Compliance Update [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

[Maria Riedl]

 

 

All

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) is the Australian Government's central piece of environmental legislation. It provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places — defined in the EPBC Act as matters of national environmental significance.

In 2010 amendments to the EPBC Act Regulations were enabled, which provide for the issue of infringements to persons that are alleged to have contravened conditions attached to an approval.

On 15 April 2011 the 1st Infringement Notices for committing an offence against section 142B of the EPBC Act, contravening a condition attached to an approval were issued.

The Queensland Gas Company Pty Limited (QGC) is a leading Australian coal seam gas explorer and producer. QGC hold an EPBC approval to develop and transporting gas through a 730km underground pipeline network from the Surat Basin to Curtis Island near Gladstone where it will be liquefied.

On or about 15 March 2011 plant and machinery cleared up to 6 kilometres of vegetation within the Gas Transmission Pipeline Right of Way of EPBC approval 2008/4399.

The action or omission contravened conditions 4, 13 and 49 attached to EPBC approval 2008/4399, the action constituted an offence under s 142B EPBC

On 15 April 2011 QGC were served with three Infringement notices totalling $19,800 (each infringement notice each is valued at $6.600)

The departments media release is enclosed for your information and is also on-line at http://www.environment.gov.au/about/media/dept-mr/index.html

Regards
<<dept-mr QGC.pdf>>
Drew McLean | Assistant Director | Compliance 1
EPBC Act Compliance Section NT, QLD, VIC, TAS
Compliance & Enforcement Branch  | Approvals & Wildlife Division
Dept. of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601
T: 02 6274 2384│M: 0418-454-070
drew....@environment.gov.au

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