Environmental Protection Regulation 2019


Queensland Crest
Environmental Protection Regulation 2019

Chapter 1 Preliminary

1Short title

This regulation may be cited as the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019.

2Commencement

This regulation commences on 1 September 2019.

3Definitions

The dictionary in schedule 19 defines particular words used in this regulation.

Chapter 2 Environmental impact statements

Part 1 Preliminary

4Types of project requiring Commonwealth or State authority approval

A project is prescribed for section 37(1)(e) of the Act if—
(a)the Commonwealth Minister has, under the Commonwealth Environment Act, chapter 4, part 8, division 3—
(i)decided an accredited assessment process must be used for assessment of the relevant impacts of the project; and
(ii)given notice of the decision; or
(b)the relevant impacts of the project are to be assessed under a bilateral agreement.

Part 2 EIS process

5Application of part

(1)This part and schedule 1 apply to a project mentioned in section 4.
(2)For a project mentioned in section 4(a), a step or action taken under the EIS process, before a notice mentioned in section 4(a) is given, is taken to be a step or action that complies with this part.

6Prescribed matters for draft terms of reference—Act, s 41

The draft terms of reference for an EIS must include the matters necessary for ensuring—
(a)the project’s relevant impacts are assessed under the EIS; and
(b)the assessment of the project under the EIS—
(i)gives enough information about the project and its relevant impacts to allow the Commonwealth Minister to make an informed decision whether to approve the project under the Commonwealth Environment Act; and
(ii)addresses the matters mentioned in schedule 1.

7Prescribed matters for TOR notice and EIS notice—Act, ss 42 and 52

(1)For sections 42(2)(f) and 52(1)(g) of the Act, the following matters are prescribed—
(a)the project’s title and location;
(b)the name of the proponent for the project;
(c)if the proponent and designated proponent for the project are not the same entity—the name of the designated proponent;
(d)any matter protected for the project.
(2)In this section—
matter protected means a matter protected that is mentioned in the Commonwealth Environment Act, section 34 and protected by a controlling provision for the project.

8Prescribed way for publishing TOR notice and EIS notice—Act, ss 51 and 558

For sections 51(2)(b)(ii) and 558(3) of the Act, a TOR notice and an EIS notice must be published—
(a)in a newspaper circulating throughout Australia; or
(b)in each State or Territory in a newspaper circulating generally in the State or Territory.

9Prescribed matters for EIS assessment report—Act, s 59

(1)For section 59(e) of the Act, the following matters are prescribed—
(a)a description of the following—
(i)the project;
(ii)the places affected by the project;
(iii)any matters of national environmental significance likely to be affected by the project;
(b)a summary of the project’s relevant impacts;
(c)a summary of feasible mitigation measures or changes to the project or procedures to prevent or minimise the project’s relevant impacts, proposed by the proponent or suggested in a relevant submission;
(d)to the extent practicable, a summary of feasible alternatives to the project identified in the assessment process and the likely impact of the alternatives on matters of national environmental significance;
(e)to the extent practicable, a recommendation for any conditions of approval for the project that may be imposed to address impacts identified in the assessment process on matters of national environmental significance.
(2)In this section—
relevant submission means a properly made submission under section 55(2) of the Act or a submission accepted by the chief executive under section 55(3) of the Act.

10Other requirements for EIS process

The chief executive must, as soon as practicable after preparing an EIS assessment report, give a copy of it to the Commonwealth Minister.

Part 3 Prescribed periods for chapter 3 of the Act

11Period to advise chief executive about draft terms of reference—Act, s 45

For section 45 of the Act, the period is the later of the following periods to end—
(a)20 business days after the chief executive gives the proponent a copy of all comments received within the comment period;
(b)if the chief executive and the proponent have, within the 20 business days, agreed to a longer period—the longer period.

12Period for finalising terms of reference—Act, s 46

For section 46(1) of the Act, the period is the later of the following periods to end—
(a)20 business days after the proponent gives the documents mentioned in section 45 of the Act to the chief executive;
(b)if the chief executive and the proponent have, within the 20 business days, agreed to a longer period—the longer period.

Chapter 3 Environmentally relevant activities

Part 1 Environmentally relevant activities—general matters

Division 1 Preliminary

13What is the aggregate environmental score for an environmentally relevant activity

(1)The aggregate environmental score for a prescribed ERA is the aggregate environmental score stated for the activity in the section under schedule 2 applying to the activity.
(2)The aggregate environmental score for a resource activity is the aggregate environmental score stated for the activity in the section under schedule 3 applying to the activity.
(3)However, subsection (4) applies for a resource activity mentioned in schedule 3, if—
(a)the activity includes 1 or more activities mentioned in schedule 2 (each an included schedule 2 activity) for which an AES is stated; and
(b)the AES stated in schedule 2 for an included schedule 2 activity is more than the AES stated in schedule 3 for the resource activity.
(4)The aggregate environmental score for the resource activity is—
(a)the AES for the included schedule 2 activity; or
(b)if there are 2 or more included schedule 2 activities to which subsection (3)(b) applies—the AES for the included schedule 2 activity that has the highest AES stated for the activity in schedule 2.

14Meaning of scheduled area

A scheduled area is a local government area, or the part of a local government area, mentioned in schedule 4.

15Meaning of concurrence ERA

(1)An activity is a concurrence ERA if—
(a)the activity is a prescribed ERA; and
(b)the threshold within which the activity is carried out is stated opposite the letter ‘C’ in the relevant table.
(2)However, a mobile and temporary environmentally relevant activity is not a concurrence ERA.
(3)In this section—
relevant table, for an activity, means the table in the section of schedule 2 that applies to the activity.

Note—

For when a development permit is required for a concurrence ERA, see the Planning Act.

16References to carrying out particular environmental activities in a year

(1)This section applies for a prescribed ERA or a resource activity being carried out under an environmental authority.
(2)A reference in schedule 2 or schedule 3 to the activity being carried out in a year is a reference to the activity being carried out during—
(a)for the first year of the environmental authority—the period of 1 year starting on the day the authority takes effect; or
(b)otherwise—the period of 1 year starting on an anniversary day for the authority.

Division 2 Prescribed activities

17Activities prescribed as environmentally relevant activities—Act, s 19

(1)For section 19 of the Act, each activity to which a section under schedule 2 applies is a prescribed ERA.
(2)An activity to which a section under schedule 2 applies includes the activity carried out as a mobile and temporary environmentally relevant activity, unless the section otherwise provides.

18Activities prescribed as extractive activities—Act, s 120

For section 120(4) of the Act, definition extractive activity, the extractive and screening activities mentioned in schedule 2, section 16 are an extractive activity.

Division 3 Development application relating to concurrence ERAs

19Assessing development application for concurrence ERA

(1)Subsection (2) applies if a local government is the assessment manager for a development application for a material change of use for a concurrence ERA.
(2)Each of the following matters is an assessment benchmark for the Planning Act for the material change of use—
(a)an environmental objective assessment against the environmental objectives and performance outcomes stated in schedule 8, part 3, division 2;
(b)the standard criteria;
(c)if the concurrence ERA is to be carried out in a strategic environmental area—the impacts of the activity on the environmental attributes for the area under the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014.
(3)Subsection (4) applies if a local government is a referral agency for a development application for a material change of use for a concurrence ERA.
(4)For the Planning Act, the local government must assess the development application against the matters stated in subsection (2)(a) to (c).

Division 4 Clinical waste disposal

20Untreated clinical waste disposal

(1)A person must not deliver untreated clinical waste to a facility for disposal under schedule 2, section 60(1)(b) unless the waste was generated in a scheduled area.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)Subsection (3) applies to the occupier of a facility mentioned in schedule 2, section 60(1)(a) or (b) if untreated clinical waste is disposed of at the facility.
(3)The occupier must ensure—
(a)the waste is buried at the facility; and
(b)the burial of the waste is supervised by a person who is competent to supervise the burial.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

Part 2 Agricultural ERAs

Division 1 Fertiliser application requirements

21Application of division

This division applies to a person carrying out an agricultural ERA that is commercial sugar cane growing on a relevant agricultural property.

22Prescribed methodology for optimum nitrogen and phosphorus amounts—Act, s 80

For section 80(3) of the Act, the methodology is the methodology stated in the document called ‘The method for calculating the optimum amount of nitrogen and phosphorus to be applied to sugarcane properties regulated under the Environmental Protection Act 1994’, published on the department’s website.

23Prescribed intervals for soil testing—Act, s 81

For section 81(3)(a) of the Act, the intervals for carrying out soil tests of the relevant agricultural property are within 1 year before each sugar cane crop is planted.

24Prescribed methodology for soil testing—Act, s 81

For section 81(3)(b) of the Act, the methodology is the methodology stated in the document called ‘The method for soil sampling and analysis on sugarcane properties regulated under the Environmental Protection Act 1994’, published on the department’s website.

Division 2 Document requirements

25Prescribed matters for agricultural ERA record—Act, s 83

For section 83(2)(d) of the Act, the following matters are prescribed—
(a)the boundaries of the following, as shown by maps or diagrams of the relevant agricultural property—
(i)crops or paddocks from which soil has been taken for testing;
(ii)the areas to which agricultural chemicals, fertilisers or soil conditioners have been applied;
(b)a description of the methods used to apply the agricultural chemicals, fertilisers or soil conditioners.

Part 3 Prescribed matters for particular resource activities

26Designated environmental areas

For schedule 4 of the Act, definition small scale mining activity, paragraphs (a)(vi) and (b)(v), each of the following areas is a designated environmental area—
(a)for each agricultural research facility mentioned in schedule 5, the area with the land description shown opposite the facility’s name;
(b)a coastal management district under the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995;
(c)coastal wetlands under the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995;
(d)the designated landscape area called ‘the Stanbroke Pastoral Development Holding’ recorded on the register under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003, section 162;
(e)a nature refuge under the Nature Conservation Act 1992;
(f)a reservation for public purposes under the Land Act 1994, section 23;
(g)a resources reserve under the Nature Conservation Act 1992;
(h)a State forest under the Forestry Act 1959;
(i)a timber reserve under the Forestry Act 1959.

27Prescribed conditions for small scale mining activities—Act, s 21A

For section 21A(1) of the Act, a prescribed condition for a small scale mining activity is a condition stated in schedule 6.

28Prescribed documents for application for environmental authority for a CSG activity—Act, s 125

(1)For section 125(1)(o) of the Act, the documents prescribed for an application for an environmental authority for a CSG activity that is an ineligible ERA are—
(a)documents dealing with each of the following matters about coal seam gas water generated in connection with carrying out the CSG activity—
(i)whether the proposed management of the coal seam gas water is consistent with the coal seam gas water management policy, including the prioritisation hierarchy for managing and using coal seam gas water;
(ii)if the proposed management of the coal seam gas water is inconsistent with the prioritisation hierarchy for managing and using coal seam gas water—the reason for managing the coal seam gas water in the proposed way; and
(b)documents dealing with each of the following matters for brine or salt generated from the management of the coal seam gas water mentioned in paragraph (a)—
(i)whether the proposed management of the brine or salt is consistent with the coal seam gas water management policy, including the prioritisation hierarchy for managing saline waste;
(ii)if the proposed management of the brine or salt is inconsistent with the prioritisation hierarchy for managing saline waste—the reason for managing the coal seam gas water in the proposed way.
(2)In this section—
prioritisation hierarchy means—
(a)for managing and using coal seam gas water—the prioritisation hierarchy for managing and using CSG water stated in the coal seam gas water management policy; or
(b)for managing brine and salt—the prioritisation hierarchy for managing saline waste stated in the coal seam gas water management policy.

Part 4 ERA standards

29Approved ERA standards

For section 318D of the Act, an ERA standard that was approved under the repealed Environmental Protection Regulation 2008 and stated in a document mentioned in schedule 7 continues in effect as an approved ERA standard.

Chapter 4 Regulatory requirements

Part 1 Preliminary

Division 1 Purpose

30Purpose of chapter

This chapter prescribes the regulatory requirements with which the administering authority is required to comply for making environmental management decisions or PRCP schedule decisions.

s 30 amd 2019 SL No. 198 s 4

Division 2 Interpretation

31Definitions for chapter

In this chapter—
activity includes that part, if any, of an activity relating to the following—
(a)preparing a place for the activity before carrying out the activity;
(b)rehabilitating a place after it has been used for carrying out the activity.
characteristic
(a)of a contaminant, material or waste, means any of the following—
(i)the physical and chemical properties and reactivity of the contaminant, material or waste;
(ii)the biological, carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic properties of the contaminant, material or waste;
(iii)the variation of the concentration, emission rate or flux over time, of the contaminant, material or waste; or
(b)of the receiving environment, means any of the following—
(i)the physical, chemical, ecological or biological properties of the receiving environment;
(ii)the variability of the receiving environment.

Example of variability of the receiving environment—

whether a watercourse is tidal or is subject to periodic flooding or drought
control measure means a device, equipment, structure, or management strategy used to prevent or control the release of a contaminant or waste to the environment.

Examples—

an acoustic enclosure
a bund around a storage pond
a fabric filter to collect dust
a release or overflow valve on machinery
a strategy for operating a furnace in a way that achieves combustion of a contaminant at a particular oxygen level
environmental management decision see section 32.
material means a material in its solid, liquid or gaseous state.
monitoring see section 33.
PRCP schedule decision see section 32A.

s 31 def PRCP schedule decision ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 5

surface water means water other than groundwater.
water includes water containing contaminants.

32Meaning of environmental management decision

(1)An environmental management decision is a decision under the Act for which the administering authority making the decision is required to comply with regulatory requirements, other than a PRCP schedule decision.
(2)However, an environmental management decision does not include a decision under the Act about—
(a)an amendment application for an environmental authority that is for a minor amendment of the authority; or
(b)a surrender application for an environmental authority; or
(c)a progressive certification application under chapter 5A, part 6 of the Act.

s 32 amd 2019 SL No. 198 s 6

32AMeaning of PRCP schedule decision

(1)A PRCP schedule decision is a decision under the Act about a PRCP schedule for which the administering authority making the decision is required to comply with regulatory requirements.
(2)However, a PRCP schedule decision does not include a decision about an amendment application for a minor amendment (PRCP threshold).

s 32A ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 7

33Meaning of monitoring

Monitoring, in relation to monitoring the impact of an activity on the receiving environment, includes analysing, assessing, examining, inspecting, measuring, modelling or reporting any of the following matters—
(a)the quantity, quality, characteristics, timing and variability of the release of any contaminant;
(b)the effectiveness of any control measure;
(c)the characteristics of, and impact on, the receiving environment;
(d)the effectiveness of remedial or rehabilitation measures.

Part 2 Regulatory requirements for all environmental management decisions

34Application of part

This part applies to the administering authority for making any environmental management decision.

35Matters to be complied with for environmental management decisions

(1)The administering authority must, for making an environmental management decision relating to an environmentally relevant activity, other than a prescribed ERA—
(a)carry out an environmental objective assessment against the environmental objective and performance outcomes mentioned in schedule 8, part 3, divisions 1 and 2; and
(b)consider the environmental values declared under this regulation; and
(c)if the activity is to be carried out in a strategic environmental area—consider the impacts of the activity on the environmental attributes for the area under the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014; and
(d)consider each of the following under any relevant environmental protection policies—
(i)the management hierarchy;
(ii)environmental values;
(iii)quality objectives;
(iv)the management intent; and
(e)if a bilateral agreement requires the matters of national environmental significance to be considered—consider those matters.
(2)However, the administering agency is not required to consider the matters mentioned in subsection (1)(e) if the Coordinator-General, under the State Development Act, section 54Y, issues an environmental approval for the undertaking of all or part of a coordinated project to which the activity relates.
(3)For an environmental management decision relating to a prescribed ERA, the administering authority making the decision must—
(a)carry out an environmental objective assessment against the environmental objective and performance outcomes mentioned in schedule 8, part 3, division 1; and
(b)consider the matters mentioned in subsection (1)(b), (c) and (d).

36Conditions to be considered for environmental management decisions

(1)The administering authority must, for making an environmental management decision relating to an activity, consider whether to impose conditions about each of the following matters—
(a)implementing a system for managing risks to the environment;
(b)implementing measures to prevent or minimise the release of contaminants or waste;
(c)ensuring an adequate distance between any sensitive receptors and the relevant site for the activity to which the decision relates;

Examples of a condition for paragraph (c)—

a condition requiring riparian buffers, noise buffers or buffers for protecting endangered regional ecosystems
(d)limiting or reducing the size of the initial mixing zone or attenuation zone, if any, that may be affected by the release of contaminants;
(e)treating contaminants before they are released;
(f)restricting the type, quality, quantity, concentration or characteristics of contaminants that may be released;
(g)managing the way in which contaminants may be released;

Examples of a condition for paragraph (g)—

a condition restricting the release of a contaminant at a particular temperature, velocity or rate or during particular meteorological conditions or water flows
a condition restricting the release of a contaminant to a depth below the level of surface waters
(h)ensuring a minimum degree of dispersion happens when a contaminant is released;

Example of a condition for paragraph (h)—

a condition requiring the use of a diffuser for releasing a contaminant
(i)protecting environmental values, and meeting quality objectives, under relevant environmental protection policies;
(j)recycling, storing, transferring or disposing of waste in a particular way;
(k)rehabilitating land to achieve particular outcomes;
(l)implementing measures for the ongoing protection of environmental values that are, or may be, adversely affected by the activity;
(m)if under an environmental objective assessment, the assessor is not satisfied an environmental objective has been achieved—implementing measures for minimising the adverse effects of not achieving the environmental objective.
(2)In this section—
attenuation zone means the area around a release of contaminants to groundwater in which the concentration of the contaminants in the release is reduced to ambient levels through physico-chemical and microbiological processes.
initial mixing zone means an area where water containing contaminants mixes rapidly with surface water because of the momentum or buoyancy of the contaminated water and the turbulence of the surface water.
relevant site, for an activity, means a place where the activity is, or is proposed to be, carried out.

37Matters to be considered for decisions imposing monitoring conditions

(1)The administering authority must, for making an environmental management decision relating to an activity, consider whether to impose monitoring conditions about the release of contaminants from the activity on the receiving environment.
(2)For considering whether to impose a monitoring condition, the administering authority must consider the following matters—
(a)the potential impact on the receiving environment of the activity to which the decision relates and the release of the contaminant;
(b)the characteristics of the contaminant;
(c)the potential for a control measure to fail and the effect of a failure of a control measure on the receiving environment;
(d)any protocol under the Act relevant to monitoring the release of the contaminant;
(e)whether the monitoring should be continuous or intermittent.
(3)In this section—
monitoring condition, about the release of contaminants from an activity on the receiving environment, means a condition about any of the following matters—
(a)monitoring the quantity, quality, characteristics, timing and variability of the release;
(b)monitoring indicators of the effective operation of control measures;
(c)monitoring the characteristics of the receiving environment;
(d)assessing the effectiveness of remedial or rehabilitation measures;
(e)monitoring the impact of the release on the values, objectives and biota in the receiving environment;
(f)analysing monitoring data against objectives and standards including, for example, by predictive modelling;
(g)reporting the results of monitoring in a stated form and timeframe;
(h)reporting on the time and way in which the release is made to the receiving environment.

38Prescribed standard criteria for environmental management decisions

For schedule 4 of the Act, definition standard criteria, paragraph (l), an environmental objective assessment relating to an environmental management decision is prescribed.

Part 3 Additional regulatory requirements for particular environmental management decisions

39Application of part

If an environmental management decision relates to an activity mentioned in a provision in this part, the administering authority making the decision must comply with the provision in addition to part 2.

40Release of water or waste to wetlands for treatment

(1)This section applies to the administering authority for making an environmental management decision relating to an activity that involves, or may involve, the release of water or waste to a wetland for treatment.
(2)The administering authority must refuse to grant the application if the authority considers that, because of the activity—
(a)the wetland may be destroyed or reduced in size; or
(b)the biological integrity of the wetland may not be maintained.
(3)In this section—
biological integrity, of a wetland, means the ability of the wetland to support and maintain a balanced, integrative, adaptive community of organisms having a species composition, diversity and functional organisation comparable to that of the natural habitat of the locality in which the wetland is located.

41Activity involving direct release of waste to groundwater

(1)This section applies to the administering authority for making an environmental management decision relating to an activity that involves, or may involve, the release of waste directly to groundwater (the receiving groundwater).

Example of direct release of waste to groundwater—

an activity involving the release of contaminated water to groundwater through a well, deep-well injection or a bore
(2)The administering authority must refuse to grant the application if the authority considers—
(a)for an application other than an application relating to an environmental authority for a petroleum activity—the waste is not being, or may not be, released entirely within a confined aquifer; or
(b)the release of the waste is affecting adversely, or may affect adversely, a surface ecological system; or
(c)the waste is likely to result in a deterioration in the environmental values of the receiving groundwater.
(3)In this section—
confined aquifer means an aquifer that is contained entirely within impermeable strata.

Part 4 Regulatory requirements for PRCP schedule decisions

ch 4 pt 4 hdg ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 8

41AApplication of part

This part applies to the administering authority for making a PRCP schedule decision.

s 41A ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 8

41BRequirements for PRCP schedule decisions

(1)The administering authority must, for making the PRCP schedule decision—
(a)carry out a PRCP objective assessment against each PRCP objective, and PRCP performance outcome for each PRCP objective, mentioned in schedule 8A, part 3; and
(b)consider any environmental values declared under this regulation; and
(c)consider each of the following under any relevant environmental protection policies—
(i)the management hierarchy;
(ii)environmental values;
(iii)quality objectives;
(iv)the management intent.
(2)The administering authority may approve or amend a PRCP schedule only if each PRCP objective for the PRCP schedule is achieved under schedule 8A.

s 41B ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 8

41C Additional requirement for PRCP schedule decisions—void situated wholly or partly in flood plain

(1)Subsections (2) and (3) apply for making the PRCP schedule decision if land the subject of the PRCP schedule may contain a void situated wholly or partly in a flood plain.
(2)The administering authority must consider the results of flood plain modelling carried out in relation to the land the subject of the PRCP schedule.
(3)The administering authority must treat the land as a flood plain to the extent the results of the flood plain modelling show that, when all relevant activities carried out on the land have ended, the land is the same height as, or lower than, the level modelled as the peak water level 0.1% AEP for a relevant watercourse under the ARR.
(4)If the administering authority is satisfied land the subject of a PRCP schedule contains a void situated wholly or partly in a flood plain, the administering authority may approve or amend the schedule only if it provides for rehabilitation of the land comprising the void, to the extent it is situated in the flood plain, to a stable condition.
(5)In this section—
AEP has the meaning given under the ARR.
ARR means the guideline called the Australian Rainfall and Runoff published by the Commonwealth.

Note—

The ARR is available on the Australian Rainfall and Runoff website at www.arr.ga.gov.au.
artificial feature, for land the subject of a PRCP schedule, means—
(a)a structure or feature that is temporary and, under the PRCP schedule or otherwise, is to be removed from the land; or
(b)a structure or feature that, under the PRCP schedule, will require a level of maintenance after the land is surrendered that is greater than the level of maintenance that would be required for the land if the relevant activities the subject of the PRCP schedule had not been carried out; or
(c) a feature forming part of the landform of the land, other than the natural landform, if the feature interferes with or affects—
(i)a relevant watercourse; or
(ii)the natural flow of water on the land.
flood plain modelling, for land the subject of a PRCP schedule, means modelling of the landform of the land—
(a)carried out under the ARR; and
(b)excluding any artificial features for the land.
relevant watercourse means—
(a)a watercourse classified as stream order 4 or higher under the Strahler stream order classification system; or
(b)if a watercourse mentioned in paragraph (a) is permanently diverted under—
(i)a condition, or proposed condition, of an environmental authority mentioned in the Water Act 2000, section 98; or
(ii)a water licence or proposed water licence under the Water Act 2000;

the watercourse as permanently diverted.

s 41C ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 8

Chapter 5 Matters relating to environmental management and environmental offences

Part 1 Categorisation of commercial waste and industrial waste

Division 1 Regulated waste, category 1 regulated waste and category 2 regulated waste

42Meaning of regulated waste

(1)Regulated waste is waste that—
(a)is commercial waste or industrial waste; and
(b)is of a type, or contains a constituent of a type, mentioned in schedule 9, part 1, column 1.
(2)Waste prescribed under subsection (1) includes—
(a)for an element—any chemical compound containing the element; and
(b)anything that contains residues of the waste, including, for example, a container contaminated with the waste.
(3)However, waste is not regulated waste if the waste is of a type mentioned in schedule 9, part 3, division 1.
(4)Also, waste is not regulated waste if current test results for the waste state that—
(a)for each relevant attribute, the waste satisfies the requirement mentioned in—
(i)for solid waste—column 2 of the attribute table opposite the attribute; or
(ii)for liquid waste—column 3 of the attribute table opposite the attribute; and
(b)for each relevant substance, the concentration of the substance in the waste is less than the threshold mentioned in—
(i)for solid waste—column 2 of the substance table opposite the substance; or
(ii)for liquid waste—column 3 of the substance table opposite the substance.

43Meaning of category 1 regulated waste and category 2 regulated waste

(1)Regulated waste is category 1 regulated waste if—
(a)the waste is either—
(i)liquid waste; or
(ii)solid waste that does not have current test results; and
(b)both of the following apply—
(i)the waste is of a type, or contains a constituent of a type, mentioned in schedule 9, part 1, column 1;
(ii)the category mentioned in schedule 9, part 1, column 2 opposite the type is category 1.
(2)Also, regulated waste is category 1 regulated waste if—
(a)the waste is solid waste; and
(b)current test results for the waste state that—
(i)the pH of the waste is less than 2 or more than 12.5; or
(ii)for a relevant substance, the concentration of the substance in the waste is more than the threshold mentioned in column 2 of the threshold table opposite the substance.
(3)Category 1 regulated waste includes anything that contains residues of the waste, including, for example, a container contaminated with the waste.
(4)Category 2 regulated waste is regulated waste other than category 1 regulated waste.

Division 2 Testing waste

44Purpose of division

This division states requirements for sampling and testing commercial waste or industrial waste for working out whether the waste is—
(a)general waste; or
(b)category 1 regulated waste; or
(c)category 2 regulated waste.

45Taking samples

A sample for the testing of commercial waste or industrial waste must be taken—
(a)by an appropriately qualified person; and
(b)under a protocol.

46Testing samples

A sample of commercial waste or industrial waste must be tested—
(a)by an appropriately qualified person; and
(b)under a protocol; and
(c)for each relevant attribute; and
(d)for each relevant substance.

47Retesting of waste

An authorised person may ask a person who generates waste to retest the waste under this division if the authorised person reasonably suspects—
(a)if the waste is general waste—the waste would, if retested under this division, become regulated waste; or
(b)if the waste is category 2 regulated waste—the waste would, if retested under this division, become category 1 regulated waste.

48Results of testing

(1)The results (test results) of a test of commercial waste or industrial waste under section 46 are current for the waste from the date of the report for the test (the report date) until the earliest of the following—
(a)the end of 3 months after the report date;
(b)if an authorised person makes a request under section 47—the date of the request;
(c)if the waste is retested under this division—the date of the report for the retest.
(2)Test results for waste generated by an activity continue to be current test results for further waste generated by the same activity until either of the following changes in a material way—
(a)the activity;
(b)the waste generated by the activity.

Examples of when waste generated by an activity changes in a material way—

1Materials of a different type or quality become involved in the generation of the waste.
2New or different processes become involved in the generation of the waste.
(3)In this section—
report, for a test, means a report, written by the person who conducted the test, stating the results of the test.

49Offence relating to sampling and testing

A person must not wilfully—
(a)tamper with a sample of waste taken under section 45; or
(b)interfere with the testing of a sample of waste under section 46; or
(c)otherwise jeopardise the accuracy of test results for waste.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

Division 3 Notification, reporting and record keeping

50Definitions for division

In this division—
generator, of tested waste, means the person who generates the waste.
prescribed information, for a load of tested waste transported to a receiver, means information about—
(a)whether the load is general waste or regulated waste; and
(b)if the load is regulated waste—whether the load is category 1 regulated waste or category 2 regulated waste; and
(c)the current test results for the waste.
receiver, of tested waste, means a person to whom the waste is transported.
tested waste means waste that has current test results.

51Generator must notify and report changes

(1)This section applies if—
(a)on the retesting of general waste under division 2, the waste becomes regulated waste; or
(b)on the retesting of category 2 regulated waste under division 2, the waste becomes category 1 regulated waste.
(2)The generator of the waste must notify the administering authority of the change within 24 hours after receiving the test results for the retesting.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(3)Within 10 business days after receiving the test results for the retesting of the waste, the generator of the waste must give the administering authority a written report stating—
(a)the test results for the retesting; and
(b)the results of testing last carried out for the waste under division 2 before the test results mentioned in paragraph (a) were received; and
(c)the results of any further testing of the waste to confirm the test results mentioned in paragraph (a); and
(d)if a load of the waste is being transported at the time of the change—details of the load, including the volume and destination of the load; and
(e)the action, if any, the generator proposes to take as a result of the change.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(4)A notice or report given by the generator under this section is not admissible in evidence against the generator in a prosecution for an offence against the Act.
(5)Subsection (4) does not prevent other evidence obtained because of the notice or report, or the giving of the notice or report, being admitted in any legal proceeding against the generator.

52Generator must keep records

(1)A generator of tested waste in the State must, for each load of the waste transported to a receiver, record the prescribed information for the load in the approved form.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)The generator must, before or when the load is given to a receiver, give the prescribed information for the load to the receiver.
(3)The generator must keep the record mentioned in subsection (1) for at least 5 years.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

53Receiver must keep records

(1)This section applies if a receiver in the State is given a load of tested waste.
(2)The receiver must, before or when the receiver is given the load, record the prescribed information for the load in the approved form.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(3)Within 24 hours after becoming aware of an omission or inaccuracy in the prescribed information, the receiver must give written notice of the omission or inaccuracy to the administering authority.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(4)The receiver must keep the record mentioned in subsection (2) for at least 5 years.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

Part 2 Public notice for notifying environmental harm

54Public notices—Act, s 320, definition public notice

(1)This section prescribes, for section 320 of the Act, definition public notice, the prescribed way to give public notice of an event under section 320C(3)(b) or 320D(3)(b) of the Act.
(2)The prescribed way is a way likely to bring the event, its nature and the circumstances in which it happened to the attention of persons on the affected land.
(3)Without limiting subsection (2), the prescribed way includes—
(a)broadcasting the notice by radio or television; and
(b)publishing the notice in a newspaper; and
(c)displaying the notice on a sign with a surface area of at least 1m2 in the vicinity of the affected land.
(4)In this section—
event means an event mentioned in section 320A(1) of the Act.

Part 3 Contaminated land

55Prescribed waste for notifiable activity—Act, sch 3

Regulated waste is prescribed waste for schedule 3, item 37 of the Act.

Part 4 Noise

Division 1 Prescribed standards

56Prescribed standards for background level, Z Peak and Z Peak Hold

(1)For section 440K of the Act, definition background level, the prescribed standard is AS 1055.
(2)For section 440K of the Act, definitions Z Peak and Z Peak Hold, the prescribed standard is AS IEC 61672.

Notes—

1For references to prescribed standards, see section 579C of the Act.
2A copy of the prescribed standards may be inspected, free of charge, during business hours at the department’s head office.

Division 2 Measuring noise

57Purpose of division

This division provides for ways in which noise may be measured to help in deciding whether an environmental nuisance has been caused, or a noise standard has been contravened, by an emission of noise.

Notes—

1For the offence about causing environmental nuisance, see section 440 of the Act.
2For the offence about contravening a noise standard, see section 440Q of the Act.

58Definition for division

In this division—
source noise means a noise from a person, place or thing that—
(a)is measured over a time interval of at least 15 minutes or, if the noise continues for less than 15 minutes, the duration of the source noise; and
(b)allows for adjustments under AS 1055 for tonal character and impulsiveness of sound; and
(c)is quoted to the nearest whole number of decibels.

59Measuring background level

Background level may be measured by applying the relevant procedure under—
(a)AS 1055; or
(b)the noise measurement manual.

60Measuring source noise

Source noise may be measured by applying the relevant procedure under—
(a)AS 1055; or
(b)the noise measurement manual.

61Measuring source noise for particular noise standards

(1)Source noise for a noise standard under section 440T, 440U or 440V of the Act may be measured as LA90, T.
(2)Source noise for a noise standard under section 440W, 440X or 440Y of the Act may be measured as LAeq,T.
(3)In this section—
LAeq, T means the value of the A-weighted sound pressure level of a continuous steady sound that within a measurement time interval (T) has the same mean square sound pressure as a sound under consideration the level of which varies over time.

62Measurement of noises of same type from same premises

If 2 or more noises of the same type happen simultaneously at the same premises, they may be measured as if they are 1 noise of that type happening at the premises.

Examples—

1A number of concerts happen simultaneously at different places at the same premises. A building is affected by noise from more than 1 of the concerts. The noises may be measured as if they were from 1 concert.
2A premises is used as a stopover depot for trucks with refrigerators. A building is affected by noise from the use of more than 1 of the refrigerators. The noises may be measured as if they were from 1 refrigerator.

63Prescribed instruments, equipment and installations—Act, s 490

Each instrument, equipment or installation identified in AS IEC 61672 is prescribed for section 490(8) of the Act.

64Evidentiary provision

A copy of each of the following is admissible in evidence in a proceeding under the Act
(a)AS 1055;
(b)the noise measurement manual.

Part 5 Water contamination

65Prescribed water contaminants—Act, s 440ZF

For section 440ZF of the Act, each of the contaminants mentioned in schedule 10 is prescribed as a contaminant for chapter 8, part 3C of the Act.

Part 6 Air contamination

66Prescribed standards for particular offences relating to air contamination

For section 440ZL of the Act, an Australian and New Zealand standard as in force from time to time under each of the following designations (regardless of the edition or year of publication of the standard) is a prescribed standard—
(a)AS/NZS 4012 (Domestic solid fuel burning appliances–Method for determination of power output and efficiency);
(b)AS/NZS 4013 (Domestic solid fuel burning appliances–Method for determination of flue gas emission).

Notes—

1For references to prescribed standards, see section 579C of the Act.
2A copy of the prescribed standards may be inspected, free of charge, during business hours at the department’s head office.

Part 7 Record-keeping requirements for manufacture or import of fuel

67Application of part

This part states the records that a person must keep under section 440ZY(2) of the Act.

68Records kept by manufacturer

(1)This section applies if the person manufactures the fuel.
(2)The person must keep records of the following matters—
(a)the kind and grade of fuel manufactured, or its product code;
(b)the quantity of fuel manufactured;
(c)details of any testing done on the fuel, including—
(i)the date of each test; and
(ii)records by which the fuel tested can be traced to delivery docket numbers for the fuel; and
(iii)the test methods used; and
(iv)the results of the tests;
(d)for each supply of fuel—
(i)how the fuel was supplied; and
(ii)the quantity supplied; and
(iii)the kind and grade of fuel, or its product code; and
(iv)to whom it was supplied; and
(v)delivery docket numbers;
(e)records by which the fuel supplied can be traced to delivery docket numbers for the fuel;
(f)records by which each receipt of fuel into the person’s tanks can be traced to fuel supplied from the tanks;
(g)stock reconciliation records.
(3)Subsection (2)(g) does not apply to fuel for which it is not possible for the person to keep separate reconciliation records.

69Records kept by importer

(1)This section applies if the person imports the fuel.
(2)The person must keep records of the following matters—
(a)the kind and grade of fuel manufactured, or its product code;
(b)the quantity of fuel manufactured;
(c)details of any testing done on the fuel, including—
(i)the date of each test; and
(ii)records by which the fuel tested can be traced to delivery docket numbers for the fuel; and
(iii)the test methods used; and
(iv)the results of the tests;
(d)for each supply of fuel—
(i)how the fuel was supplied; and
(ii)the quantity supplied; and
(iii)the kind and grade of fuel, or its product code; and
(iv)to whom it was supplied; and
(v)delivery docket numbers;
(e)records by which the fuel supplied can be traced to delivery docket numbers for the fuel;
(f)records by which each receipt of fuel into the person’s tanks can be traced to fuel supplied from the tanks;
(g)stock reconciliation records.
(3)Subsection (2)(g) does not apply to fuel for which it is not possible for the person to keep separate reconciliation records.

Part 8 Statutory condition for environmental authority for particular resource activities

70Prescribed maximum amount for chemicals—Act, s 206

(1)For section 206(4) of the Act, definition restricted stimulation fluids, paragraph (a), the maximum amounts are as follows—
(a)for benzene—1 part in a billion in any chemical additive, or combination of chemical additives, included in the restricted stimulation fluid;
(b)for ethylbenzene—80 parts in a billion in any chemical additive, or combination of chemical additives, included in the restricted stimulation fluid;
(c)for toluene—180 parts in a billion in any chemical additive, or combination of chemical additives, included in the restricted stimulation fluid;
(d)for m-xylene—75 parts in a billion in any chemical additive, or combination of chemical additives, included in the restricted stimulation fluid;
(e)for o-xylene—350 parts in a billion in any chemical additive, or combination of chemical additives, included in the restricted stimulation fluid;
(f)for p-xylene—200 parts in a billion in any chemical additive, or combination of chemical additives, included in the restricted stimulation fluid.
(2)For section 206(4) of the Act, definition restricted stimulation fluids, paragraph (b), the maximum amount of a chemical is the amount of the chemical that produces or would be likely to produce, whether on its own or in combination with another chemical, more than any of the following as it breaks down in the environment—
(a)1 part in a billion of benzene;
(b)80 parts in a billion of ethylbenzene;
(c)180 parts in a billion of toluene;
(d)75 parts in a billion of m-xylene;
(e)350 parts in a billion of o-xylene;
(f)200 parts in a billion of p-xylene.
(3)To remove any doubt, it is declared that the amount of a chemical mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) is not measured in relation to water included in the restricted stimulation fluid.

Part 9 Waste tracking

Division 1 Preliminary

71Waste transportation to which this part applies

(1)This part applies to the transportation of regulated waste of a type stated in schedule 11 (trackable waste).
(2)However, this part does not apply to—
(a)the non-commercial transportation of less than 250kg of trackable waste; or
(b)the transportation of trackable waste in a pipeline; or
(c)the transportation of trackable waste under an exemption given by the administering authority under section 94; or
(d)the transportation of trackable waste in a container if—
(i)the amount of trackable waste is not more than 5% of the capacity of the container; and
(ii)the container is being transported to a place to be refilled with the same substance as the waste, without undergoing a process before the refilling; or
(e)the transportation of fly ash from a power station to a place for use in the treatment of waste in a way that involves combining the waste with the ash; or
(f)the transportation of trackable waste to an accredited laboratory for analysis; or
(g)the transportation of trackable waste in an emergency, if the transportation is to protect the environment, human health or property; or
(h)the transportation of chemicals from a farm if—
(i)the chemicals are transported by—
(A)the owner or occupier of the farm; or
(B)another person for free; and
(ii)the chemicals are being transported to a place that disposes of agricultural or veterinary chemicals in accordance with a product stewardship; or
(i)the transportation of trackable waste in accordance with a product recall—
(i)by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority; or
(ii)reported to Food Standards Australia New Zealand; or
(iii)by the Therapeutic Goods Administration; or
(j)the transportation of trackable waste to a place for use as stock food; or
(k)the transportation of trackable waste to a farm for use as a soil conditioner or fertiliser.
(3)In this section—
accredited laboratory means a laboratory accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities.

72Meaning of waste handler, generator, transporter and receiver

(1)If there is a transportation of trackable waste to which this part applies, each of the following persons is a waste handler for the waste—
(a)the person (the generator) from whom the trackable waste is transported (whether the person generated the waste or received it from someone else);
(b)the person (the transporter) who transports the waste;
(c)the person (the receiver) to whom the waste is transported.
(2)If a person acts in more than 1 of the capacities mentioned in subsection (1), the person must comply with this part for each of the capacities.

Example—

A person generates a load of trackable waste and transports it to someone else for treatment. The first person must comply with this part, in relation to the load, as both the generator and transporter of the waste.

73Fee for giving prescribed information

(1)A waste handler must pay the fee stated in this section to the chief executive when the waste handler gives prescribed information about the transportation of trackable waste to the administering authority.
(2)The fee is—
(a)for information given in the way prescribed under section 75(a)—$5.20; or
(b)for information given in the way prescribed under section 75(b)—$3.05; or
(c)for information given in the way prescribed under section 75(c) or (d)—$2.18 for each load of trackable waste mentioned in the form used to give the information.

Division 2 Prescribed matters for giving of information

74Prescribed information

The prescribed information that a waste handler must record, or give to the administering authority or another waste handler, is the information stated in schedule 12 relating to the waste handler.

75 Prescribed way of giving information

The prescribed way of giving prescribed information about the transportation of trackable waste is giving the information—
(a)using the paper form of the prescribed form; or
(b)using the electronic form of the prescribed form, by electronically transmitting the form to the administering authority using the online system on the department’s website; or
(c)using the electronic spreadsheet form of the prescribed form, by electronically transmitting the form to the administering authority using the online system on the department’s website; or
(d)in a way approved under section 92.

76Prescribed period for giving information

The prescribed period for giving prescribed information about waste to the administering authority is—
(a)if the information is given in the prescribed form—
(i)for information given in the way prescribed under section 75(a) or (b)—7 days; or
(ii)for information given in the way prescribed under section 75(c)—7 days after the end of the month in which the transportation of the trackable waste ended; or
(b)if the information is given in a way approved by the administering authority under section 92—the period stated by the administering authority in the approval.

Division 3 Obligations of waste handlers

Subdivision 1 Transportation within Queensland

77Application of subdivision

This subdivision applies to the transportation of trackable waste from a generator in Queensland to a receiver in Queensland.

78Responsibilities of generator

(1)When the generator gives the waste to the transporter, the generator must—
(a)give the transporter the prescribed information about the waste in the prescribed form; and
(b)record the prescribed information about the waste.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)The generator must give the prescribed information about the waste to the administering authority in the prescribed way and within the prescribed period after giving the waste to the transporter.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(3)The generator must keep the record mentioned in subsection (1)(b) for at least 5 years.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

79Responsibilities of transporter

(1)While transporting the waste in Queensland, the transporter must carry a document containing the information received from the generator under section 78(1)(a).

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)When the transporter gives the waste to the receiver, the transporter must—
(a)give the receiver the prescribed information about the waste; and
(b)record the prescribed information about the waste.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(3)Within 7 days after becoming aware of a discrepancy in information received from the generator under section 78(1)(a), the transporter must give written notice of the discrepancy to the administering authority.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(4)The transporter must keep the record mentioned in subsection (2)(b) for at least 5 years.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

80Responsibilities of receiver

(1)When the transporter gives the waste to the receiver, the receiver must record the prescribed information about the waste.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)The receiver must give the prescribed information about the waste to the administering authority in the prescribed way and within the prescribed period after receiving the waste from the transporter.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(3)Within 7 days after becoming aware of a discrepancy in the information received from the transporter under section 79(2)(a), the receiver must give written notice of the discrepancy to the administering authority.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(4)The receiver must keep the record mentioned in subsection (1) for at least 5 years.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

81Responsibilities of waste handler acting in more than 1 capacity

(1)If a person is both the generator and the transporter—
(a)section 78(1)(a) does not apply; and
(b)section 78 otherwise applies as if a reference to the generator giving the waste to the transporter were a reference to the person starting the transportation; and
(c)section 79(1) applies as if a reference to the information received from the generator were a reference to the information recorded by the person; and
(d)section 79(3) does not apply.
(2)If a person is both the transporter and the receiver—
(a)section 79(2)(a) does not apply; and
(b)section 80(3) does not apply; and
(c)sections 79 and 80 otherwise apply as if a reference to the transporter giving the waste to the receiver were a reference to the person completing the transportation of the waste.

Subdivision 2 Transportation into Queensland

82Application of subdivision

This subdivision applies to the transportation of trackable waste from a generator outside Queensland to a receiver in Queensland.

83Responsibilities of transporter

(1)The transporter must not transport the waste into Queensland unless the administering executive has, under section 93, assigned a consignment number to—
(a)the load being transported; or
(b)the loads being transported over a 12-month period.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)Before transporting the waste into Queensland, the transporter must obtain from the generator the information about the waste mentioned in schedule 12, section 1(2), other than the generator’s identification number and a unique identifier for the load.
(3)While transporting the waste in Queensland, the transporter must carry a document—
(a)stating the consignment number assigned to the load by the administering executive; and
(b)containing the information mentioned in subsection (2).

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(4)When the transporter gives the waste to the receiver, the transporter must—
(a)give the receiver the prescribed information about the waste; and
(b)record the prescribed information about the waste.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(5)Within 7 days after becoming aware of a discrepancy in information obtained under subsection (2), the transporter must give written notice of the discrepancy to the administering authority.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(6)The transporter must keep the record mentioned in subsection (4)(b) for at least 5 years.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

84Responsibilities of receiver

(1)When the transporter gives the waste to the receiver, the receiver must record the prescribed information about the waste.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)The receiver must give the prescribed information about the waste to the administering authority in the prescribed way and within the prescribed period after receiving the waste from the transporter.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(3)Within 7 days after becoming aware of a discrepancy in the information received from the transporter under section 83(4)(a), the receiver must give written notice of the discrepancy to the administering authority.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(4)The receiver must keep the record mentioned in subsection (1) for at least 5 years.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

85Responsibilities of waste handler acting in more than 1 capacity

If a person is both the transporter and the receiver—
(a)section 83(4)(a) does not apply; and
(b)section 84(3) does not apply; and
(c)sections 83 and 84 otherwise apply as if a reference to the transporter giving the waste to the receiver were a reference to the person completing the transportation of the waste.

Subdivision 3 Transportation out of Queensland

86Application of subdivision

This subdivision applies to the transportation of trackable waste from a generator in Queensland to a receiver outside Queensland.

87Responsibilities of generator

(1)When the generator gives the waste to the transporter, the generator must—
(a)give the transporter the prescribed information about the waste; and
(b)record the prescribed information about the waste.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)The generator must give the prescribed information about the waste to the administering authority in the prescribed way and within the prescribed period after giving the waste to the transporter.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(3)The generator must keep the record mentioned in subsection (1)(b) for at least 5 years.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

88Responsibilities of transporter

(1)While transporting the waste in Queensland, the transporter must carry a document containing the information received from the generator under section 87(1)(a).

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)Within 7 days after becoming aware of a discrepancy in information received from the generator under section 87(1)(a), the transporter must give written notice of the discrepancy to the administering authority.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

89Responsibilities of waste handler acting in more than 1 capacity

If a person is both the generator and the transporter—
(a)section 87(1)(a) does not apply; and
(b)section 87 otherwise applies as if a reference to the generator giving the waste to the transporter were a reference to the person starting the transportation of the waste; and
(c)section 88(1) applies as if a reference to the information received from the generator were a reference to the information recorded by the person; and
(d)section 88(2) does not apply.

Division 4 Miscellaneous

90Application of provisions to agents

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a waste handler is required by a provision of division 3 (a waste tracking provision) to do something; and
(b)the waste handler enters into a written agreement with another person (the agent) to do the thing for the waste handler; and
(c)the agreement states the agent is aware of subsection (3).
(2)In a proceeding for an offence against a waste tracking provision, it is a defence for the waste handler to show—
(a)the waste handler entered into the agreement with the agent; and
(b)the contravention was directly caused by a failure of the agent to do something in compliance with the agreement.
(3)The waste tracking provision applies to the agent, to the extent the agent has agreed to do something required by the provision, as if a reference in the provision to the waste handler were a reference to the agent.

91Giving information to administering authority in prescribed form

(1)The chief executive must prepare forms (each a prescribed form) for use in giving information to the administering authority under division 3.
(2)Each form mentioned in section 75(a) or (b) must be marked with a unique identifier consisting of numbers, letters or both.
(3)If a waste handler gives information in a form mentioned in section 75(c), the waste handler must ensure a unique identifier (consisting of numbers, letters or both) is stated for each load of trackable waste mentioned in the form.
(4)The chief executive must make the forms available to the public, whether published on the department’s website or otherwise, on payment of a reasonable fee.
(5)If a person obtains a prescribed form from the chief executive and uses it to give information to the administering authority under division 3 about the transportation of trackable waste, the number marked on the form under subsection (2) is the unique identifier for the load of waste.

92Approval of ways of giving information to administering authority

(1)A person may apply to the administering executive for approval of a particular way of giving prescribed information to the administering authority under division 3.
(2)The person must, within the period required by the administering executive—
(a)give the administering executive the information the executive reasonably requires to decide the application; and
(b)pay the reasonable fee required by the executive for assessing the application.
(3)If the person does not comply with subsection (2), the application lapses.
(4)The administering executive may approve the way of giving prescribed information if the executive is satisfied—
(a)it is a reliable, effective, timely and efficient way for the information to be given to the administering authority; and
(b)the information will be secure while it is being given; and
(c)the information will be given in a form that enables the authority to access, record and otherwise deal with the information; and
(d)it includes a system for assigning an appropriate unique identifier (consisting of numbers, letters or both) to each transportation of trackable waste for which information is given; and
(e)it would otherwise be an appropriate way for the information to be given.

Example—

The administering executive may approve a system under which a person transmits information from the person’s database directly to the administering authority in a particular electronic form.
(5)An approval under subsection (4) may be given on reasonable conditions.
(6)After the administering executive decides the application, the administering executive must give the person a written notice stating—
(a)whether the application is approved or refused; and
(b)if the application is approved—
(i)any conditions of the approval; and
(ii)the prescribed period for giving the information; and
(c)if the application is refused—the reasons for the decision; and
(d)the review or appeal details for the decision.
(7)If the administering executive has not decided the application by the due day, the application is taken to have been refused.
(8)To remove doubt, it is declared that the administering executive may approve, under this section, a way of giving information, even though a person has not applied for the approval.
(9)In this section—
due day, for deciding an application, means—
(a)60 days after the application is made, not including a day the administering executive asks for information under subsection (2)(a), a day the person gives the requested information, and any days in between; or
(b)any later day agreed between the administering executive and the person.

93Consignment numbers for waste transported into Queensland

(1)A person may apply to the administering executive for a consignment number for—
(a)a load of trackable waste to be transported into Queensland from another State; or
(b)loads of trackable waste to be transported into Queensland from another State over a 12-month period.
(2)The application must be in the approved form.
(3)The person must give the administering executive the following information if the executive requests it—
(a)information mentioned in schedule 12, section 1, about the load;
(b)information the executive reasonably requires to decide the application.
(4)The administering executive must approve the application for a consignment number if the executive is satisfied—
(a)the intended transporter holds, or is acting under, an environmental authority for transporting the waste to the intended receiver; and
(b)the intended receiver holds, or is acting under, an environmental authority for carrying out the intended treatment of the waste.
(5)After the administering executive decides the application, the administering executive must give the person a written notice stating—
(a)whether the application is approved or refused; and
(b)if the application is approved—the consignment number assigned to the load or loads of trackable waste; and
(c)if the application is refused—
(i)the reasons for the decision; and
(ii)the review or appeal details for the decision.
(6)If the administering executive has not decided the application by the due day, the application is taken to have been refused.
(7)In this section—
due day, for deciding an application, means—
(a)10 business days after the application is made, not including a day the administering executive asks for information under subsection (3), a day the person gives the requested information, and any days in between; or
(b)any later day agreed between the administering executive and the person.
intended treatment, of trackable waste to be transported into Queensland, means the way the waste is to be treated, disposed of, stored or otherwise dealt with by the receiver.

94Exemptions

(1)A person may apply to the administering authority for an exemption for the transportation of trackable waste to which this part applies.

Note—

See section 71 for the trackable waste to which this part applies.
(2)The person must give the administering authority the information the authority reasonably requires to decide the application.
(3)The administering authority may grant the exemption if the authority is satisfied the waste does not show any environmentally significant characteristics.

Example—

A person operates a food processing facility. Waste from the facility includes filter cake (a trackable waste) that the person sends away for disposal at the end of each week. The filter cake derives only from the washing of vegetables and consists almost entirely of sand and dirt. Analysis of the filter cake establishes that it does not show any environmentally significant characteristics.

The administering authority decides to grant the person an exemption for the transportation of each of these weekly loads. The exemption is given on conditions about the process that generates the filter cake to ensure the filter cake will not show any environmentally significant characteristics.

(4)An exemption may be given on reasonable conditions.
(5)After the administering executive decides the application, the administering executive must give the person a written notice stating—
(a)whether or not the exemption is granted; and
(b)if the exemption is granted—any conditions of the exemption; and
(c)if the exemption is refused—the reasons for the decision; and
(d)the review or appeal details for the decision.
(6)If the administering authority has not decided the application for exemption by the due day, the authority is taken to have refused the application.
(7)In this section—
due day, for deciding an application, means—
(a)30 days after the application is made, not including a day the administering authority asks for information it reasonably requires to decide the application, a day the person gives the requested information, and any days in between; or
(b)any later day agreed between the administering authority and the person.

95Emergencies

In a proceeding for an offence against a provision of this part, it is a defence for the person to prove the act or omission constituting the failure to comply with the provision—
(a)was carried out, or happened, in the exercise of a power under chapter 9, part 4 of the Act; or
(b)was carried out, or happened, under an emergency direction; or
(c)was reasonably necessary because of an emergency.

96Trackable waste to be given only to licensed transporter

(1)A generator of trackable waste must not give the waste to another person to transport it in a vehicle for a fee or reward, or in a load of more than 250kg, unless the other person holds, or is acting under, an environmental authority for transporting the waste in the vehicle.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)In a proceeding for an offence against subsection (1), it is a defence for the person to prove there were reasonable grounds for believing the other person had an environmental authority for transporting the waste in the vehicle.

97Generator identification number

On application by a person in the approved form, the administering executive must assign the person a generator identification number.

Note—

The generator identification number is mentioned in the prescribed information for a generator under schedule 12, section 1.

Chapter 6 Waste management by local governments

Part 1 Preliminary

98Application of chapter

This chapter applies to a local government area unless—
(a)the local government for the area makes a local law about waste management for the area; and
(b)the local law states it replaces this chapter.

99References to local government

In this chapter, a reference to a local government in the context of dealing with waste produced at relevant premises is a reference to the local government for the local government area in which the relevant premises is situated.

100Meaning of serviced premises

Relevant premises in a local government area are serviced premises if—
(a)the relevant premises are in an area designated by the local government under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation 2011, section 7 as an area in which the local government may conduct general waste collection; or
(b)the local government has required the owner or occupier of the relevant premises to arrange for removal of general waste from the relevant premises.

Examples of ways a local government may require the removal of general waste for paragraph (b)—

a local law, a resolution of the local government, a development approval for the premises, a public health order under the Public Health Act 2005

Part 2 Waste management in local government areas

Division 1 Storage of general waste

101Owner or occupier of relevant premises to supply waste containers

(1)The owner or occupier of relevant premises in a local government area must—
(a)subject to subsection (2), supply enough standard general waste containers at the relevant premises to store the general waste produced at the premises; or
(b)if required by the local government, supply at the relevant premises, enough waste containers, other than standard general waste containers, to store the general waste produced at the relevant premises.

Examples of ways a local government may require waste containers for paragraph (b)—

a local law, a resolution of the local government, a development approval for the premises

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)However, subsection (1)(a) does not apply if the local government supplies to the relevant premises the number of standard general waste containers the local government reasonably considers is required at the relevant premises.
(3)If the local government supplies a standard general waste container to relevant premises under subsection (2), the reasonable cost of supplying the container is a debt payable by the owner or occupier of the relevant premises to the local government.
(4)However, subsection (3) does not prevent a local government from supplying a standard general waste container to relevant premises without cost to the owner or occupier of the relevant premises.

102Requirements for storing general waste in waste containers

(1)The occupier of relevant premises must—
(a)store general waste at the relevant premises in a standard general waste container or, if required by the local government, in another type of waste container; and

Examples of ways a local government may require waste to be stored in another type of waste container—

a local law, a resolution of the local government, a development approval for the premises
(b)keep each waste container at the relevant premises clean and in good repair; and
(c)ensure each waste container at the relevant premises is securely covered other than to place waste in or remove waste from the container or to clean the container.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)A person must not—
(a)place any of the following in a waste container—
(i)a liquid, semi-liquid or moist substance, unless the substance is securely wrapped or contained to prevent the substance leaking from the wrapper or container;
(ii)material that is smouldering or aflame;
(iii)matter or a thing that is alive; or
(b)remove or disturb the cover of a waste container other than to place waste in the container or to clean the container; or
(c)use or damage a waste container so that it is not weatherproof or serviceable or can not be securely covered; or
(d)disturb or otherwise interfere with the contents of a waste container.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(3)The occupier of the relevant premises must ensure that a person does not place anything in a waste container at the premises in contravention of subsection (2)(a).

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(4)In a proceeding for an offence against subsection (3), it is a defence for a person to prove the contravention of that subsection was due to circumstances over which the person had no control.

103General requirements for keeping waste containers at serviced premises

(1)Subject to subsection (2), the occupier of serviced premises must ensure that a waste container supplied for the premises is kept—
(a)if the local government requires the container be kept at a particular place at the premises—at the place; or

Examples of ways a local government may require waste containers to be kept at a particular place—

a local law, a resolution of the local government, a development approval for the premises
(b)otherwise—at ground level close to the rear alignment of a building at the premises.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)Subsection (1) does not prevent the occupier of the serviced premises from placing a waste container in a place outside the premises for the collection of general waste from the container if—
(a)the local government has arranged to collect waste from the container at the place; and
(b)the container is in the place for no longer than—
(i)the period, if any, allowed under a local law of the local government; or
(ii)is otherwise reasonably appropriate before and after the collection.

Example of a place outside serviced premises—

the kerb adjacent to the serviced premises
(3)If a local government has arranged for the collection of general waste from a waste container at the serviced premises, the occupier of the premises must ensure there is unobstructed access to the container for removal of the waste.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(4)In a proceeding against a person for an offence under subsection (3), it is a defence for the person to prove the contravention was due to circumstances over which the person had no control.

104Other requirements for storing general waste at particular serviced premises

(1)This section applies to a person who is for particular serviced premises—
(a)the owner or occupier of the premises;
(b)the registered suitable operator for a prescribed environmentally relevant activity carried out at the premises;
(c)the holder of an environmental authority for a mining activity or petroleum activity carried out at the premises.
(2)The person must, if required by the local government, ensure each of the following is supplied at the premises—
(a)either—
(i)an elevated stand at a level required by the local government for holding all waste containers; or
(ii)an imperviously paved area, drained as required by the local government, where all waste containers can be placed;
(b)a hose cock and hose in the vicinity of the stand or paved area;
(c)a suitable enclosure for the area where the waste containers are kept.

Examples of ways a local government may require a person to comply with subsection (2)—

a local law, a resolution of the local government, a development approval

Maximum penalty for subsection (2)—20 penalty units.

(3)In this section—
particular serviced premises means serviced premises other than a single detached dwelling.

Division 2 Removal of general waste

105Local government may give notice about removing general waste

(1)This section applies to a local government that has arranged for the removal of general waste produced at relevant premises.
(2)The local government may give the occupier of the relevant premises a written notice stating—
(a)the days on which the waste is to be collected; and
(b)where the waste container is to be placed for collection of the waste (the designated location); and
(c)the time by which the waste container is to be placed in the designated location for collection of the waste.

106Depositing or disposal of general waste from premises other than serviced premises

(1)This section applies if general waste is produced at relevant premises, other than serviced premises.
(2)The local government may—
(a)give a written approval (a relevant approval) to the owner or occupier of the relevant premises for depositing or disposing of the waste; and
(b)impose conditions on the approval, including, for example, conditions about—
(i)the place for depositing or disposing of the waste; or
(ii)the method of depositing or disposing of the waste.
(3)A person must not deposit or dispose of the waste unless the person deposits or disposes of the waste—
(a)at a waste facility under part 3; or
(b)under a relevant approval and any conditions of the approval.

Maximum penalty for subsection (3)—20 penalty units.

Division 3 Storage and treatment of industrial waste

107Requirements for storing industrial waste

(1)The occupier of relevant premises where there is industrial waste must, if required by the local government—
(a)supply at the premises the number of industrial waste containers required by the local government for storing the waste at the premises safely, efficiently and without causing a nuisance; and
(b)keep the waste containers at a place at the premises the local government requires; and
(c)keep each waste container clean and in good repair.

Examples of ways a local government may require compliance with subsection (1)—

a local law, a resolution of the local government, a development approval

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)If the occupier does not supply at the relevant premises the number of industrial waste containers required by the local government for subsection (1)(a), the local government may supply industrial waste containers at the premises.
(3)If a local government supplies an industrial waste container to relevant premises under subsection (2), the reasonable cost of supplying the container is a debt payable by the occupier of the premises to the local government.
(4)In this section—
industrial waste container means a waste container of a type approved by the local government for storing industrial waste at premises within the local government’s area.

108Requirement to treat industrial waste for disposal

The occupier of relevant premises where there is industrial waste must, if required by the local government, treat the waste to a standard approved by the local government for disposal of the waste at a waste facility.

Examples of ways a local government may require an occupier to treat industrial waste for disposal—

a local law, a resolution of the local government, a development approval for the premises

Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.

Division 4 Compliance notices

109Authorised person may give notice to comply

(1)If an authorised person believes on reasonable grounds that a person has contravened division 1, 2 or 3, the authorised person may give the person a written notice about the contravention.
(2)The notice must state—
(a)the act or omission comprising the contravention; and
(b)the action the person must take to rectify the contravention; and
(c)the day by which the person must take the action.
(3)The stated day must be at least 28 days after the notice is given.
(4)If a person is given a notice under subsection (1), the person must comply with the notice unless the person has a reasonable excuse for not complying with it.

Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.

(5)If a person is given a notice under subsection (1) in relation to a contravention of division 1, 2 or 3, the person can be prosecuted for the contravention only if the person does not comply with the notice.
(6)However, this section does not require an authorised person to give a person a notice under subsection (1) before the person may be prosecuted for a contravention of division 1, 2 or 3.

Part 3 Requirements and restrictions for waste facilities

110Depositing waste at waste facility

(1)A person must not deposit the following waste at a waste facility—
(a)liquid or semiliquid waste;
(b)hot ash;
(c)material that is smouldering or aflame;
(d)material that can spontaneously combust;
(e)material containing a substance that may be harmful to persons or property because, if it reacts with air or water, it may produce toxic gases or become corrosive or explosive;
(f)an explosive;
(g)ammunition, other than ammunition that no longer contains explosives, pyrotechnics or propellants apart from trace residues that are incapable of supporting combustion or an explosive reaction.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to waste deposited with the consent of—
(a)the person who—
(i)is the registered suitable operator for the facility; or
(ii)holds an environmental authority for the facility; or
(b)the person in charge of the facility.

111Restrictions on burning waste at waste facility

A person must not set fire to, or burn, waste at a waste facility other than—
(a)under an environmental authority; or
(b)under a development condition of a development approval; or
(c)under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

112Restrictions on use of waste facility

(1)A person must not, without the consent of a waste facility’s owner or operator—
(a)enter the facility other than to deposit waste; or
(b)remain on the facility after depositing waste; or
(c)interfere with waste at, or remove waste from, the facility.

Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to—
(a)the facility’s owner or operator; or
(b)an authorised person.

113Waste transporter to comply with directions and give information

(1)This section applies to a person who transports and delivers waste to a waste facility.
(2)The person must—
(a)comply with all relevant and reasonable directions contained in any sign displayed at the facility by the facility’s owner or operator; and
(b)deal with the waste in accordance with reasonable instructions given by the person in charge of the facility; and
(c)if asked by the facility’s owner or operator—give information to the owner or operator about the type and amount of waste being delivered.

Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.

Chapter 7 National Pollutant Inventory

Part 1 Preliminary

114Purpose of chapter

The purpose of this chapter is to give effect to, and enforce compliance with, the ‘National Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure 1998’ (the NPI NEPM) made under the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 (Cwlth), section 14.

115Definitions for chapter

In this chapter—
reporting period, for a reporting facility, see section 118.
reporting requirement, for the occupier of a reporting facility, means the requirement for the occupier to give information to the chief executive under section 117(2) or (7).
reporting threshold, for a substance, means the reporting threshold for the substance under the NPI NEPM.

116Expressions in this part have same meaning as under NPI NEPM

Unless this regulation provides otherwise, expressions in this part that are defined under the NPI NEPM have the same meaning as they have in the NPI NEPM.

Part 2 Reporting requirements

117Occupiers of reporting facilities to give information

(1)This section applies to the occupier of a reporting facility that, under NPI NEPM, exceeds the reporting threshold for a substance in the facility’s reporting period.
(2)The occupier must, within 3 months after the end of the reporting period, give the chief executive the following, unless the occupier has a reasonable excuse—
(a)the information mentioned in NPI NEPM, section 9(1);
(b)a statement about the information that complies with NPI NEPM, section 9(6).

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(3)However, this section does not apply unless—
(a)the Commonwealth and the State agree that the code under ANZSIC for 1 or more activities carried out at the facility is an industry type required to report under this measure; and
(b)the Commonwealth has included the code on a list as an industry type required to report under this measure and published the list; and
(c)the Commonwealth publishes industry reporting materials for the code.
(4)Also, this section does not apply to mandatory transfer data mentioned in NPI NEPM, section 9(1), unless the Commonwealth publishes industry reporting materials for transfers.
(5)Subsection (2) is subject to sections 126 and 128.
(6)If the chief executive requires further information in relation to the information mentioned in NPI NEPM, section 9(1)(e) or (g), the chief executive may give the occupier a written notice stating—
(a)the information required; and
(b)why the information is required; and
(c)a reasonable period of at least 30 business days for compliance; and
(d)the review or appeal details for the decision to give the notice.
(7)The occupier must comply with the notice unless the occupier has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(8)In this section—
ANZSIC means the document called ‘1292.0 - Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), 2006 (Revision 2.0)’, made by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

118Reporting period for reporting facility

(1)The reporting period for a reporting facility is—
(a)a financial year; or
(b)if the chief executive decides the occupier of the facility is required to collect or collate data similar to emission data or mandatory transfer data on the basis of a different annual reporting period—the annual reporting period decided by the chief executive.
(2)The chief executive may make a decision under subsection (1)(b)—
(a)on the chief executive’s own initiative; or
(b)on a written application for a particular reporting period (a reporting period application) made to the chief executive by the occupier.
(3)As soon as practicable after making the decision, the chief executive must give the occupier a written notice (a reporting period notice) about the decision.
(4)The reporting period notice about the decision is an information notice about the decision if—
(a)the decision has been made on the chief executive’s own initiative; or
(b)the occupier has made a reporting period application and the chief executive has refused it.
(5)If the occupier makes a reporting period application and the chief executive fails to give the occupier a reporting period notice within 40 days after the application is made, the failure is taken to be a decision by the chief executive to refuse the application at the end of the 40 days.

119Occupier must keep particular information for 3 years

(1)Subsection (2) applies to the occupier of a reporting facility for keeping the information used in deciding if the reporting threshold for a substance is exceeded in the reporting period for the facility.
(2)The occupier must keep the information for 3 years after the reporting period ends.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(3)Subsection (4) applies to the occupier of a reporting facility for keeping the information required to assess the emission data and mandatory transfer data given to the chief executive under section 117(2) or (7).
(4)The occupier must keep the information for 3 years after—
(a)the emission data and mandatory transfer data are required to be given to the chief executive under section 117(2); or
(b)if the chief executive requires information under a notice given under section 117(6), the period for compliance stated in the notice.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

120Minister may name occupier in report

(1)This section applies to the occupier of a reporting facility if the Minister is satisfied the occupier has contravened any of the following (each a relevant provision)—
(a)section 117(2) or (7);
(b)section 480, 480A or 481 of the Act for giving information required to be given under section 117.
(2)If the Minister is satisfied it is appropriate in the circumstances, the Minister may, in the Minister’s implementation report, name the occupier as a person who the Minister is satisfied has contravened a relevant provision.
(3)In deciding whether it is appropriate in the circumstances to name the occupier in the implementation report, the Minister must have regard to the following matters—
(a)any mitigating or aggravating circumstances;
(b)whether the occupier has previously contravened a relevant provision and any action taken against the occupier for the contravention;
(c)whether naming the occupier would be unreasonably harsh or oppressive.
(4)Before naming the occupier in the report, the Minister must give the occupier a written notice stating the following—
(a)that the Minister proposes naming the occupier in the implementation report as a person who the Minister is satisfied has failed to comply with a relevant provision;
(b)the grounds for the proposed action;
(c)that the occupier may make, within a stated period (the show cause period) written representations to show why the proposed action should not be taken.
(5)The show cause period must be a period of at least 28 days after the notice is given to the occupier.
(6)The Minister must consider the written representations, if any, made by the occupier during the show cause period.
(7)If after considering the representations the Minister still considers it is appropriate to name the person in the report, the Minister may do so.
(8)The Minister must give the occupier written notice of the decision stating the following—
(a)that the Minister has decided to name the occupier in the implementation report as a person who the Minister is satisfied has failed to comply with a relevant provision, and the reasons for the decision;
(b)the review or appeal details for the decision.
(9)In this section—
implementation report means the Minister’s report submitted to the National Environment Protection Council under the National Environment Protection Council (Queensland) Act 1994, section 23.

Part 3 Estimation techniques for emission and transfer data

121Occupier of reporting facility must use estimation technique

(1)The occupier of a reporting facility must use a technique (an estimation technique) for estimating emission data and mandatory transfer data for complying with the facility’s reporting requirements.
(2)The estimation technique must be—
(a)a technique for estimating the data for the reporting facility, approved by the chief executive under section 124 or 125; or
(b)if paragraph (a) does not apply—the technique for estimating the data stated in the industry reporting materials for the relevant type of reporting facility.

122When chief executive may approve estimation technique

The chief executive may approve an estimation technique for use by the occupier of a reporting facility (an estimation technique approval) if—
(a)there is no estimation technique for estimating emission data and mandatory transfer data stated in the relevant industry reporting materials for the reporting facility; or
(b)both of the following apply—
(i)the relevant industry reporting materials for the reporting facility state an estimation technique (the existing technique) for estimating the data;
(ii)the chief executive reasonably considers another technique is likely to provide more representative emission data and mandatory transfer data than the existing technique.

123Application for approval of estimation technique

(1)The occupier of a reporting facility may apply to the chief executive for an estimation technique approval (an estimation technique application).
(2)The estimation technique application must—
(a)state the estimation technique for which approval is sought; and
(b)give the information necessary to enable the chief executive to decide the application.
(3)The chief executive may give the occupier a written notice asking the occupier to give to the chief executive, in the reasonable period stated in the notice, further information the chief executive reasonably considers necessary to decide the application.
(4)A notice under subsection (3) is an information notice about the chief executive’s decision to ask for the further information.

124Deciding estimation technique application

(1)For deciding an estimation technique application, the chief executive must—
(a)approve the estimation technique for which approval is sought (the proposed technique); or
(b)refuse to approve the proposed technique; or
(c)approve the proposed technique subject to a modification decided by the chief executive; or
(d)approve another estimation technique.
(2)In deciding whether to approve the proposed technique, or approve another estimation technique, the chief executive must have regard to the representativeness of the proposed technique compared with the representativeness of estimation techniques in the relevant industry reporting materials for the reporting facility.
(3)The chief executive may refuse to approve the proposed technique if—
(a)the chief executive has given the occupier a notice under section 123(3) asking for further information; and
(b)the occupier does not comply with the request in the period stated in the notice.
(4)The chief executive must give the occupier written notice of the decision under subsection (1) as soon as possible after making the decision.
(5)If the chief executive decides to approve the technique subject to a modification, the notice must state the modification.
(6)If the chief executive refuses to approve the proposed technique, approves it subject to a modification or approves another estimation technique, the chief executive must give the occupier an information notice about the decision.
(7)Subsection (8) applies if the chief executive fails to give the occupier a notice about the chief executive’s decision—
(a)within 40 days after the application is made; or
(b)if the occupier gave the chief executive further information requested under section 123(3)—within 40 days after receiving the further information.
(8)The chief executive’s failure to give the notice is taken to be a decision by the chief executive to refuse to approve the proposed technique.

125Approval of estimation technique on chief executive’s initiative

(1)The chief executive may, at any time, give an estimation technique approval for a reporting facility.
(2)Before giving an estimation technique approval, the chief executive must give the occupier of the reporting facility a written notice stating that the chief executive will give the approval within a stated period of at least 14 days unless the occupier makes an estimation technique application.
(3)If the occupier does not make an estimation technique application within the stated period, the chief executive must give the occupier—
(a)a notice stating the estimation technique approved by the chief executive; and
(b)an information notice about the decision to approve the estimation technique.

Part 4 Exceptions to reporting requirements

126Exemption on ground of national security

(1)This section applies if the occupier of a facility gives the chief executive written evidence that—
(a)the occupier has made a claim to the Commonwealth under NPI NEPM that information required to be given by the occupier under section 117(2) should be treated as confidential on the grounds of national security; and
(b)the claim—
(i)has been granted; or
(ii)has not been assessed before the occupier is required to give the chief executive the information.
(2)Subject to subsections (3) and (4), the occupier is exempted from giving the chief executive the information.
(3)Subsection (4) applies if—
(a)subsection (1)(b)(ii) applies; and
(b)the Commonwealth refuses the claim after the occupier is required to give the chief executive the information.
(4)The occupier must give the chief executive the information within the later of the following—
(a)3 months after the end of the reporting period;
(b)10 business days after receiving notice of the Commonwealth’s decision to refuse the claim.

127Claiming exemption on ground of commercial confidentiality

(1)The occupier of a facility may, by written notice given to the chief executive, claim information that the occupier is required to give under section 117(2) or (7) should be treated as confidential on the grounds of commercial confidentiality.
(2)The notice must contain the information necessary to enable the chief executive to decide the claim.
(3)The chief executive may, by written notice to the occupier, ask the occupier to give the chief executive, in the reasonable period stated in the notice, further relevant information to enable the chief executive to decide the claim.
(4)A notice under subsection (3) must be accompanied by an information notice about the chief executive’s decision to make the request.

128Deciding claim for exemption on ground of commercial confidentiality

(1)The chief executive may grant the claim only if the chief executive reasonably believes—
(a)the information would be exempt information under the Right to Information Act 2009; or
(b)disclosure of the information would be reasonably expected to cause a public interest harm as mentioned in the Right to Information Act 2009, schedule 4, part 4, item 7.
(2)If the chief executive grants the claim—
(a)the chief executive must give the occupier a notice about the decision; and
(b)the occupier is exempted from giving the chief executive the information for the period stated in the notice.
(3)The chief executive may refuse to grant the claim if the chief executive has given the occupier a notice under section 127(3) asking for further information and the occupier does not comply with the request in the period stated in the notice.
(4)The chief executive must give the occupier written notice of the chief executive’s decision on the claim.
(5)If the chief executive refuses to grant the claim, the notice must be an information notice about the decision to refuse the claim.
(6)Subsection (7) applies if the chief executive fails to give the occupier a notice about the chief executive’s decision on the claim—
(a)within 60 days after the claim is made; or
(b)if the occupier gives the chief executive further information under section 127(3)—within 60 days after receiving the further information.
(7)The chief executive’s failure to give the notice is taken to be a decision by the chief executive to refuse to grant the claim at the end of the relevant 60 days.

Part 5 Other matters

129Information not to be used as evidence

Information given by the occupier of a reporting facility under this chapter is not admissible in evidence in proceedings against the occupier, other than for an offence against section 480, 480A or 481 of the Act.

Chapter 8 Administration

Part 1 Devolution of powers

Division 1 Matters devolved to local government

130Environmental nuisance

The administration and enforcement of each of the following provisions is devolved to each local government for its local government area—
(a)section 440 of the Act;
(b)section 443A of the Act.

131Noise standards

The administration and enforcement of each of the following provisions is devolved to each local government for its local government area—
(a)section 440Q of the Act;
(b)chapter 8, part 3B, division 3 of the Act.

132Water contamination

The administration and enforcement of chapter 8, part 3C of the Act is devolved to each local government for its local government area.

133Particular prescribed ERAs

(1)The administration and enforcement of the Act in relation to each of the following prescribed ERAs is devolved to a prescribed local government where the activity is, or is to be, carried out in its local government area—
(a)asphalt manufacturing;
(b)plastic product manufacturing;
(c)metal forming;
(d)surface coating, carried out within the threshold for anodising, electroplating, enamelling or galvanising, using 1t to 100t of surface coating materials in a year;
(e)boat maintenance or repair, but only to the extent the activity is, or is to be, carried out at a boat maintenance or repair facility.

Note—

See schedule 2, sections 6, 12, 19, 38 and 49.
(2)In this section—
prescribed local government means a local government, other than a local government mentioned in schedule 13.

134Devolution includes statutory instruments under Act

To remove any doubt, it is declared that the administration and enforcement of the Act in relation to a matter devolved to a local government under this division includes the administration and enforcement of statutory instruments made under the Act in relation to the matter.

135Devolution—waste management in local government areas

The administration and enforcement of chapter 6, part 2 is devolved to each local government for its local government area.

136Devolution—receiving and disposing of waste

The administration and enforcement of chapter 6, part 3, to the extent it relates to a waste facility owned, operated or otherwise controlled by a local government, is devolved to that local government.

Division 2 Matters not devolved to local government

137Issuing particular notices and orders

(1)Despite division 1, the administration and enforcement of a relevant provision is not devolved to a local government, regardless of whether or not a matter to which the relevant provision relates is otherwise devolved to a local government.
(2)In this section—
relevant provision means—
(a)chapter 7, part 5, division 2 of the Act; or
(b)chapter 7, part 5B of the Act; or
(c)chapter 7, part 5C of the Act.

138Record keeping for particular fuel suppliers

The administration and enforcement of chapter 5, part 7 is not devolved to a local government, regardless of whether or not an activity to which the part relates is otherwise devolved to a local government.

139Enforcing compliance with NPI NEPM

Despite section 133, the administration and enforcement of chapter 7 is not devolved to a local government, regardless of whether or not an activity to which the chapter relates is otherwise devolved to a local government.

140Other particular acts, omissions or activities

(1)This section applies despite division 1.
(2)The administration and enforcement of a provision of the Act mentioned in sections 130 to 132 is not devolved to a local government if the administration and enforcement of the provision relates to—
(a)a thing that is, or is claimed to have been, done, or omitted to be done, by a State or local government entity; or
(b)an environmentally relevant activity that is not devolved to a local government.
(3)The administration and enforcement of the Act in relation to an environmentally relevant activity is not devolved to a local government if the activity is, or is to be, carried out by a State or local government entity.

141Mobile and temporary activity across local government areas

(1)This section applies if a mobile and temporary environmentally relevant activity is, or is to be, carried out by a person in more than 1 local government area.
(2)Despite section 133, the administration and enforcement of the Act in relation to the activity is not devolved to a local government.

142Carrying out devolved activity and non-devolved activity at a facility

(1)This section applies to an environmentally relevant activity (the subject activity)—
(a)that is, or is to be, carried out at a facility in a local government area; and
(b)to which, other than for this section, section 133 would apply.
(2)Despite section 133, the subject activity is not devolved to a local government if—
(a)the subject activity includes carrying out another environmentally relevant activity (the coextensive activity) at the same facility; and
(b)the administration and enforcement of the Act for the coextensive activity is not devolved to a local government.

Part 2 Enforcement

143Authorised persons—Act, s 445

Employees of a local government who are appointed as authorised persons under section 445(2) of the Act are declared to be a class of persons for section 445(1)(c) of the Act.

Part 3 Review of decisions and appeal

144Original decisions and dissatisfied persons—Act, s 519

(1)For section 519(2) of the Act, it is declared that chapter 11, part 3 of the Act applies to the following decisions as if each decision were a decision mentioned in schedule 2, part 2 of the Act
(a)the following decisions of the administering executive—
(i)a decision to refuse a way of giving information under section 92;
(ii)a decision to approve a way of giving information subject to conditions under section 92;
(iii)a decision to refuse an application for a consignment number for the transportation of trackable waste under section 93;
(b)a decision of the administering authority, under section 94
(i)to refuse an application (an exemption application) for an exemption for the transportation of particular trackable waste; or
(ii)to approve an exemption application subject to conditions;
(c)the following decisions of the chief executive—
(i)a decision to request information for assessing the integrity of emission data given by the occupier of a reporting facility under section 117(6);
(ii)a decision about an annual reporting period for a reporting facility under section 118(1)(b);
(iii)a decision to request information under section 123(3);
(iv)a decision to refuse to approve an estimation technique, or approve it subject to a modification under section 124(5);
(v)a decision to request information to decide a claim for an exemption on the grounds of commercial confidentiality under section 127(3);
(vi)a decision to refuse to grant a claim for exemption on the grounds of commercial confidentiality under section 128.
(2)For section 519(2) of the Act, it is declared that chapter 11, part 3, division 1 and division 3, subdivision 2 of the Act applies to a decision of the Minister under section 120(7) as if the decision were a review decision.
(3)For section 520(1)(x) of the Act, each of the following persons is declared to be a dissatisfied person—
(a)for a decision mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b)—the applicant for the decision; and
(b)for a decision mentioned in subsection (1)(c) or (2)—the occupier of the reporting facility affected by the decision.

Part 4 Registers kept by administering authority

145Prescribed documents and information for register of environmental reports—Act, s 540

For section 540(1)(k) of the Act, the administering authority must keep in the register of environmental reports the following documents or information for each environmental evaluation it requires to be conducted or commissioned—
(a)the name of the recipient of the notice to conduct or commission the evaluation;
(b)the type of the evaluation;
(c)the day the notice requiring the evaluation is issued;
(d)for an evaluation of an activity the recipient has carried out, is carrying out, or proposes to carry out—
(i)the type of activity; and
(ii)if the activity is an environmentally relevant activity—the authority number for the environmental authority under which the activity is carried out; and
(iii)the address or location of the place where the activity has been, is being, or is proposed to be, carried out;
(e)for an evaluation of an event—the nature of the event and where it happened;
(f)the name of the person carrying out the evaluation;
(g)the day the report about the evaluation is submitted to the administering authority;
(h)the administering authority’s decision about the report;
(i)any action taken by the administering authority under section 326H or 326I of the Act.

146Prescribed documents and information for relevant monitoring programs—Act, s 540

(1)For section 540(1)(k) of the Act, the administering authority must keep the following documents or information for each relevant monitoring program—
(a)the name of the person carrying out an activity to which the program relates;
(b)the type of the activity the person is carrying out;
(c)for an activity mentioned in paragraph (b) that is an environmentally relevant activity—the authority number for the environmental authority under which the activity is carried out;
(d)the requirements under the program;
(e)the name of the person carrying out the program;
(f)the period covered by the program;
(g)the results of the program;
(h)any document the administering authority gives to a person carrying out the activity or program because of the results of the program.
(2)In this section—
relevant monitoring program means a monitoring program carried out under the following—
(a)the Act;
(b)a development condition of a development approval;
(c)a condition of an environmental authority.

147Prescribed documents and information for register of transitional environmental programs—Act, s 540

(1)For section 540(1)(k) of the Act, the administering authority must keep in the register of transitional environmental programs the following documents or information for each transitional environmental program submitted, or required to be submitted, to the authority—
(a)the name of the person or public authority submitting or required to submit the program;
(b)the activity the person or public authority has carried out, is carrying out, or proposes to carry out for which the program is submitted or required to be submitted;
(c)for an activity mentioned in paragraph (b) that is an environmentally relevant activity—the authority number for the environmental authority under which the activity is carried out;
(d)the address or location of the place where the activity has been, is being, or is proposed to be, carried out;
(e)the aims of the program;
(f)the matters to be addressed by the program;
(g)the period over which the program is to be carried out;
(h)the day the program is submitted;
(i)for a program for which a certificate of approval is given—the day the certificate is given;
(j)any document the administering authority gives to a holder of an approval of a program, or person acting under the program, that relates to compliance or noncompliance with the program.
(2)Also, if a certificate of approval for the program is subject to a condition that the person or public authority prepare a public statement about the environmental management of the activity, a copy of the statement must be included in the register.

148Prescribed documents and information for register of environmental protection orders—Act, s 540

For section 540(1)(k) of the Act, the administering authority must keep in the register of environmental protection orders the following documents or information for each environmental protection order it issues—
(a)the name of the recipient of the order;
(b)the activity to which the order relates;
(c)for an activity mentioned in paragraph (b) that is an environmentally relevant activity—the authority number for the environmental authority under which the activity is carried out;
(d)the address or location of the place where the activity has been, is being, or is proposed to be, carried out;
(e)the grounds for issuing the order;
(f)the requirements under the order;
(g)the day the order is issued;
(h)any document the administering authority gives to the recipient of the order that relates to compliance or noncompliance with the order.

149Prescribed information for register of authorised persons—Act, s 540

For section 540(1)(k) of the Act, the administering authority must keep in the register of authorised persons information about the limitations, if any, stated in the instrument of appointment for each authorised person mentioned in the register.

Part 5 Suitably qualified persons and auditors

150Prescribed regulatory function—Act, s 564

For section 564 of the Act, definition regulatory function, paragraph (d), completing a statutory declaration under chapter 9, part 3 is prescribed.

151Prescribed organisations for suitably qualified persons and auditors—Act, ss 564 and 572

Each organisation listed in schedule 14 is prescribed for—
(a)section 564 of the Act, definition suitably qualified person, paragraph (b); and
(b)section 572(b)(ii) of the Act.

152Guideline for application for approval as auditor—Act, s 570

For section 570(f) of the Act, the guideline called ‘Queensland auditor handbook for contaminated land, module 2: auditor application requirements’, made by the chief executive and published on the department’s website, is prescribed.

153Code of conduct for auditors—Act, s 574D

For section 574D(b) of the Act, the code of conduct called ‘Queensland auditor handbook for contaminated land, module 4: code of professional conduct’, made by the chief executive and published on the department’s website, is prescribed.

Chapter 9 Fees

Part 1 Fees generally

154Fees payable under Act

(1)Schedule 15 and this chapter provide for fees payable under the Act.
(2)This chapter provides for annual fees payable for particular environmental authorities.

155Recovery of unpaid amounts

For section 580(2)(a) of the Act, if a fee payable under the Act to an administering authority is not paid in full by the date prescribed for the relevant fee in this regulation or stated in a notice for the relevant fee, the authority may recover the unpaid amount as a debt owing to the authority.

Part 2 Fees for devolved matters

156Fees and discounts made by resolution or local law

(1)This section applies if the administration and enforcement of the Act for a matter (the devolved matter) has been devolved to a local government.
(2)Subsection (3) applies if—
(a)this chapter or schedule 15 prescribes a fee (the default fee) payable to the administering authority for the devolved matter; and
(b)the local government has made a resolution or local law prescribing a different fee (the local fee) payable for the devolved matter, whether higher or lower than the default fee.
(3)The local fee is payable for the devolved matter instead of the default fee.
(4)Part 3, division 2 does not apply to a fee payable to the local government unless the local government makes a resolution or local law stating that part 3, division 2 applies to the fee.
(5)The local government can not make a resolution or local law to change the aggregate environmental score for the devolved matter.

Part 3 Annual fees

Division 1 General matters

157Meaning of annual fee

The annual fee for an environmental authority is—
(a)if, for an environmental authority, the holder of the authority is eligible to pay a reduced annual fee under division 2—the reduced annual fee; or
(b)for any other environmental authority—the fee worked out for the authority under section 159.

158Payment of annual fee for first year of environmental authority

(1)This section applies to an environmental authority for which an annual fee is prescribed.
(2)The holder of the authority must, within 20 business days after the authority takes effect, pay the administering authority the annual fee prescribed for the authority.

Note—

For when an environmental authority takes effect, see section 200 of the Act.

159Annual fee for environmental authority

(1)The annual fee for an environmental authority is the total of the site fees for all project sites for the authority.
(2)The site fee for a project site for an environmental authority is—
(a)if none of the environmentally relevant activities authorised to be carried out at the project site has an aggregate environmental score—
(i)for an environmental authority for a mining activity relating to a mining claim—nil; or
(ii)for any other environmental authority—$689.00; or
(b)if any of the environmentally relevant activities authorised to be carried out at the project site has an aggregate environmental score—
(i)for a relevant mining authority issued before 31 March 2013, for which the relevant activity continues to comply with the eligibility criteria for the activity—$689; or
(ii)for a relevant resource authority issued on or after 31 March 2013—$689; or
(iii)for any other environmental authority—the highest of the ERA fees calculated for each of the environmentally relevant activities.
(3)The ERA fee for an environmentally relevant activity is worked out using the following formula—

F = S x M

where—

S is the aggregate environmental score for the activity.
M is—
(a)for a relevant prescribed ERA—$138.40; or
(b)for a resource activity for which the AES stated for the activity in the section under schedule 2 or 3 applying to the activity is 120 or more—$829.00; or
(c)for any other environmentally relevant activity—$277.10.
F is the amount of the ERA fee.

(4)In this section—
ineligible ERA means an environmentally relevant activity that is not an eligible ERA.
relevant mining authority means an environmental authority for a mining activity or resource project that at any time before 31 March 2013 was not a level 1 mining project under the Act.
relevant prescribed ERA means any of the following prescribed ERAs—
(a)aquaculture;
(b)intensive animal feedlotting;
(c)pig keeping;
(d)poultry farming;
(e)a relevant activity mentioned in schedule 2, section 63(3), table, item 1(a).
relevant resource authority means an environmental authority for a resource activity, but does not include an environmental authority for a resource activity that includes 1 or more ineligible ERAs.

Division 2 Reduced annual fees in particular circumstances

Subdivision 1 Preliminary

160Purpose of division

The purpose of this division is to allow the holder of an environmental authority to pay a reduced annual fee for the authority if—
(a)the holder is eligible under section 165 to pay the reduced annual fee; and
(b)there is an aggregate environmental score for the environmentally relevant activity authorised under the authority.

161Definitions for division

In this division—
annual fee, for an environmental authority, means the annual fee worked out under section 159 for the authority.
approved EMS see section 162.
approved partner see section 163.
conformity assessment body means a body accredited under JAS-ANZ for certifying environmental management systems.
ecoBiz program means the program of that name established by the department.
JAS-ANZ means the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand that was declared under the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (Privileges and Immunities) Regulations 1998 (Cwlth) to be an international organisation to which the International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1963 (Cwlth) applies.
lower emissions score see section 164.
prescribed environmental management system means—
(a)an environmental management system that a conformity assessment body has certified as conforming to AS/NZS ISO 14001:2016 ‘Environmental management systems–Requirements with guidance for use’; or
(b)the National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme Rules published in September 2018 by AUS-MEAT Limited ABN 44 082 528 881.
reduced annual fee, for an environmental authority, means the reduced annual fee worked out under section 167 for the authority.
relevant resource environmental authority means an environmental authority for a resource activity relating to a mining lease or a petroleum lease for which the AES stated for the activity in the section under schedule 2 or 3 applying to the activity is 120 or more.

162What is an approved EMS

The holder of an environmental authority has an approved EMS if each relevant activity carried out under the authority is carried out in accordance with a prescribed environmental management system.

163Who is an approved partner

An approved partner is the holder of an environmental authority who is registered as a partner under the ecoBiz program.

164What is a lower emissions score

(1)Subsection (2) applies to the holder of an environmental authority carrying out only 1 relevant activity under the authority.
(2)The holder has a lower emissions score if the relevant activity has an emission score that is at least 25% less than the emission score stated to apply for the activity under the emission scores profile.
(3)Subsection (4) applies to the holder of an environmental authority carrying out 2 or more relevant activities under the authority.
(4)The holder has a lower emissions score if the relevant activity that has the highest aggregate environmental score has an emission score that is at least 25% less than the emission score stated to apply for the activity under the emission scores profile.
(5)In this section—
emission score, for a relevant activity, means the emission score component of the aggregate environmental score for the activity under the emission scores profile.
emission scores profile means the document called ‘Emission scores profile of environmentally relevant activities’, published on the department’s website.

Note—

A copy of the emission scores profile is available, free of charge, during business hours from the department’s head office.

Subdivision 2 Reduced annual fee

165Eligibility for payment of a reduced annual fee

(1)The holder of an environmental authority is eligible to pay a reduced annual fee for the authority if—
(a)the holder has carried out a relevant activity under the authority for at least 1 year; and
(b)in the 3 years immediately before the annual fee for the authority is due, no compliance action event has happened for the holder; and
(c)the holder—
(i)has an approved EMS; or
(ii)is an approved partner; or
(iii)has a lower emissions score; or
(iv)for a relevant resource environmental authority—is currently carrying out rehabilitation of the land that is the subject of the environmental authority; and
(d)the holder gives the chief executive the documents under section 166(1) within the period stated in the annual notice; and
(e)the holder pays the reduced annual fee within the period stated in the annual notice.
(2)The holder stops being eligible to pay a reduced annual fee if the holder knows, or ought reasonably to know, that a disqualifying event has happened for the holder.
(3)Also, the holder stops being eligible if—
(a)there is more than 1 project site for the authority; and
(b)subsection (1) does not apply to 1 or more of the project sites for the authority.
(4)In this section—
compliance action event, for the holder of an environmental authority, means any of the following directly relating to an activity carried out or a thing omitted to be done under the authority—
(a)the serving of an infringement notice under the State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999 on the holder for an offence;
(b)the issuing of an environmental protection order to the holder;
(c)the holder—
(i)has voluntarily submitted a draft transitional environmental program; or
(ii)is acting under an approved transitional environmental program; or
(iii)is required to prepare a transitional environmental program; or
(iv)has, under section 350 of the Act, given the administering authority a program notice;
(d)the issue of a cost recovery notice to the holder unless—
(i)the amount claimed under the notice has been fully paid; or
(ii)the notice has been withdrawn or has otherwise stopped having effect;
(e)the holder has been issued with a direction notice under section 363B of the Act and—
(i)the holder complies with the notice; or
(ii)a proceeding for an offence against section 363E of the Act has not started;
(f)a proceeding for an environmental offence or an offence under section 363E, 363I or 363L of the Act, is started or continued against the holder and has not finished;
(g)the holder is convicted of an environmental offence or another offence mentioned in paragraph (f).
disqualifying event, for the holder of an environmental authority, means any of the following that happens during the year to which the reduced annual fee applies—
(a)the holder stops being an approved partner;
(b)the holder no longer has an approved EMS;
(c)the holder no longer has a lower emissions score;
(d)the holder has stopped carrying out rehabilitation of the land that is the subject of the environmental authority;
(e)the holder recommences extracting the resource that is the subject of the environmental authority;
(f)there is a compliance action event for the holder.

166Documents for eligibility for payment of a reduced annual fee

(1)For section 165(1)(d), the holder of an environmental authority must give the chief executive each of the following documents—
(a)if the holder has an approved EMS, other than a prescribed approved EMS—a statutory declaration, completed by a suitably qualified person, verifying that—
(i)each relevant activity carried out under the authority in the previous year has been carried out in accordance with an environmental management system that a conformity assessment body has certified as conforming to AS/NZS ISO 14001:2016 ‘Environmental management systems–Requirements with guidance for use’; and
(ii)the holder is complying with the conditions of the authority;
(b)if the holder has a prescribed approved EMS—a statutory declaration, completed by the holder, verifying that—
(i)each relevant activity carried out under the authority in the previous year has been carried out in accordance with the National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme Rules published in September 2018 by AUS-MEAT Limited ABN 44 082 528 881; and
(ii)the holder is complying with the conditions of the authority;
(c)if the holder is the holder of a relevant resource environmental authority and the holder is currently carrying out rehabilitation of the land that is the subject of the environmental authority—a statutory declaration, completed by the holder, verifying that—
(i)the holder has stopped extracting the resource that is the subject of the environmental authority and does not intend to recommence extracting the resource; and
(ii)the holder is currently carrying out rehabilitation of the land that is the subject of the environmental authority;
(d)the other documents and information stated in the annual notice.
(2)In this section—
prescribed approved EMS means the National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme Rules published in September 2018 by AUS-MEAT Limited ABN 44 082 528 881.

167What is the reduced annual fee

The reduced annual fee for an environmental authority is—
(a)90% of the annual fee if the holder is an approved partner; or
(b)80% of the annual fee if—
(i)the holder has an approved EMS; or
(ii)the holder has a lower emissions score; or
(c)70% of the annual fee if the holder is an approved partner and—
(i)the holder has an approved EMS; or
(ii)the holder has a lower emissions score; or
(d)60% of the annual fee if—
(i)the holder has an approved EMS; and
(ii)the holder has a lower emissions score; or
(e)50% of the annual fee if—
(i)for a relevant resource environmental authority—the holder is currently carrying out rehabilitation of the land that is the subject of the environmental authority; or
(ii)otherwise—
(A)the holder is an approved partner; and
(B)the holder has an approved EMS; and
(C)the holder has a lower emissions score.

Subdivision 3 Offences and record keeping

168Application of subdivision

This subdivision applies to the holder of an environmental authority who has, under this division, paid a reduced annual fee for the authority.

169Offence to pay reduced annual fee if not eligible

The holder must not pay the reduced annual fee instead of the annual fee for the authority unless the holder is eligible under section 165 to pay the reduced annual fee.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

170Requirement to keep records for reduced annual fee

The holder must, unless the holder has a reasonable excuse, keep each of the following records relating to the payment of the reduced annual fee for at least 5 years after the reduced annual fee is paid—
(a)if the holder was eligible for the reduction under section 165(1)(c)(i)—a copy of an accreditation certificate prepared under the prescribed environmental management system for the approved EMS;
(b)if the holder was eligible for the reduction under section 165(1)(c)(ii)—
(i)the holder’s certificate of registration under the ecoBiz program; and
(ii)a copy of the action plan the holder was required to develop for the holder’s registration under the ecoBiz program;
(c)if the holder was eligible for the reduction under section 165(1)(c)(iii)—a copy of the data and methodology used to calculate the holder’s emission score for the relevant activity under the authority;
(d)if the holder was, under sections 165(1)(d) and 166, required to give the chief executive a statutory declaration about the relevant activities carried out under an environmental authority—
(i)a copy of the statutory declaration; and
(ii)for the suitably qualified person who completed the statutory declaration—the person’s contact details and evidence of the person’s membership of a prescribed organisation.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

171Authorised person may require holder to give information or documents

(1)An authorised person may, by written notice to the holder, require the holder to give the authorised person the information or documents about the payment of the reduced annual fee that the authorised person requires.
(2)The notice may state a reasonable period within which the information or documents must be given.
(3)The holder must comply with the notice unless the holder has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty for subsection (3)—20 penalty units.

172Requirement to notify change of eligibility

If the holder’s eligibility for the reduced annual fee under section 165(1)(c)(i) or (ii) stops during the year to which the fee applies, the holder must give the administering authority written notice of the fact within 10 business days after the eligibility stops.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

173Refunding difference between annual fee and reduced fee

(1)This section applies if the holder—
(a)is not eligible under section 165 to pay the reduced annual fee; or
(b)stops being eligible under that section to pay the reduced annual fee during the year to which the fee applies.
(2)The administering authority may by written notice require the holder to pay the authority, within 20 business days, the difference between the annual fee and the reduced annual fee.

Division 3 Amendment applications for environmental authorities

174When supplementary annual fee payable

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a person makes an amendment application for an environmental authority; and
(b)the administering authority decides to approve the application; and
(c)the annual fee payable for the amended environmental authority is higher than the annual fee paid for the environmental authority before the decision.
(2)The holder of the environmental authority must, within 20 business days after the amendment application is approved, pay the administering authority a supplementary annual fee worked out using the following formula—

S = (A-P) x N/365

where—

S is the amount of the supplementary annual fee.
A is the amount of the annual fee payable for the amended environmental authority.
P is the amount of the annual fee paid for the environmental authority before the decision.
N is the number of days from the day the authority was amended in accordance with the amendment application until the next anniversary day for the authority.

(3)If the holder does not pay the supplementary annual fee in full within the 20 business days, the administering authority may recover any unpaid amount of the supplementary annual fee as a debt owed to the authority.

Division 4 Supplementary annual fee for regulated waste transport

175Supplementary annual fee for regulated waste transport

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a person holds an environmental authority for regulated waste transport; and
(b)the activity (the relevant activity) carried out under the authority is the transporting of regulated waste, other than end-of-life tyres; and
(c)the AES for the relevant activity increases (the AES increase) because the number of registered vehicles for the relevant activity increases; and
(d)the annual fee for the authority, worked out immediately after the AES increase, is higher than the annual fee for the authority worked out on the relevant day for the authority.

Note—

See schedule 2, section 57.
(2)The administering authority may, by written notice, require the person to pay a supplementary annual fee worked out using the following formula—

S = (A-P) x N/365

where—

S is the amount of the supplementary annual fee.
A is the annual fee for the authority worked out immediately after the AES increase.
P is the annual fee for the authority worked out on the relevant day for the authority.
N is the number of days from the day the AES increase happens until the next anniversary day for the authority.

(3)The person must pay the supplementary annual fee within 20 business days after the date of the notice.
(4)If the person does not pay the supplementary annual fee in full within the 20 business days, the administering authority may recover any unpaid amount of the supplementary annual fee as a debt owing to the authority.
(5)In this section—
registered vehicle, for the relevant activity, means a vehicle that is registered with the department as a vehicle used to carry out the activity.
relevant day, for an environmental authority, means the latest of the following—
(a)the day the authority takes effect;
(b)the most recent anniversary day for the authority;
(c)if a supplementary annual fee is payable under section 174 in relation to an amendment application for the authority— the day the amendment application was approved;
(d)if, as the result of a previous AES increase, the holder of the authority was required to pay a supplementary annual fee under this section—the day the previous AES increase happened.

Part 4 Other particular fees

176Fee for changing anniversary day applications

(1)For section 316L(2) of the Act, the fee payable for an anniversary changeover application for an environmental authority is worked out using the following formula—

F = $346.60 + (A x N/365)

where—

F is the amount of the fee.
A is the amount of the annual fee for the environmental authority.
N is the number of days in the interim year.

(2)In this section—
anniversary changeover application, for an environmental authority, means an application under section 316L of the Act to change the anniversary day for the authority to a new day.
interim year, for a proposed change of anniversary day, means the period—
(a)starting on the old anniversary day for the environmental authority; and
(b)ending on the new anniversary day in the following year after the proposed change.

Example—

If the old anniversary day was 1 June and the new anniversary day is 1 July, the period will be 31 days.

177Fee for late payment of annual fee

(1)This section applies if the holder of an environmental authority has not paid the annual fee for the authority on or before the anniversary day for the authority.
(2)The administering authority must give the holder a written notice stating that the holder must, within a stated period of at least 10 business days after the notice is given, pay—
(a)the annual fee or the outstanding amount of the fee; and
(b)the late payment fee stated in schedule 15.
(3)The holder must comply with the notice.

178Fees for transitional environmental programs

(1)The fee for an administering authority’s consideration of a draft transitional environmental program, or an amendment of an approval for a transitional environmental program, is the amount that—
(a)the authority considers to be reasonable; and
(b)is not more than the reasonable cost of deciding the application for approval of the program or the amendment of the approval.
(2)The holder of an approval of a transitional environmental program must pay the administering authority a fee for its assessment of the holder’s annual returns and monitoring compliance with the program.
(3)The fee is the amount that—
(a)the authority considers to be reasonable; and
(b)is not more than the reasonable cost of the assessment and monitoring.

179Fee for termination of suspension of environmental authority

(1)For section 284G(2)(b) of the Act, the fee payable to terminate a suspension of an environmental authority is worked out using the following formula—

F = A x N/365

where—

F is the amount of the fee.
A is the amount of the annual fee for the environmental authority.
N is the number of days in the interim year.

(2)In this section—
interim year, for a termination of a suspension of an environmental authority, means the period—
(a)starting on the day the notice to terminate the suspension is given to the administering authority; and
(b)ending on the next anniversary day for the authority.

Part 5 Exemptions

180Administering authority exempt from fees for self-administered activities

An administering authority is exempt from payment of a fee relating to an environmental authority for an environmentally relevant activity that is administered by the authority.

181Prescribed local government exempt from fees

(1)This section applies to the following (each a prescribed local government)—
(a)an indigenous local government;
(b)Aurukun Shire Council;
(c)Mornington Shire Council;
(d)Torres Shire Council.
(2)A prescribed local government is exempt from payment of a fee relating to an environmental authority for a prescribed ERA that is carried out by the local government in its local government area.
(3)In this section—
indigenous local government see the Local Government Act 2009, schedule 4.

182Prescribed charitable institution exempt from fees

(1)A prescribed charitable institution is exempt from payment of a fee relating to an environmental authority for a prescribed ERA mentioned in schedule 2, section 63 if the prescribed ERA is carried out within the relevant threshold.
(2)In this section—
prescribed charitable institution means a registered charity that, under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cwlth), chapter 2, part 2-15, division 50, is an exempt entity that is eligible for a refund.
relevant threshold means the stated threshold of operating sewage treatment works with a total daily peak design capacity of 21EP to 100EP under schedule 2, section 63(3).

183Holders of particular environmental authorities exempt from annual fee

(1)This section applies to the holder of an environmental authority for mining activities that are eligible ERAs for only 1 of the following activities—
(a)an environmentally relevant activity carried out for the sole purpose of maintaining a State heritage place or a National heritage place;
(b)dimension stone mining for the sole purpose of constructing or maintaining a war grave.
(2)The holder is exempt from payment of the annual fee for the environmental authority.
(3)In this section—
Commonwealth War Graves Commission means the commission of that name established under royal charter in the United Kingdom.
National heritage place has the meaning given by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth), section 324C(3).
State heritage place means a State heritage place under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992.
war grave includes any of the following things for which the Commonwealth Department of Veterans’ Affairs or the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is responsible for establishing and maintaining under a law of a State, the Commonwealth or a foreign country—
(a)a headstone;
(b)a war memorial or similar memorial;
(c)an inscribed plaque or commemorative plate;
(d)a monumental, ornamental or other structure;
(e)another thing erected or placed—
(i)to mark the site where human remains have been buried or placed; or
(ii)to commemorate a deceased person.

Part 6 Refund of application fees

184Refund of application fee for particular environmental authority

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a person has applied for an environmental authority for mining activities that are eligible ERAs; and
(b)the person has applied for 1 or more relevant mining tenements for the environmental authority; and
(c)each application for a relevant mining tenement mentioned in paragraph (b) has been refused or rejected.
(2)The administering authority must refund to the person the application fee for the environmental authority.

Chapter 10 Miscellaneous

Part 1 Public interest evaluations

ch 10 pt 1 hdg ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 9

184A Qualifications and experience for carrying out public interest evaluations

(1)This section prescribes the experience and qualifications an entity must have that are necessary to carry out a public interest evaluation for the following provisions of the Act
(a)section 49(8), definition qualified entity;
(b)section 136A(3), definition qualified entity;
(c)section 316PC(4)(a).
(2)The entity must have a qualification relating to each of the following areas (each a relevant field) that gives the entity the necessary competence for carrying out the evaluation—
(a)environmental risk assessment;
(b)financial impact assessment;
(c)regional and State macro-economic assessment;
(d)rehabilitation planning and management;
(e)resource project planning and management;
(f)social impact assessment.
(3)Also, the entity must have at least 10 years of demonstrated experience in each relevant field.
(4)A substantial part of the experience mentioned in subsection (3) must be relevant to—
(a)mining; and
(b)for a relevant field mentioned in subsection (2)(d) or (e)—
(i)the nature of the mineral to be mined; and
(ii)the mining method and associated impacts.

s 184A ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 9

Part 2 General

ch 10 pt 2 hdg ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 9

185When particular annual return must be given—Act, s 316IA

(1)This section applies in relation to the holder of an environmental authority for—
(a)a prescribed ERA devolved to a prescribed local government under section 133; or
(b)an activity mentioned only in schedule 2, part 1, section 2, 3 or 4.
(2)For section 316IA(2)(b)(i) of the Act, the day is the anniversary day for the holder’s environmental authority.

186Limited amendment of map of Great Barrier Reef wetland protection areas

(1)The chief executive may amend the map of Great Barrier Reef wetland protection areas only if the amendment—
(a)is to remove all or part of an area shown as a wetland protection area; and
(b)is made because—
(i)more accurate information indicating the extent, or hydrological type, of the wetland has become available; or
(ii)the chief executive considers the wetland is not of high ecological significance.
(2)If the chief executive amends the map under subsection (1), the chief executive must—
(a)fix a new edition number to the amended map; and
(b)publish the amended map on the department’s website.
(3)In this section—
wetland protection area means an area shown as a wetland protection area on the map of Great Barrier Reef wetland protection areas.

187Approval of guidelines about issuing particular environmental protection orders—Act, s 548A

The guideline called ‘Issuing ‘chain of responsibility’ environmental protection orders under chapter 7, part 5, division 2 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994’, made by the chief executive and published on the department’s website, is approved under section 548A(2) of the Act.

187APRCP start date—Act, s 750

For section 750 of the Act, definition PRCP start date, the day prescribed is 1 November 2019.

s 187A ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 10

187BExceptional circumstances in which land taken not to be available for rehabilitation—Act, s 754

(1)For section 754(9) of the Act, exceptional circumstances in which land is taken not to be available for rehabilitation for section 126D(4) of the Act exist to the extent—
(a)the land is identified in a proposed PRCP schedule as containing a probable or proved ore reserve; and
(b)the mining of the reserve is required to rehabilitate a relevant rehabilitation area under the proposed PRCP schedule; and
(c)the reserve can not reasonably be mined within 10 years after the land would otherwise have become available for rehabilitation under section 126D(5) of the Act; and
(d)the proposed PRCP schedule provides for the mining of the reserve and the area becoming available for rehabilitation as soon as practicable after the 10-year period mentioned paragraph (c) ends.
(2)In this section—
relevant rehabilitation area, for a proposed PRCP schedule, means land under the proposed PRCP schedule if—
(a)it is land described in section 754(3) of the Act; and
(b)despite paragraph (a), the proposed PRCP schedule provides for a post-mining land use for the land.

s 187B ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 10

Chapter 11 Repeal, transitional and savings provisions

Part 1 Repeal

188Repeal

The Environmental Protection Regulation 2008, SL No. 370 is repealed.

Part 2 Transitional and savings provisions for SL No. 155 of 2019

ch 11 pt 2 hdg amd 2019 SL No. 198 s 11

Division 1 Preliminary

189Definition for part

In this part—
repealed regulation means the repealed Environmental Protection Regulation 2008.

Division 2 Environmental authorities and environmentally relevant activities

190Prescribed conditions for small scale mining activities

(1)This section applies to an environmental authority, in force immediately before the commencement, for a mining activity that is a small scale mining activity.
(2)The repealed regulation, section 23A and schedule 2C continues to apply to the authority.

191Continued eligibility criteria and standard conditions for sewage treatment activities—Act, s 707A

(1)The repealed regulation, section 170 continues to apply except that a reference to the codes of environmental compliance mentioned in schedule 3 is taken to be a reference to the code of environmental compliance called ‘Code of environmental compliance for certain aspects of sewage treatment activities (ERA 63)—Version 1’.
(2)In this section—
code of environmental compliance see section 676 of the Act.

192Replacement environmental authorities for organic material processing and waste disposal

(1)This section applies to a person who, immediately before the commencement, was the holder of a replacement environmental authority under the repealed regulation, section 183(2).

Note—

The prescribed ERAs for a replacement environmental authority mentioned in the repealed regulation, section 183 are organic material processing and waste disposal.
(2)The repealed regulation, section 183(4), (5) and (6) continues to apply to the person as if—
(a)a reference to an existing environmental authority is taken to be a reference to an authority mentioned in the repealed regulation, section 183(1); and
(b)a reference to the commencement is taken to be a reference to the commencement of the repealed regulation, section 183.

193Replacement environmental authorities for particular prescribed ERAs

(1)This section applies to a person who, immediately before the commencement, was the holder of a replacement environmental authority under the repealed regulation, section 186(2).

Note—

The following are the prescribed ERAs for a replacement environmental authority mentioned in the repealed regulation, section 186—
organic material processing
mechanical waste reprocessing
other waste reprocessing or treatment
regulated waste transport
waste disposal
thermal waste reprocessing and treatment
resource recovery and transfer facility operation
(2)The repealed regulation, sections 186(4), (5), (6) and (7) and 187 continues to apply as if—
(a)a reference to an existing environmental authority is taken to be a reference to an authority mentioned in the repealed regulation, section 186(1); and
(b)a reference to the commencement is taken to be a reference to the commencement of the repealed regulation, section 186.

194Replacement environmental authorities for organic material processing

(1)This section applies to a person who, immediately before the commencement, was the holder of a replacement environmental authority under the repealed regulation, section 190(2).

Note—

The prescribed ERA for the replacement environmental authority mentioned in the repealed regulation, section 190 is organic material processing.
(2)The repealed regulation, section 190(4) continues to apply as if—
(a)a reference to an existing environmental authority is taken to be a reference to an authority mentioned in the repealed regulation, section 190(1); and
(b)a reference to the commencement is taken to be a reference to the commencement of the repealed regulation, section 190.

Division 3 Regulatory requirements

195Regulatory requirements continue to apply

(1)This section applies if, immediately before the commencement, the administering authority for a matter started to make an environmental management decision under the repealed regulation and the decision had not been made.
(2)The repealed regulation, chapter 4 continues to apply to the making of the decision.
(3)For subsection (2), a reference in the regulatory requirements under the repealed regulation to an environmental protection policy is taken be a reference to an environmental protection policy as in force immediately before the commencement.

Division 4 Environmental management and environmental offences

196Records of generators and receivers for commercial waste and industrial waste

A record kept by a generator or receiver under the repealed regulation, chapter 5, part 1, division 3 is taken to be a record under chapter 5, part 1, division 3.

197Records of waste handlers

A record kept by a waste handler under the repealed regulation, chapter 5, part 9, division 3 is taken to be a record under chapter 5, part 9, division 3.

198Applications relating to waste tracking

(1)This section applies if, immediately before the commencement, an application made under the repealed regulation, section 81W, 81X or 81Y had not been finally dealt with.
(2)The repealed regulation, chapter 5, part 9 continues to apply to the application.
(3)An approval, consignment number or exemption granted under the repealed regulation, section 81W, 81X or 81Y, as applied by subsection (2), is taken to be an approval, consignment number or exemption granted under section 92, 93 or 94.

199Approvals

An approval given under the repealed regulation, section 81W and in effect immediately before the commencement is taken to be an approval given under section 92.

200Consignment numbers

A consignment number assigned to a load or loads of trackable waste under the repealed regulation, section 81X and in effect immediately before the commencement is taken to be the consignment number assigned to the load or loads under section 93.

201Exemptions for transportation of trackable waste

An exemption granted under the repealed regulation, section 81Y and in effect immediately before the commencement is taken to be an exemption granted under section 94.

202Generator identification numbers

A generator identification number assigned to a person under the repealed regulation, section 81ZB and in effect immediately before the commencement is taken to be the generator identification number assigned to the person under section 97.

Division 5 Waste management by local governments

203Local laws about waste management

(1)This section applies to a local government area if—
(a)the local government for the area made a local law about waste management for the area; and
(b)the local law states that it replaces the repealed regulation, chapter 5A; and
(c)the local law is in force immediately before the commencement.
(2)Chapter 6 does not apply to the local government area while the local law is in force.

204Approvals for depositing or disposal of general waste

(1)An approval for depositing or disposing of waste that is given by a local government under the repealed regulation, section 81ZK(2)(a) and in force immediately before the commencement is taken to be a relevant approval for the depositing or disposing of the waste under section 106.
(2)If the local government imposed a condition on the approval under the repealed regulation, section 81ZK(2)(b), the condition is taken to be imposed on the relevant approval under section 106.

Division 6 National Pollutant Inventory

205Reporting periods

A reporting period for a reporting facility decided by the chief executive under the repealed regulation, section 86 and in effect immediately before the commencement is taken to be the reporting period for the facility for chapter 7.

206Information kept by occupiers of reporting facility

Any information kept by an occupier of a reporting facility under the repealed regulation, section 87 is taken to be information under section 119.

207Estimation technique applications

(1)This section applies if, immediately before the commencement, an estimation technique application made under the repealed regulation, section 91 had not been finally dealt with.
(2)The repealed regulation, chapter 6, part 3 continues to apply to the application.
(3)An approval granted under the repealed regulation, section 92 as applied by subsection (2), is taken to be an approval granted under section 124.

208Estimation technique approvals

An estimation technique approval under the repealed regulation, section 92 or 93 and in effect immediately before the commencement is taken to be an estimation technique approval under section 124 or 125.

209Exemptions for reporting requirements

An exemption granted under the repealed regulation, section 96 and in effect immediately before the commencement is taken to be an exemption granted under section 128.

Division 7 Devolution of powers

210Continued administration and enforcement

The repealed regulation, section 185 continues to apply to a local government except that—
(a)a reference to the commencement is taken to be a reference to the commencement of the repealed regulation, section 185; and
(b)a reference to former section 101 is taken to be a reference to the repealed regulation, section 101 as in force immediately before the commencement of the Environmental Protection (Waste ERA Framework) Amendment Regulation 2018, section 11; and
(c)a reference to new section 101 is taken to be a reference to the repealed regulation, section 101 as in force on the commencement of the repealed regulation, section 185.

Division 8 Record requirement for fees

211Requirement to keep records for reduced annual fee

The repealed regulation, section 130 continues to apply to a record required to be kept under that section.

Division 9 Miscellaneous

212References to repealed regulation

(1)In a document, if the context permits—
(a)a reference to the repealed regulation may be taken to be a reference to this regulation; and
(b)a reference to a repealed provision may be taken to be a reference to the corresponding provision to the repealed provision.
(2)Subsection (1) does not limit the Acts Interpretation Act 1954, section 14H.
(3)In this section—
corresponding provision, to a repealed provision, means a provision of this regulation that is substantially the same as the repealed provision.
repealed provision means a provision of the repealed regulation as in force immediately before the commencement.

ch 11 pt 3 hdg ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 12

213Carrying out PRCP objective assessment for particular PRCP schedule decision

(1)This section applies if, under section 754 of the Act, the administering authority has given a mining EA holder a notice requiring the holder to give the administering authority a proposed PRC plan.
(2)Schedule 8A, part 3, table 1 does not apply for conducting a PRCP objective assessment of the proposed PRCP schedule for the plan to the extent that—
(a)a land outcome document provides for an outcome for the land the subject of the proposed PRCP schedule; and
(b)the outcome for the land is the same as or substantially similar to the outcome for the land as if it were a post-mining land use or non-use management area under the plan.
(3)Also, the PRCP objective and PRCP performance outcomes stated in schedule 8A, part 3, table 2, entry for ‘Rehabilitation Milestones’ do not apply for conducting a PRCP objective assessment of the proposed PRCP schedule for the plan to the extent that—
(a)a land outcome document states criteria for achieving an outcome provided for in the document for land; and
(b)the same or substantially similar criteria are proposed in the plan for the outcome.
(4)In addition, the PRCP objective and PRCP performance outcomes stated in schedule 8A, part 3, table 3, entry for ‘Management Milestones’ do not apply for conducting a PRCP objective assessment of the proposed PRCP schedule for the plan to the extent that—
(a)a land outcome document states criteria for achieving an outcome provided for in the document for land; and
(b)the same or substantially similar criteria are proposed in the plan for the outcome.
(5)For applying subsection (2), (3) or (4), if there is an inconsistency in land outcome documents for land, the document appearing first in the list mentioned in section 750 of the Act, definition land outcome document, prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.
(6)In this section—
land outcome document see section 750 of the Act.

s 213 ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 12

Schedule 1 Matters to be addressed by assessment under EIS

sections 5(1) and 6(b)(ii)

General information

1the background of the project including, for example, the following matters—
the project’s title
the designated proponent’s full name and postal address
a clear outline of the project’s objective
the project’s location
the background to the project’s development
how the project relates to any other actions, of which the proponent should reasonably be aware, that have been, or are being, taken or that have been approved in the area affected by the project
the project’s current status
the consequences of not proceeding with the project

Description

2a description of the project, including the following matters—
the project’s components
the precise location of works to be undertaken, structures to be built or components of the project that may have relevant impacts
how the works are to be undertaken and design parameters for aspects of the structures or components of the project that may have relevant impacts
the project’s relevant impacts, including the matters under item 3
proposed safeguards and mitigation measures for dealing with the project’s relevant impacts, including the matters under item 4
any other requirements for, or conditions of, approval applying, or that the proponent reasonably believes are likely to apply, to the proposed project, including the matters under item 5
to the extent reasonably practicable, any feasible alternatives to the project, including, for example, the following—
if relevant, the alternative of taking no action
a comparative description of the impacts of each alternative on the matters of national environmental significance
sufficient detail to clarify why any alternative is preferred to another
any consultation about the project, including, for example, the following—
consultation taken and any documented response to, or result of, the consultation
proposed consultation about the project’s relevant impacts
identification of affected persons and interested persons, including a statement mentioning any communities that may be affected and describing the communities’ views

Relevant impacts

3the project’s relevant impacts under item 2 include the following matters—
a description of the project’s relevant impacts
a detailed assessment of the nature and extent of the likely short-term and long-term relevant impacts
a statement about whether any relevant impacts are likely to be unknown, unpredictable or irreversible
an analysis of the significance of the relevant impacts
any technical data and other information used or needed to make a detailed assessment of the relevant impacts

Proposed safeguards and mitigation measures

4the project’s proposed safeguards and mitigation measures under item 2 include the following matters—
a description, and an assessment of the expected or predicted effectiveness, of the mitigation measures for dealing with the project’s relevant impacts
any statutory or policy basis for the mitigation measures
the cost of the mitigation measures
an outline of an environmental management plan setting out the framework for continuing management, mitigation and monitoring programs for the project’s relevant impacts, including any provision for independent environmental auditing
the name of the entity responsible for endorsing or approving each mitigation measure or monitoring program
a consolidated list of mitigation measures proposed to be undertaken to prevent, minimise or compensate for the project’s relevant impacts, including mitigation measures proposed to be taken by the State, a local government or the proponent

Other approvals and conditions

5the project’s other approvals and conditions under item 2 include the following matters—
details of any planning instrument under the Planning Act dealing with the project including, for example, the following—
what environmental assessment of the project has been, or is being, carried out under the planning instrument
how the planning instrument provides for preventing, minimising and managing the project’s relevant impacts
a description of any approval, other than the Commonwealth approval, obtained from a State or Commonwealth entity, including any approval conditions applying to the project
a statement identifying any other required approval, other than the Commonwealth approval
a description of the monitoring, enforcement and review procedures applying, or proposed to apply, to the project

Proponent’s environmental record

6details of any proceedings under a law of the Commonwealth or a State for the protection of the environment or the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources (an environmental law) against the following—
the proponent
the applicant for any permit under an environmental law for the project
7if the proponent is a corporation, details of the corporation’s environmental policy and planning framework

Information sources

8details of the following about information given in the EIS—
the source of the information
how recent the information is
how the reliability of the information was tested
any uncertainties in the information

Schedule 2 Prescribed ERAs and aggregate environmental scores

sections 13 and 17

Editor’s note—

Some section numbers in this schedule have been deliberately left blank. Each section that is not used is identified in this schedule.

Part 1 Aquaculture and intensive animal industry

1Aquaculture

(1)Aquaculture (the relevant activity) consists of cultivating or holding marine, estuarine or freshwater organisms in an enclosure on land or in waters.
(2)The relevant activity does not include cultivating or holding marine, estuarine or freshwater organisms—
(a)in an aquarium for display purposes only; or
(b)in an enclosure from which no water, other than uncontaminated stormwater, can be released to waters; or
(c)if the marine, estuarine or freshwater organisms receive no augmented food supply.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  cultivating or holding crustaceans in enclosures that are on land and have a total area of—
  

  
(a)  more than 100m2

11

C

  
(b)  more than 10ha but not more than 100ha

21

C

  
(c)  more than 100ha

34

C

2  cultivating or holding marine, estuarine or freshwater organisms, other than crustaceans, in enclosures that are on land and have a total area of—
  

  
(a)  more than 100m2 but not more than10ha

19

C

  
(b)  more than 10ha but not more than 100ha

29

C

  
(c)  more than 100ha

32

C

3  carrying out the relevant activity in enclosures that are in waters and have a total area of—
  

  
(a)  no more than 1ha

26

C

  
(b)  more than 1ha

36

C

(4)In this section—
augmented food supply, for cultivating or holding marine, estuarine or freshwater organisms, means the addition of foods for cultivating or holding the organisms.
enclosure includes a cage, pond or tank.

2Intensive animal feedlotting

(1)Intensive animal feedlotting (the relevant activity) consists of keeping more than 150 standard cattle units of cattle or more than 1,000 standard sheep units of sheep in a feedlot.
(2)The relevant activity does not include keeping cattle or sheep—
(a)in a drought-declared area, if the animals are fed no more than their nutritional requirements; or
(b)on a feed pad in a paddock; or
(c)for no longer than is reasonably necessary for—
(i)sale, slaughter or transport; or
(ii)weaning; or
(iii)animal husbandry; or
(iv)milking; or
(v)shearing.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score, if any, for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  keeping the following number of standard cattle units in a feedlot—
  

  
(a)  more than 150 but not more than 1,000

14

 

  
(b)  more than 1,000 but not more than 10,000

28

C

  
(c)  more than 10,000

49

C

2  keeping the following number of standard sheep units in a feedlot—
  

  
(a)  more than 1,000 but not more than 10,000

12

 

  
(b)  more than 10,000

26

C

(4)In this section—
animal husbandry includes—
(a)branding, dehorning, desexing, treating animals for pests (including preventative treating), vaccinating and veterinary work; and
(b)managing or treating animals as required under a law of the State for public health or safety.

Example—

keeping animals in an area that has been placed in quarantine
cattle includes—
(a)beef and dairy cattle; and
(b)cattle of all ages.
drought-declared area means an area that is considered to be severely affected by drought, however the relevant criterion is described, for the purpose of eligibility for assistance under a scheme administered by the State or Commonwealth government.
feedlot means a confined yard or enclosure that—
(a)contains watering and feeding facilities where cattle or sheep are fed entirely by hand or mechanically; and
(b)is designed, constructed or used in a way that does not allow cattle or sheep in the yard or enclosure to graze.
sheep includes sheep of all ages.

3Pig keeping

(1)Pig keeping (the relevant activity) consists of keeping more than 400 standard pig units of pigs.
(2)The relevant activity does not include keeping pigs for no longer than is reasonably necessary for sale, slaughter or transport.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score, if any, for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  keeping more than 400 but not more than 3,500 standard pig units

19

 

2  keeping more than 3,500 but not more than 8,000 standard pig units

22

C

3  keeping more than 8,000 standard pig units

31

C

4Poultry farming

(1)Poultry farming (the relevant activity) consists of farming a total of more than 1,000 birds for—
(a)producing eggs or fertile eggs; or
(b)rearing hatchlings, starter pullets or layers; or
(c)rearing birds for meat.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score, if any, for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  farming more than 1,000 but not more than 200,000 birds

no score

 

2  farming more than 200,000 birds

9

C

(3)In this section—
birds means any of the following—
(a)chickens;
(b)ducks;
(c)geese;
(d)guineafowl;
(e)turkeys.

Part 2 Chemical, coal and petroleum products activities

5Alcohol production

(1)Alcohol production (the relevant activity) consists of producing more than 200m3 of alcohol in a year.
(2)The relevant activity does not include production of alcoholic beverages by simple fermentation only.

Example of simple fermentation—

making beer
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

producing more than 200m3 of alcohol in a year

48

C

6Asphalt manufacturing

(1)Asphalt manufacturing (the relevant activity) consists of manufacturing in a year more than 1,000t of asphalt.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

manufacturing more than 1,000t of asphalt in a year

32

C

7Chemical manufacturing

(1)Chemical manufacturing (the relevant activity) consists of any of the following activities—
(a)manufacturing a total of 200m3 or more of coating, food additives, industrial polish, sealant, synthetic dye, pigment, ink, adhesives or paint in a year;
(b)manufacturing a total of 200t or more of chemicals, other than chemicals mentioned in paragraph (a), in a year;
(c)using in the manufacturing process a total of 200t or more of chemicals as feedstock in a year.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)mixing non-combustible or non-flammable chemicals or chemical products that are not dangerous goods by diluting the chemicals or chemical products with water only; or
(b)blending ethanol with petrol; or
(c)manufacturing chemicals for carrying out an activity to which another section applies.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score, if any, for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  manufacturing 200m3 or more of water based paint in a year

no score

 

2  manufacturing, in a year, the following total quantity of coating, food additives, industrial polish, sealant, synthetic dye, pigment, ink, adhesives or paint, other than water based paint—
  

  
(a)  200m3 to 1,000m3

10

C

  
(b)  more than 1,000m3 but not more than 100,000m3

19

C

  
(c)  more than 100,000m3

37

C

3  manufacturing, in a year, a total of 200t or more of any of the following—
  

  
(a)  soap, surfactants or cleaning or toiletry products

39

 

  
(b)  agricultural chemical products or chemicals for biological control

114

C

  
(c)  medicines, pharmaceutical products, poisons or veterinary chemical products

115

C

  
(d)  explosives

138

C

4  manufacturing, in a year, the following quantities of fertiliser—
  

  
(a)  200t to 5,000t

33

C

  
(b)  more than 5,000t

153

C

5  manufacturing, in a year, the following quantities of organic chemicals, other than organic chemicals to which items 1 to 4 apply—
  

  
(a)  200t to 1,000t

30

C

  
(b)  more than 1,000t but not more than 10,000t

66

C

  
(c)  more than 10,000t but not more than 100,000t

139

C

  
(d)  more than 100,000t

202

C

6  manufacturing, in a year, the following quantities of inorganic chemicals, other than inorganic chemicals to which items 1 to 4 apply—
  

  
(a)  200t to 1,000t

56

C

  
(b)  more than 1,000t but not more than 10,000t

115

C

  
(c)  more than 10,000t but not more than 100,000t

200

C

  
(d)  more than 100,000t

268

C

(4)In this section—
agricultural chemical product means an agricultural chemical product under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 (Cwlth).
manufacturing includes combining, processing and reacting.
poison means a poison in the ‘Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons’ compiled by the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council and published by the Commonwealth.
veterinary chemical product means a veterinary chemical product under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 (Cwlth).

8Chemical storage

(1)Chemical storage (the relevant activity) consists of storing—
(a)50t or more of chemicals of dangerous goods class 1 or class 2, division 2.3 in containers of at least 10m3; or
(b)50t or more of chemicals of dangerous goods class 6, division 6.1 in containers capable of holding at least 900kg of the chemicals; or
(c)more than 500m3 of chemicals of class C1 or C2 combustible liquids under AS 1940 or dangerous goods class 3; or
(d)the following quantities of other chemicals in containers of at least 10m3
(i)200t or more, if they are solids or gases;
(ii)200m3 or more, if they are liquids.
(2)However, the relevant activity does not include—
(a)in-transit storage of chemicals; or
(b)storing chemicals for carrying out an activity under section 7; or
(c)transporting petroleum under the Petroleum Act 1923 or the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004; or
(d)storing chemicals for carrying out an activity to which section 55, 57 or 62 applies.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score, if any, for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  storing a total of 50t or more of chemicals of dangerous goods class 1 or class 2, division 2.3 under subsection (1)(a)

51

C

2  storing 50t or more of chemicals of dangerous goods class 6, division 6.1 under subsection (1)(b)

51

C

3  storing more than 500m3 of chemicals of class C1 or C2 combustible liquids under AS 1940 or dangerous goods class 3 under subsection (1)(c)

85

C

4  storing 200t or more of chemicals that are solids or gases, other than chemicals mentioned in items 1 to 3, under subsection (1)(d)

31

C

5  storing 200m3 or more of chemicals that are liquids, other than chemicals mentioned in items 1 to 3, under subsection (1)(d)

31

C

(4)In this section—
container includes a package or tank.
in-transit storage, of chemicals, means storage of the chemicals in a container for no more than 5 days at a place, if, during the storage—
(a)the container holding the chemicals is not opened; and
(b)the chemicals are neither used, nor intended to be used.

Examples of in-transit storage—

containers of chemicals being transported or awaiting transport or collection because of unavoidable delay

9Hydrocarbon gas refining

(1)Hydrocarbon gas refining (the relevant activity) consists of refining natural gas or coal seam methane gas.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)collecting gas from sewage treatment works or from decomposition of organic waste in landfills associated with carrying out a relevant waste management activity; or
(b)collecting naturally occurring gas from coal seams if the collection is authorised under an environmental authority for a resource activity; or
(c)reforming or synthesising gas.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score, if any, for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

refining in a year—

  

(a)  less than 200,000,000m3 of natural gas

no score

C

(b)  200,000,000m3 or more of natural gas

19

C

(c)  coal seam gas

64

C

(4)In this section—
relevant waste management activity means an activity to which section 55, 60 or 62 applies.

10Gas producing

(1)Gas producing (the relevant activity) consists of manufacturing, processing or reforming 200t or more of hydrocarbon gas in a year.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)collecting gas from sewage treatment works or from decomposition of organic waste in landfills associated with carrying out a relevant waste management activity; or
(b)collecting gas from naturally occurring hydrocarbon deposits or coal seams.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

manufacturing, processing or reforming 200t or more of hydrocarbon gas in a year

64

C

(4)In this section—
relevant waste management activity means an activity to which section 55, 60 or 62 applies.

11Oil refining or processing

(1)Oil refining or processing (the relevant activity) consists of refining or processing crude oil or shale oil.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

refining or processing, in a year, the following quantity of crude or shale oil—

  

(a)  less than 500m3

146

C

(b)  500m3 to 150,000m3

186

C

(c)  more than 150,000m3

237

C

12Plastic product manufacturing

(1)Plastic product manufacturing (the relevant activity) consists of—
(a)manufacturing, in a year, a total of 50t or more of plastic products, other than a plastic product mentioned in paragraph (b); or
(b)manufacturing, in a year, a total of 5t or more of foam, composite plastics or rigid fibre-reinforced plastics.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  manufacturing, in a year, a total of 50t or more of plastic product, other than a plastic product mentioned in item 2

28

C

2  manufacturing, in a year, a total of 5t or more of foam, composite plastics or rigid fibre-reinforced plastics

54

C

13Tyre manufacturing or retreading

(1)Tyre manufacturing and retreading (the relevant activity) consists of either or both of the following—
(a)manufacturing tyres;
(b)retreading tyres.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  manufacturing tyres

36

C

2  retreading tyres

17

 

Part 3 Energy related services

14Electricity generation

(1)Electricity generation (the relevant activity) consists of generating electricity by using fuel at a rated capacity of 10MW electrical or more.
(2)The relevant activity does not include co-generating electricity in association with carrying out another environmentally relevant activity.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  generating electricity by using gas at a rated capacity of 10MW electrical or more

72

C

2  generating electricity by using a fuel, other than gas, at a rated capacity of—
  

  
(a)  10MW electrical to 150MW electrical

76

C

  
(b)  more than 150MW electrical

151

C

(4)In this section—
co-generating means using a fuel to simultaneously produce heat and electrical energy.

15Fuel burning

(1)Fuel burning (the relevant activity) consists of using fuel burning equipment that is capable of burning at least 500kg of fuel in an hour.
(2)The relevant activity does not include burning fuel for—
(a)carrying out an activity to which another section applies; or
(b)operating a stand-by generator for fewer than 200 hours in a year; or
(c)operating mobile equipment to respond, or for training to respond, to an emergency.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

using fuel burning equipment that is capable of burning at least 500kg of fuel in an hour

35

C

Part 4 Extractive activities

16Extractive and screening activities

(1)Extractive and screening activities (the relevant activity) consists of any of the following—
(a)dredging a total of 1,000t or more of material from the bed of naturally occurring surface waters, in a year;
(b)extracting, other than by dredging, a total of 5,000t or more of material, in a year, from an area;

Examples—

extracting material for excavating a bund between existing waters and an artificial waterway being constructed on dry land
extracting virgin rock from a quarry
extracting rock, that has been previously broken, from a stockpile on the site from which the rock was originally extracted
(c)screening 5,000t or more of material, in a year.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)extracting material under an environmental authority for a resource activity; or
(b)extracting material from a road if—
(i)the material is to be used for constructing or maintaining a road; and
(ii)the surface area from which the material is extracted is less than 10,000m2; or
(c)extracting material from a place for constructing a road or railway at the place; or

Examples—

cutting and filling land for constructing a road or railway
extracting material for constructing a tunnel for a road or railway
(d)extracting material from a place, other than by dredging, for constructing the foundations of a building at the place; or
(e)extracting material for reshaping land if—
(i)reshaping the land does not involve blasting; and
(ii)the material is not removed from the site from which it is extracted; or

Example—

cutting and filling land for creating building lots
(f)screening material on the site from which it has been extracted in the course of carrying out an activity mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e).
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  dredging, in a year, the following quantity of material—
  

  
(a)  1,000t to 10,000t

11

C

  
(b)  more than 10,000t but not more than 100,000t

25

C

  
(c)  more than 100,000t but not more than 1,000,000t

44

C

  
(d)  more than 1,000,000t

66

C

2  extracting, other than by dredging, in a year, the following quantity of material—
  

  
(a)  5,000t to 100,000t

22

 

  
(b)  more than 100,000t but not more than 1,000,000t

39

C

(c)  more than 1,000,000t

57

C

3  screening, in a year, the following quantity of material—
  

  
(a)  5,000t to 100,000t

13

 

  
(b)  more than 100,000t but not more than 1,000,000t

29

 

  
(c)  more than 1,000,000t

47

 
(4)In this section—
material includes clay, gravel, loam, rock, sand and other substances found in the earth.
road see the Land Act 1994, section 93.
screening includes washing, crushing, grinding, milling, sizing or separating material.

17Section 17 not used

See editor’s note for this schedule.

18Section 18 not used

See editor’s note for this schedule.

Part 5 Fabricated metal product activities

19Metal forming

(1)Metal hot forming consists of hot forming a total of 10,000t or more of metal in a year.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

hot forming a total of 10,000t or more of metal in a year

no score

C

(3)In this section—
hot forming, in relation to metal, includes to heat the metal and—
(a)press, forge, extend, extrude or roll metal; or
(b)form metal into plate, wire or rods; or
(c)fabricate metal into sheets.

20Section 20 not used

See editor’s note for this schedule.

21Section 21 not used

See editor’s note for this schedule.

Part 6 Food processing

22Beverage production

(1)Beverage production (the relevant activity) consists of producing 1ML or more of beverages in a year.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)producing beverages for carrying out an activity to which section 5 applies; or
(b)producing non-alcoholic beverages if the production does not allow for the release of waste to waters; or
(c)bottling water.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

1  producing, in a year, the following quantity of non-alcoholic beverages—
 

  
(a)  1ML to 10ML

19

  
(b)  more than 10ML

32

2  producing 1ML or more of alcoholic beverages in a year

55

23Bottling and canning

(1)Bottling and canning (the relevant activity) consists of bottling or canning 200t or more of food in a year.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)bottling or canning for carrying out an activity to which another section applies; or
(b)bottling water.
(3)The aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is 45.

24Edible oil manufacturing or processing

(1)Edible oil manufacturing or processing consists of manufacturing or processing 1,000t or more of feedstock material for edible oil production in a year.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

manufacturing or processing 1,000t or more of feedstock material for edible oil production in a year

38

C

25Meat processing

(1)Meat processing (the relevant activity) consists of either of the following—
(a)processing 1,000t or more of meat or meat products in a year, whether or not the processing includes rendering;
(b)rendering 100t or more of meat or meat products in a year, if the meat or meat products are not otherwise processed.
(2)The relevant activity does not include processing meat or meat products that—
(a)involves only chilling, curing, drying, freezing, packaging or smoking the meat or meat products; or
(b)does not involve any of the following—
(i)slaughtering animals;
(ii)rendering the meat or meat products;
(iii)the release of waste to waters;
(iv)the treatment of waste using anaerobic or facultative systems.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score, if any, for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  processing, not including rendering, in a year, the following quantity of meat or meat products—
  

  
(a)  1,000t to 5,000t

16

 

  
(b)  more than 5,000t but not more than 50,000t

26

C

  
(c)  more than 50,000t

41

C

2  processing, including rendering, in a year, the following quantity of meat or meat products—
  

  
(a)  1,000t to 5,000t

25

 

  
(b)  more than 5,000t but not more than 50,000t

48

C

  
(c)  more than 50,000t

66

C

3  rendering, without any other processing, in a year, the following quantity of meat or meat products—
  

  
(a)  100t to 500t

no score

C

  
(b)  more than 500t

29

C

(4)In this section—
processing, meat or meat products, includes slaughtering animals to produce meat or meat products.
rendering means extracting by-products from the processing of animals, including fat, tallow, derivatives of fat or tallow and matter containing protein.

26Milk processing

(1)Milk processing (the relevant activity) consists of manufacturing or processing a total of 200t or more of dairy products in a year.
(2)The relevant activity does not include processing milk on a farm in the course of normal farm operations.
(3)The aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is 37.
(4)In this section—
dairy products includes milk, evaporated or condensed milk, butter, cheese and ice-cream.
processing includes separating and evaporating.

27Seafood processing

(1)Seafood processing (the relevant activity) consists of processing, in a year, 500t or more of seafood or seafood products.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)processing seafood involving only chilling, curing, drying, freezing, packaging or smoking the seafood; or
(b)processing seafood in retail premises, including, for example, fish shops and supermarkets; or
(c)cooking whole animals; or
(d)processing seafood on a boat in waters.
(3)The aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is 15.

28Sugar milling or refining

(1)Sugar milling or refining (the relevant activity) consists of either—
(a)crushing or grinding 200t or more of sugar cane in a year; or
(b)manufacturing 200t or more of sugar or other sugarcane products in a year.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

crushing or grinding 200t or more of sugar cane in a year or manufacturing 200t or more of sugar or other sugarcane products in a year

48

C

Part 7 Metal production and mineral processing activities

29Metal foundry operation

(1)Metal foundry operation (the relevant activity) consists of—
(a)producing 100t or more of ferrous metal castings in a year; or
(b)producing 50t or more of non-ferrous metal castings in a year.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  producing, in a year, the following quantity of ferrous metal castings—
  

  
(a)  100t to 1,000t

35

C

  
(b)  more than 1,000t but not more than 5,000t

45

C

  
(c)  more than 5,000t but not more than 10,000t

47

C

  
(d)  more than 10,000t

62

C

2  producing, in a year, 50t or more of non-ferrous metal castings using permanent moulds

13

 

3  producing, in a year, the following quantity of non-ferrous metal castings using non-permanent moulds—
  

  
(a)  50t to 200t

16

 

  
(b)  more than 200t but not more than 1,000t

19

C

  
(c)  more than 1,000t but not more than 5,000t

28

C

  
(d)  more than 5,000t

33

C

30Metal smelting and refining

(1)Metal smelting and refining (the relevant activity) consists of processing ores, ore concentrates or impure metals to produce in a year—
(a)1t or more of gold; or
(b)10t or more of—
(i)a metal, other than gold; or
(ii)a metalloid.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

processing in a year—

  

(a)  1t to 100t of gold

107

C

(b)  10t to 100t of metalloids or metals other than gold

107

C

(c)  more than 100t but not more than 10,000t of metals or metalloids

205

C

(d)  more than 10,000t of metals or metalloids

316

C

(3)In this section—
metalloid means an element that is both metallic and non-metallic.

Examples—

arsenic, bismuth, silicon
processing includes smelting.

31Mineral processing

(1)Mineral processing (the relevant activity) consists of processing, in a year, a total of 1,000t or more of coke or mineral products.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  processing 1,000t or more of coke in a year

148

C

2  processing, in a year, the following quantities of mineral products, other than coke—
  

  
(a)  1,000t to 100,000t

179

C

  
(b)  more than 100,000t

280

C

(3)In this section—
processing includes—
(a)in relation to coke—quenching, cutting, crushing, and grading the coke; or
(b)in relation to other mineral products—washing, leaching, classifying, mixing and concentrating the mineral products.

Example for paragraph (b)—

magnetic separation of magnetite

Part 8 Miscellaneous activities

32Battery manufacturing

(1)Battery manufacturing consists of manufacturing 200t or more of batteries in a year.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

manufacturing 200t or more of batteries in a year

35

C

33Crushing, milling, grinding or screening

(1)Crushing, milling, grinding or screening (the relevant activity) consists of crushing, grinding, milling or screening more than 5,000t of material in a year.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)crushing, grinding, milling or screening—
(i)grain crops; or
(ii)other agricultural products on a farm for use on the farm; or
(iii)waste; or
(b)crushing, grinding, milling or screening for carrying out an activity to which section 16 applies.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

crushing, grinding, milling or screening more than 5,000t of material in a year

no score

C

34Section 34 not used

See editor’s note for this schedule.

35Plaster manufacturing

(1)Plaster manufacturing consists of manufacturing or processing 5,000t or more of plaster in a year.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

manufacturing or processing 5,000t or more of plaster in a year

47

C

36Pulp or paper manufacturing

(1)Pulp or paper manufacturing consists of manufacturing a total of 100t or more of pulp or paper products in a year.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

manufacturing a total of 100t or more of pulp or paper products in a year

204

C

(3)In this section—
pulp or paper products means pulp, paper, cardboard, moulded paper pulp or similar products manufactured from any organic, recycled or synthetic fibre.

37Section 37 not used

See editor’s note for this schedule.

38Surface coating

(1)Surface coating (the relevant activity) consists of using, in a year—
(a)1t or more of surface coating materials for anodising, electroplating, enamelling or galvanising; or
(b)more than 100t of surface coating materials for coating or painting or powder coating.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)coating a surface using only a paintbrush, roller or sponge; or
(b)coating or painting for marking pavements or roads; or
(c)coating a surface in association with carrying out an activity to which section 48 or 49 applies.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  anodising, electroplating, enamelling or galvanising using, in a year, the following quantity of surface coating materials—
  

  
(a)  1t to 100t

10

C

  
(b)  more than 100t but not more than 1,000t

19

C

  
(c)  more than 1,000t but not more than 10,000t

41

C

  
(d)  more than 10,000t

66

C

2  coating, painting or powder coating, using, in a year, more than 100t of surface coating materials

7

 
(4)In this section—
painting includes—
(a)adding a surface coating other than anodising, electroplating, enamelling or galvanising surfaces; and
(b)spray painting.

39Tanning

(1)Tanning consists of operating a tannery or facility for tanning, curing or finishing 100t or more of leather products in a year.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

operating a tannery or facility for tanning, curing or finishing 100t or more of leather products in a year

56

C

(3)In this section—
leather products includes—
(a)cured animal skins or hides; and
(b)finished leather.

40Textile manufacturing

(1)Textile manufacturing consists of manufacturing or processing, in a year, a total of 100t or more of any of the following textile products in the way stated for the product—
(a)manufacturing carpet;
(b)scouring or carbonising wool;
(c)milling cotton;
(d)bleaching, dyeing or finishing natural fibre or synthetic textiles.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  manufacturing or processing, in a year, a total of 100t or more of carpet

27

C

2  manufacturing or processing, in a year, a total of 100t or more of scouring or carbonising wool

27

C

3  manufacturing or processing, in a year, a total of 100t or more of milling cotton

27

C

4  manufacturing or processing, in a year, a total of 100t or more of bleaching, dyeing or finishing natural fibre or synthetic textiles

27

C

Part 9 Non-metallic mineral product manufacture

41Cement manufacturing

(1)Cement manufacturing consists of, in a year—
(a)manufacturing 200t or more of cement; or
(b)calcining 200t or more of limestone.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  manufacturing 200t or more of cement in a year

92

C

2  calcining 200t or more of limestone in a year

92

C

42Clay or ceramic products manufacturing

(1)Clay or ceramic products manufacturing (the relevant activity) consists of manufacturing 200t or more of clay or ceramic products in a year.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

manufacturing the following quantity of clay or ceramic products in a year—

  

(a)  200t to 5,000t

32

C

(b)  more than 5,000t

62

C

(3)In this section—
clay or ceramic products includes bricks, pipes, pottery, refractories and tiles.

43Section 43 not used

See editor’s note for this schedule.

44Glass or glass fibre manufacturing

(1)Glass or glass fibre manufacturing consists of manufacturing 200t or more of glass or glass fibre in a year.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

manufacturing 200t or more of glass or glass fibre in a year

67

C

45Mineral wool or ceramic fibre manufacturing

(1)Mineral wool or ceramic fibre manufacturing consists of manufacturing mineral wool or ceramic fibre.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

manufacturing mineral wool or ceramic fibre

55

C

Part 10 Sawmilling, woodchipping, and timber and laminated product manufacturing

46Chemically treating timber

(1)Chemically treating timber for preservation on a commercial basis (the relevant activity) consists of the following—
(a)using chemicals listed in AS1604.1, appendix B, other than copper chromium arsenic or creosote, to treat a total of 1,500m3 or more of timber in a year;
(b)using copper chromium arsenic, creosote or a chemical not listed in AS1604.1, appendix B to treat timber.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  using chemicals listed in AS1604.1, appendix B, other than copper chromium arsenic or creosote, to treat 1,500m3 or more of timber in a year for preservation on a commercial basis

32

C

2  using copper chromium arsenic, creosote or a chemical not listed in AS1604.1, appendix B, to treat timber for preservation on a commercial basis

42

C

(3)In this section—

AS1604.1 means ‘AS 1604.1:2012—Specification for preservative treatment—Sawn and round timber’.

47Timber milling and woodchipping

(1)Timber milling and woodchipping (the relevant activity) consists of milling a total of 5,000t or more of timber in a year.
(2)The relevant activity includes—
(a)kiln-drying timber that has been milled; and
(b)producing timber veneer.
(3)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)carrying out the relevant activity as a mobile and temporary environmentally relevant activity for fewer than 2 consecutive days at any one place; or
(b)carrying out the relevant activity in association with carrying on an activity to which section 48 applies.
(4)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

milling, in a year, the following total quantity of timber—

  

(a)  5,000t to 10,000t

22

C

(b)  more than 10,000t but not more than 20,000t

35

C

(c)  more than 20,000t but not more than 100,000t

58

C

(d)  more than 100,000t

69

C

(5)In this section—
milling includes sawing, cutting, chipping, compressing, dressing, finger-jointing, and machining.
timber includes logs.

48Timber and laminated product fabrication

(1)Timber and laminated product manufacture (the relevant activity) consists of manufacturing, in a year, a total of—
(a)5,000t or more of reconstituted timber products; or
(b)100t or more of laminated products.
(2)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  manufacturing, in a year, the following quantity of reconstituted timber products—
  

  
(a)  5,000t to 10,000t

42

C

  
(b)  more than 10,000t

70

C

2  manufacturing in a year 100t or more of laminated products

55

C

(3)In this section—
laminated products includes high pressure laminate sheeting, laminate-covered wooden or reconstituted timber products, thick laminates and fibre polymer laminates.
reconstituted timber products includes chipboard, glue laminated timber, laminated veneer lumber, medium density fibreboard and plywood.

Part 11 Transport and maritime services

49Boat maintenance or repair

(1)Boat maintenance or repair (the relevant activity) consists of operating, on a commercial basis, a boat maintenance or repair facility for maintaining or repairing hulls, superstructure or mechanical components of boats or seaplanes if the facility is within 50 metres of a bed of naturally occurring surface waters.
(2)The relevant activity includes cleaning or maintaining hulls in water at a boat maintenance or repair facility or another place.
(3)The relevant activity does not include sail making.
(4)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

operating, on a commercial basis, a boat maintenance or repair facility for maintaining or repairing hulls, superstructure or mechanical components of boats or seaplanes

17

C

50Mineral and bulk material handling

(1)Mineral and bulk material handling (the relevant activity) consists of—
(a)loading or unloading minerals at a rate of 100t or more a day; or
(b)stockpiling 50,000t or more of minerals; or
(c)loading or unloading bulk materials—
(i)in connection with operations at a port; and
(ii)at a rate of 100t or more a day; or
(d)stockpiling bulk materials in connection with operations at a port.
(2)The relevant activity does not include loading, unloading or stockpiling materials on a site the subject of an environmental authority for a resource activity.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  loading or unloading 100t or more of minerals in a day or stockpiling 50,000t or more of minerals—
  

(a)  within 5km of the highest astronomical tide or 1km of a watercourse

73

C

  
(b)  at another place

49

C

2  loading or unloading 100t or more of bulk materials in a day or stockpiling bulk materials

73

C

(4)In this section—
bulk materials means unpackaged and loose materials or goods, other than minerals.
mineral see the Mineral Resources Act 1989, schedule.
port means the port area for a port under the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994, section 267AA.

51Road tunnel ventilation stack operation

(1)Road tunnel ventilation stack operation consists of operating a road tunnel ventilation stack.
(2)The relevant activity does not include carrying out an activity associated with operating a road tunnel ventilation stack for the projects known as Clem Jones Tunnel and Airport Link Project described in the Coordinator-General’s reports for the EIS, and change reports, for the projects under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

operating a road tunnel ventilation stack

36

C

52Section 52 not used

See editor’s note for this schedule.

Part 12 Waste management

53Organic material processing

(1)Organic material processing (the relevant activity) consists of operating a facility for processing, by way of composting or anaerobic digestion, more than 200t of organic material in a year.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)manufacturing mushroom growing substrate; or
(b)the composting of organic material from agriculture or livestock production if the organic material is either—
(i)composted at the site where it was produced; or
(ii)transported to another site, where agriculture or livestock production is carried out, and composted at that site; or
(c)the anaerobic digestion of organic material at a facility—
(i)to which section 63 applies; or
(ii)where an activity to which section 3 or 25 applies is carried out; or
(d)the composting of organic material at a site if an activity to which section 2, 3 or 4 applies is carried out at the site.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

processing more than 200t of organic material in a year—

  

(a)  by composting the organic material

18

C

(b)  by anaerobic digestion

16

C

(4)In this section—
anaerobic digestion, of organic material, means the decomposition of the organic material by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen.
composting, of organic material, includes mixing the organic material to manufacture a soil conditioner.
organic material means—
(a)animal matter, including, for example, dead animals, animal remains and animal excreta; or
(b)plant matter, including, for example, bark, lawn clippings, leaves, mulch, pruning waste, sawdust, shavings, woodchip and other waste from forest products; or
(c)organic waste.
organic waste
(a)includes the following—
(i)a substance used for manufacturing fertiliser for agricultural, horticultural or garden use;
(ii)animal manure;
(iii)biosolids;
(iv)cardboard and paper waste;
(v)fish processing waste;
(vi)food and food processing waste;
(vii)grease trap waste;
(viii)green waste;
(ix)poultry processing waste;
(x)waste generated from an abattoir; but
(b)does not include—
(i)biosecurity waste; or
(ii)clinical or related waste; or
(iii)contaminated soil; or
(iv)synthetic substances, other than synthetic substances to which paragraph (a)(i) applies.

54Mechanical waste reprocessing

(1)Mechanical waste reprocessing (the relevant activity) consists of operating a facility for receiving and mechanically reprocessing waste.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)baling or compacting clean paper, cardboard, aluminium cans or plastics; or
(b)reprocessing, including recycling, liquid waste; or
(c)reprocessing, including recycling, clean earth.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  operating a facility for receiving and mechanically reprocessing, in a year, more than 5,000t of inert, non-putrescible waste or green waste only

8

2  operating a facility for receiving and mechanically reprocessing, in a year, the following quantity of general waste—
  

  
(a)  5,000t or less

19

C

  
(b)  more than 5,000t but not more than 10,000t

25

C

  
(c)  more than 10,000t

31

C

3  operating a facility for receiving and mechanically reprocessing, in a year, the following quantity of category 2 regulated waste—
  

  
(a)  5,000t or less

29

C

  
(b)  more than 5,000t but not more than 10,000t

43

C

  
(c)  more than 10,000t

56

C

4  operating a facility for receiving and mechanically reprocessing, in a year, the following quantity of category 1 regulated waste—
  

  
(a)  5,000t or less

32

C

  
(b)  more than 5,000t but not more than 10,000t

50

C

  
(c)  more than 10,000t

73

C

(4)In this section—
mechanically reprocessing waste includes mechanically crushing, milling, grinding, shredding or sorting waste, whether or not for the purpose of recycling the waste.

Examples—

reprocessing, including recycling, waste using a trommel, glass imploder, concrete crusher, green waste shredder or tyre shredder

55Other waste reprocessing or treatment

(1)Other waste reprocessing or treatment (the relevant activity) consists of operating a facility for receiving waste and—
(a)reprocessing the waste; or
(b)treating the waste to render it non-hazardous or less hazardous.
(2)The relevant activity does not include an activity to which section 53, 54, 61 or 62 applies.

Examples of the relevant activity—

operating a facility for receiving waste and reprocessing or treating the waste using bioremediation, chemical fixation, microwaves or an autoclave
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  operating a facility for receiving and either reprocessing or treating, in a year, the following quantity of general waste—
  

  
(a)  5,000t or less

28

C

  
(b)  more than 5,000t but not more than 10,000t

39

C

  
(c)  more than 10,000t

48

C

2  operating a facility for receiving and either reprocessing or treating, in a year, the following quantity of category 2 regulated waste—
  

  
(a)  5,000t or less

38

C

  
(b)  more than 5,000t but not more than 10,000t

52

C

  
(c)  more than 10,000t

65

C

3  operating a facility for receiving and either reprocessing or treating, in a year, the following quantity of category 1 regulated waste—
  

  
(a)  5,000t or less

46

C

  
(b)  more than 5,000t but not more than 10,000t

65

C

  
(c)  more than 10,000t

82

C

4  operating a facility for receiving and either reprocessing or treating clinical waste or biosecurity waste

46

C

(4)In this section—
reprocessing includes recycling.

56Section 56 not used

See editor’s note for this schedule.

57Regulated waste transport

(1)Regulated waste transport (the relevant activity) consists of transporting regulated waste in a vehicle.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)transporting no more than 175kg of asbestos in a vehicle; or
(b)self-haul transporting no more than 250kg of regulated waste; or
(c)transporting waste by a State or local government entity if—
(i)the waste is generated by or for the entity as a result of the construction or maintenance of a State-controlled road, local government road or railway corridor; and
(ii)the transportation is between sites owned or operated by a State or local government entity.
(3)If the relevant activity is transporting end-of-life tyres, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is 2.
(4)If the relevant activity is transporting regulated waste, other than end-of-life tyres, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the lesser of the following—
(a)the number of registered vehicles for the relevant activity;
(b)36.
(5)In this section—
registered vehicle, for the relevant activity, means a vehicle that is registered, with the department, as a vehicle used to carry out the activity.
self-haul transporting means transporting waste by or for a person if—
(a)the person is the occupier of commercial premises where the waste is produced; and
(b)the waste is transported from the premises free of charge.
vehicle includes a part of an aircraft, boat, rolling stock, semi-trailer, tanker, trailer or truck used to transport waste.

58Section 58 not used

See editor’s note for this schedule.

59Section 59 not used

See editor’s note for this schedule.

60Waste disposal

(1)Waste disposal (the relevant activity) consists of only 1 of the following—
(a)operating a facility for disposing of—
(i)only regulated waste; or
(ii)regulated waste and any, or any combination, of the following—
(A)general waste;
(B)limited regulated waste;
(C)if the facility is in a scheduled area—no more than 5t of untreated clinical waste in a year;
(b)operating a facility for disposing of—
(i)only general waste; or
(ii)general waste and either, or a combination, of the following—
(A)a quantity of limited regulated waste that is no more than 10% of the total amount of waste received at the facility in a year;
(B)if the facility is in a scheduled area—no more than 5t of untreated clinical waste;
(c)operating a facility for disposing of only inert waste;
(d)maintaining a decommissioned waste disposal facility.
(2)The relevant activity does not include using clean earth as fill.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  operating a facility for disposing of, in a year, the following quantity of waste mentioned in subsection (1)(a)—
  

  
(a)  less than 50,000t

65

C

  
(b)  50,000t to 100,000t

92

C

  
(c)  more than 100,000t but not more than 200,000t

116

C

  
(d)  more than 200,000t

119

C

2  operating a facility for disposing of, in a year, the following quantity of waste mentioned in subsection (1)(b)—
  

  
(a)  less than 2,000t

18

C

  
(b)  2,000t to 5,000t

27

C

  
(c)  more than 5,000t but not more than 10,000t

37

C

  
(d)  more than 10,000t but not more than 20,000t

45

C

  
(e)  more than 20,000t but not more than 50,000t

56

C

  
(f)  more than 50,000t but not more than 100,000t

65

C

  
(g)  more than 100,000t but not more than 200,000t

82

C

  
(h)  more than 200,000t

107

C

3  operating a facility for disposing of, in a year, the following quantity of waste mentioned in subsection (1)(c)—
  

  
(a)  less than 50,000t

28

C

  
(b)  50,000t to 100,000t

35

C

  
(c)  more than 100,000t but not more than 200,000t

40

C

  
(d)  more than 200,000t

50

C

4  maintaining a decommissioned waste disposal facility

9

 
(4)In this section—
decommissioned waste disposal facility
(a)means a facility, for which a person holds or held an environmental authority, that—
(i)was used for disposal of waste; and
(ii)no longer accepts waste for disposal; and
(iii)has had a final capping system installed in accordance with the environmental authority; but
(b)does not include a landfill if the environmental authority for the landfill has been surrendered under chapter 5, part 10 of the Act.
facility
(a)includes a naturally occurring or constructed hollow or pit, including, for example, a gully, mining shaft or quarry; but
(b)does not include a hollow or pit on a farm used for receiving and disposing of general waste produced on the farm.
inert waste means—
(a)bricks, pavers, ceramics, concrete, glass or steel; or
(b)similar general waste that does not biodegrade or decompose.
limited regulated waste means any of the following types of regulated waste—
(a)animal effluent and residues, including abattoir effluent and poultry and fish processing waste;
(b)asbestos;
(c)biosecurity waste that has been rendered non-infectious;
(d)food processing waste;
(e)sewage sludge or residue produced in carrying out an activity to which section 63 applies;
(f)tyres.

61Thermal waste reprocessing and treatment

(1)Thermal waste reprocessing and treatment (the relevant activity) consists of operating a facility for thermally reprocessing or treating waste.
(2)The relevant activity does not include burning waste under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  thermally reprocessing or treating, in a year, the following quantity of general waste—
  

  
(a)  5,000t or less

33

C

  
(b)  more than 5,000t but not more than 10,000t

39

C

  
(c)  more than 10,000t

45

C

2  thermally reprocessing or treating, in a year, the following quantity of category 2 regulated waste—
  

  
(a)  5,000t or less

43

C

  
(b)  more than 5,000t but not more than 10,000t

57

C

  
(c)  more than 10,000t

70

C

3  thermally reprocessing or treating, in a year, the following quantity of category 1 regulated waste—
  

  
(a)  5,000t or less

51

C

  
(b)  more than 5,000t but not more than 10,000t

69

C

  
(c)  more than 10,000t

87

C

4  thermally reprocessing or treating clinical waste or biosecurity waste

51

C

(4)In this section—
thermally reprocessing or treating, in relation to waste, means reprocessing or treating the waste by applying heat to the waste to change its chemical composition.

Examples—

gasification, incineration, pyrolysis, use of a plasma arc
reprocessing includes recycling.

62Resource recovery and transfer facility operation

(1)Resource recovery and transfer facility operation (the relevant activity) consists of operating a facility for—
(a)receiving and sorting, dismantling or baling waste; or
(b)receiving and temporarily storing waste before it is moved to a waste facility.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)in-transit storing of waste; or 
(b)a local government operating a facility that receives a total quantity of not more than 11,000t or 11,000m3 of waste in a year; or
(c)sorting and storing waste, generated by or because of a disaster situation, during the period of, and in the declared area for, the disaster situation; or
(d)storing waste, for not more than 28 days, in accordance with an accredited product stewardship scheme; or
(e)storing clinical waste consisting only of sharps in sharps containers that comply with AS 4031 or AS/NZS 4261; or
(f)storing chemically-treated power poles; or
(g)operating a container refund point under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011, chapter 4, part 3B; or
(h)sorting or storing—
(i)a total quantity of no more than 6t or 6m3 of general waste at any one time; or
(ii)a total quantity of no more than 4t or 4m3 of category 2 regulated waste at any one time; or
(iii)a total quantity of no more than 1t or 1m3 of category 1 regulated waste at any one time; or
(i)the receiving and sorting of waste by a State or local government entity if the waste is—
(i)generated by or for the entity as a result of the construction or maintenance of a State-controlled road, local government road or railway corridor; and
(ii)stored—
(A)on the road or railway corridor mentioned in paragraph (i); or
(B)on a site owned or operated by a State or local government entity.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  operating a facility for receiving and sorting, dismantling, baling or temporarily storing—
  

  
(a)  scrap metal, non-putrescible waste or green waste only

6

  
(b)  general waste

14

C

  
(c)  category 2 regulated waste

26

C

  
(d)  category 1 regulated waste

35

C

2  operating a facility for receiving and sorting, baling or temporarily storing end-of-life tyres only

14

C

(4)In this section—
accredited product stewardship scheme see the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011, section 87(2).
AS 4031 means AS 4031—1992 (Non-reusable containers for the collection of sharp medical items used in health care areas).
AS/NZS 4261 means AS/NZS 4261—1994 (Reusable containers for the collection of sharp items used in human and animal medical applications).
declared area see the Disaster Management Act 2003, schedule.
disaster situation see the Disaster Management Act 2003, schedule.
in-transit storage, of waste, means storage of the waste in a vehicle or container for no more than 5 days at a place if, during the storage, the waste is not removed from the vehicle or container.
period, of a disaster situation, see the Disaster Management Act 2003, schedule.

Part 13 Water treatment services

63Sewage treatment

(1)Sewage treatment (the relevant activity) consists of—
(a)operating 1 or more sewage treatment works at a site that have a total daily peak design capacity of at least 21EP; or
(b)operating a sewage pumping station with a total design capacity of more than 40KL in an hour, if the operation of the pumping station is not an essential part of the operation of sewage treatment works to which paragraph (a) applies.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)carrying out works, other than operating a sewage pumping station mentioned in subsection (1)(b), involving only infrastructure for the collection of sewage, including, for example, pipes; or
(b)carrying out works involving either of the following—
(i)operating or maintaining composting toilets;
(ii)treating or recycling greywater; or
(c)operating no-release works.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  operating sewage treatment works, other than no-release works, with a total daily peak design capacity of—
  

  
(a)  21 to 100EP—
  

  
  
(i)  if treated effluent is discharged from the works to an infiltration trench or through an irrigation scheme; or

14

 

  
  
(ii)  otherwise

27

C

  
(b)  more than 100 but not more than 1,500EP—
  

  
  
(i)  if treated effluent is discharged from the works to an infiltration trench or through an irrigation scheme; or

27

 

  
  
(ii)  otherwise

53

C

  
(c)  more than 1,500 but not more than 4,000EP

76

C

  
(d)  more than 4,000 but not more than 10,000EP

89

C

  
(e)  more than 10,000 but not more than 50,000EP

114

C

  
(f)  more than 50,000 but not more than 100,000EP

125

C

  
(g)  more than 100,000EP

145

C

2  operating a sewage pumping station mentioned in subsection (1)(b)

no score

 
(4)In this section—
daily peak design capacity, for sewage treatment works, means the higher EP for the works calculated using each of the following formulae—
(a)EP = V/200

where—

V is the volume, in litres, of the average dry weather flow of sewage that can be treated at the works in a day;

(b)EP = M/ 2.5

where—

M is the mass, in grams, of phosphorus in the untreated influent that the works are designed to treat as the inlet load in a day.

no-release works means sewage treatment works from which neither solid nor liquid contaminants are released to the environment, whether from inside or outside the works.
operating, sewage treatment works, includes—
(a)collecting gas from the treatment works; and
(b)operating a pump station or other works associated with the treatment works.

64Water treatment

(1)Water treatment (the relevant activity) consists of carrying out any of the following activities in a way that allows waste, whether treated or untreated, to be released into the environment—
(a)desalinating 0.5ML or more of water in a day;
(b)treating 10ML or more of raw water in a day;
(c)carrying out advanced treatment of 5ML or more of water in a day.
(2)The relevant activity does not include—
(a)treating water in a way that allows liquid or solid waste to be released only to the following—
(i)a local government’s sewerage infrastructure;
(ii)a facility mentioned in section 55, 60, 61 or 62; or
(b)treating water if the only treatment is disinfection or fluoridation; or
(c)treating water in association with carrying out an activity to which section 55, 60, 61, 62 or 63 applies.
(3)In the following table, the aggregate environmental score, if any, for the relevant activity is the score stated opposite the threshold within which the relevant activity is carried out.

Threshold

Aggregate environmental score

3

1  desalinating, in a day, the following quantity of water, allowing the release of waste only to seawater—
  

  
(a)  0.5ML to 5ML

no score

 

  
(b)  more than 5ML

7

 

2  desalinating, in a day, the following quantity of water, allowing the release of waste to waters other than seawater—
  

  
(a)  0.5ML to 5ML

8

C

  
(b)  more than 5ML

13

C

3  treating 10ML or more raw water in a day

26

C

4  carrying out, in a day, advanced treatment of 5ML or more of water, allowing the release of waste—
  

  
(a)  only to seawater; or

34

C

  
(b)  to waters other than seawater

45

C

(4)In this section—
advanced treatment, of water, means the treatment of water that has been treated in a sewage treatment plant by removing dissolved salts so that the water is potable or suitable for agricultural or industrial use.
mixed water means water that has undergone advanced water treatment and has been mixed with raw water.
raw water means—
(a)water derived—
(i)directly from surface water; or
(ii)from groundwater; or
(b)mixed water.
seawater means tidal waters, other than tidal waters between the banks of a river or stream.

Schedule 3 Aggregate environmental scores for particular resource activities

section 13(2)

Column 1

Column 2

Environmentally relevant activity

Aggregate environmental score (AES)

1  activities under a GHG injection and storage lease under the GHG storage Act

49

2  a petroleum activity authorised under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982

126

3  a petroleum activity that is likely to have a significant impact on a category A or B environmentally sensitive area

126

4  extending an existing pipeline by more than 150km under a petroleum authority

165

5  constructing a new pipeline of more than 150km under a petroleum authority

165

6  a petroleum activity carried out on a site that contains a high consequence dam or a significant consequence dam if the dam forms part of the activity

165

7  a petroleum activity involving injection of a waste fluid into a natural underground reservoir or aquifer

165

8  a petroleum activity or GHG storage activity, other than an activity mentioned in any of items 1 to 7, that includes 1 or more activities mentioned in schedule 2 for which an AES is stated

126

9  a mining activity involving drilling, costeaning, pitting or carrying out geological surveys causing significant disturbance

8

10  investigating the potential development of a mineral resource by large bulk sampling or constructing an exploratory shaft, adit or open pit

17

11  mining bauxite

97

12  mining mineral sand

120

13  mining black coal

128

14  mining iron ore

128

15  mining nickel ore

160

16  mining gold ore

216

17  mining copper ore

217

18  mining lead, silver or zinc separately or in any combination

185

19  mining metal ore, other than a metal ore mentioned in items 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18

158

20  clay pit mining, dimension stone mining or mining gemstones (including the material from which gemstones are extracted)—
 

(a)  if the activity involves mining a quantity of material of at least 5,000t but not more than 100,000t in a year

22

  
(b)  if the activity involves mining a quantity of material of more than 100,000t but not more than 1,000,000t in a year

39

  
(c)  if the activity involves mining a quantity of material of more than 1,000,000t in a year

57

21  a mining activity that is an ineligible ERA, other than a mining activity mentioned in items 9 to 20

136

Schedule 4 Scheduled areas

section 14

1Aurukun
2Balonne
3Barcaldine
4Barcoo
5Blackall Tambo
6Boulia
7Bulloo
8Burke
9Carpentaria
10Cherbourg
11Cloncurry
12Cook
13Croydon
14Diamantina
15Doomadgee
16Etheridge
17Flinders
18Goondiwindi
19Hope Vale
20Kowanyama
21Lockhart River
22Longreach
23Mapoon
24Maranoa
25McKinlay
26Mornington
27Mount Isa
28Murweh
29Napranum
30North Burnett
31Northern Peninsula Area
32Paroo
33Pormpuraaw
34Quilpie
35Richmond
36Torres
37Torres Strait Island
38Western Downs
39Winton
40Woorabinda
41Wujal Wujal
42Yarrabah
43the part of the local government area of Banana Shire Council that was, immediately before 15 March 2008, the part of the local government area of Taroom Shire Council
44the part of the local government area of Bundaberg Regional Council that was, immediately before 15 March 2008, the local government area of Kolan Shire Council
45the parts of the local government area of Central Highlands Regional Council that were, immediately before 15 March 2008, the local government areas of Bauhinia Shire Council and Peak Downs Shire Council
46the part of the local government area of Charters Regional Council that was, immediately before 15 March 2008, the local government area of Dalrymple Shire Council
47the parts of the local government area of Fraser Coast Regional Council that were, immediately before 15 March 2008, the local government area of Woocoo Shire Council and part of the local government area of Tiaro Shire Council
48the parts of the local government area of Gympie Regional Council that were, immediately before 15 March 2008, the local government area of Kilkivan Shire Council and part of the local government area of Tiaro Shire Council
49the part of the local government area of Isaac Regional Council that was, immediately before 15 March 2008, the local government area of Nebo Shire Council
50the part of the local government area of Rockhampton Regional Council that was, immediately before 15 March 2008, the local government area of Mount Morgan Shire Council
51the part of the local government area of Somerset Regional Council that was, immediately before 15 March 2008, the local government area of Kilcoy Shire Council
52the parts of the local government area of South Burnett Regional Council that were, immediately before 15 March 2008, the local government areas of Murgon Shire Council and Wondai Shire Council
53the parts of the local government area of Toowoomba Regional Council that were, immediately before 15 March 2008, the local government areas of Cambooya Shire Council, Clifton Shire Council, Millmerran Shire Council and Pittsworth Shire Council

Schedule 5 Designated environmental areas—agricultural research facilities

section 26

Name

Description

Applethorpe research station

Lot 249 on BNT1800

Ayr research station

Lot 97 on GS867

Bowen research station

Lot 112 on HR963, lot 1 on RP715403 and lot 39 on SP113324

Bribie Island aquaculture research station

Lot 190 on CG805819 and lot 1 on SP248827

Bundaberg research station

Lot 16 on CK813259

Gatton research station

Lot 189 on CC3307

Hermitage research station

Lots 100, 1304, 156 and 159 on ML2001 and lot 2 on SP156026

J. Bjelke-Petersen research station

Lot 349 on CP904165 and lot 379 on FY2924

Kairi research station

Lot 1 on SP241295

Kennlea research station

Lot 3 on RP58646 and lot 1 on RP904403

Kingsthorpe research station

Lot 2 on RP129751

Leslie research station

Lot 928 on AG2196

Maroochy horticultural research station

Lot 676 on CG5055 and lot 941 on CG6160

Mary Valley research station

Lot 3 on SP186078

Redlands research station

Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 43 on SP280786

Redvale research station

Lot 475 on FY2951

South Johnstone research station

Lot 61 on NR6878

Spyglass Beef research station

Lot 4835 on CP858256, lot 1 on OC57, lot 3 on RP841848 and lot 4 on SP233424

Tropical weeds research station and residence

Lot 36 on CP889406, lots 208 and 209 on DV583, lot 197 on DV735 and lot 1 on MPH785

Walkamin research station

Lot 568 on N157284

Wellcamp field research station

Lot 209 on AG3878

Schedule 6 Prescribed conditions for small scale mining activities

section 27

Part 1 Definitions for schedule

In this schedule—
dam means a man-made structure or hollow prepared for the retention of aqueous substances used in or produced by the operation of a mining activity.
density of cover, of vegetation in a particular area, means—
(a)if the plant species are trees or shrubs—the number of trees or shrubs in the area; or
(b)if the plant species are understorey species, including, for example, grasses and forbs—the percentage of surface area covered by a particular species in the area.
water bore means an artesian bore or a sub-artesian bore under the Water Act 2000.

Part 2 Conditions for mining claims and exploration permits

1This part applies to a small scale mining tenure if the mining activity for the tenure is carried out under a mining claim or exploration permit.
2The holder of the small scale mining tenure must rehabilitate all areas disturbed by the mining activity on the mining tenure before—
(a)the tenure expires; or
(b)the tenure is surrendered.
3For an area that has been mined on the tenure, the holder must finish progressive rehabilitation of the area within 1 year after finishing the mining activity in the area.
4The holder must carry out and finish rehabilitation works to establish a landform—
(a)that is safe, stable and self-sustaining; and
(b)with vegetation of a species and density of cover similar to surrounding undisturbed areas or the landform that existed before the mining activity.
5However, section 4 does not apply to infrastructure of the mine that remains on the land under section 6.
6For infrastructure of the mine that remains on the land after the mining activity stops, the holder must enter into a written agreement with the owner of the land providing for the owner to take over responsibility for the infrastructure.

Examples of infrastructure of a mine—

a dam, a road
7If a dam remains on the land after the mining activity stops and is used for livestock drinking supplies, the holder must ensure that—
(a)the dam is safe; and
(b)the dam’s water quality complies with the Australian water quality management guidelines when the agreement with the landowner takes effect; and
(c)safe access is provided for livestock and native animals.
8The holder of the small scale mining tenure, other than if the holder is a holder to which section 10 applies, must give the scheme manager a surety of an amount prescribed under schedule 16 for—
(a)the holder’s tenure type; and
(b)the holder’s environmental risk of the activity under the tenure; and
(c)the proposed area of disturbance as stated in—
(i)if the tenure is a current mining claim under the Mineral Resources Act 1989, sections 61(1)(j)(iv) and 81(1)(c)—the holder’s work program for the current mining claim; or
(ii)if the tenure is a exploration permit under the Mineral Resources Act 1989, section 133(f)(i)—the holder’s program of work for the permit.
9The surety must be paid—
(a)before the day the mining activity is carried out under the mining tenure; and
(b)as security for—
(i)compliance with other prescribed conditions for carrying out the mining activity; and
(ii)costs or expenses, or likely costs or expenses, mentioned in section 316C of the Act.
10Section 11 applies if the holder of the small scale mining tenure—
(a)held, on 31 March 2013, an environmental authority for the activity carried out under the tenure; and
(b)an amount of financial assurance for the environmental authority is held by the administering authority.
11The holder must give the administering authority financial assurance of an amount that is equal to the amount held.

Notes—

1Under section 712(2) of the Act, the amount of financial assurance for an environmental authority held by the administering authority is taken to be the financial assurance required under this condition.
2Under the Mineral and Energy Resources (Financial Provisioning) Act 2018, section 90, the financial assurance required under this condition is taken to be a surety given under part 3 of that Act for the small scale mining tenure.

Part 3 Additional conditions for exploration permits

1This part applies to a small scale mining tenure if the mining activity for the tenure is carried out under an exploration permit.
2The holder must rehabilitate drill pads and excavations as soon as practicable after sampling is finished, and within 3 months after starting the drilling or excavating.
3The holder must, within 30 business days after drilling starts, ensure that any drill hole is—
(a)decommissioned; or
(b)converted to a water bore.
4If a drill hole is to be used for ongoing groundwater production or monitoring purposes, the holder must convert the drill hole to a water bore under the Water Act 2000.
5The holder may transfer a functional water bore to an owner of land only if the holder and the owner enter into a written agreement for the transfer.
6Any drill hole or water bore that is not transferred to the owner or the State must be decommissioned by cementing the hole, including the annular space around casing, from top to bottom.

Schedule 7 Approved ERA standards

section 29

1Eligibility criteria and standard conditions—Geothermal exploration activities – version 2
2Eligibility criteria and standard conditions—Petroleum exploration activities – version 2
3Eligibility criteria and standard conditions—Petroleum pipeline activities – version 2
4Eligibility criteria and standard conditions—Petroleum survey activities – version 2
5Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for cattle feedlotting (ERA 2) – version 2
6Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for sheep feedlotting (ERA 2) – version 2
7Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for pig keeping (ERA 3) – version 2
8Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for poultry farming (ERA 4) – version 2
9Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for chemical manufacturing (water based paint) (ERA 7) – version 2
10Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for chemical manufacturing (soap, surfactants or cleaning or toiletry products) (ERA 7) – version 2
11Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for retreading tyres (ERA 13) – version 2
12Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for extracting material (ERA 16) – version 2
13Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for screening (5,000 tonnes to 100,000 tonnes of material in a year) (ERA 16) – version 2
14Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for screening (more than 100,000 tonnes but not more than 1 million tonnes of material in a year) (ERA 16) – version 2
15Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for screening (more than 1 million tonnes of material in a year) (ERA 16) –version 2
16Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for bottling or canning food (ERA 23) – version 2
17Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for meat processing (not including rendering) (ERA 25) – version 2
18Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for meat processing (including rendering) (ERA 25) – version 2
19Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for milk processing (ERA 26) – version 2
20Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for metal foundry (ERA 29) – version 2
21Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for surface coating (ERA 38) – version 2
22ERA standard–Regulated waste transport (ERA 57) – version 2
23Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for sewage treatment works (ERA 63) – version 2
24Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for exploration and mineral development projects – version 2
25Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for mining claims – version 2
26Eligibility criteria and standard conditions for mining lease activities – version 2

Schedule 8 Environmental objective assessment

section 35(1)(a) and (3)(a)

Part 1 Preliminary

1Definitions for schedule

In this schedule—
application means an application for which an environmental objective assessment must be carried out.
contingency measures means measures planned and implemented to minimise the risk to the environment of releases of emissions into the environment during periods when an activity may not be operating under normal conditions.
existing flow regime, for water or a watercourse or wetland, means the flow regime for water or a watercourse or wetland existing prior to any discharge of water or contaminants into water or a watercourse or wetland caused from the carrying out of an activity.
fugitive emissions means emissions that are not captured by a collection system or vent system.
performance outcome means a performance outcome mentioned in part 3, division 1 or 2.
regulated structure means a structure that is assessed as being a regulated structure under the document called ‘Manual for assessing consequence categories and hydraulic performance of structures’, published by the department.
shut down and start up emissions means emissions released into the environment during the commencement and completion of a process, including a temporary suspension of an operation.
stable, for a site, means the rehabilitation and restoration of the site is enduring or permanent so that the site is unlikely to collapse, erode or subside.

Part 2 General matters to be addressed by environmental objective assessment

2General information

(1)The assessor must decide the extent to which the application achieves each environmental objective relevant to the application.
(1A)However, if the application is accompanied by a proposed PRCP schedule or draft PRCP schedule, part 3, division 1, entry for ‘Land’, performance outcome 2(b) does not apply for the assessment.
(2)In assessing whether the application achieves the relevant environmental objective, the assessor must decide whether the activity the subject of the application achieves item 1 of the performance outcome stated for the environmental objective.
(3)If the assessor is not satisfied the activity the subject of the application achieves item 1 of the performance outcome for the relevant environmental objective, the assessor must decide whether the activity achieves the relevant item 2 performance outcomes stated for the environmental objective.
(4)The application achieves the relevant environmental objective if the assessor is satisfied the activity the subject of the application achieves—
(a)item 1 of the performance outcome for the relevant environmental objective; or
(b)item 2 of the performance outcomes for the relevant environmental objective.
(5)If the assessor is not satisfied the application achieves a performance outcome for the relevant environmental objective, the assessor may still decide the application achieves the relevant environmental objective if the application includes alternative measures for the activity the subject of the application to achieve the environmental objective.

Note—

Nothing in this schedule prevents the assessor from granting an application that the assessor considers does not satisfy each environmental objective mentioned in this schedule or prevents the assessor from refusing to grant an application the assessor is satisfied achieves each environmental objective mentioned in this schedule.

sch 8 s 2 amd 2019 SL No. 198 No. 13

3Assessing whether application minimised adverse effects

(1)If a performance outcome requires the assessor to assess whether an adverse effect has been minimised, an adverse effect has been minimised if the assessor is satisfied all reasonable and practical measures have been taken to minimise the adverse effect.
(2)In deciding whether all reasonable and practical measures have been taken to minimise the adverse effect, the assessor must consider the following matters—
(a)the nature of the harm or potential harm;
(b)the sensitivity of the receiving environment;
(c)the current state of technical knowledge for the activity;
(d)the likelihood of successful application of different measures that might be taken to minimise the adverse effects;
(e)the financial implications of the different measures as they would relate to the type of activity;
(f)if the adverse effect is caused by the location of the activity being carried out, whether it is feasible to carry out the activity at another location.

Part 3 Environmental objectives and performance outcomes

Division 1 Operational assessment

Air

Environmental Objective

 

The activity will be operated in a way that protects the environmental values of air.

Performance Outcomes

1

There is no discharge to air of contaminants that may cause an adverse effect on the environment from the operation of the activity.

2

All of the following—

 

(a)  fugitive emissions of contaminants from storage, handling and processing of materials and transporting materials within the site are prevented or minimised;
 

(b)  contingency measures will prevent or minimise adverse effects on the environment from unplanned emissions and shut down and start up emissions of contaminants to air;
 

(c)  releases of contaminants to the atmosphere for dispersion will be managed to prevent or minimise adverse effects on environmental values.

Water

Environmental Objective

 

The activity will be operated in a way that protects environmental values of waters.

Performance Outcomes

1

There is no actual or potential discharge to waters of contaminants that may cause an adverse effect on an environmental value from the operation of the activity.

2

All of the following—

 

(a)  the storage and handling of contaminants will include effective means of secondary containment to prevent or minimise releases to the environment from spillage or leaks;
 

(b)  contingency measures will prevent or minimise adverse effects on the environment due to unplanned releases or discharges of contaminants to water;
 

(c)  the activity will be managed so that stormwater contaminated by the activity that may cause an adverse effect on an environmental value will not leave the site without prior treatment;
 

(d)  the disturbance of any acid sulfate soil, or potential acid sulfate soil, will be managed to prevent or minimise adverse effects on environmental values;
 

(e)  acid producing rock will be managed to ensure that the production and release of acidic waste is prevented or minimised, including impacts during operation and after the environmental authority has been surrendered;
 

(f)  any discharge to water or a watercourse or wetland will be managed so that there will be no adverse effects due to the altering of existing flow regimes for water or a watercourse or wetland;
 

(g)  for a petroleum activity, the activity will be managed in a way that is consistent with the coal seam gas water management policy, including the prioritisation hierarchy for managing and using coal seam gas water and the prioritisation hierarchy for managing saline waste;
 

(h)  the activity will be managed so that adverse effects on environmental values are prevented or minimised.

Wetlands

Environmental Objective

 

The activity will be operated in a way that protects the environmental values of wetlands.

Performance Outcomes

1

There will be no potential or actual adverse effect on a wetland as part of carrying out the activity.

2

The activity will be managed in a way that prevents or minimises adverse effects on wetlands.

Groundwater

Environmental Objective

 

The activity will be operated in a way that protects the environmental values of groundwater and any associated surface ecological systems.

Performance Outcomes

1

Both of the following apply—

 

(a)  there will be no direct or indirect release of contaminants to groundwater from the operation of the activity;
 

(b)  there will be no actual or potential adverse effect on groundwater from the operation of the activity.

2

The activity will be managed to prevent or minimise adverse effects on groundwater or any associated surface ecological systems.

Note—

Some activities involving direct releases to groundwater are prohibited under section 41 of this regulation.

Noise

Environmental Objective

 

The activity will be operated in a way that protects the environmental values of the acoustic environment.

Performance Outcomes

1

Sound from the activity is not audible at a sensitive receptor.

2

The release of sound to the environment from the activity is managed so that adverse effects on environmental values, including health and wellbeing and sensitive ecosystems, are prevented or minimised.

Waste

Environmental Objective

 

Any waste generated, transported, or received as part of carrying out the activity is managed in a way that protects all environmental values.

Performance Outcomes

1

Both of the following apply—

 

(a)  waste generated, transported or received is managed in accordance with the waste and resource management hierarchy under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011;
 

(b)  if waste is disposed of, it is disposed of in a way that prevents or minimises adverse effects on environmental values.

Land

Environmental Objective

 

The activity is operated in a way that protects the environmental values of land, including soils, subsoils, landforms and associated flora and fauna.

Performance Outcomes

1

There is no actual or potential disturbance or adverse effect to the environmental values of land as part of carrying out the activity.

2

All of the following apply—

 

(a)  activities that disturb land, soils, subsoils, landforms and associated flora and fauna will be managed in a way that prevents or minimises adverse effects on the environmental values of land;
 

(b)  areas disturbed will be rehabilitated or restored to achieve sites—
(i)  that are safe and stable; and
(ii)  where no environmental harm is being caused by anything on or in the land; and
(iii)  that are able to sustain an appropriate land use after rehabilitation or restoration;
 

(c)  the activity will be managed to prevent or minimise adverse effects on the environmental values of land due to unplanned releases or discharges, including spills and leaks of contaminants;
 

(d)  the application of water or waste to the land is sustainable and is managed to prevent or minimise adverse effects on the composition or structure of soils and subsoils.

Division 2 Land use assessment

Site Suitability

Environmental Objective

 

The choice of the site, at which the activity is to be carried out, minimises serious environmental harm on areas of high conservation value and special significance and sensitive land uses at adjacent places.

Performance Outcomes

1

Both of the following apply—

 

(a)  areas of high conservation value and special significance likely to be affected by the proposal are identified and evaluated and any adverse effects on the areas are minimised, including any edge effects on the areas;
(b)  the activity does not have an adverse effect beyond the site.

2

Both of the following apply—

 

(a)  areas of high conservation value and special significance likely to be affected by the proposal are identified and evaluated and any adverse effects on the areas are minimised, including any edge effects on the areas;
(b)  critical design requirements will prevent emissions having an irreversible or widespread impact on adjacent areas.

Location on Site

Environmental Objective

 

The location for the activity on a site protects all environmental values relevant to adjacent sensitive uses.

Performance Outcomes

1

The location for the activity means there will be no adverse effect on any environmental values.

2

Both of the following apply—

 

(a)  the activity, and components of the activity, are carried out on the site in a way that prevents or minimises adverse effects on the use of surrounding land and allows for effective management of the environmental impacts of the activity;
 

(b)  areas used for storing environmentally hazardous materials in bulk are located taking into consideration the likelihood of flooding.

Critical Design Requirements

Environmental Objective

 

The design of the facility permits the site at which the activity is to be carried out to operate in accordance with best practice environmental management.

Performance Outcomes

1

The activity does not involve the storage, production, treatment or release of hazardous contaminants, or involve a regulated structure.

2

All of the following apply—

 

(a)  all storage provided for hazardous contaminants includes secondary containment to prevent or minimise releases to the environment from spillage or leaks;
 

(b)  regulated structures comply with the document called ‘Manual for assessing consequence categories and hydraulic performance of structures’, published by the department;
 

(c)  containers are provided for the storage of hazardous contaminants that are secured to prevent the removal of the containers from the site by a flood event;
 

(d)  the design of the facility prevents or minimises the production of hazardous contaminants and waste;
 

(e)  if the production of hazardous contaminants and waste is not prevented or minimised under paragraph (d)—the design of the facility contains and treats hazardous contaminants rather than releasing them.

Schedule 8A PRCP objective assessment

section 41B

sch 8A hdg ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 14

Part 1 Preliminary

sch 8A pt 1 hdg ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 14

1Definitions for schedule

In this schedule—
available for improvement, in relation to land in an improvement area for a non-use management area, means land in the improvement area that is not being mined, other than land to which any of the following applies—
(a) the land is being used for operating infrastructure or machinery for mining, including, for example, a dam or water storage facility;
(b) the land is identified in the PRCP schedule or the application for an environmental authority relating to the schedule as containing a probable or proved ore reserve that is to be mined within 10 years after the land would otherwise have become available for improvement;
(c) the land is required for the mining of a probable or proved ore reserve mentioned in paragraph (b).
improvement area, for a non-use management area, means an area of land in the non-use management area to which a management milestone relates.
milestone criteria, for a management milestone or a rehabilitation milestone, means requirements that must be met to achieve the milestone.
mined see section 126D(6) of the Act.
rehabilitation area, for land the subject of a post-mining land use, means an area of the land to which a rehabilitation milestone for the post-mining use relates.
sufficient improvement, of a non-use management area, means the last management milestone for the area has been achieved.

sch 8A s 1 ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 14

Part 2 Matters for carrying out PRCP objective assessments

sch 8A pt 2 hdg ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 14

2Requirements for carrying out PRCP objective assessment

(1)The administering authority must consider whether the PRCP schedule achieves each PRCP objective stated in part 3 for the PRCP schedule.
(2)A PRCP schedule achieves the PRCP objective stated in part 3, table 1 only if the PRCP schedule achieves—
(a)for a post-mining land use—item 1 of the PRCP performance outcomes for the objective; or
(b)for a non-use management area—items 2 and 3 of the PRCP performance outcomes for the objective.
(3)However, if the PRCP schedule shows a proposed non-use management area for which a public interest evaluation was required, part 3, table 1, items 2 and 3 of the PRCP performance outcomes for the PRCP objective stated in part 3, table 1 do not apply for the assessment.
(4)A PRCP schedule achieves a PRCP objective stated in part 3, table 2 or 3 only if the PRCP schedule achieves each PRCP performance outcome for the objective.

sch 8A s 2 ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 14

Part 3 PRCP objectives and PRCP performance outcomes

Table 1 Final site design assessment

Post-mining land uses and non-use management areas

PRCP Objective

 

The PRCP schedule properly states a post-mining land use or non-use management area for each area of land to which the PRCP schedule relates.

PRCP Performance Outcomes

1

Each post-mining land use—

 

(a)  is viable, having regard to the use of land in the surrounding region; and
 

(b)  satisfies at least 1 of the following—
(i)  the use is consistent with how the land was used before a mining activity was carried out on the land;
(ii)  the use is consistent with a development approval relating to the land;
(iii)  the use is consistent with a use of the land, other than a use that is mining, permitted under a State or Commonwealth Act, including, for example, a planning instrument under the Planning Act;
(iv)  the use will deliver, or is aimed at delivering, a beneficial environmental outcome.

2

The total area of land proposed as a non-use management area is minimised to the extent possible by, for example, demonstrating that the land, or any part of the land, can not be used for any post-mining land use.

3

Each non-use management area is located to prevent or minimise environmental harm having regard to—

 

(a)  all reasonably practical alternatives for the location; and
 

(b)  the nature of the environmental harm that may be caused because of the proposed location; and
 

(c)  the sensitivity of the environment surrounding the proposed location.

Table 2 Post-mining land use assessment

Rehabilitation Milestones

PRCP Objective

 

Rehabilitation milestones are supported by milestone criteria and are suitable for rehabilitating land to a stable condition.

PRCP Performance Outcomes

1

Each rehabilitation milestone is appropriate for achieving the post-mining land use for the rehabilitation area.

2

Each rehabilitation milestone is supported by milestone criteria that—

 

(a)  are appropriate for achieving the milestone; andExamples—
1  A post-mining land use for land is a water-storage facility for livestock. The last rehabilitation milestone for the land is the completion of a water-storage facility for livestock use. The milestone criteria that may be appropriate for achieving the milestone are criteria that demonstrate the facility will be safe and stable, and the pH and salinity of the water in the facility will be potable, for livestock.
2  A post-mining land use for land is a native ecosystem habitat. The last rehabilitation milestone for the land is a safe, self-sustaining and stable ecosystem. The milestone criteria that may be appropriate for achieving the milestone are criteria that demonstrate the ecosystem will include species of the type and diversity needed to sustain the ecosystem.
 

(b)  facilitate achieving subsequent rehabilitation milestones.

3

The last rehabilitation milestone and milestone criteria for the milestone demonstrate the post-mining land use will be sustainable in the long term.

Progressive Rehabilitation

PRCP Objective

 

Rehabilitation of land to a stable condition will be achieved progressively during the life of the mine.

PRCP Performance Outcomes

1

Rehabilitation areas are planned in a way that maximises achieving progressive rehabilitation for the post-mining land use.

2

The first rehabilitation milestone for a rehabilitation area will start as soon as practicable after the land in the area becomes available for rehabilitation for section 126D(4) of the Act by, for example, starting within 6 months after the area becomes available for rehabilitation.

3

The time frame mentioned in section 126D(4) of the Act for achieving each rehabilitation milestone has regard to the risks identified in the PRC plan for the land under section 126C(1)(f) of the Act.

4

The time frame mentioned in section 126D(4) of the Act within which the land will be rehabilitated to a stable condition has regard to any time frames agreed to during consultation with the community about the PRC plan.

Table 3 Non-use management area assessment

Management Milestones

PRCP Objective

 

Management milestones are supported by milestone criteria and are suitable for the non-use management area.

PRCP Performance Outcomes

1

Each management milestone is appropriate for achieving sufficient improvement of the improvement area.

2

Each management milestone is supported by milestone criteria that—

 

(a)  are the most appropriate for achieving the milestone; and
 

(b)  facilitate achieving subsequent management milestones; and
 

(c)  have regard to the technical knowledge available when the PRCP objective assessment is carried out about managing risks of the non-use management area to the environment; and
 

(d)  prevent contaminants from being produced or, if prevention is not possible, minimise the impact of the release of contaminants.Examples of minimising the impact of the release of a contaminant—
1  appropriately containing the contaminant
2  appropriately treating the contaminant before it is released

3

On achieving sufficient improvement of a non-use management area, each of the following is prevented or minimised to the greatest extent possible, having regard to the technical knowledge available when the PRCP objective assessment is carried out—

 

(a)  the risk of the area collapsing, eroding or subsiding;
 

(b)  the need to actively manage the area;
 

(c)  access to the area by an animal or person by, for example, fencing the boundary of the area.

Progressive Improvement

PRCP Objective

 

Each management milestone for a non-use management area will maximise progressively achieving sufficient improvement of the area.

PRCP Performance Outcomes

1

Improvement areas are planned in a way that maximises progressively achieving sufficient improvement of the non-use management area.

2

The first management milestone for an improvement area will start within a reasonable period after the area becomes available for improvement by, for example, starting within 1 year after the area becomes available for improvement.

3

Each management milestone for an improvement area will be achieved as soon as practicable after the land becomes available for improvement.

4

The time frame within which each management milestone is to be achieved has regard to the risk of not achieving sufficient improvement of the non-use management area.

5

The time frame within which the last management milestone for each improvement area is to be achieved has regard to any time frame agreed to during consultation with the community about the PRC plan.

sch 8A pt 3 ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 14

Schedule 9 Regulated waste and waste that is not regulated waste

sections 42 and 43 and schedule 19, part 2, definitions attribute table, substance table and threshold table

Part 1 Types of regulated waste and default categorisation

Column 1

Column 2

Type

Category

1

acidic solutions and acids in solid form

2

2

animal effluent and residues, including abattoir effluent and poultry and fish processing wastes

2

3

antimony and antimony compounds

1

4

arsenic and arsenic compounds

1

5

asbestos

2

6

barium compounds, other than barium sulfate

1

7

basic (alkaline) solutions and bases (alkalis) in solid form

2

8

beryllium and beryllium compounds

1

9

boron compounds

1

10

biosecurity waste

1

11

cadmium and cadmium compounds

1

12

chemical waste arising from a research and development or teaching activity, including new or unidentified material and material whose effects on human health or the environment are not known

1

13

chlorates

1

14

chromium compounds (hexavalent and trivalent)

1

15

clinical and related waste

1

16

copper compounds

1

17

cyanides (inorganic)

1

18

cyanides (organic)

1

19

encapsulated, chemically-fixed, solidified or polymerised wastes

2

20

ethers

1

21

filter cake, other than filter cake waste generated from the treatment of raw water for the supply of drinking water

1

22

fire debris and fire washwaters

1

23

fluorinated organic compounds (total)

1

24

fly ash

1

25

food processing waste (other than liquid food processing waste)

2

26

grease trap waste

2

27

halogenated organic solvents

1

28

highly odorous organic chemicals, including mercaptans and acrylates

1

29

inorganic fluorine compounds, other than calcium fluoride

1

30

inorganic sulfides

2

31

isocyanate compounds

1

32

lead and lead compounds

1

33

lead acid batteries (intact)

2

34

liquid food processing waste

2

35

material containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated napthalenes (PCNs), polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) or polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs)

1

36

mercury and mercury compounds

1

37

metal carbonyls

1

38

mineral oils

2

39

nickel compounds

1

40

non-toxic salts, including, for example, saline effluent

2

41

oil and water mixtures or emulsions, or hydrocarbons and water mixtures or emulsions

2

42

organic phosphorous compounds

1

43

organic solvents, other than halogenated solvents, including, for example, ethanol

1

44

organohalogen compounds, other than another substance stated in this schedule

1

45

oxidising agents

1

46

per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances

1

47

perchlorates

1

48

pesticides, including organochlorine

1

49

pharmaceuticals, drugs and medicines

1

50

phenols and phenol compounds, including chlorophenols

1

51

phosphorus compounds, other than mineral phosphates

2

52

polychlorinated dibenzo-furan (any congener)

1

53

polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (any congener)

1

54

residues from industrial waste treatment or disposal operations

1

55

selenium and selenium compounds

1

56

sewage sludge and residues, including nightsoil and septic tank sludge

2

57

surface active agents (surfactants) containing principally organic constituents, whether or not also containing metals and other inorganic materials

2

58

tannery wastes, including leather dust, ash, sludges and flours

1

59

tarry residues arising from refining, distillation or any pyrolytic treatment

1

60

tellurium and tellurium compounds

2

61

thallium and thallium compounds

2

62

triethylamine catalysts for setting foundry sands

2

63

tyres

2

64

vanadium compounds

1

65

vegetable oils

2

66

waste containing peroxides other than hydrogen peroxide

2

67

waste from a heat treatment or tempering operation that uses cyanides

1

68

waste from surface treatment of metals or plastics

2

69

waste from the manufacture, formulation or use of biocides or phytopharmaceuticals

1

70

waste from the manufacture, formulation or use of inks, dyes, pigments, paints, lacquers or varnish

2

71

waste from the manufacture, formulation or use of organic solvents

1

72

waste from the manufacture, formulation or use of photographic chemicals or processing materials

2

73

waste from the manufacture, formulation or use of resins, latex, plasticisers, glues or other adhesives

1

74

waste from the manufacture, formulation or use of wood-preserving chemicals

1

75

waste from the manufacture or preparation of pharmaceutical products

1

76

waste of an explosive nature, other than an explosive within the meaning of the Explosives Act 1999

1

77

wool scouring wastes

2

78

zinc compounds

1

Part 2 Categorisation thresholds for solid tested waste

Column 1

Column 2

Substance

Threshold
(mg/kg)

1

aldrin and dieldrin (total)

40

2

antimony

36

3

arsenic

1,200

4

barium

18,000

5

benzene

20

6

benzo(a)pyrene

12

7

beryllium

360

8

boron

80,000

9

cadmium

360

10

carbon tetrachloride

8

11

chlorobenzene

336

12

chloroform

4

13

chromium (hexavalent)

1,200

14

copper

880

15

cresol (total)

16,000

16

cyanide

960

17

dichlorobenzene (1,2-dichlorobenzene)

2,160

18

dichlorobenzene (1,4-dichlorobenzene)

32

19

dichloroethane (1,2-dichloroethane)

6

20

dichloroethylene (1,1-dichloroethylene)

276

21

dichloromethane (methylene chloride)

420

22

dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid)

840

23

dieldrin and aldrin (total)

40

24

dinitrotoluene (2,4-dinitrotoluene)

20

25

ethylbenzene

68

26

fluoride

3,720

27

lead

1,200

28

mercury

320

29

methyl ethyl ketone

32,400

30

molybdenum

468

31

nickel

4,800

32

nitrobenzene

60

33

organochlorine pesticides (total)

200

34

organophosphate pesticides (total)

1,000

35

per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

0

36

persistent organic pollutant (other)

200

37

petroleum hydrocarbons (C6 to C9)

3,800

38

petroleum hydrocarbons (C10 to C36)

21,200

39

phenols (total)

160,000

40

polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

50

41

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (total)

1,200

42

selenium

2,800

43

styrene (vinyl benzene)

7,200

44

silver

468

45

tetrachloroethane (1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane)

24

46

tetrachloroethane (1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane)

24

47

tetrachloroethylene

96

48

trichloroethane (1,1,1-trichloroethane)

9,720

49

trichloroethane (1,1,2-trichloroethane)

1.8

50

trichloroethylene

5

51

trichlorophenol (2,4,5-trichlorophenol)

7,560

52

trichlorophenol (2,4,6-trichlorophenol)

76

53

toluene

5,880

54

vanadium

468

55

vinyl chloride

0.72

56

xylenes (total)

696

57

zinc

1,600

Part 3 Waste that is not regulated waste

Division 1 Types of waste

1intact or partly disassembled televisions
2intact or partly disassembled electronic equipment designed to be used with a television

Examples—

video players, DVD players, gaming consoles, set-top boxes
3intact or partly disassembled computers

Examples—

desktop computers (including monitors), notebook computers, laptop computers, tablets
4intact or partly disassembled equipment designed to be used with computers

Examples—

keyboards, mouses, hard drives, scanners, printers, multi-function devices, speakers, web cameras
5intact or partly disassembled internal computer components

Examples—

network or graphics cards, motherboards, optical drives
6intact or partly disassembled automotive equipment

Examples—

vehicles, engines, transmissions, differentials
7mobile phones
8mobile phone accessories

Example—

mobile phone chargers
9batteries typically used in small electronic devices or handheld devices

Examples of handheld devices—

mobile phones, digital cameras, keyboards, toys, torches
10whitegoods
11treated timber, other than sawdust or shavings
12groundwater or treated groundwater necessarily or unavoidably brought to the surface of the earth as part of an industrial process, if the groundwater—
(a)has a pH of at least 6 but not more than 10.5; and
(b)has an electrical conductivity of less than 15,000µS/cm
13architectural and decorative paints collected, stored and transported in accordance with a product stewardship, unless the paint—
is a bagged render
is texture coating
contains isocyanates
is paint stripper
is an industrial paint
is anti-fouling paint
14containers of architectural and decorative paints mentioned in item 13 that are collected, stored and transported in accordance with a product stewardship, unless the paint is in a spray pack
15tallow
16treated clinical waste
17related waste that has been treated to render it non-infectious

Division 2 Non-regulated thresholds for tested waste

Table 1—Attribute table

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Attribute

Solid waste requirement

Liquid waste requirement

1

pH

from pH 6.5 to pH 9

from pH 6.5 to pH 10.5

2

conductivity (electrical)

-

less than 1,200µS/cm

3

biological oxygen demand

-

less than 15mg/L

4

flashpoint, for waste that is less than 24% alcohol (v/v)

-

less than 60°C

5

peroxides (other than hydrogen peroxide) more than 0.01% (v/v)

-

not present

6

asbestos more than 0.01% (w/w)

not present

not present

Table 2—Substance table

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Substance

Solid waste threshold (mg/kg)

Liquid waste threshold
(μg/L)

1

aldrin and dieldrin (total)

10

6

2

antimony

9

60

3

arsenic

300

200

4

barium

4,500

40,000

5

benzene

5

20

6

benzo(a)pyrene

3

0.2

7

beryllium

90

1,200

8

boron

20,000

3,700

9

cadmium

90

2

10

carbon tetrachloride

2

60

11

chlorobenzene

84

6,000

12

chloroform

1

4

13

chromium (hexavalent)

300

10

14

copper

220

14

15

cresol (total)

4,000

3,000

16

cyanide

240

70

17

dichlorobenzene (1,2-dichlorobenzene)

540

30,000

18

dichlorobenzene (1,4-dichlorobenzene)

8

800

19

dichloroethane (1,2-dichloroethane)

1

60

20

dichloroethylene (1,1-dichloroethylene)

69

500

21

dichloromethane (methylene chloride)

105

220

22

dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid)

210

600

23

dieldrin and aldrin (total)

10

6

24

dinitrotoluene (2,4-dinitrotoluene)

5

5

25

ethylbenzene

17

6,000

26

fluoride

930

30,000

27

lead

300

34

28

mercury

80

6

29

methyl ethyl ketone

8,100

11,200

30

molybdenum

117

1,000

31

nickel

1,200

110

32

nitrobenzene

15

3

33

organochlorine pesticides (total)

50

0.00011

34

organophosphate pesticides (total)

250

0.035

35

per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

0

0

36

persistent organic pollutant (other)

50

0

37

petroleum hydrocarbons (C6 to C9)

950

-

38

petroleum hydrocarbons (C10 to C36)

5,300

-

39

petroleum hydrocarbons (total)

-

6,000

40

phenols (total)

40,000

11,600

41

polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

2

0.00074

42

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (total)

300

0.2

43

selenium

700

110

44

styrene (vinyl benzene)

1,800

600

45

silver

117

1

46

tetrachloroethane (1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane)

6

11

47

tetrachloroethane (1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane)

6

2

48

tetrachloroethylene

24

82

49

trichloroethane (1,1,1-trichloroethane)

2,430

16,000

50

trichloroethane (1,1,2-trichloroethane)

0.45

0.82

51

trichloroethylene

1

6

52

trichlorophenol (2,4,5-trichlorophenol)

1,890

2,400

53

trichlorophenol (2,4,6-trichlorophenol)

19

200

54

toluene

1,470

16,000

55

vanadium

117

172

56

vinyl chloride

0.18

6

57

xylenes (total)

174

12,000

58

zinc

400

30

Schedule 10 Prescribed water contaminants

section 65

1a chemical, or chemical waste containing a chemical

Examples—

biocide, including herbicide, fungicide and pesticide
chemical that causes biochemical or chemical oxygen demand
per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
2a gas other than oxygen
3a liquid containing suspended or dissolved solids
4a liquid that has a temperature different by more than 2ºC from ambient water temperature
5animal matter, including dead animals, animal remains and animal excreta, and water used to clean animals, animal enclosures or vehicles used for transporting animals
6ashes, clay, gravel, sediment, stones and similar organic or inorganic matter
7a substance that has a pH outside the range 6.5 to 8.5
8building and construction materials, including bitumen, brick, cement, concrete and plaster

Examples—

cement washed to create exposed aggregate treatment
coloured powder used to create stencilled concrete features
9building, construction and demolition waste, including bitumen, brick, concrete cuttings, plaster and waste water generated by building, construction or demolition
10clinical waste
11glass, metal parts, paper, piping, plastic and scrap metal
12industrial waste
13oil, including, for example, petroleum or vegetable based oil
14paint, paint scrapings or residues, paint sludge, water used for diluting paint or washing painting utensils, and waste from paint stripping
15plant matter, including, for example, bark, lawn clippings, leaves, mulch, pruning waste, sawdust, shavings, woodchip and other waste from forest products
16putrescible waste, including, for example, food scraps
17regulated waste mentioned in schedule 9, part 1, column 1 as a prescribed water contaminant
18sewage and sewage residues, whether treated or untreated, and any other matter containing faecal coliforms or faecal streptococci, including, for example, waste water pumped out from a septic tank
19vehicles and components of vehicles, including, for example, batteries and tyres
20waste and waste water, generated from indoor cleaning, including, for example, waste from carpet or upholstery cleaning and steam cleaning
21waste and waste water, generated from outdoor cleaning, including, for example, waste generated from high pressure water blasting of commercial or industrial premises, fuel dispensing areas, plant or equipment, roofs, streets, vehicles and wharves
22waste generated from repairing or servicing motor vehicles, including, for example, engine coolant, grease, lubricants and oil
23waste water, including backwash from swimming pools, condensate from compressors, water from air-conditioning or cooling systems and waste water from grease traps

Schedule 11 Trackable waste and waste codes

section 71 and schedule 19, part 2, definition waste code

Explanatory notes to schedule

1A substance is trackable waste if it is regulated waste of a type mentioned in this schedule.
2If a substance falls under more than 1 item in this list, and the code for one of the items is marked with an asterisk, the code for the substance is the code marked with an asterisk.

Type of waste

Waste code

acidic solutions and acids in solid form

B100

animal effluent and residues, including abattoir effluent and poultry and fish processing wastes

K100

antimony and antimony compounds

D170

arsenic and arsenic compounds

D130

asbestos

N220

barium compounds, other than barium sulphate

D290

basic (alkaline) solutions and bases (alkalis) in solid form

C100

beryllium and beryllium compounds

D160

boron compounds

D310

cadmium and cadmium compounds

D150

chemical waste arising from a research and development or teaching activity, including new or unidentified material and material whose effects on human health or the environment are not known

T100

chlorates

D350

chromium compounds (hexavalent and trivalent)

D140

clinical and related waste

R100*

copper compounds

D190

cyanides (inorganic)

A130

cyanides (organic)

M210

encapsulated, chemically fixed, solidified or polymerised wastes

N160*

ethers

G100

filter cake, other than filter cake waste generated from the treatment of raw water for the supply of drinking water

N190

fire debris and fire washwaters

N140*

fly ash

N150

grease trap waste

K110

halogenated organic solvents

G150

highly odorous organic chemicals, including mercaptans and acrylates

M260

inorganic fluorine compounds, other than calcium fluoride

D110

inorganic sulfides

D330

isocyanate compounds

M220

lead and lead compounds

D220

liquid food processing waste

K200

material containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated napthalenes (PCNs), polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) or polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs)

M100

mercury and mercury compounds

D120

metal carbonyls

D100

mineral oils

J100

nickel compounds

D210

non-toxic salts

D300

oil and water mixtures or emulsions, or hydrocarbons and water mixtures or emulsions

J120

organic phosphorous compounds

H110

organic solvents, other than halogenated solvents

G110

organohalogen compounds, other than another substance stated in this schedule

M160

per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances

M270

perchlorates

D340

pharmaceuticals, drugs and medicines

R120*

phenols and phenol compounds, including chlorophenols

M150

phosphorus compounds, other than mineral phosphates

D360

polychlorinated dibenzo-furan (any congener)

M170

polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (any congener)

M180

residues from industrial waste treatment or disposal operations

N205

selenium and selenium compounds

D240

sewage sludge and residues, including nightsoil and septic tank sludge

K130

surface active agents (surfactants) containing principally organic constituents, whether or not also containing metals and other inorganic materials

M250

tannery wastes, including leather dust, ash, sludges and flours

K140

tarry residues arising from refining, distillation or any pyrolytic treatment

J160

tellurium and tellurium compounds

D250

thallium and thallium compounds

D180

triethylamine catalysts for setting foundry sands

M230

tyres

T140

vanadium compounds

D270

waste containing peroxides other than hydrogen peroxide

E100

waste from a heat treatment or tempering operation that uses cyanides

A110

waste from surface treatment of metals or plastics

A100

waste from the manufacture, formulation or use of—

 

  
•  biocides or phytopharmaceuticals

H100

  
•  inks, dyes, pigments, paints, lacquers or varnish

F100

  
•  organic solvents

G160

  
•  photographic chemicals or processing materials

T120

  
•  resins, latex, plasticisers, glues or other adhesives

F110

  
•  wood-preserving chemicals

H170

waste from the manufacture or preparation of pharmaceutical products

R140

waste of an explosive nature, other than an explosive within the meaning of the Explosives Act 1999

E120

wool-scouring wastes

K190

zinc compounds

D230

Schedule 12 Prescribed information for waste tracking

section 74

1Generator

(1)This section states the prescribed information about waste given by a generator to a transporter for sections 78 and 87.
(2)The generator must give all of the following information to the transporter—
(a)the generator’s—
(i)name, address, local government area and contact details; or
(ii)generator identification number;
(b)if the generator is a business—the generator’s ABN;
(c)the name, address and contact details of the person to whom the waste is to be transported;
(d)the day the generator gives the waste to the transporter for transporting;
(e)the unique identifier for the transportation of the load of waste;
(f)for a load of waste transported to a receiver outside Queensland—the consignment number for the load;
(g)if the waste is dangerous goods—the type and number of containers in which the waste is contained;
(h)the following details of the waste—
(i)the type of waste;
(ii)the amount of the waste, expressed as a stated number of kilograms or litres;
(iii)its physical nature (solid, liquid, paste or gas);
(iv)the waste code of the waste;
(v)if the waste is dangerous goods—
(A)its UN number; and
(B)its packing group designator; and
(C)its dangerous goods class and any subsidiary risk.
(3)The generator must record, and must give to the administering authority, all of the following information—
(a)the information mentioned in subsection (2);
(b)the transporter’s name, address and contact details;
(c)the transporter’s environmental authority number;
(d)if the vehicle used to transport the waste is a motor vehicle—the vehicle’s registration number.

2Transporter

(1)This section states the prescribed information about waste given by a transporter to a receiver for sections 79 and 83.
(2)The transporter must give all of the following information to the receiver—
(a)the information mentioned in section 1(2) received from the generator;
(b)for a load of waste transported from a generator outside Queensland—the consignment number for the load;
(c)the transporter’s name, address and contact details;
(d)the transporter’s environmental authority number;
(e)if the vehicle used to transport the waste is a motor vehicle—the vehicle’s registration number;
(f)any jurisdiction, other than Queensland, in which the waste has been transported;
(g)the day and time the transporter gives the waste to the receiver.
(3)The transporter must record the following information—
(a)the information mentioned in subsection (2);
(b)the receiver’s name, address and contact details;
(c)the receiver’s environmental authority number.

3Receiver

(1)This section states the prescribed information about waste given to a receiver by a transporter for sections 80 and 84.
(2)The receiver must record the following information—
(a)the information mentioned in section 2(2) received from the transporter;
(b)the amount of waste received, expressed as a stated number of kilograms or litres;
(c)whether the waste is received for recycling, conversion to energy, another type of treatment, storage or disposal;
(d)the disposal or treatment code for the way of disposing of or treating the waste.
(3)The receiver must give the following information to the administering authority—
(a)the information mentioned in subsection (2);
(b)the receiver’s name, address and contact details;
(c)the receiver’s environmental authority number.

Schedule 13 Other local governments

section 133(2), definition prescribed local government

Balonne Shire Council
Barcaldine Regional Council
Barcoo Shire Council
Bulloo Shire Council
Carpentaria Shire Council
Central Highlands Regional Council
Charters Towers Regional Council
Cook Shire Council
Croydon Shire Council
Diamantina Shire Council
Gympie Regional Council
Hinchinbrook Shire Council
Lockyer Valley Regional Council
Longreach Regional Council
Mareeba Shire Council
Murweh Shire Council
Scenic Rim Regional Council
Southern Downs Regional Council
Tablelands Regional Council
Winton Shire Council

Schedule 14 Prescribed organisations

section 151

Australasian Radiation Protection Society
Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology
Australian Institute of Geoscientists
Australian Society of Soil Science
Engineers Australia
Environmental Health Australia
Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand
Institute of Explosives Engineers
Institution of Chemical Engineers
Planning Institute of Australia
South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association
Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute
The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
The Royal Australian Chemical Institute

Schedule 15 Fees

section 154

Note—

See also chapter 9 for other fees payable under the Act.

Part 1 Fees for environmental impact statements

  

$

1

submitting draft terms of reference for an EIS (Act, s 41(2)(b))

40,428.00

2

submitting an EIS (Act, s 47(2))

199,325.00

3

giving an EIS amendment notice, other than an EIS amendment notice given under section 56(2)(d) of the Act (Act, s 66(4))

13,473.00

4

application for approval to voluntarily prepare an EIS (Act, s 71(d)(ii))

689.00

Part 2 Fees for environmental authorities

  

$

5

application for environmental authority, other than an environmental authority for a mining activity that is an eligible ERA and relates to a mining claim (Act, s 125(1)(e))—

 
 

(a)  for a standard application

666.00

 

(b)  for a site-specific application or variation application

666.00 plus 30% of the annual fee for the authority that is the subject of the application

6

change of application for environmental authority, other than a minor change or a change agreed to by the administering authority (Act, s 132(1)(b))

346.60

7

amendment application (Act, s 226(1)(c))—

(a)  for an amendment of an environmentalauthority

334.90

(b)  for an amendment of a PRCP schedule

334.90

(c)  for an amendment of an environmental authority and the PRCP schedule to which the authority relates

334.90

8

assessment fee for amendment application for environmental authority (Act, s 228(4))—

(a)  for amendment of an environmental authority

30% of the annual fee for the authority the subject of the application

(b)  for an amendment of an environmental authority and the PRCP schedule to which the authority relates

30% of the annual fee for the authority the subject of the application

(c)  for an amendment of only the PRCP schedule to which an environmental authority relates

30% of the annual fee for the authority to which the PRCP schedule the subject of the application relates

9

change of amendment application for environmental authority (Act, s 236(b))

346.60

10

amalgamation application (Act, s 246(e))

346.60

11

transfer application for environmental authority for a prescribed ERA (Act, s 253(f))

138.40

12

conversion application (Act, s 696(b))

346.60

Part 3 Other fees

  

$

13

late payment of an annual fee for environmental authority

138.40

14

application for a temporary emissions licence (Act, s 357B(5))

2,669.00

15

obtaining an extract from the environmental management register or contaminated land register (Act, s 542(3)), for each lot to which the extract relates—

 
 

(a)  if the extract is obtained using the internet

52.10

 

(b)  otherwise

61.20

16

application for approval as an auditor (Act, s 570(c))

1,381.00

Schedule 16 Amount of surety

schedule 6

Tenure type

Mining claim

Exploration permit (minerals)

Environmental risk of the activity (area of disturbance hectares)

Hand mining (previously mined)

Hand mining (not previously mined)

Machinery used for mining with no dam

Machinery used for mining with a dam

Low risk

High

risk

 

$

$

$

$

$

$

0 to 0.1

200

400

400

3,400

2,500

5,000

more than 0.1 to 0.5

400

800

2,000

5,000

not applicable

more than 0.5 to 1

1,000

2,000

4,000

7,000

more than 1 to 2

2,000

4,000

8,000

11,000

more than 2 to 3

3,000

6,000

12,000

15,000

more than 3 to 4

4,000

8,000

16,000

19,000

more than 4 to 5

5,000

10,000

20,000

23,000

Schedule 17 Disposal and treatment codes for waste tracking

schedule 19, part 2, definitions disposal code and treatment code

Part 1 Disposal codes

The following ways of dealing with waste do not include resource recovery, recycling, reclamation, direct re-use or an alternative use of the waste.

 

Disposal code

disposal to a landfill

D1

land farming

D2

surface impoundment

D4

biological treatment in a way not otherwise mentioned in this part

D8

immobilisation or solidification

D9A

physico/chemical treatment other than immobilisation or solidification

D9B

incineration

D10

permanent storage

D12

blending or mixing before disposal in another way mentioned in this part

D13

repackaging before disposal in another way mentioned in this part

D14

storage before disposal in another way mentioned in this part

D15

Part 2 Treatment codes

The following ways of dealing with waste may include resource recovery, recycling, reclamation, direct re-use or an alternative use of the waste.
 

Treatment code

using waste as a fuel, other than by direct incineration

R1

recycling or reclaiming a substance, other than a substance mentioned in items R6 to R8, if it is—

 

  
•  an organic substance used as a solvent

R2

  
•  an organic substance not used as a solvent

R3

  
•  a metal or metal compound other than a drum

R4

  
•  an inorganic substance other than a metal or metal compound

R5

recycling or reclaiming—

 

  
•  an acid or base

R6

  
•  a component used for pollution abatement

R7

  
•  a component from a catalyst

R8

refining used oil or otherwise using previously used oil

R9

using a residual trackable waste obtained from treatment in another way mentioned in this part

R11

storage before treatment in another way mentioned in this part

R13

recycling, reconditioning or laundering of drums

R14

Schedule 18 National environment protection (movement of controlled waste between States and Territories) measure, schedule A, list 2

schedule 19, part 2, definition environmentally significant characteristic

Schedule A, list 2: Characteristics of controlled wastes

Dangerous Goods Class (UN Class)

UN Code

 

1

H1

Explosive

  

An explosive substance or waste is a solid or liquid substance or waste (or mixture of substances or wastes) which is in itself capable by chemical reaction of producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such a speed as to cause damage to the surroundings.

3

H3

Flammable Liquids

  

The word flammable has the same meaning as inflammable. Flammable liquids are liquids, or mixtures of liquids, or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension (for example, paints, varnishes, lacquers, etc., but not including substances or wastes otherwise classified on account of their dangerous characteristics) which give off flammable vapour at temperatures of not more than 60.5 degrees Celsius, closed-cup test, or not more than 65.6 degrees Celsius, open-cup test. (Since the results of open-cup tests and of closed-cup tests are not strictly comparable and even individual results by the same test are often variable, regulations varying from the above figures to make allowances for such differences would be within the spirit of the definition.)

4.1

H4.1

Flammable solids

  

Solids or waste solids, other than those classified as explosives, which under conditions encountered in transport are readily combustible, or may cause or contribute to fire through friction.

4.2

H4.2

Substances or wastes liable to spontaneous combustion

  

Substances or wastes which are liable to spontaneous heating under normal conditions encountered in transport, or to heating up in contact with air, and being then liable to catch fire.

4.3

H4.3

Substances or wastes which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases

  

Substances or wastes which, by interaction with water, are liable to become spontaneously flammable or to give off flammable gases in dangerous quantities.

5.1

H5.1

Oxidising

  

Substances or wastes which, while in themselves not necessarily combustible, may, generally by yielding oxygen, cause or contribute to, the combustion of other materials.

5.2

H5.2

Organic peroxides

  

Organic substances or wastes which contain the bivalent-O-structure are thermally unstable substances which may undergo exothermic self-accelerating decomposition.

6.1

H6.1

Poisonous (acute)

  

Substances or wastes liable either to cause death or serious injury or to harm human health if swallowed or inhaled or by skin contact.

6.2

H6.2

Infectious substances

  

Substances or wastes containing viable micro-organisms or their toxins which are known or suspected to cause disease in animals or humans.

8

H8

Corrosives

  

Substances or wastes which, by chemical action, will cause severe damage when in contact with living tissue, or in the case of leakage, will materially damage, or even destroy, other goods or the means of transport; they may also cause other hazards.

9

H10

Liberation of toxic gases in contact with air or water

  

Substances or wastes which, by liberation with air or water, are liable to give off toxic gases in dangerous quantities.

9

H11

Toxic (delayed or chronic)

  

Substances or wastes which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may involve delayed or chronic effects, including carcinogenicity.

9

H12

Ecotoxic

  

Substances or wastes which if released present or may present immediate or delayed adverse impacts to the environment by means of bioaccumulation and/or toxic effects upon biotic systems.

9

H13

Capable of yielding another material which possesses H1-H12

  

Capable by any means, after disposal, of yielding another material, e.g., leachate, which possesses any of the characteristics listed above.

  

Other Reasons

Potential to have a significant adverse impact on ambient air quality.

  

Potential to have a significant adverse impact on ambient marine, estuarine or freshwater quality.

Note—

UN Class and Code relates to the hazard classification system included in the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods as used in Australia.

Schedule 19 Dictionary

section 3

Part 1 Extended definitions

1Meaning of category A environmentally sensitive area

A category A environmentally sensitive area means any of the following—
(a)any of the following under the Nature Conservation Act 1992
(i)a national park (scientific);
(ii)a national park;
(iii)a national park (Aboriginal land);
(iv)a national park (Torres Strait Islander land);
(v)a national park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land);
(vi)a conservation park;
(vii)a special wildlife reserve;
(viii)a forest reserve;
(b)the wet tropics area under the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993;
(c)the Great Barrier Reef Region under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cwlth);
(d)a marine park under the Marine Parks Act 2004, other than a part of the park that is a general use zone under that Act.

2Meaning of category B environmentally sensitive area

A category B environmentally sensitive area means any of the following—
(a)any of the following areas under the Nature Conservation Act 1992
(i)a coordinated conservation area;
(ii)an area of critical habitat or major interest identified under a conservation plan;
(iii)an area subject to an interim conservation order;
(b)an area subject to the following conventions to which Australia is a signatory—
(i)the ‘Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals’ (Bonn, 23 June 1979);
(ii)the ‘Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat’ (Ramsar, Iran, 2 February 1971);
(iii)the ‘Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage’ (Paris, 23 November 1972);
(c)a zone of a marine park under the Marine Parks Act 2004 that is within a general use zone of the marine park under that Act;
(d)an area to the seaward side of the highest astronomical tide;
(e)the following under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992
(i)a place of cultural heritage significance;
(ii)a Queensland heritage place, unless there is an exemption certificate issued under that Act;
(f)an area recorded in the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Register established under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003, section 46, other than the area known as the ‘Stanbroke Pastoral Development Holding’, leased under the Land Act 1994 by lease number PH 13/5398;
(g)a feature protection area, State forest park or scientific area under the Forestry Act 1959;
(h)a declared fish habitat area under the Fisheries Act 1994;
(i)a place in which a marine plant under the Fisheries Act 1994 is situated;
(j)an endangered regional ecosystem identified in the database known as the ‘Regional ecosystem description database’ published on the department’s website.

Note—

The Regional ecosystem description database is also available for inspection during office hours, at the Queensland Herbarium and each regional office of the department.

3Meaning of organochlorine pesticide

Each of the following is an organochlorine pesticide
aldrin
chlordane
dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane
dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
dieldrin
endosulfan I
endosulfan II
endosulfan sulphate
endrin
endrin aldehyde
heptachlor
heptachlor epoxide
hexachlorobenzene
α-hexachlorocyclohexane
β-hexachlorocyclohexane
δ-hexachlorocyclohexane
γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (lindane)
methoxychlor.

4Meaning of organophosphate pesticide

Each of the following is an organophosphate pesticide
acephate
azamethiphos
azinphos-methy
cadusafos
carbofuran
chlorfenvinphos
chlorpyrifos
chlorpyrifos-methyl
coumaphos
cythioate
diazinon
dichlorvos
dimethoate
disulfoton
ethion
fenamiphos
fenitrothion
fenthion
maldison (malathion)
methamidophos
methidathion
mevinphos
naled
naphthalophos
omethoate
oxydemeton-methyl
parathion
parathion-methyl
phorate
phosmet
pirimiphos-methyl
profenofos
propetamphos
prothiofos
temephos
terbufos
tetrachlorvinphos
thiometon
trichlorfon.

5Meaning of persistent organic pollutant (other)

Each of the following is a persistent organic pollutant (other)
chlordecone
dioxins
furans
heptabromodiphenyl ether
hexabromobiphenyl
hexabromodiphenyl ether
mirex
pentabromodiphenyl ether
pentachlorobenzene
perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its salts
perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOS)
tetrabromodiphenyl ether
toxaphene.

6Meaning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

Each of the following is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
acenaphthene
acenaphthylene
anthracene
benzo(a)anthracene
benzo(a)pyrene
benzo(b)fluoranthene
benzo(ghi)perylene
benzo(k)fluoranthene
chrysene
dibenzo(ah)anthracene
fluoranthene
fluorene
indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene
naphthalene
phenanthrene
pyrene.

7Meaning and calculation of standard cattle unit

(1)A standard cattle unit is a unit of measurement based on the live weight of cattle.
(2)The number of standard cattle units that is equivalent to an animal of a live weight mentioned in column 1 of the following table is stated opposite in column 2.

Column 1

Column 2

Live weight (kg)

Number of standard cattle units

up to 350

0.67

more than 350 to 400

0.74

more than 400 to 450

0.81

more than 450 to 500

0.87

more than 500 to 550

0.94

more than 550 to 600

1.00

more than 600 to 650

1.06

more than 650 to 700

1.12

more than 700

1.18

8Meaning and calculation of standard pig unit

(1)A standard pig unit is a unit of measurement based on types, or a combination of types and live weight, of pigs.
(2)In the following table, the number of standard pig units that is equivalent to an animal of a type mentioned in column 1 is stated opposite in column 2.

Column 1

Column 2

Type of pig

Number of standard pig units

boar

1.6

gestating sow

1.6

gilt

1.8

lactating sow

2.5

(3)In the following table, the number of standard pig units that is equivalent to an animal of a type mentioned in column 1 and a live weight mentioned opposite in column 2, is stated opposite the live weight in column 3.

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Type of pig

Live weight (kg)

Number of standard pig units

sucker

1.4 to 8

0.1

weaner

more than 8 to 25

0.5

grower

more than 25 to 55

1.0

finisher

more than 55 to 100

1.6

finisher

more than 100

1.8

9Meaning and calculation of standard sheep unit

(1)A standard sheep unit is a unit of measurement based on the live weight of sheep.
(2)The number of standard sheep units that is equivalent to an animal of a live weight mentioned in column 1 of the following table is stated opposite in column 2.

Column 1

Column 2

Live weight (kg)

Number of standard sheep units

up to 25

0.519

more than 25 to 30

0.595

more than 30 to 35

0.667

more than 35 to 40

0.738

more than 40 to 45

0.806

more than 45 to 50

0.872

more than 50 to 55

0.937

more than 55 to 60

1.000

more than 60 to 65

1.062

more than 65 to 70

1.123

more than 70 to 75

1.182

more than 75

1.241

10Meaning of watercourse

(1)A watercourse is a river, creek or stream in which water flows permanently or intermittently—
(a)in a natural channel, whether artificially improved or not; or
(b)in an artificial channel that has changed the course of the watercourse.
(2)A watercourse includes the bed and banks and any other element of a river, creek or stream confining or containing water.

Part 2 Other definitions

action has the meaning given by the Commonwealth Environment Act, chapter 8, part 23, division 1, subdivision A.
activity, for chapter 4, see section 31.
AES means aggregate environmental score.
aggregate environmental score, for an environmentally relevant activity, see section 13.
animal waste means any discarded materials, including carcasses, body parts, blood or bedding, originating—
(a)from animals contaminated with an agent infectious to humans; or
(b)from animals inoculated during research, production of biologicals or pharmaceutical testing with infectious agents.
annual fee, for an environmental authority—
(a)generally, see section 157; or
(b)for chapter 9, part 3, division 2, see section 161.
approved EMS, for chapter 9, part 3, division 2, see section 162.
approved partner, for chapter 9, part 3, division 2, see section 163.
AS 1055 means ‘AS 1055–1997—Acoustics–Description and measurement of environmental noise’.
AS 1940 means ‘AS 1940–2004—The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids’.
AS IEC 61672 means ‘AS IEC 61672—Electroacoustics–Sound level meters’.
attribute table means schedule 9, part 3, division 2, table 1.
Australian water quality management guidelines means the document called ‘Australian & New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality’, published by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture.

Note—

See the Water Quality Australia website for access to the Australian water quality management guidelines.
authority number, for an environmental authority, means the unique number issued for the environmental authority by the administering authority.
available for improvement, in relation to land in an improvement area for a non-use management area, for schedule 8A, see schedule 8A, part 1, section 1.

sch 19 def available for improvement ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 15

bed, of any waters—
(a)includes an area covered, permanently or intermittently, by tidal or non-tidal waters; but
(b)does not include land adjoining or adjacent to the bed that is from time to time covered by floodwater.
biosecurity waste means—
(a)waste that is goods subject to biosecurity control under the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cwlth); or
(b)goods under the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cwlth) that are or were in contact with waste mentioned in paragraph (a).
boat maintenance or repair facility means a facility on land or in water that is used to maintain or repair boats or seaplanes.

Examples of facilities—

cradles, dry docks, hardstand areas
category 1 regulated waste see section 43(1), (2) and (3).
category 2 regulated waste see section 43(4).
category A environmentally sensitive area see section 1 of this schedule.
category B environmentally sensitive area see section 2 of this schedule.
characteristic, for chapter 4, see section 31.
chemical means—
(a)an agricultural chemical product or veterinary chemical product under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 (Cwlth); or
(b)a dangerous good under the dangerous goods code; or
(c)a drug or poison mentioned in the current Poisons Standard under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (Cwlth); or
(d)a substance intended for use as—
(i)a fertiliser for agricultural, horticultural or garden use, other than mushroom growing substrate or compost; or
(ii)a paint, paint solvent, pigment, dye, printing ink, industrial polish, degreasing agent, adhesive, sealant, food additive, bleach, sanitiser, disinfectant, biocide or firefighting foam; or
(iii)a pesticide, insecticide, fungicide, herbicide, rodenticide, nematocide, miticide, fumigant or related product; or
(iv)a surface active agent, including, for example, soap and detergent; or
(e)class 1 or 2 combustible liquids under AS 1940; or
(f)a chemical toxicant for which guidelines are prescribed under the Australian water quality management guidelines.
chemical waste means waste generated from the use of chemicals in medical, dental, veterinary and laboratory procedures, including, for example, mercury, formalin and gluteraldehyde.
clay pit mining means excavating—
(a)waterborne or weathered material (whether or not it is in a watercourse) to extract clay for a use related to its ceramic properties; or
(b)kaolin; or
(c)bentonite.
clean earth means any natural substance found in the earth that is not contaminated with waste or a hazardous contaminant.

Examples—

clay, gravel, loam, rock, sand, soil
clinical waste means waste that has the potential to cause disease, including, for example, the following—
(a)animal waste;
(b)discarded sharps;
(c)human tissue waste;
(d)laboratory waste.
coal seam gas water means underground water brought to the surface of the earth or moved underground in connection with exploring for or producing coal seam gas.
coal seam gas water management policy means the document called ‘Coal seam gas water management policy’, dated December 2012 and published on the department’s website.
commercial, for an activity mentioned in schedule 2, means carried out for a fee or reward.
commercial premises means any of the following types of premises—
(a)a hotel, motel, caravan park, cafe, food store or canteen;
(b)an assembly building, institutional building, kindergarten, child minding centre, school or other building used for education;
(c)premises where a sport or game is ordinarily played in public;
(d)an exhibition ground, show ground or racecourse;
(e)an office, shop or other premises where business or work, other than a manufacturing process, is carried out.
commercial waste means waste, other than green waste, recyclable waste, interceptor waste or waste discharged to a sewer, produced as a result of the ordinary use or occupation of commercial premises.
Commonwealth approval, for a project, means the Commonwealth Minister’s approval of the action the subject of the project under the Commonwealth Environment Act, chapter 4, part 9.
Commonwealth Minister means the Minister of the Commonwealth responsible for administering the Commonwealth Environment Act.
concurrence ERA see section 15.
conformity assessment body, for chapter 9, part 3, division 2, see section 161.
consignment number means—
(a)for a load of waste transported from a generator outside Queensland—the number assigned to the load under section 93(5); or
(b)for a load of waste transported to a receiver outside Queensland—any number assigned as a consignment number for the load under an equivalent law of the jurisdiction.
controlling provision, for a project, means a provision of the Commonwealth Environment Act, chapter 2, part 3, decided by the Commonwealth Minister as a controlling provision for the project under that Act, chapter 4, part 7, division 2.
control measure, for chapter 4, see section 31.
cresol means pure cresol and its chemical derivatives, including, for example, the following—
(a)2-methylphenol (o-cresol)
(b)3-methylphenol (m-cresol)
(c)4-methylphenol (p-cresol).
current test results, for waste, means test results—
(a)for the tests mentioned in section 46 for the waste; and
(b)that are current for the waste under section 48.
cytotoxic drug means a drug known to have carcinogenic, mutagenic or teratogenic potential.
daily peak design capacity, in relation to sewage treatment, see schedule 2, section 63(4).
dangerous goods means dangerous goods under the dangerous goods code.
dangerous goods class means the class allocated to dangerous goods under the dangerous goods code.
dangerous goods code means the seventh edition of the ‘Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail’.
designated proponent, for a project, means the person designated as a proponent for the action the subject of the project under the Commonwealth Environment Act, section 75(3).
dimension stone mining means extracting rock and processing it by additional cutting or shaping for use for building or monumental purposes.

Examples of rock extracted by dimension stone mining—

granite, limestone, marble, sandstone, slate
disposal code, for a way of disposing of waste, means the relevant code for the disposal operation stated in schedule 17.
domestic clean-up waste means non-putrescible, dry and inoffensive waste, other than green waste or recyclable waste, produced as a result of a clean-up of domestic premises.
domestic premises means any of the following types of premises—
(a)a single unit private dwelling;
(b)premises containing 2 or more separate flats, apartments or other dwelling units;
(c)a boarding house, hostel, lodging house or guest house.
domestic waste means waste, other than domestic clean-up waste, green waste, recyclable waste, interceptor waste or waste discharged to a sewer, produced as a result of the ordinary use or occupation of domestic premises.
ecoBiz program, for chapter 9, part 3, division 2, see section 161.
end-of-life tyre means a used tyre that is not attached to a vehicle.
environmentally significant characteristic means a characteristic mentioned in the MCW NEPM, schedule A, list 2, a copy of which is set out in schedule 18.
environmental management decision, for chapter 4, see section 32.
environmental objective assessment means an assessment carried out in accordance with schedule 8, part 2.
ERA means an environmentally relevant activity.
estimation technique, for chapter 7, part 3, see section 121.
estimation technique application, for chapter 7, part 3, see section 123.
estimation technique approval, for chapter 7, part 3, see section 122.
facility, for an environmentally relevant activity, means, generally, the premises or other place used for the activity.
floodwater means water overflowing, or that has overflowed, from a watercourse onto or over riparian land that is not submerged when the watercourse flows between or is contained within its bed and banks.
general waste means—
(a)generally, waste other than regulated waste; and
(b)for chapter 6, part 2, any of the following—
(i)commercial waste other than regulated waste;
(ii)domestic waste;
(iii)recyclable waste.
generator
(a)for chapter 5, part 1, division 3, see section 50; or
(b)for chapter 5, part 9, see section 72(1)(a).
generator identification number, of a person, means the number assigned to the person under section 97.
green waste means grass cuttings, trees, bushes, shrubs, loppings of trees, bushes or shrubs, or similar matter produced as a result of the ordinary use or occupation of premises.
groundwater means underground water.
high consequence dam means a dam that is assessed as being in a high consequence category within the meaning of the document called ‘Manual for assessing consequence categories and hydraulic performance of structures’, published by the department.
highest astronomical tide means the highest level of the tides that can be predicted to occur under average meteorological conditions and under any combination of astronomical conditions.
human body parts means recognisable organs, bones and gross body parts but does not include teeth, gums, hair, nails, bone fragments or a placenta if it is to be retained by a parent or guardian.
human tissue waste means the following—
(a)tissue, blood, blood products and other body fluids that are removed from a person during surgery, an autopsy or another medical procedure;
(b)tissue, blood, blood products and other body fluids that are removed from a person during post-operative care or treatment;
(c)specimens of tissue, blood, blood products and other body fluids and containers in which the specimens are kept;
(d)discarded material saturated with, or containing, free-flowing blood and other body fluids.
improvement area, for a non-use management area, for schedule 8A, see schedule 8A, part 1, section 1.

sch 19 def improvement area ins 2019 SL No. 198 s 15

industrial waste means—
(a)interceptor waste; or
(b)waste other than the following—
(i)commercial waste;
(ii)domestic waste;
(iii)domestic clean-up waste;
(iv)green waste;
(v)recyclable waste;
(vi)recyclable interceptor waste;
(vii)waste discharged to a sewer.
interceptor means a device used to intercept a substance in sewage, waste water or trade waste and prevent its discharge into a sewer, septic tank, waste water disposal system or other treatment device.

Examples of interceptors—

neutralising interceptors for neutralising acidic and alkaline substances
grease interceptors for collecting and solidifying fat, grease and similar matter
oil interceptors for collecting oil and petroleum products
silt interceptors for collecting soil, sand, gravel and other sedimentary solids
interceptor waste means matter, other than recyclable interceptor waste, intercepted by, and held in, an interceptor.
JAS-ANZ, for chapter 9, part 3, division 2, see section 161.
liquid waste means waste that—
(a)has an angle of repose of less than 5 degrees above horizontal; or
(b)becomes free-flowing—
(i)at or below 60 degrees Celsius; or
(ii)when it is transported; or
(c)is generally not capable of being picked up by a spade or shovel.
local government road see the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994, schedule 6.
lower emissions score, for chapter 9, part 3, division 2, see section 164.
manufacturing process means a handicraft or other process relating to adapting, altering, assembling, cleaning, finishing, making, ornamenting, preparing, renovating, repairing, washing, or wrecking goods for trade, sale or gain or otherwise in connection with a business.
map of Great Barrier Reef wetland protection areas means the document called ‘Map of Great Barrier Reef wetland protection areas’, made by the chief executive and published on the department’s website.
map of Queensland wetland environmental values see the Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019, schedule 2.
material, for chapter 4, see section 31.
matters of national environmental significance means matters of national environmental significance mentioned in the Commonwealth Environment Act, chapter 2, part 3, division 1.
MCW NEPM means the National Environment Protection (Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories) Measure made by the National Environment Protection Council, on 26 June 1998, under the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 (Cwlth).
milestone criteria, for a management milestone or rehabilitation milestone, for schedule 8A, see schedule 8A, part 1, section 1.

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mined, for schedule 8A, see schedule 8A, part 1, section 1.

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monitoring, for chapter 4, see section 33.
naturally occurring surface waters includes artificial waterways that are directly connected to naturally occurring surface waters.

Example—

a canal connected to naturally occurring surface waters
noise measurement manual means the document called ‘Noise measurement manual’, published on the department’s website.
NPI NEPM see section 114.
operating, sewage treatment works, see schedule 2, section 63(4).
organochlorine pesticide see section 3 of this schedule.
organophosphate pesticide see section 4 of this schedule.
packing group designator, for trackable waste, means the packing group designator applying to the waste under the dangerous goods code.
persistent organic pollutant (other) see section 5 of this schedule.
pharmaceutical product means a restricted drug under the Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996.
phenol means pure phenol and its chemical derivatives, including, for example, the following—
(a)2-cyclohexyl-4,6-dinitrophenol
(b)2,4-dimethylphenol
(c)2.4-dinitrophenol
(d)2-methyl-4,6-dinitrophenol
(e)2-nitrophenol
(f)4-nitrophenol.
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon see section 6 of this schedule.
PRC plan includes a proposed PRC plan.

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PRCP objective assessment means an assessment carried out in accordance with schedule 8A.

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PRCP schedule includes a proposed PRCP schedule or draft PRCP schedule.

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PRCP schedule decision see section 32A.

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prescribed environmental management system, for chapter 9, part 3, division 2, see section 161.
prescribed form, for chapter 5, part 9, see section 91(1).
prescribed information
(a)for chapter 5, part 1, division 3, see section 50; or
(b)for chapter 5, part 9, see section 74.
prescribed period, for chapter 5, part 9, see section 76.
prescribed way, for chapter 5, part 9, see section 75.
probable or proved ore reserve see section 126D(6) of the Act.

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product stewardship means—
(a)a product stewardship scheme under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011; or
(b)1 of the following under the Product Stewardship Act 2011 (Cwlth)—
(i)an accredited voluntary arrangement;
(ii)an approved co-regulatory arrangement;
(iii)mandatory product stewardship requirements specified under part 4 of that Act.
project site, for an environmental authority, means a site where 1 or more environmentally relevant activities are carried out as a single integrated operation under the authority.
radioactive substance see the Radiation Safety Act 1999, schedule 2.
railway corridor see the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994, section 255(6).
receiver
(a)for chapter 5, part 1, division 3, see section 50; or
(b)for chapter 5, part 9, see section 72(1)(c).
recyclable interceptor waste means matter that is, or is intended to be, removed from a grease interceptor and taken elsewhere for processing into a non-toxic, non-hazardous and usable substance for sale.
recyclable waste, for a local government’s area, means clean and inoffensive waste that is declared by the local government to be recyclable waste for the area.

Examples of waste that may be declared to be recyclable waste—

glass bottles, newspaper, cardboard, steel and aluminium cans, green waste
reduced annual fee, for an environmental authority, for chapter 9, part 3, division 2, see section 161.
registration number, of a motor vehicle, see the Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2010, schedule 8.
regulated waste see section 42.
rehabilitation area, for land the subject of a post-mining land use, for schedule 8A, see schedule 8A, part 1, section 1.

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related waste means waste that constitutes, or is contaminated with, chemicals, cytotoxic drugs, human body parts, pharmaceutical products or radioactive substances.
relevant attribute, in relation to waste, means—
(a)if the waste is liquid waste—any of the attributes mentioned in the attribute table, column 1, items 1 to 6; or
(b)if the waste is solid waste—an attribute mentioned in the attribute table, column 1, item 1 or 6.
relevant impacts, for chapter 2 and schedule 1, means the impacts, including the potential for environmental harm—
(a)for a project prescribed under section 4(a)—the project has or will have, or is likely to have, on the matter protected by a controlling provision for the project; or
(b)for a project prescribed under section 4(b)—the project has or will have, or is likely to have, on the matters of national environmental significance.
relevant premises includes domestic, government and commercial premises.
relevant resource environmental authority, for chapter 9, part 3, division 2, see section 161.
relevant substance, in relation to waste, means a substance mentioned in the substance table, column 1 or the threshold table, column 1 that could reasonably be expected to be present in the waste having regard to—
(a)the source, type and quality of materials involved in the generation of the waste; and
(b)the way in which the waste was generated.
reporting period, for a reporting facility, for chapter 7, see section 118.
reporting requirement, for the occupier of a reporting facility, for chapter 7, see section 115.
reporting threshold, for a substance, for chapter 7, see section 115.
scheduled area see section 14.
sensitive land use see the Planning Regulation 2017, schedule 24.
sensitive receptor means a sensitive receptor under any relevant environmental protection policies.
serviced premises, for chapter 6, see section 100.
sharp means an object or device having sharp points, protuberances or cutting edges that are capable of causing a penetrating injury to humans.
significant consequence dam means a dam that is assessed as being in a significant consequence category within the meaning of the document called ‘Manual for assessing consequence categories and hydraulic performance of structures’, published by the department.
solid waste means waste other than liquid waste.
source noise, for chapter 5, part 4, division 2, see section 58.
standard cattle unit see section 7 of this schedule.
standard general waste container means a container of a type approved by a local government for storing domestic waste, commercial waste or recyclable waste at premises in the local government’s area.
standard pig unit see section 8 of this schedule.
standard sheep unit see section 9 of this schedule.
State or local government entity means—
(a)the State; or
(b)a local government; or
(c)an instrumentality or agency of the State or a local government; or
(d)a government owned corporation; or
(e)a rail government entity under the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994.
storing, a quantity of a chemical, includes moving the chemical, or some of the chemical, within the site where the chemical is stored.
subsidiary risk, for trackable waste, means the subsidiary risk applying to the waste under the dangerous goods code.
substance table means schedule 9, part 3, division 2, table 2.
sufficient improvement, of a non-use management area, for schedule 8A, see schedule 8A, part 1, section 1.

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surface water, for chapter 4, see section 31.
tested waste, for chapter 5, part 1, division 3, see section 50.
test results see section 48(1).
threshold table means schedule 9, part 2, table.
trackable waste see section 71(1).
transporter, for chapter 5, part 9, see section 72(1)(b).
treated clinical waste means clinical waste that has been treated to render it non-infectious.
treatment code, for a way of treating waste, means the code for the treatment operation stated in schedule 17.
unique identifier, for the transportation of a load of trackable waste, means—
(a)if the generator gives the administering authority information about the transportation in the prescribed form—the unique identifier marked on the form; or
(b)if the generator gives the administering authority information about the transportation in another way the administering executive has approved under section 92—the unique identifier assigned under the approved way.
UN number, for trackable waste, means the United Nations number applying to the waste under the dangerous goods code.
untreated clinical waste means clinical waste, other than treated clinical waste, including, for example, clinical waste that has been only partly treated.
waste code, for trackable waste, means the code for the waste stated in schedule 11.
waste facility means a facility for the recycling, reprocessing, treatment, storage, incineration, conversion to energy or disposal of waste.
waste handler see section 72(1).
water, for chapter 4, see section 31.
watercourse see section 10 of this schedule.
wetland means an area shown as a wetland on the map of Queensland wetland environmental values.
within, a threshold, includes in accordance with the threshold.