business.gov.au

Approval of Environment Plan - Australian Government

Description

You will require this approval if you intend to explore, recover or transport petroleum or greenhouse gases in Australian waters. Australian waters are the waters outside of the state and territory 3 mile boundary.

To have your Environment Plan approved, you must have already submitted an Offshore Project Proposal. Your Offshore Project Proposal must authorise your intended activities. The Minister may also approve your Environment Plan under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act.

Service type

Licence

A licence defines the need to obtain recognition / certification and registration to undertake a certain business activity.

Eligibility requirements

Your environment plan must:

  • state the location or locations of the activity
  • state general details of the construction and layout of any facility
  • outline the operational details of the activity (for example, seismic surveys, exploration drilling or production) and proposed timetables
  • describe activities impact on the existing environment
  • evaluate the environmental impacts and risks of the proposed activity
  • set out environmental performance outcomes and standards to measure the protection of the environment
  • include details of the particular relevant values and sensitivities (if any) of that environment
  • be developed in consultation with any relevant organisations or people (including representatives from relevant Commonwealth, State and Territory Departments, and those whose interests may be affected by the activities) meet the criteria for acceptance of an environment plan outlined in Division 2.2 of the Regulations.

You may submit an environment plan for one or more stages of a gas or petroleum operation. If the Agency determines that your plan does not meet the acceptance criteria, you will have reasonable opportunity to modify and resubmit the plan. Your approved Environment Plan may have limitations or conditions placed on it. If there is a new environmental risk identified, operations must not continue.

Prerequisites

Might Need

Offshore Project Proposal

Duration

You must submit a revised Environment Plan at the end of each five year period.

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Description
Apply Application All

Fees will vary depending on your circumstances. Please consult the Contact Officer for more information.

Other resources

Task Business Structure Resources
Apply All Environment Plan Decision Making Guideline - PDF (Opens in new window)

Act(s) name

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 Australian Government

Regulation(s) name

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009 Australian Government

Approval time

30 days

Administering agency

National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority

Contact details

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.