Northern Territory Numbered Acts

[Index] [Table] [Search] [Search this Act] [Notes] [Noteup] [Download] [Help]

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION LEGISLATION AMENDMENT ACT 2023 (NO 34 OF 2023)


TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   PART 1--PRELIMINARY MATTERS

   1.      Short title  
   2.      Commencement  

   PART 2--GENERAL AMENDMENTS TO ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION LEGISLATION

           Division 1--Amendment of Environment Protection Act 2019

   3.      Act amended  
   4.      Section 4 amended (Definitions)  
   5.      Section 12 amended (Meaning of significant variation )  
   6.      Section 18A inserted  
   7.      Section 40 amended (Protected environmental areas – environmental offences)  
   8.      Part 3, Division 3 inserted  
   9.      Section 43 amended (General duty of proponents)  
   10.     Section 44 amended (Certain referrals prohibited)  
   11.     Section 45 amended (Cooperative agreements – assessment process)  
   12.     Section 46 amended (Proponent to have only one environmental impact assessment process)  
   13.     Section 47 amended (Significant variation of action)  
   14.     Section 50 amended (Referral if application made to statutory decision-maker)  
   15.     Section 51 amended (Proponent to notify NT EPA of significant variation of proposed action or strategic proposal)  
   16.     Section 51A inserted  
   17.     Section 52 amended (Approval holder to refer proposed significant variation for assessment)  
   18.     Section 53 amended (Call-in notice)  
   19.     Section 55 amended (Process for considering referred actions and strategic proposals)  
   20.     Section 56 amended (Process for considering notified significant variations)  
   21.     Section 58 amended (Statutory authorisations and environmental impact assessments)  
   22.     Section 59 amended (Statutory authorisation granted before referral of action)  
   23.     Section 59A inserted  
   24.     Section 61 amended (Purpose of environmental approval)  
   25.     Section 62 amended (Fit and proper person to hold environmental approval)  
   26.     Section 62A inserted  
   27.     Section 63 amended (Application of Division)  
   28.     Section 64 amended (Assessment report)  
   29.     Section 66 amended (Statement of unacceptable impact)  
   30.     Section 67 amended (Notice of assessment report and other documents)  
   31.     Section 73 amended (Matters to be considered by Minister in deciding on environmental approval)  
   32.     Section 74 amended (Time for decision on environmental approval)  
   33.     Section 76 amended (Minister's decision in relation to statement)  
   34.     Section 84 amended (Conditions of environmental approval)  
   35.     Section 85 amended (Condition may apply after action completed)  
   36.     Section 86 amended (Conditions imposing financial requirements)  
   37.     Section 88 amended (Conditions relating to management of health, social and cultural impacts)  
   38.     Section 94 amended (Expiry of environmental approval)  
   39.     Part 5, Division 7A inserted  
   40.     Section 97A inserted  
   41.     Section 101 amended (Decision of Minister in relation to approval notice)  
   42.     Section 102A inserted  
   43.     Section 105A inserted  
   44.     Section 106 amended (Amendment of environmental approval)  
   45.     Section 107 amended (Consultation on proposed amendment)  
   46.     Section 113 amended (Obligations under approval to continue)  
   47.     Section 121 amended (Minister may have regard to certain matters)  
   48.     Section 123 amended (Decision on transfer)  
   49.     Section 124 amended (Publication of approval of transfer and reasons)  
   50.     Section 125 amended (Environmental offsets framework and guidelines)  
   51.     Section 128 amended (Purpose of environment protection bond)  
   52.     Section 129 amended (Amount of bond)  
   53.     Section 131 amended (Claim on bond)  
   54.     Section 132 amended (Unused bond refundable)  
   55.     Section 142 amended (Direction by CEO to carry out environmental audit)  
   56.     Section 150 amended (Declarations in relation to environmental reports)  
   57.     Section 153 amended (Retention and production of audit documentation)  
   58.     Section 178 amended (Requirements of environment protection notices)  
   59.     Section 181 amended (Notice to prescribed statutory decision-maker of proposed notice)  
   60.     Section 182A inserted  
   61.     Section 194 amended (NT EPA may issue stop work notice)  
   62.     Part 9, Division 4 heading and section 199 replaced  
   63.     Section 200 amended (Contents of closure notice)  
   64.     Section 201 amended (Effect of closure notice)  
   65.     Section 202 amended (Copy of closure notice may be lodged with Registrar-General)  
   66.     Section 203 amended (Recorded notice applies to owners and occupiers of land)  
   67.     Section 204 amended (Notice to owners and occupiers of land)  
   68.     Section 205 amended (Notice by owner or occupier to CEO)  
   69.     Section 207 amended (Cancellation of recording of closure notice)  
   70.     Section 208 amended (Contravention of closure notice – environmental offence)  
   71.     Section 209 amended (Obstruct compliance with closure notice – environmental offence)  
   72.     Section 210 amended (Closure notice not complied with)  
   73.     Section 244A inserted  
   74.     Section 246 amended (CEO to have regard to certain matters)  
   75.     Section 249 amended (Court to have regard to certain matters)  
   76.     Section 254 amended (Proceeding to be stayed if criminal proceedings commenced)  
   77.     Part 11, Division 1AA inserted  
   78.     Section 265 amended (Criminal liability of executive officer of body corporate)  
   79.     Section 269 amended (Alternative verdicts)  
   80.     Section 270 amended (Principles to be applied in imposing a penalty for specified environmental offences)  
   81.     Sections 274A, 274B and 274C inserted  
   82.     Part 13, Division 2A inserted  

           Division 2A--Protection from liability

   83.     Section 281 amended (Confidential information)  
   84.     Part 13, Division 4A inserted  
   85.     Part 13, Division 7A inserted  
   86.     Section 295 amended (Definitions)  
   87.     Section 299 amended (Assessment report)  
   88.     Section 300 amended (Assessment report completed under former Act before commencement)  
   89.     Section 300A inserted  
   90.     Section 301A inserted  
   91.     Section 302 amended (Process for environmental approval)  
   92.     Schedule amended  
   93.     Act further amended  

           Division 2--Amendment of Environment Protection Regulations 2020

   94.     Regulations amended  
   95.     Regulation 3 amended (Definitions)  
   96.     Regulation 6 amended (Fit and proper person)  
   97.     Regulation 17 amended (Application of Subdivision)  
   98.     Regulation 27 amended (Purpose of Division)  
   99.     Regulation 47A inserted  
   100.    Regulation 59 amended (Method of environmental impact assessment)  
   101.    Regulation 77 amended (NT EPA to have regard to environmental objectives)  
   102.    Regulation 78 amended (Proponent to have regard to environmental objectives)  
   103.    Regulation 83 amended (Additional information during assessment process)  
   104.    Regulation 88 amended (Suspension of process on referral to Commonwealth)  
   105.    Regulation 88A inserted  
   106.    Regulation 91 amended (Effect of suspension on required period to make decision)  
   107.    Regulation 92 amended (Termination of assessment process)  
   108.    Regulation 95 amended (NT EPA may reconsider method of environmental impact assessment)  
   109.    Regulation 104 amended (Decision on terms of reference)  
   110.    Regulation 107 amended (Amendment of approved terms of reference)  
   111.    Regulation 119A inserted  
   112.    Regulation 120 amended (Submission period for supplementary environmental report)  
   113.    Regulation 136A inserted  
   114.    Regulation 137 amended (Submission period for supplement)  
   115.    Regulation 155 amended (Proponent to have regard to report)  
   116.    Regulation 157 amended (Preparation of assessment report)  
   117.    Regulation 173 amended (Decision or recommendation on significant variation)  
   118.    Regulation 177 amended (Assessment to continue without change)  
   119.    Regulation 178 amended (Alternative method of assessment required)  
   120.    Part 7, Division 2A inserted  

              Subdivision 1--Preliminary matters

              Subdivision 2--Initial consideration of notice of significant variation

              Subdivision 3--Consideration after acceptance of notice of significant variation

              Subdivision 4--Implementation of decision on assessment

   121.    Regulation 264 amended (Proponent or approval holder to have regard to objectives in preparing documents)  
   122.    Part 12, Division 1, Subdivision 2 heading amended (Submissions)  
   123.    Regulation 269 amended (Request not to publish submission)  
   124.    Part 12, Division 2, Subdivision 1A inserted  
   125.    Regulation 282 amended (Public register)  
   126.    Schedule 2 amended (Infringement notice offences and prescribed amounts)  

   PART 3--CHAIN OF RESPONSIBILITY AMENDMENTS

           Division 1--Amendment of Environment Protection Legislation Amendment (Chain of Responsibility) Act 2022

   127.    Act amended  
   128.    Section 8 amended (Part 9, Division 2, Subdivision 2 and Division 2A inserted)  
   129.    Section 17 amended (Parts 9A and 9B inserted)  

           Division 2--Amendment of Environment Protection Regulations 2020

   130.    Regulations amended  
   131.    Part 12, Division 1A inserted  

   PART 4--MINING AMENDMENTS

           Division 1--Amendment of Environment Protection Act 2019

   132.    Act amended  
   133.    Section 3 amended (Objects)  
   134.    Section 4 amended (Definitions)  
   135.    Section 7 amended (Meaning of environmental harm )  
   136.    Section 13A inserted  
   137.    Parts 5A, 5B and 5C inserted  

              Subdivision 1--Preliminary matters

              Subdivision 2--Risk criteria, standard conditions and conditions generally

              Subdivision 3--Environmental (mining) licences

           Division 2--Environmental obligations

   138.    Section 129 amended (Amount of bond)  
   139.    Part 7, Division 1A inserted  
   140.    Section 140 amended (Relationship of this Part to other provisions)  
   141.    Section 141 amended (Environmental audit)  
   142.    Section 142 amended (Direction by CEO to carry out environmental audit)  
   143.    Section 148 amended (Nature of conflict of interest)  
   144.    Section 149 amended (Qualified person may direct information to be provided)  
   145.    Section 163 amended (General powers of environmental officers)  
   146.    Section 176 amended (Environment protection notice – purpose and issue)  
   147.    Section 177 amended (Content of environment protection notice)  
   148.    Section 182 amended (Emergency environment protection notice issued by CEO)  
   149.    Section 199AB inserted  
   150.    Section 199B amended (Monitoring and management notice – form and giving of notice)  
   151.    Section 204 amended (Notice to owners and occupiers of land)  
   152.    Part 9, Division 5, Subdivision 1 heading and section 210A inserted  
           Subdivision 1 Closure certificates -- environmental approvals
   153.    Section 211 amended (Criteria for closure certificate)  
   154.    Section 212 amended (Application for closure certificate)  
   155.    Section 213 amended (Issue of closure certificate)  
   156.    Section 214 amended (Effect of closure certificate)  
   157.    Part 9, Division 5, Subdivision 2 inserted  
   158.    Section 214F inserted  
   159.    Section 215 amended (CEO may accept enforceable undertaking)  
   160.    Section 216 amended (Enforcement orders)  
   161.    Section 217 amended (CEO may do specified acts or things)  
   162.    Section 218 amended (Withdrawal or variation of enforceable undertaking by proponent, approval holder or related person)  
   163.    Section 219 amended (Withdrawal of acceptance by CEO of enforceable undertaking)  
   164.    Section 220 amended (No criminal proceedings while enforceable undertaking is in force)  
   165.    Section 223 amended (Emergency authorisations)  
   166.    Section 224 replaced  

              Subdivision 1--Preliminary matters

              Subdivision 2--Notification of notifiable incidents

   167.    Section 225 amended (Duty to notify CEO of incidents)  
   168.    Section 226 amended (Manner and form of notice)  
   169.    Section 227 amended (Incidents not required to be reported)  
   170.    Section 228 replaced  
   171.    Section 229 amended (Incriminating information)  
   172.    Part 9, Division 8, Subdivision 3 inserted  

              Subdivision 3--Recording and reporting of incidents

   173.    Section 260 amended (Offence to provide false or misleading information)  
   174.    Section 264 amended (Liability of owner)  
   175.    Section 264A inserted  
   176.    Section 269 amended (Alternative verdicts)  
   177.    Section 274B amended (Statements of fact)  
   178.    Section 276 amended (Standing for judicial review)  
   179.    Section 281 amended (Confidential information)  
   180.    Part 13, Division 3A inserted  
   181.    Section 300 amended (Assessment report completed under former Act before commencement and action regulated under prescribed Act)  
   182.    Part 15 inserted  
   183.    Schedule replaced  

           Division 2--Amendment of Environment Protection Regulations 2020

   184.    Regulations amended  
   185.    Regulation 3 amended (Definitions)  
   186.    Regulation 6 amended (Fit and proper person)  
   187.    Parts 7A and 7B inserted  

              Subdivision 1--Purpose of Division

              Subdivision 2--Declaration of risk criteria

              Subdivision 3--Review of risk criteria

              Subdivision 4--Review of standard conditions

              Subdivision 5--Prescribed enactments

   188.    Part 8 heading amended (Environment protection bonds)  
   189.    Regulation 234A inserted  
   190.    Part 10 heading amended (Notice of environmental incidents)  
   191.    Part 10, Division 1 heading inserted  
   192.    Regulation 255 amended (Relevant information to be given)  
   193.    Part 10, Division 2 inserted  
   194.    Part 12, Division 1, Subdivision 2A inserted  
   195.    Part 12, Division 2, Subdivisions 3 and 4 inserted  
   196.    Regulation 282 amended (Public register)  
   197.    Schedule 2 replaced  

           Division 3--Other Acts amended

              Subdivision 1--Australasia Railway (Special Provisions) Act 1999

   198.    Act amended  
   199.    Section 16 amended (Authority to mine extractive minerals on reservation from occupation)  

              Subdivision 2--Electrical Workers and Contractors Act 1978

   200.    Act amended  
   201.    Section 43 amended (Grounds for suspension or cancellation, &c.)  

              Subdivision 3--McArthur River Project Ratification Agreement Act 1992

   202.    Act amended  
   203.    Section 4AB amended (Ratification of certain instruments)  
   204.    Section 4AC inserted  

              Subdivision 4--Mineral Royalty Act 1982

   205.    Act amended  
   206.    Section 4B amended (Meaning of operating costs )  

              Subdivision 5--Mineral Titles Act 2010

   207.    Act amended  
   208.    Section 4 amended (Application of Act may be affected by other legislation)  
   209.    Section 8 amended (Definitions)  
   210.    Section 13 amended (Technical work program)  
   211.    Section 41 amended (Application for and grant of ML)  
   212.    Section 45 amended (Conditions of ML)  
   213.    Section 47 amended (Application for and grant of EMEL)  
   214.    Section 70A inserted  
   215.    Part 5, Division 2A inserted  
   216.    Section 94 amended (Reports)  
   217.    Section 103 amended (Application for acceptance of surrender)  
   218.    Section 186 amended (Prescribed substance – royalty payments)  
   219.    Section 187 amended (Prescribed substance – Minister's exercise of powers)  

              Subdivision 6--Nuclear Waste Transport Storage and Disposal (Prohibition) Act 2004

   220.    Act amended  
   221.    Section 5 amended (Application of Act)  

              Subdivision 7--Radiation Protection Act 2004

   222.    Act amended  
   223.    Section 9 amended (Act does not apply to certain activities)  
   224.    Section 47A amended (definitions)  

              Subdivision 8--Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998

   225.    Act amended  
   226.    Section 6 amended (Application)  
   227.    Part 17 inserted  

              Subdivision 9--Water Act 1992

   228.    Act amended  
   229.    Section 4 amended (Interpretation)  
   230.    Section 7 replaced  
   231.    Section 71R amended (Licence to take water for mining or petroleum activity)  
   232.    Section 71S amended (Water extraction licence to prevail in event of inconsistency)  
   233.    Part 19 inserted  

           Division 4--Other subordinate legislation amended

              Subdivision 1--Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Objective 2004

   234.    Instrument amended  
   235.    Clause 2 amended (Interpretation)  

              Subdivision 2--Mineral Titles Regulations 2011

   236.    Regulations amended  
   237.    Regulations 4A and 4B inserted  
   238.    Regulation 44 amended (Necessary criteria for mineral title application)  
   239.    Regulation 44A inserted  
   240.    Regulation 79 repealed  
   241.    Schedule 1, Part 2 amended (Rent payable for title areas)  

              Subdivision 3--Radiation Protection Regulations 2007

   242.    Regulations amended  
   243.    Regulation 9A amended (Interpretation)  

              Subdivision 4--Water Regulations 1992

   244.    Regulations amended  
   245.    Regulation 14D amended (Licence to take water for mining or petroleum activity)  

              Subdivision 5--Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011

   246.    Regulations amended  
   247.    Regulation 609 amended (Definitions)  

   PART 5--ACT REPEALED

   248.    Act repealed  
           SCHEDULE


AustLII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback