Following the Independent review of powers and penalties under the EP Act, the Queensland Government is seeking consulting on proposed amendments to the EP Act. Read more

The Queensland Government has released the draft Wind Farm Code (State Code 23) which is proposed to replace the existing Code.  Consultation on the draft Code is open until Monday 4 September 2023. Read more

The Queensland Government has announced a review of the Wind Farm Code (State Code 23) and accompanying guidelines used in the planning assessment of wind farm applications. Community consultation on the proposed changes will take place from Monday 7 August 2023 until Monday 4 September 2023. Read more

On 10 July 2023, the Queensland Government published the Draft 2023 Queensland Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap (Draft Roadmap) for community feedback. Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) development is a key component of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and meeting the State’s renewable energy targets. The Draft Roadmap details the Queensland REZ Framework to be established under new legislation and the pathway to connect 22 gigawatts of new wind and solar energy to the Queensland electricity grid. Read more

On 3 June 2023, the Queensland Government took the first steps to legislate on Queensland’s renewables targets by releasing a draft of the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023 (Draft Bill). The Draft Bill aims to implement the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which sets out Queensland’s commitments, frameworks and governance to increase the … Read more

The Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 (Qld) (EPOLA Bill) was passed yesterday. The EPOLA Bill amends the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld) with wide ranging implications for Queensland operators, in particular for the resources sector. It also makes minor amendments to the Waste Reduction and recycling Act 2011 (Qld) and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 (Qld). Read more

The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water announced yesterday that it is seeking public feedback on the possible effects of renewable energy projects off the NSW Hunter coast. This announcement follows last year’s declaration of part of Bass Strait off Victoria’s Gippsland coast as Australia’s first offshore renewable energy infrastructure zone. Read more

The Queensland Government has adopted all 22 recommendations of the Queensland Heritage Advisory Panel’s report into heritage places. The recommendations include significant changes to the powers under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992 (Qld), including the introduction of interim protections for heritage places subject to listing applications and broadening the powers regarding the essential repair and maintenance of heritage places. Read more