Submissions that referred to this issue: 11, 15, 17, 22, 27, 29, 33, 35, 36, 38. Transitional arrangements Delayed implementation of the Program The Taskforce has 36 not actioned any Many industry stakeholders sought clarification of matters relating to the implementation of the Program, noted the scale and changes in relation complexity of the proposed regulatory amendments and recommended a delayed implementation of these provisions, to to this issue. ensure the greater understanding of the Program and minimise any unintended consequences. Response The Taskforce notes that streamlining offshore environmental approvals will reduce regulatory burden on industry while maintaining existing environmental safeguards, in accordance with the agenda to provide a one stop shop for Government’s environmental approvals, as well as its broader deregulation agenda. The Taskforce also notes the commitment to streamline offshore environmental approvals by March 2014. Government’s The Ministerial announcements and the Strategic Assessment Agreement indicate the commitment to Government’s completing the Strategic Assessment by end February 2014. The Taskforce is continuing to work towards this commitment. Submissions that referred to this issue: 15, 17, 24, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35. Further clarity and guidance is required about transition and implementation matters The Taskforce 37 recommends that Several industry submissions identified a number of aspects of implementation and transitional arrangements as a source of the Department of significant uncertainty, which they suggest require further clarification in the Program or as part of NOPSEMA guidance. the Environment clarify transitional These included: matters in relation to existing EPBC the transfer of EPBC Act conditions to NOPSEMA from existing EPBC Act approvals; Act approvals and compliance and enforcement arrangements between the Department of the Environment and NOPSEMA); and conditions. arrangements for projects approved prior to the EPBC Act. ‘brownfields’
Submissions that referred to this issue: 11, 15, 17, 22, 27, 29, 33, 35, 36, 38. Transitional arrangements 36 Delayed implementation of the Program Many industry stakeholders sought clarification of matters relating to the implementation of the Program, noted the scale and complexity of the proposed regulatory amendments and recommended a delayed implementation of these provisions, to ensure the greater understanding of the Program and minimise any unintended consequences. Response The Taskforce notes that streamlining offshore environmental approvals will reduce regulatory burden on industry while maintaining existing environmental safeguards, in accordance with the Government’s agenda to provide a one stop shop for environmental approvals, as well as its broader deregulation agenda. The Taskforce also notes the Government’s commitment to streamline offshore environmental approvals by March 2014. The Ministerial announcements and the Strategic Assessment Agreement indicate the Government’s commitment to completing the Strategic Assessment by end February 2014. The Taskforce is continuing to work towards this commitment. Submissions that referred to this issue: 15, 17, 24, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35. The Taskforce has not actioned any changes in relation to this issue. 37 Further clarity and guidance is required about transition and implementation matters Several industry submissions identified a number of aspects of implementation and transitional arrangements as a source of significant uncertainty, which they suggest require further clarification in the Program or as part of NOPSEMA guidance. These included: the transfer of EPBC Act conditions to NOPSEMA from existing EPBC Act approvals; compliance and enforcement arrangements between the Department of the Environment and NOPSEMA); and arrangements for ‘brownfields’ projects approved prior to the EPBC Act. The Taskforce recommends that the Department of the Environment clarify transitional matters in relation to existing EPBC Act approvals and conditions.
streamlining_offshore_petroleum_environmental_approvals_supplementary_report.docx