gas

14Section 32(2)(a), after ‘services’—

insert—

for the covered gas stated in the application

15Section 41, from ‘processed’, first mention to ‘gas’, second mention—

omit, insert—

a covered gas transported through a pipeline if the distributor provides customer connection services for the covered gas

16Section 48(1), ‘processed natural’—

omit.

17Section 103(1), after ‘services’—

insert—

for a covered gas

18Section 104A, ‘services applied’—

omit, insert—

services for the covered gas applied

19Sections 105(1)(b), 106(1) and 108(1), after ‘services’—

insert—

for the covered gas

20Section 108(3)(c), after ‘transportation of’—

insert—

the covered

21Section 109(1)(b)(i)—

omit, insert—

(i)perform work, or changes to the person’s installation for a covered gas, necessary to allow connection of the distributor’s meter to measure consumption of the covered gas;

22Chapter 2, part 3, division 3, heading, from ‘processed’—

omit, insert—

installations for covered gases

23Sections 111 and 112(1), ‘a processed natural gas installation’—

omit, insert—

an installation for a covered gas

24Sections 126(1) and 131(3), ‘reticulated processed natural gas’—

omit, insert—

a reticulated covered gas

25Chapter 3, heading—

omit, insert—

Chapter 3 Supply of reticulated covered gases

26Section 233(1), examples, heading, after ‘information’—

insert—

in relation to a direction for prices notification for a covered gas

27Section 233(1), examples, ‘processed natural’—

omit.

28Section 239(3)(a), ‘processed natural gas supply’—

omit, insert—

the supply of a covered gas

29Section 239(3)(b)(i), ‘processed natural gas supply’—

omit, insert—

the supply of the covered gas

30Section 245(1), examples, heading, after ‘information’—

insert—

in relation to sufficiency of supply of a covered gas

31Section 245(1), examples, ‘processed natural’—

omit.

32Section 247, heading, from ‘processed’—

omit, insert—

transport or sale of covered gas or customer connection services

33Section 247(1)—

omit, insert—

(1)The holder of a transmission pipeline licence for a pipeline that transports a covered gas must give the regulator the required notice at least 3 months before stopping, or significantly reducing, the transportation of the covered gas through the pipeline.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

34Section 251, ‘of processed natural gas’—

omit, insert—

of a covered gas

35Section 251, examples, item 2, ‘sell processed natural gas’—

omit, insert—

sell the covered gas

36Section 270F(1), from ‘processed’, first mention—

omit, insert—

covered gas services for the long-term interests of Queensland customers of covered gas about price, quality, safety, reliability and security of supply of the covered gas.

37Section 289(2), from ‘processed’, first mention to ‘gas’, second mention—

omit, insert—

a covered gas or LPG if the person takes the covered gas

38Section 297—

omit, insert—

297Evidence of unlawful taking of covered gases or LPG

If—

(a)on, or in association with, a customer’s installation for a covered gas or LPG there exists a way to unlawfully take the covered gas or LPG; and

(b)the covered gas or LPG is unlawfully taken from the installation;

evidence of the existence of the way is evidence that the customer has unlawfully taken the covered gas or LPG.

39Section 299—

omit, insert—

299Ownership of covered gases or LPG for proceeding

(1)This section applies in a proceeding for an offence against this or another Act in which it is claimed a covered gas or LPG has been unlawfully taken.

(2)The covered gas or LPG is taken to belong to any person through whose distribution or other pipeline the covered gas or LPG was being transported when it was unlawfully taken.

40Section 316(1)(b), ‘defective reticulated processed natural gas’—

omit, insert—

a defective reticulated covered gas

41Section 316(3)(b), after ‘supply’—

insert—

of the covered gas

42Schedule 2, definitions corresponding authority, processed natural gas and supply—

omit.

43Schedule 2—

insert—

corresponding authority, for a distribution authority for a covered gas, means an authority or licence, however called, issued under any of the following that is similar to the distribution authority for the covered gas—

(a)Gas Supply Act 1996 (NSW);

(b)Gas Act 1997 (SA);

(c)Gas Industry Act 2001 (Vic);

(d)Gas Industry Act 2019 (Tas);

(e)Energy Coordination Act 1994 (WA);

(f)Energy Operators (Powers) Act 1979 (WA);

(g)Utilities Act 2000 (ACT);

(h)another law of a State relating to the transport or supply of the covered gas.

covered gas see section 9.

supply, for a covered gas, includes the transportation or sale of the covered gas.

1Section 619(1)(a), ‘motive’—

omit.

2Schedule 2—

insert—

hydrogen gas blend see section 11(3).

regulated hydrogen see section 11A.

3Schedule 2, definition distribution system, ‘fuel gas market’—

omit, insert—

gas market

4Schedule 2, definition Geothermal Act, ‘3A(1)’—

omit, insert—

3A(1)(a)

5Schedule 2, definition GHG storage Act, ‘3A(1)’—

omit, insert—

3A(1)(a)

6Schedule 2, definition operate, first mention, paragraph 2(a), ‘or produced water’—

omit, insert—

, produced water, prescribed storage gases or regulated hydrogen

© State of Queensland 2023