Legislation and Reform
The resources sector operates within a comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure sustainable development
Industry in Queensland is underpinned by a comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure sustainable development and use of our resources whilst safeguarding the environment for the future.
The protection of the environment and responsible economic development are not mutually exclusive and a risk management approach to the regulation of activities delivers benefits for all stakeholders.
Where environmental impacts of a resources operation may occur, under Queensland and Commonwealth government laws, all development applications must undergo a detailed environmental impact assessment and approvals process. If granted consent to proceed, developments are issued with stringent conditions, called an Environmental Authority, set by the government to minimise such impacts.
The resources sector in Queensland understands the importance of operating in a responsible way and works hard to meet its obligations. To ensure the sector is achieving leading practice environmental management and ultimately ‘doing the right thing’, government monitors operations across the State for compliance. Any failure to meet the conditions set by government or undertaking of activities that could cause harm to the environment results in compliance action.
QRC is committed to ensure leading systems of environmental administration and regulation. QRC encourages and supports its member companies:
- In achieving compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards, and utilising relevant guidelines for the protection of the environment as the core focus; and
- To adopt leading practicable measures to minimise adverse impacts on environmental values.
The resources sector has a vital interest in and efficient and stable risk-based regulatory framework that meets government policy objectives without imposing unnecessary cost burdens. The resources sector is subject to more requirements than most other industries.
QRC works with its member companies and government to develop legislative provisions, processes and associated material that is sensible, practical, user friendly, as well as complementary to existing policy.
When proposed legislation is introduced to State Parliament, it is often referred to a Parliamentary Committee for consideration of public issues raised. QRC plays a key role in representing and providing a whole of industry voice on environmental matters that affect the resources sector. The latest submissions prepared by QRC on proposed State legislation and lodged with Parliamentary Committees are provided below.
Relevant Links
Submission to the Agriculture and Environment Committee
Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 (2016)
Submission to the Agriculture and Environment Committee
Environmental Protection (Chain of Responsibility) Amendment Bill 2016 (2016)
Submission to the Agriculture and Environment Committee
Submission to the Finance and Administration Committee
Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 (2014)
Submission to the Agriculture and Environment Committee
Environmental Offsets Bill 2014 (2014)
Submission to the Agriculture and Environment Committee
When proposed legislation is introduced at a Commonwealth government level, QRC often joins with the Minerals Council of Australia and other industry representative bodies across jurisdictions to provide a collective position on environmental matters that affect the resources sector. The latest submissions prepared by QRC in collaboration with the Minerals Council of Australia and others on proposed Commonwealth legislation and lodged with the relevant national regulators are provided below.
Relevant Links
EPBC Water Trigger for Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development (2016)
Submission to the Independent Reviewer
National Environmental Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure Variation (2014)
Submission to the National Environmental Protection Council