Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Queensland Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Queensland Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Contents Page Part 1 Preliminary 1 Short title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 2 Commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 Division 1 Preliminary 3 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Division 2 Amendments commencing on assent 4 Amendment of s 39 (Other definitions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 5 Amendment of s 41A (Decision on draft terms of reference) . . . 19 6 Omission of ch 3, pt 1, div 2, sdiv 2 (Public notification of draft terms of reference) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 7 Amendment of s 46 (Finalising terms of reference) . . . . . . . . . . 20 8 Amendment of s 49 (Decision on whether EIS may proceed) . . . 20 9 Amendment of s 56 (Response to submissions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 10 Amendment of s 56A (Assessment of adequacy of response to submission and submitted EIS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 11 Amendment of s 65 (Public access to draft terms of reference or submitted EIS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 12 Amendment of s 67 (Process is suspended) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 13 Amendment of s 68 (Substantial compliance with notice requirements may be accepted) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 14 Amendment of s 112 (Other key definitions for ch 5) . . . . . . . . . 22 15 Amendment of s 125 (Requirements for applications generally) . 23 16 Amendment of s 126 (Requirements for site-specific applications—CSG activities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 17 Amendment of s 126D (Requirements for proposed PRCP schedule)

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 2 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 18 Insertion of new s 126E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 126E Public interest considerations for s 126D . . . . . . . . . 24 19 Omission of s 136A (Administering authority must obtain report about public interest evaluation for particular applications) . . . . . . . . . . 25 20 Amendment of s 139 (Information stage does not apply if EIS process complete) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 21 Amendment of s 150 (Notification stage does not apply to particular applications) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 22 Omission of ss 167A and 167B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 23 Amendment of s 176A (Criteria for decision—proposed PRCP schedule) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 24 Amendment of s 205 (Conditions that must be imposed if application relates to coordinated project) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 25 Amendment of s 226A (Requirements for amendment applications for environmental authorities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 26 Amendment of s 226B (Requirements for amendment applications for PRCP schedules) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 27 Amendment of s 238 (Effect on assessment of amendment application— other changes) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 28 Amendment of s 271 (Payment may be required for residual risks) 32 29 Insertion of new s 273A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 273A Extension of period for payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 30 Amendment of s 274 (Directions to carry out rehabilitation may be given if surrender refused) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 31 Amendment of s 276 (Restriction on surrender taking effect if payment required for residual risks) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 32 Amendment of s 285 (PRCP schedule must be audited) . . . . . . 33 33 Omission of ch 5, pt 15, div 4A (Public interest evaluations) . . . 35 34 Insertion of new s 316S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 316S Direction to carry out rehabilitation if no PRCP schedule 35 35 Amendment of s 359 (Meaning of enforcement ground) . . . . . . . 35 36 Replacement of s 431A (PRCP schedule required for particular environmentally relevant activities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 431A PRCP schedule required for particular environmental authorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 37 Amendment of s 444I (Functions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 38 Replacement of ss 462 and 463 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 462 Power to secure seized thing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 3 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel 463 Offence to contravene seizure requirement . . . . . . . 37 463A Offence to interfere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 463B Receipt and information notice for seized thing . . . . 38 463C Access to seized thing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 463D Return of seized thing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Part 2A Forfeiture orders 463E Forfeiture order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 39 Amendment of s 467 (Authorised person may take or direct someone to take stated action) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 40 Amendment of s 497 (Limitation on time for starting summary proceedings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 41 Amendment of s 520 (Dissatisfied person) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 42 Amendment of s 540 (Registers to be kept by administering authority) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 43 Amendment of s 540A (Registers to be kept by chief executive) 46 44 Amendment of s 755 (Administering authority must assess proposed PRC plan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 45 Omission of s 755A (Application of requirement for public interest evaluation for application stage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 46 Amendment of s 765A (Application of part if holder of environmental authority changes) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 47 Amendment of s 802 (Particular holders may apply for PRC plan approval for pt 27) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 48 Insertion of new ch 13, pt 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Part 35 Transitional provisions for Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 Division 1 Preliminary 826 Definitions for part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Division 2 Transitional provisions for amendments commencing on assent Subdivision 1 Public interest evaluations 827 Definition for subdivision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 828 Ending of relevant matters in relation to existing public interest evaluations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 829 Modified application of new s 56—giving proponent a copy of submissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 830 Modified application of new s 56—period for proponent’s response to submissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 831 Modified application of new s 56A—period for chief

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 4 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel executive’s consideration of EIS etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 832 Starting of decision stage for particular site-specific applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 833 Restarting of assessment process suspended under former s 167B(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 834 Restarting of assessment process suspended under former s 167B(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 835 No debt payable by third party entity under former s 316PD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 836 Continuation of confidentiality of public interest evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Subdivision 2 Other matters 837 Draft terms of reference submitted before commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 838 Information stage does not apply to application made before commencement if IAR evaluated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 839 Notification stage does not apply to application made before commencement if draft IAR publicly notified . . . . . . . 57 840 Continuation of former s 238 for particular changes to amendment applications made before commencement 57 841 Application of new ch 5, pt 10, div 6 for residual risks requirement given after commencement . . . . . . . . . . 58 842 Application of new s 273A to existing residual risks requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 843 Application of new s 276 in relation to existing residual risks requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 844 Continuation of audits of PRCP schedules started before commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 845 Continuation of former ss 462 and 463 in relation to things seized before commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 846 Limitation period for particular summary proceedings 60 847 Register of particular TOR documents to be kept by chief executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 848 Transfers of environmental authorities to which pt 27 applies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 849 Application of new s 802 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Division 4 Transitional regulation 861 Transitional regulation-making power . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 49 Amendment of sch 2 (Original decisions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 50 Amendment of sch 4 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 5 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel Division 3 Amendments commencing by proclamation 51 Amendment of s 4 (How object of Act is to be achieved) . . . . . . 66 52 Amendment of s 6A (Principles of environmental protection) . . . 66 53 Insertion of new s 9A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 9A Significant environmental values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 54 Replacement of ch 1, pt 3, div 2, sdiv 4 (Environmentally relevant activities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Subdivision 4 Environmentally relevant activities 18 Meaning of environmentally relevant activity . . . . . . . 68 19 Activity may be prescribed as environmentally relevant activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 19A Transitional arrangements for former or new environmentally relevant activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 20 Declaration of environmentally relevant activity as a code- managed ERA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 20A General ERAs carried out in connection with resource ERAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 55 Omission of ch 1, pt 3, div 2, sdiv 6 (Prescribed conditions) . . . . 71 56 Amendment of s 28 (Contents of policies) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 57 Amendment of s 79 (What is an agricultural ERA) . . . . . . . . . . . 72 58 Amendment of s 81 (What is an agricultural ERA standard) . . . . 72 59 Omission of ss 106–111 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 60 Amendment of s 112 (Other key definitions for ch 5) . . . . . . . . . 73 61 Amendment of s 115 (Development application taken to be application for environmental authority in particular circumstances) . . . . . . . 73 62 Amendment of s 118 (Single application required for ERA projects) 75 63 Amendment of s 119 (Single environmental authority required for ERA projects) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 64 Amendment of s 130 (Nomination of principal applicant) . . . . . . 77 65 Amendment of s 316C (Application of division) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 66 Amendment of s 318YE (Conditions of recognition) . . . . . . . . . . 77 67 Amendment of s 318YI (Approval continues pending decision about renewal) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 68 Amendment of s 318YM (Inquiry about application) . . . . . . . . . . 79 69 Replacement of s 318YN (Decision on application) . . . . . . . . . . 79 318YN Decision on application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 70 Amendment of s 318YO (Failure to decide application) . . . . . . . 80 71 Amendment of s 318YR (Show cause notice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 6 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel 72 Amendment of s 318YV (Immediate suspension of recognition of accreditation program) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 73 Insertion of new ch 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Chapter 6 Carrying out code-managed ERA under relevant ERA code Part 1 Registration for particular code-managed ERAs 318ZK Application of part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 318ZL Requirement to be registered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 318ZM Request for registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 318ZN Joint request for registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 318ZO Notice of ceasing to carry out code-managed ERA . 83 318ZP Term of registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Part 2 Transitioning to relevant ERA code Division 1 Preliminary 318ZQ Purpose of part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Division 2 Code-managed ERAs for which registration required 318ZR Application of division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 318ZS Withdrawal of application for environmental authority if applicant requests registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 318ZT Surrender of environmental authority if holder requests registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 318ZU Surrender of environmental authority on holder’s deemed registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Division 3 Other code-managed ERAs 318ZV Application of division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 318ZW Withdrawal of application for environmental authority if applicant gives notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 318ZX Surrender of environmental authority if holder gives notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 318ZY Surrender of environmental authority on holder’s deemed decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Division 4 Other provision 318ZZ Amount refundable on surrender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 74 Amendment of s 319 (General environmental duty) . . . . . . . . . . 94 75 Amendment of s 320A (Application of div 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 76 Amendment of s 330 (What is a transitional environmental program) 94 77 Amendment of s 331 (Requirements for applications generally) . 94 78 Amendment of s 332 (Administering authority may require particular

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 7 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel entities to apply for issue of program) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 79 Amendment of s 346 (Effect of compliance with program) . . . . . 95 80 Amendment of s 359 (Meaning of enforcement ground) . . . . . . . 95 81 Amendment of s 426 (Environmental authority required for particular environmentally relevant activities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 82 Replacement of ch 8, pt 2A (Offences relating to conditions) . . . 96 Part 2A Offences relating to code-managed ERAs 435A Offence to contravene relevant ERA code . . . . . . . . 97 83 Amendment of s 452 (Entry of place—general) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 84 Amendment of s 458 (Order to enter land to conduct investigation or conduct work) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 85 Amendment of s 493A (When environmental harm or related acts are unlawful) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 86 Amendment of s 540 (Registers to be kept by administering authority) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 87 Amendment of s 540A (Registers to be kept by chief executive) 99 88 Insertion of new ch 12, pt 1A, div 1, hdg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 89 Amendment of s 551 (Codes of practice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 90 Insertion of new ch 12, pt 1A, divs 2 and 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Division 2 Making codes of practice for code-managed ERAs 551A Chief executive may make code of practice for code- managed ERA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 551B Notice of proposed ERA code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 551C Consideration of submissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 551D Approval of ERA code by regulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Division 3 Other provisions about codes of practice 551E Minor amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 551F Publication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 91 Omission of s 707 (Deferment of application of s 426 to newly prescribed ERAs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 92 Amendment of s 710 (References to former terms) . . . . . . . . . . 104 93 Insertion of new ch 13, pt 35, div 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Division 3 Transitional provisions for amendments commencing by proclamation Subdivision 1 Small scale mining activities 850 Definitions for subdivision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 851 Unamended Act continues to apply for particular period 105 852 Offences against former s 435A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 8 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel 853 Exception, exemption or defence if acting under a prescribed condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 854 Environmental enforcement order for compliance with a prescribed condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 855 Existing application for transitional environmental program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 856 Existing transitional environmental program . . . . . . . 109 857 Recovery of costs and expenses for compliance action 110 Subdivision 2 Other matters 858 Existing codes of practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 859 References to environmentally relevant activities or ERA projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 860 Effect of change in particular terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 94 Amendment of sch 2 (Original decisions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 95 Amendment of sch 4 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Part 3 Amendment of Forestry Act 1959 96 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 97 Insertion of new s 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 22 Approved forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 98 Amendment of s 35 (Granting of permit for land within State forest or timber reserve) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 99 Insertion of new s 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 38 Single integrated permission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 100 Amendment of s 40B (Amending conditions of permit) . . . . . . . . 118 101 Omission of s 40D (Combined commercial activity permits) . . . . 119 102 Insertion of new pt 4, div 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Division 3 Commercial activity agreements 41 Chief executive may enter into commercial activity agreement for State forest or timber reserve . . . . . . 119 42 Content of agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 42A Term and review of agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 42B Authorisation under agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 103 Amendment of s 56 (Permits etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 104 Amendment of s 73B (Commercial activities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 105 Amendment of s 73C (Organised events) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 106 Amendment of s 96B (Delegation by chief executive—State plantation forests) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 107 Insertion of new pt 10, div 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 9 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel Division 7 Transitional provision for Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 151 Existing permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 108 Amendment of sch 3 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Part 4 Amendment of Geothermal Energy Act 2010 109 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 110 Amendment of sch 2 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Part 5 Amendment of Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009 111 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 112 Amendment of sch 2 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Part 6 Amendment of Mineral and Energy Resources (Financial Provisioning) Act 2018 113 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 114 Amendment of s 3 (Main purposes) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 115 Amendment of s 5 (Relationship with Environmental Protection Act 1994) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 116 Amendment of s 6 (Act does not affect other rights or remedies) 131 117 Amendment of s 25 (Cash surety account) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 118 Amendment of s 53 (Application of subdivision) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 119 Amendment of s 55 (Holder must give surety) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 120 Amendment of s 55A (When surety must be given) . . . . . . . . . . 132 121 Amendment of s 58 (Release of surety) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 122 Amendment of s 59 (Notification of administering authority) . . . . 132 123 Amendment of s 61 (Administration fee for particular sureties) . 132 124 Amendment of s 67 (Requesting entity may ask for realisation of surety) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 125 Amendment of s 69 (Replenishment of surety) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 126 Insertion of new pt 7, div 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Division 3 Transitional provision for Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 110 Release of surety provided for small scale mining tenure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 127 Amendment of sch 1 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Part 7 Amendment of Mineral Resources Act 1989 128 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 10 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel 129 Amendment of s 25 (Conditions of prospecting permit) . . . . . . . 135 130 Amendment of s 74 (Grant of mining claim to which no objection is lodged) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 131 Amendment of s 334ZV (Deciding application for water monitoring authority) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 132 Amendment of s 344 (Definitions for part) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 133 Amendment of s 344B (Meaning of rehabilitation activity) . . . . . 137 134 Amendment of s 344D (Authorisation to carry out rehabilitation activities on final rehabilitation site) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 135 Amendment of s 345 (Compensation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 136 Amendment of s 348 (Liability for payment of compensation to native title holders) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 137 Amendment of s 391A (Restriction on decisions or recommendations about mining tenements) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 138 Amendment of sch 2 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Part 8 Amendment of Nature Conservation Act 1992 139 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 140 Amendment of s 127A (Functions of conservation officers) . . . . 141 141 Amendment of s 144 (Power to stop and search vehicles etc.) . 141 142 Amendment of s 145 (Entry and search—monitoring compliance) 141 143 Amendment of s 146 (Entry and search—evidence of offences) 142 144 Amendment of s 148 (Monitoring warrants) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 145 Amendment of s 149 (Offence related warrants) . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 146 Amendment of s 151 (Conservation officer may require name and address) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 147 Amendment of s 152 (Power to require information from certain persons) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 148 Amendment of s 159B (Court may order compensation) . . . . . . 143 149 Amendment of schedule (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Part 9 Amendment of Petroleum Act 1923 150 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 151 Amendment of s 2 (Definitions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 152 Amendment of s 75WC (Deciding application for water monitoring authority) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 153 Amendment of s 157 (Environmental conditions prevail) . . . . . . 144 Part 10 Amendment of Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 154 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 11 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel 155 Amendment of s 799C (Meaning of abandoned operating plant) 145 156 Amendment of sch 2 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Part 11 Amendment of Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 157 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 158 Amendment of s 35 (Terms of permits) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 159 Replacement of s 55A (Form of commercial activity permit) . . . . 148 55A Combining permit with Great Barrier Reef Marine Park region permission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 160 Omission of pt 4, div 5A (Transfer of particular commercial activity permits) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 161 Insertion of new pt 4, div 5, sdiv 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Subdivision 3 Transferring commercial activity permits 55F Commercial activity permit transferable . . . . . . . . . . 149 55G Application to transfer permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 55H Considering transfer application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 55I Chief executive’s power to require further information 150 55J Deciding transfer application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 55K Steps after approval of transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 162 Insertion of new s 55L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 55L Single integrated permission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 163 Amendment of s 63 (Other amendments (other than immediately)) 154 164 Amendment of s 64 (Immediate amendment or suspension of permits for safety or conservation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 165 Amendment of s 65 (Cancelling a permit or suspending a permit (other than immediately)) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 166 Amendment of s 69 (Chief executive may enter into commercial activity agreement) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 167 Amendment of s 90 (Immediate amendment or suspension of commercial activity agreements for safety or conservation) . . . . 157 168 Amendment of s 91 (Amending commercial activity agreements (other than immediately)) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 169 Amendment of s 208 (Internal review decision) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 170 Amendment of s 211 (Extending time for application) . . . . . . . . . 159 171 Insertion of new pt 11, div 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Division 3 Transitional provision for Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 250 Proposed amendments to permits and commercial activity agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 12 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel 172 Amendment of schedule (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Part 12 Amendment of Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 173 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 174 Amendment of s 24 (Exemption—pre-existing resource activity) 164 Part 13 Amendment of State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014 175 Regulation amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 176 Amendment of sch 1 (Infringement notice offences and fines for nominated laws) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Part 14 Amendment of Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 177 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 178 Amendment of s 224 (Return of seized thing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 179 Amendment of s 267 (Summary proceedings for offences) . . . . 168 180 Insertion of new ch 16, pt 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 Part 6 Transitional provisions for Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 335 Definitions for part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 336 Continuation of former s 224 in relation to things seized before commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 337 Limitation period for starting proceedings . . . . . . . . . 169 Part 15 Amendment of Water Act 2000 181 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 182 Amendment of s 97 (Environmental authorities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 183 Amendment of s 102 (Authorisations under water plans or regulation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 184 Amendment of s 370 (Obligation to give underground water impact report) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 185 Amendment of s 370B (When obligation to give further underground water impact report does not apply) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 186 Amendment of s 376 (Content of underground water impact report) 171 187 Amendment of s 378 (Content of water monitoring strategy) . . . 172 188 Insertion of new ss 379A and 379B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 379A Content of baseline assessment strategy . . . . . . . . . 172 379B Requirements for baseline assessment timetable for baseline assessment strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 189 Amendment of s 386 (Publishing approval and making report available) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 190 Insertion of new s 390A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 13 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel 390A Notifying office of particular matters related to approved report for cumulative management area . . . . . . . . . . 175 191 Amendment of s 391 (Minor or agreed amendments of approved report) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 192 Amendment of s 392 (Direction to propose amendment and consult on proposal) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 193 Insertion of new s 392A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 392A Regular amendments to baseline assessment strategy in approved report for cumulative management area . . 178 194 Amendment of s 393 (Other amendments) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 195 Insertion of new s 396A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 396A Application of division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 196 Amendment of s 397 (Obligation to prepare baseline assessment plan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 197 Amendment of s 402 (Direction by chief executive to undertake baseline assessment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 198 Amendment of s 403 (Notice of intention to undertake baseline assessment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 199 Amendment of s 404 (Bore owner must give information) . . . . . 182 200 Amendment of s 415 (Notice of intention to undertake bore assessment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 201 Amendment of s 418 (Direction by chief executive to undertake bore assessment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 202 Insertion of new ch 3, pt 5, div 2, sdiv 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Subdivision 4 Application for bore assessment notice 419A Definition for subdivision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 419B Application for bore assessment notice . . . . . . . . . . . 183 419C Decision on application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 203 Amendment of s 420 (What is a make good agreement for a water bore) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 204 Amendment of s 423 (Requirement to enter into make good agreement and reimburse bore owner) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 205 Insertion of new ch 3, pt 5, div 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Division 5 Regular reporting about make good obligations 437B Regular reporting to office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 206 Insertion of new ch 3, pt 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Part 9 Information requests by manager 454A Obtaining information from resource tenure holders about

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 14 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel compliance with make good obligations . . . . . . . . . . 187 207 Amendment of s 479 (Annual levy for underground water management) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 208 Insertion of new s 482A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 482A Definition for part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 209 Amendment of s 483 (Public access to database) . . . . . . . . . . . 189 210 Amendment of s 484 (Resource tenure holder access to information) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 211 Amendment of s 485 (Chief executive’s access to information) . 190 212 Insertion of new ch 9, pt 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Part 15 Transitional provisions for Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 1311 Definitions for part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 1312 Application of former ss 370 and 376 for particular underground water impact reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 1313 Application of new s 370B(5) in relation to report amended after commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 1314 Application of new s 390A in relation to existing underground water impact report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 1315 Amendment of existing underground water impact report to include baseline assessment strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 1316 Application of new s 392A in relation to existing underground water impact report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 1317 Baseline assessment plans for CMA tenures approved before commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 1318 Baseline assessment plans for CMA tenures given, but not approved, before commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 1319 Make good agreements for water bores entered into before commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 1320 Continuation of requirement to advise chief executive of make good agreement entered into before commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 1321 Reporting period for first regular report after commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 1322 Application of annual levy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 213 Amendment of sch 4 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Part 16 Other amendments 214 Legislation amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

Contents Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Page 15 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel Schedule 1 Other amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 Part 1 Amendments commencing on assent Environmental Protection Act 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Mineral Resources Act 1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Petroleum Act 1923 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 . . . . . . . . 203 Water Act 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 Part 2 Amendments commencing by proclamation Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Environmental Protection Act 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Forestry Act 1959 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Geothermal Energy Act 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014 212 Mineral and Energy Resources (Financial Provisioning) Act 2018 213 Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 . . . . . . . . 215 Planning Act 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017 . . . . . 218 Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 Water Act 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220

2025 A Bill for An Act to amend the Environmental Protection Act 1994, the Forestry Act 1959, the Geothermal Energy Act 2010, the Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009, the Mineral and Energy Resources (Financial Provisioning) Act 2018, the Mineral Resources Act 1989, the Nature Conservation Act 1992, the Petroleum Act 1923, the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004, the Recreation Areas Management Act 2006, the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014, the State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014, the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011, the Water Act 2000 and the legislation mentioned in schedule 1 for particular purposes

Page 18 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 1] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 1 Preliminary The Parliament of Queensland enacts— Part 1 Preliminary 1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025. 2 Commencement The following provisions commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation— (a) part 2, division 3; (b) parts 3 to 7; (c) parts 9 to 12; (d) sections 182 and 183; (e) schedule 1, part 2. Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 Division 1 Preliminary 3 Act amended This part amends the Environmental Protection Act 1994. Note— See also the amendments in schedule 1. 1 2 Clause 3 4 5 6 Clause 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Clause 18 19 20 21

Page 19 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 4] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 Division 2 Amendments commencing on assent 4 Amendment of s 39 (Other definitions) (1) Section 39, definition comment period— omit. (2) Section 39, definition submission period, paragraph (b), ‘section 68(3)(b)(ii)’— omit, insert— section 68(3)(b) 5 Amendment of s 41A (Decision on draft terms of reference) (1) Section 41A(1)(b), ‘to public notification under subdivision 2’— omit. (2) Section 41A(1)(c), ‘subsection (4) or section 42(1)’— omit, insert— subsection (4) or (5) (3) Section 41A(3) and (4), ‘to public notification’— omit. (4) Section 41A— insert— (5) If the chief executive decides to allow the draft terms of reference to proceed, the chief executive must give the proponent written notice about— (a) the decision; and (b) the steps the chief executive must take under section 46. 1 2 Clause 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Clause 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Page 20 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 6] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 6 Omission of ch 3, pt 1, div 2, sdiv 2 (Public notification of draft terms of reference) Chapter 3, part 1, division 2, subdivision 2— omit. 7 Amendment of s 46 (Finalising terms of reference) (1) Section 46, before subsection (1)— insert— (1AA) This section applies if, under section 41A(1)(b), the chief executive decides to allow the draft terms of reference to proceed. (2) Section 46(1)(a)— omit. (3) Section 46(1)(b) to (d)— renumber as section 46(1)(a) to (c). (4) Section 46(1AA) to (2)— renumber as section 46(1) to (3). 8 Amendment of s 49 (Decision on whether EIS may proceed) Section 49(5A) to (5C) and (8)— omit. 9 Amendment of s 56 (Response to submissions) (1) Section 56(1), from ‘the following’— omit, insert— each submission accepted by the chief executive. (2) Section 56(1A), (1B) and (2)(c)— omit. Clause 1 2 3 4 Clause 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Clause 17 18 19 20 Clause 21 22 23 24 25 26

Page 21 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 10] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (3) Section 56(2)(d), ‘or report’— omit. (4) Section 56(2)(d)— renumber as section 56(2)(c). (5) Section 56(3), definition relevant period, paragraph (a)— omit, insert— (a) 20 business days after the proponent is given a copy of all submissions accepted by the chief executive; or 10 Amendment of s 56A (Assessment of adequacy of response to submission and submitted EIS) (1) Section 56A(1)— omit, insert— (1) This section applies if a submission is accepted by the chief executive under section 55. (2) Section 56A(4)(a), ‘, and any report about a public interest evaluation,’— omit. (3) Section 56A(4)(b)— omit. (4) Section 56A(4)(c), ‘and any report about a public interest evaluation’— omit. (5) Section 56A(4)(c)— renumber as section 56A(4)(b). 11 Amendment of s 65 (Public access to draft terms of reference or submitted EIS) (1) Section 65, heading, ‘draft terms of reference or’— 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Clause 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Clause 26 27 28

Page 22 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 12] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 omit. (2) Section 65, ‘the draft terms of reference for an EIS or the’— omit, insert— a 12 Amendment of s 67 (Process is suspended) Section 67(3), ‘draft terms of reference or submitted EIS lapse’— omit, insert— submitted EIS lapses 13 Amendment of s 68 (Substantial compliance with notice requirements may be accepted) (1) Section 68(1), ‘division 2, subdivision 2 or’— omit. (2) Section 68(3)(b)— omit, insert— (b) fix a new submission period; and (3) Section 68(4), ‘comment or’— omit. (4) Section 68(5), ‘section 43(3) or 51(2)’— omit, insert— section 51(2) 14 Amendment of s 112 (Other key definitions for ch 5) Section 112, definitions public interest consideration and public interest evaluation— omit. 1 2 3 4 Clause 5 6 7 8 9 Clause 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Clause 22 23 24 25

Page 23 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 15] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 15 Amendment of s 125 (Requirements for applications generally) (1) Section 125(3)(a), ‘either’— omit, insert— any of the following applies (2) Section 125(3)(a)(i), ‘or’— omit. (3) Section 125(3)(a)(ii)— omit, insert— (ii) the Coordinator-General has, under the State Development Act, section 34D, evaluated an EIS for each relevant activity the subject of the application and stated conditions that relate to each relevant activity; (iii) the Coordinator-General has, under the State Development Act, section 34L, evaluated an IAR for each relevant activity the subject of the application and stated conditions that relate to each relevant activity; and (4) Section 125(3)(b), after ‘paragraph (a)(ii)’— insert— or (iii) (5) Section 125(6)(c), ‘section 26(1)(a)’— omit, insert— section 26(1) (6) Section 125(6)(c), after ‘EIS’— insert— or IAR Clause 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Page 24 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 16] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 16 Amendment of s 126 (Requirements for site-specific applications—CSG activities) Section 126(3)(a) and (b)— omit, insert— (a) the Coordinator-General has— (i) evaluated an EIS for the CSG activity under the State Development Act, section 34D; or (ii) evaluated an IAR for the CSG activity under the State Development Act, section 34L; and (b) the Coordinator-General has stated conditions for each relevant activity the subject of the application; and 17 Amendment of s 126D (Requirements for proposed PRCP schedule) Section 126D(2)(b)(ii), after ‘consideration’— insert— mentioned in section 126E 18 Insertion of new s 126E After section 126D— insert— 126E Public interest considerations for s 126D For section 126D(2)(b)(ii), each of the following matters is a public interest consideration— (a) the benefit, including the significance of the benefit, to the community resulting from the mining activity or resource project the subject of the environmental authority Clause 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Clause 15 16 17 18 19 Clause 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Page 25 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 19] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 application to which the PRCP schedule relates; (b) any impacts, including long-term impacts for the environment or the community, that may reduce the benefit mentioned in paragraph (a) or have other negative impacts on the environment or community; (c) whether there are any alternative options to approving the area as a non-use management area having regard to— (i) the costs or other consequences of the alternative options; and (ii) the impact of the costs or other consequences on the financial viability of the mining activity or resource project; (d) whether the benefit to the community mentioned in paragraph (a), weighed against the impacts mentioned in paragraph (b), is likely to justify the approval of the non-use management area having regard to any alternative options mentioned in paragraph (c); (e) another matter prescribed by regulation. 19 Omission of s 136A (Administering authority must obtain report about public interest evaluation for particular applications) Section 136A— omit. 20 Amendment of s 139 (Information stage does not apply if EIS process complete) (1) Section 139, heading, after ‘EIS’— 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Clause 25 26 27 28 29 Clause 30 31 32

Page 26 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 20] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 insert— or IAR (2) Section 139(1)(a), ‘either’— omit, insert— any of the following applies (3) Section 139(1)(a)(i), ‘or’— omit. (4) Section 139(1)(a)(ii), ‘and’— omit. (5) Section 139(1)(a)— insert— (iii) in evaluating an IAR under the State Development Act, the Coordinator-General has stated conditions mentioned in section 34L(3)(b) of that Act that relate to each relevant activity the subject of the application; and (6) Section 139(1)(b), after ‘paragraph (a)(ii)’— insert— or (iii) (7) Section 139(1)(b)(ii)— omit, insert— (ii) for a proposed PRC plan, none of the following has changed— (A) a post-mining land use or non-use management area; (B) achieving a stable condition for land; (C) the way a post-mining land use will be achieved, or a non-use management area will be managed, to an extent likely to result in significantly different 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Page 27 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 21] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 impacts on environmental values compared to the impacts on the values under the EIS or IAR mentioned in paragraph (a); (D) the day by which rehabilitation of land to a stable condition will be achieved. 21 Amendment of s 150 (Notification stage does not apply to particular applications) (1) Section 150(1)— omit, insert— (1) This section applies to an application for an environmental authority if— (a) any of the following applies— (i) for an EIS under this Act— (A) the EIS for each relevant activity the subject of the application has been publicly notified under section 51; and (B) for a site-specific application for a mining activity relating to a mining lease—the public notification included notification of the proposed PRC plan for the application; (ii) for an EIS under the State Development Act— (A) the draft EIS for each relevant activity the subject of the application has been publicly notified under section 33 of that Act; and (B) for a site-specific application for a mining activity relating to a 1 2 3 4 5 6 Clause 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Page 28 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 21] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 mining lease—the public notification included notification of the proposed PRC plan for the application; (iii) for an IAR under the State Development Act— (A) the draft IAR for each relevant activity the subject of the application has been publicly notified under section 34H of that Act; and (B) for a site-specific application for a mining activity relating to a mining lease—the public notification included notification of the proposed PRC plan for the application; and (b) since the public notification mentioned in paragraph (a)— (i) either— (A) the environmental risks of the relevant activity and the way it will be carried out have not changed; or (B) if the application proposes a change to the way the relevant activity will be carried out—the administering authority is satisfied the change would not be likely to attract a submission objecting to the thing the subject of the change, if the notification stage were to apply to the change; and 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Page 29 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 22] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (ii) for a proposed PRC plan mentioned in paragraph (a), neither of the following has changed— (A) a post-mining land use or non-use management area; (B) the day by which rehabilitation of land to a stable condition will be achieved. (2) Section 150(3), after ‘EIS’— insert— or IAR mentioned in subsection (1) (3) Section 150(4)— omit. 22 Omission of ss 167A and 167B Sections 167A and 167B— omit. 23 Amendment of s 176A (Criteria for decision—proposed PRCP schedule) (1) Section 176A(3)(b)— omit. (2) Section 176A(3)(c)— renumber as section 176A(3)(b). 24 Amendment of s 205 (Conditions that must be imposed if application relates to coordinated project) (1) Section 205(2), note— omit, insert— 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Clause 14 15 16 Clause 17 18 19 20 21 22 Clause 23 24 25 26

Page 30 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 25] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 Notes— 1 In evaluating an EIS under the State Development Act, the Coordinator-General may state conditions under section 34D(3)(b) of that Act. 2 In evaluating an IAR under the State Development Act, the Coordinator-General may state conditions under section 34L(3)(b) of that Act. (2) Section 205(3)— omit. (3) Section 205(4)— renumber as section 205(3). 25 Amendment of s 226A (Requirements for amendment applications for environmental authorities) (1) Section 226A(2)(a)— omit, insert— (a) any of the following applies— (i) the process under chapter 3 for an EIS for the proposed amendment has been completed; (ii) the Coordinator-General has evaluated an EIS for the proposed amendment under the State Development Act, section 34D and stated conditions that relate to the proposed amendment; (iii) the Coordinator-General has evaluated an IAR for the proposed amendment under the State Development Act, section 34L and stated conditions that relate to the proposed amendment; and (2) Section 226A(2)(b), after ‘paragraph (a)(ii)’— insert— or (iii) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Clause 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Page 31 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 26] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 26 Amendment of s 226B (Requirements for amendment applications for PRCP schedules) Section 226B, after ‘schedule’— insert— , other than an application for a minor amendment (PRCP threshold), 27 Amendment of s 238 (Effect on assessment of amendment application—other changes) (1) Section 238(3), before paragraph (a)— insert— (aa) the information stage restarts, on the day notice of the change is received, from the start of the stage; and (2) Section 238(3)(a), from ‘, within’ to ‘received,’— omit. (3) Section 238(3)(b), ‘paragraph (a)’— omit, insert— paragraph (b) (4) Section 238(3)— insert— (ba) a request under paragraph (b) must be made within the number of business days after the day notice of the change is received that would apply if a reference in section 144, as applied under section 232, to the end of the application stage were a reference to the later of the following— (i) the day notice of the change is received; (ii) the day the fee mentioned in section 236(1)(b) is paid; and Clause 1 2 3 4 5 6 Clause 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Page 32 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 28] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (5) Section 238(3)(c), ‘paragraph (a)’— omit, insert— paragraph (b) (6) Section 238(3)(aa) to (d)— renumber as section 238(3)(a) to (f). 28 Amendment of s 271 (Payment may be required for residual risks) Section 271(2), ‘within a stated reasonable period’— omit, insert— , within 6 months after the day the notice is given, 29 Insertion of new s 273A After section 273— insert— 273A Extension of period for payment (1) Before the end of the 6-month period mentioned in section 271(2) for a residual risks requirement, the administering authority may, with the written agreement of the applicant, extend the period for compliance with the requirement. (2) The administering authority may extend the period under subsection (1) only once. 30 Amendment of s 274 (Directions to carry out rehabilitation may be given if surrender refused) Section 274(2), ‘(the rehabilitation direction)’— omit, insert— (the surrender rehabilitation direction) 1 2 3 4 5 Clause 6 7 8 9 10 Clause 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Clause 22 23 24 25 26

Page 33 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 31] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 31 Amendment of s 276 (Restriction on surrender taking effect if payment required for residual risks) (1) Section 276, heading, ‘Restriction’— omit, insert— Restrictions (2) Section 276— insert— (3) Also, a decision to approve the surrender lapses if the applicant does not comply with the residual risks requirement within— (a) the 6-month period mentioned in section 271(2) for the requirement; or (b) if the administering authority extends the period under section 273A—the extended period. 32 Amendment of s 285 (PRCP schedule must be audited) (1) Section 285, heading, after ‘audited’— insert— if administering authority directs holder (2) Section 285(1)— omit, insert— (1) The administering authority may direct the holder of a PRCP schedule, by written notice (a PRCP schedule audit notice) stating the matters mentioned in subsection (3), to commission an audit of the schedule. (1A) However, a PRCP schedule audit notice may be given under subsection (1) only if— (a) the administering authority is satisfied the audit is necessary or desirable; and Clause 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Clause 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Page 34 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 32] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (b) for a notice given within 3 years after the day the holder was last required to give an audit report for the PRCP schedule under this section—the administering authority is satisfied exceptional circumstances exist for the giving of the notice. (1B) The PRCP schedule audit notice must state— (a) that the audit must be carried out by a rehabilitation auditor; and (b) the period (the audit period) for which the audit must be carried out. (1C) For subsection (3)(b), the period must be a reasonable period— (a) starting no earlier than 3 years before the day the PRCP schedule audit notice is given; and (b) ending no later than the day the notice is given. (1D) A PRCP schedule audit notice mentioned in subsection (2)(b) must be accompanied by or include an information notice about the decision to give the PRCP schedule audit notice. (3) Section 285(2), from ‘The’ to ‘period,’— omit, insert— Unless the holder has a reasonable excuse, the holder must, within 4 months after the PRCP schedule audit notice is given, (4) Section 285(3), ‘subsection (2)(b)’— omit, insert— subsection (6)(b) (5) Section 285(1A) to (3)— renumber as section 285(2) to (7). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Page 35 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 33] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 33 Omission of ch 5, pt 15, div 4A (Public interest evaluations) Chapter 5, part 15, division 4A— omit. 34 Insertion of new s 316S After section 316R— insert— 316S Direction to carry out rehabilitation if no PRCP schedule (1) This section applies in relation to the holder of an environmental authority issued for a site-specific application for a mining activity relating to a mining lease if— (a) the holder does not also hold a PRCP schedule to which the environmental authority relates, whether or not section 431A applies to the holder; and (b) section 274 does not apply in relation to the environmental authority. (2) The administering authority may give the holder a written direction (the general rehabilitation direction) to carry out stated rehabilitation within a stated reasonable period. (3) The general rehabilitation direction must include an information notice about the decision to give the direction. (4) In this section— rehabilitation includes environmental management. 35 Amendment of s 359 (Meaning of enforcement ground) (1) Section 359(e)(ix)— Clause 1 2 3 4 Clause 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Clause 30 31

Page 36 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 36] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 omit, insert— (ix) a surrender rehabilitation direction; or (ixa) a general rehabilitation direction; or (2) Section 359(e)(ixa) to (xiii)— renumber as section 359(e)(x) to (xiv). (3) Section 359(f), after subparagraph (i)— insert— (ia) section 431A; (4) Section 359(f)(ia) to (v)— renumber as section 359(f)(ii) to (vi). 36 Replacement of s 431A (PRCP schedule required for particular environmentally relevant activities) Section 431A— omit, insert— 431A PRCP schedule required for particular environmental authorities The holder of an environmental authority issued for a site-specific application for a mining activity relating to a mining lease must also hold a PRCP schedule to which the authority relates. Maximum penalty—4,500 penalty units. 37 Amendment of s 444I (Functions) Section 444I(a)— omit, insert— (a) providing advice to the Minister on rehabilitation and management practices, outcomes and policies; 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Clause 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Clause 22 23 24 25 26 27

Page 37 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 38] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 38 Replacement of ss 462 and 463 Sections 462 and 463— omit, insert— 462 Power to secure seized thing (1) Having seized a thing under this chapter, an authorised person may— (a) leave the thing at the place where it was seized (the place of seizure) and take reasonable action to restrict access to it; or (b) move the thing from the place of seizure. (2) For subsection (1)(a), the authorised person may, for example— (a) seal the thing, or the entrance to the place of seizure, and mark the thing or place to show access to the thing or place is restricted; or (b) for equipment—make it inoperable; or Example— make the equipment inoperable by dismantling it or removing a component without which the equipment can not be used (c) require a person the authorised person reasonably believes is in control of the place or thing to do an act mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) or anything else an authorised person could do under subsection (1)(a). 463 Offence to contravene seizure requirement A person must comply with a requirement made of the person under section 462(2)(c) unless the person has a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty—165 penalty units. Clause 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Page 38 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 38] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 463A Offence to interfere (1) If access to a seized thing is restricted under section 462, a person must not tamper with the thing or with anything used to restrict access to the thing without— (a) an authorised person’s approval; or (b) a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty—165 penalty units. (2) If access to a place is restricted under section 462, a person must not enter the place in contravention of the restriction or tamper with anything used to restrict access to the place without— (a) an authorised person’s approval; or (b) a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty—165 penalty units. 463B Receipt and information notice for seized thing (1) This section applies if an authorised person seizes anything under this chapter unless— (a) the authorised person reasonably believes there is no-one apparently in possession of the thing or the thing has been abandoned; or (b) because of the condition, nature and value of the thing, it would be unreasonable to require the authorised person to comply with this section. (2) The authorised person must, as soon as practicable after seizing the thing, give an owner or person in control of the thing before it was seized— 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Page 39 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 38] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (a) a receipt for the thing that generally describes the thing and its condition; and (b) an information notice about the decision to seize the thing. (3) However, if an owner or person from whom the thing is seized is not present when it is seized, the receipt and information notice may be given by leaving them in a conspicuous position and in a reasonably secure way at the place where the thing is seized. (4) The receipt and information notice may— (a) be given in the same document; and (b) relate to more than 1 seized thing. (5) The authorised person may delay giving the receipt and information notice if the authorised person reasonably suspects giving them may frustrate or otherwise hinder an investigation by the authorised person under this chapter. (6) However, the delay may be only for so long as— (a) the authorised person continues to have the reasonable suspicion; and (b) the authorised person, or a person acting under the direction of the authorised person, remains in the vicinity of the place where the thing was seized to keep the thing secure or under observation. 463C Access to seized thing (1) Until a seized thing is forfeited or returned, the authorised person who seized the thing must allow an owner of the thing— (a) to inspect it at any reasonable time and from time to time; and (b) if it is a document—to copy it. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Page 40 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 38] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if it is impracticable or would be unreasonable to allow the inspection or copying. (3) The inspection or copying must be allowed free of charge. 463D Return of seized thing (1) This section applies if a seized thing is not subject to a forfeiture order under part 2A. (2) As soon as the administering executive stops being satisfied there are reasonable grounds for retaining the thing, the administering executive must return the thing to its owner. (3) If the thing is not returned to its owner within 3 months after it was seized, the owner may apply to the administering executive for its return. (4) Within 30 days after receiving the application, the administering executive must— (a) if the administering executive is satisfied there are reasonable grounds for retaining the thing and decides to retain the thing—give the owner an information notice about the decision, including the grounds for retaining the thing; or (b) otherwise—return the thing to the owner. (5) For this section, there are reasonable grounds for retaining a seized thing if— (a) the thing is being, or is likely to be, examined; or (b) the thing is needed, or may be needed, for the purposes of— (i) a proceeding for an offence against this Act that is likely to be started or that has been started but not completed; or 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Page 41 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 38] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (ii) an appeal from a decision in a proceeding for an offence against this Act; or (c) it is not lawful for the owner to possess the thing; or (d) the administering executive believes it is necessary to continue to keep the thing to prevent its use in committing an offence. (6) Subsection (5) does not limit the grounds that may be reasonable grounds for retaining the seized thing. (7) Nothing in this section affects a lien or other security over the seized thing. (8) In this section— examine includes analyse, test, account for, measure, weigh, grade, gauge and identify. Part 2A Forfeiture orders 463E Forfeiture order (1) This section applies if a person is convicted of an offence against this Act. (2) The court may make an order (a forfeiture order), on its own initiative or on an application by the prosecution, for the forfeiture of a thing owned by the person to the relevant entity for the thing if the thing was the subject of, or used to commit, the offence. (3) The court may make a forfeiture order for a thing— (a) whether or not the thing has been seized under this chapter; and 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Page 42 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 38] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (b) if the thing has been seized—whether or not the thing has been returned to the person who owned the thing immediately before the seizure. (4) In deciding whether to make a forfeiture order for a thing, the court— (a) may require notice to be given to any person the court considers appropriate, including, for example, a person who may have any property in the thing; and (b) must hear any submissions that a person claiming to have any property in the thing may wish to make; and (c) must have regard to— (i) any hardship that may reasonably be expected to be caused to a person by the order; and (ii) the use that is ordinarily made, or was intended to be made, of the thing; and (iii) the seriousness of the offence. (5) If the court makes a forfeiture order for a thing, the thing becomes the property of the relevant entity for the thing and may be destroyed or disposed of as directed by the administering executive. (6) The court may make any order it considers appropriate to enforce the forfeiture order. (7) This section does not limit the court’s powers under another law. (8) In this section— relevant entity, for a thing, means— (a) if an authorised person seized the thing in the exercise of the power of seizure in the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Page 43 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 39] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 enforcement of a matter devolved to a local government—the local government; or (b) otherwise—the State. 39 Amendment of s 467 (Authorised person may take or direct someone to take stated action) Section 467(5)(c), from ‘apply’ to ‘the evidence’— omit, insert— to 463D apply to the thing as if the thing were the evidence or thing 40 Amendment of s 497 (Limitation on time for starting summary proceedings) (1) Section 497, after ‘Justices Act 1886’— insert— , other than a relevant summary proceeding, (2) Section 497(a), ‘1 year’— omit, insert— 2 years (3) Section 497(b)— omit. (4) Section 497(c), ‘1 year’— omit, insert— 2 years (5) Section 497(c)(ii)— omit. (6) Section 497(c)(iii)— renumber as section 497(c)(ii). (7) Section 497(c)— 1 2 3 Clause 4 5 6 7 8 9 Clause 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Page 44 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 40] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 renumber as section 497(b). (8) Section 497— insert— (2) A relevant summary proceeding must start— (a) within 3 years after the commission of the offence; or (b) if an enforceable undertaking has been made in relation to the offence—within 2 years after— (i) the enforceable undertaking is contravened; or (ii) the administering authority has agreed under section 509 to the withdrawal of the enforceable undertaking. (3) In this section— relevant summary proceeding means a proceeding by way of summary proceeding under the Justices Act 1886 for— (a) an indictable offence against this Act; or (b) an offence against any of the following provisions of this Act— (i) section 319(2) if paragraph (b) of the penalty applies; (ii) section 319C(3) if paragraph (b) of the penalty applies; (iii) section 357I if paragraph (b) of the penalty applies; (iv) section 369A(1) if paragraph (b) of the penalty applies; (v) section 369A(2); (vi) section 426(1); 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Page 45 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 41] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (vii) section 430(3); (viii)section 431(2) if the penalty under section 430(3) applies; (ix) section 437(2); (x) section 438(2); (xi) section 440(1) or (2); (xii) section 443A. 41 Amendment of s 520 (Dissatisfied person) (1) Section 520(1)— insert— (ea) if the decision is to give a PRCP schedule audit notice under section 285 and section 285(2)(b) applies in relation to the giving of the notice—the holder of the schedule; or (2) Section 520(1)— insert— (sa) if the decision is about seizing a thing under section 461 unless a circumstance mentioned in section 463B(1)(a) or (b) applies—the owner or person in control of the seized thing before it was seized; or (sb) if the decision is about retaining a seized thing under section 463D(4)(a)—the owner of the seized thing; or (3) Section 520(1)(ea) to (x)— renumber as section 520(1)(f) to (zb). 42 Amendment of s 540 (Registers to be kept by administering authority) Section 540(1)(a)(xiii)— 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Clause 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Clause 27 28 29

Page 46 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 43] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 omit. 43 Amendment of s 540A (Registers to be kept by chief executive) (1) Section 540A(1)(a)(i) to (iii)— omit. (2) Section 540A(1)(a)(vii), ‘subparagraph (vi)’— omit, insert— subparagraph (iii) (3) Section 540A(1)(a)(iv) to (ix)— renumber as section 540A(1)(a)(i) to (vi). 44 Amendment of s 755 (Administering authority must assess proposed PRC plan) (1) Section 755(3)(c)— omit, insert— (c) the notification stage applies subject to section 755B. (2) Section 755— insert— (7) Without limiting subsection (6), in assessing, under section 126C(1)(i), an applicant’s proposed methodology for achieving best practice management of the area to support the management milestones under the proposed PRCP schedule for the area, the administering authority may have regard to— (a) the historical context of operations on the land; and (b) historical constraints related to existing infrastructure and approvals; and 1 Clause 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Clause 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Page 47 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 45] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (c) the extent to which it is practicable to apply current standards related to best practice management to the land. 45 Omission of s 755A (Application of requirement for public interest evaluation for application stage) Section 755A— omit. 46 Amendment of s 765A (Application of part if holder of environmental authority changes) Section 765A— insert— Note— However, see section 848 in relation to transfers of environmental authorities to which this part applies. 47 Amendment of s 802 (Particular holders may apply for PRC plan approval for pt 27) (1) Section 802(1)(a)— omit, insert— (a) a PRCP schedule is not approved for an environmental authority to which part 27 applies (including because of the operation of this division); and Note— See also section 849 for the application of subsection (1)(a). (2) Section 802(1)(b), ‘for an environmentally relevant activity carried out under’— omit, insert— in relation to 1 2 3 Clause 4 5 6 7 Clause 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Clause 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Page 48 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 47] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (3) Section 802(1)(c), after ‘holder’— insert— of the authority (4) Section 802(5)— omit, insert— (5) Section 431A does not apply to the holder of the environmental authority during the following periods— (a) if, immediately before the relevant commencement day, the administering authority was not assessing a proposed PRC plan for the authority under part 27 or subsection (2)—the period of 60 business days from the relevant commencement day; (b) if an application for assessment of a proposed PRC plan for the authority is made under subsection (2), whether before or after the relevant commencement day— (i) the period for which the administering authority is assessing the proposed PRC plan; and (ii) the period of 60 business days from the day the assessment ends, if the assessment ends without the proposed PRC plan being approved. (6) For subsection (5), the relevant commencement day is the day the amendment of this section by the Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 commences. (7) To remove any doubt, it is declared that the holder of the environmental authority may ask the administering authority, under subsection (2), to assess a proposed PRC plan for the authority more than once. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Page 49 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 48 Insertion of new ch 13, pt 35 Chapter 13— insert— Part 35 Transitional provisions for Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 Division 1 Preliminary 826 Definitions for part In this part— amendment Act means the Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025. former, in relation to a provision of this Act, means the provision as in force from time to time before the commencement of the transitional provision in which the term is used. new, in relation to a provision of this Act, means the provision as in force from the commencement of the transitional provision in which the term is used. transitional provision means a provision of this part. unamended Act means this Act as in force before the commencement of the transitional provision in which the term is used. Clause 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Page 50 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 Division 2 Transitional provisions for amendments commencing on assent Subdivision 1 Public interest evaluations 827 Definition for subdivision In this subdivision— public interest evaluation means a public interest evaluation under former section 112. 828 Ending of relevant matters in relation to existing public interest evaluations (1) This section applies if, before the commencement— (a) either— (i) an EIS was submitted by a proponent; or (ii) a person gave a proposed PRC plan to the administering authority for assessment; and (b) either— (i) the chief executive asked a qualified entity, under former section 49(5B), to carry out a public interest evaluation and give the chief executive a report about the evaluation that complied with former section 316PB; or (ii) the administering authority asked a qualified entity, under former section 136A(2), to carry out a public interest evaluation and give the administering 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Page 51 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 authority a report about the evaluation that complied with former section 316PB; and (c) a relevant matter, or the period for carrying out a relevant matter, in relation to the evaluation had not ended under the former provisions of this Act. (2) On the commencement, the relevant matter, or a requirement to carry out the relevant matter, ends. (3) From the commencement, the new provisions of this Act apply for— (a) the completion of the EIS process for the EIS; or (b) the assessment of the proposed PRC plan. (4) However, subsection (3)(a) does not apply in relation to the terms of reference stage for the EIS. Note— See section 837 in relation to draft terms of reference submitted before the commencement. (5) To the extent this section is inconsistent with section 755, 778 or 802, this section prevails to the extent of the inconsistency. (6) This section applies subject to sections 829 to 836. (7) In this section— relevant matter, in relation to a public interest evaluation, means each of the following matters— (a) the carrying out of the evaluation; (b) the preparation and giving of a proposed report about the evaluation; (c) the making of submissions about a proposed report about the evaluation; 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Page 52 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (d) the consideration of submissions about a proposed report about the evaluation; (e) the preparation and giving of a final report about the evaluation; (f) the preparation and giving of a response to a report about the evaluation; (g) the consideration of a response to, or recommendations made in, a report about the evaluation; (h) the making of a decision based on a report about the evaluation; (i) a request for a review of a report about the evaluation; (j) a review of a report about the evaluation. 829 Modified application of new s 56—giving proponent a copy of submissions (1) This section applies in relation to an EIS if, before the commencement— (a) under former section 49(5B), the chief executive had asked a qualified entity to give the chief executive a report about a public interest evaluation for a proposed non-use management area; and (b) the qualified entity had not given the chief executive the report; and (c) the submission period had ended, but the chief executive had not given the proponent a copy of each submission accepted by the chief executive. (2) Despite new section 56(1), the chief executive must, within 10 business days after the day of the commencement, give the proponent a copy of each submission accepted by the chief executive. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Page 53 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 830 Modified application of new s 56—period for proponent’s response to submissions (1) This section applies in relation to an EIS if, before the commencement— (a) a public interest evaluation was carried out for a proposed non-use management area; and (b) an entity asked for a review of a report about the public interest evaluation under former section 316PC; and (c) the proponent had not complied with former section 56(2). (2) For applying new section 56(2), new section 56(3), definition relevant period, paragraph (a) is taken to refer to 20 business days after the day of the commencement. 831 Modified application of new s 56A—period for chief executive’s consideration of EIS etc. (1) This section applies in relation to an EIS if, before the commencement— (a) a public interest evaluation was carried out for a proposed non-use management area; and (b) an entity asked for a review of a report about the public interest evaluation under former section 316PC; and (c) the chief executive had accepted a submission under section 55, but had not complied with former section 56A(2). (2) For applying new section 56A(2), new section 56(3), definition relevant period, paragraph (a) is taken to refer to 20 business days after the day of the commencement. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Page 54 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 832 Starting of decision stage for particular site-specific applications (1) This section applies in relation to a site-specific application if, before the commencement— (a) the administering authority asked a qualified entity, under former section 136A, to give the chief executive a report about a public interest evaluation; and (b) the decision stage for the application had not started only because of the operation of former section 167A. (2) The decision stage starts on the day of the commencement. 833 Restarting of assessment process suspended under former s 167B(3) (1) This section applies in relation to a site-specific application if, before the commencement— (a) the applicant had asked the administering authority, under former section 167B(2), to suspend the assessment process; and (b) the assessment process had not restarted under former section 167B(3). (2) The assessment process restarts on the earlier of the following days— (a) the day notified by the applicant to the administering authority whether notified before or after the commencement; (b) the day that is 18 months after the day the decision stage started for the application. 834 Restarting of assessment process suspended under former s 167B(6) (1) This section applies in relation to a site-specific 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Page 55 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 application if, before the commencement— (a) under former section 316PC, an entity had asked the chief executive for a review of a report about a public interest evaluation in relation to the application; and (b) the assessment process had not restarted under former section 167B(6). (2) The assessment process restarts on the earlier of the following days— (a) the day notified by the applicant to the administering authority whether notified before or after the commencement; (b) the day that is 18 months after the day of the commencement. 835 No debt payable by third party entity under former s 316PD (1) This section applies if, before the commencement, costs were reasonably incurred by the administering authority or the chief executive as mentioned in former section 316PD. (2) From the commencement, the costs are no longer a debt payable by a third party entity. (3) To remove any doubt, it is declared that a debt that arose under former section 316PD but was not paid before the commencement is, from the commencement, no longer payable by a third party entity. (4) In this section— third party entity means an entity other than the administering authority or the State. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Page 56 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 836 Continuation of confidentiality of public interest evaluation (1) This section applies if— (a) immediately before the commencement, former section 316PE applied to a person; and (b) on the commencement, new section 579D does not apply to the person. (2) Former section 316PE(2) to (4) continues to apply in relation to the person as if the amendment Act had not been enacted. (3) To remove any doubt, it is declared that a proceeding for an offence against former section 316PE(2) may, after the commencement, be started or continued under that section as if the amendment Act had not been enacted. Subdivision 2 Other matters 837 Draft terms of reference submitted before commencement (1) This section applies if, before the commencement— (a) a proponent submitted to the chief executive draft terms of reference for an EIS; and (b) the chief executive had not published the final terms of reference for the EIS. (2) The following provisions continue to apply in relation to the EIS as if the amendment Act had not been enacted— (a) former chapter 3, part 1, division 2; (b) former sections 65, 67 and 68; 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Page 57 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (c) former schedule 2, part 1, division 1 to the extent it applied to an original decision under former section 41A(1)(b), 43(3)(c) or 68(3)(b); (d) the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019, former chapter 2, part 3. 838 Information stage does not apply to application made before commencement if IAR evaluated New section 139 applies in relation to an application for an environmental authority— (a) whether the application was made before or after the commencement; and (b) whether an IAR relevant to the application was evaluated before or after the commencement. 839 Notification stage does not apply to application made before commencement if draft IAR publicly notified New section 150 applies in relation to an application for an environmental authority— (a) whether the application was made before or after the commencement; and (b) whether a draft IAR relevant to the application was publicly notified before or after the commencement. 840 Continuation of former s 238 for particular changes to amendment applications made before commencement (1) This section applies if, before the commencement— 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Page 58 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (a) an applicant gave the administering authority written notice of a change to an amendment application; and (b) the change was not a minor change; and (c) the administering authority had not given its written agreement to the change. (2) Former section 238 continues to apply in relation to the change to the amendment application as if the amendment Act had not been enacted. 841 Application of new ch 5, pt 10, div 6 for residual risks requirement given after commencement New chapter 5, part 10, division 6 applies in relation to a residual risks requirement given after the commencement, whether the surrender application to which the requirement relates was made before or after the commencement. 842 Application of new s 273A to existing residual risks requirement (1) This section applies if, before the commencement— (a) the administering authority had given an applicant a residual risks requirement under former section 271(2); and (b) the stated reasonable period mentioned in former section 271(2) had not ended. (2) New section 273A applies in relation to extending the period for compliance with the residual risks requirement as if the reference in new section 273A(1) to the 6-month period mentioned in section 271(2) were a reference to the stated reasonable period mentioned in former section 271(2). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Page 59 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 843 Application of new s 276 in relation to existing residual risks requirement (1) This section applies if— (a) before the commencement— (i) the administering authority had given an applicant a residual risks requirement under former section 271(2); and (ii) the stated reasonable period mentioned in former section 271(2) had not ended; and (b) after the commencement, the applicant does not comply with the residual risks requirement within— (i) the stated reasonable period; or (ii) if the administering authority extends the period under new section 273A, as applied by section 842—the extended period. (2) New section 276(3) applies in relation to the applicant as if a reference to a period in new section 276(3)(a) or (b) were a reference to the period mentioned in subsection (1)(b)(i) or (ii). 844 Continuation of audits of PRCP schedules started before commencement (1) This section applies if, before the commencement— (a) an audit period, within the meaning of former section 285, had ended for the holder of a PRCP schedule; and (b) the holder had not given the administering authority an audit report, within the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Page 60 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 meaning of former section 285, for the audit period. (2) Former section 285 continues to apply in relation to the holder as if the amendment Act had not been enacted. (3) A reference in new section 285(2)(b) to an audit report for the PRCP schedule given under new section 285 includes a reference to an audit report for the schedule given under former section 285. 845 Continuation of former ss 462 and 463 in relation to things seized before commencement (1) This section applies in relation to a thing seized by an authorised person under former chapter 9 before the commencement. (2) Former sections 462 and 463 continue to apply in relation to the thing as if the amendment Act had not been enacted. 846 Limitation period for particular summary proceedings (1) This section applies in relation to a proceeding, by way of summary proceeding under the Justices Act 1886, for an offence against this Act that was committed before the commencement. (2) Former section 497 continues to apply in relation to starting the proceeding as if the amendment Act had not been enacted. 847 Register of particular TOR documents to be kept by chief executive (1) The chief executive must continue to keep a register of the following in relation to an EIS submitted before the commencement— 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Page 61 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (a) the submitted draft terms of reference for the EIS; (b) written summaries of comments given to the chief executive about the draft terms of reference for the EIS; (c) the proponent’s response to the comments mentioned in paragraph (b). (2) A reference in this Act to a register kept under section 540A is taken to include a reference to the register kept under subsection (1). 848 Transfers of environmental authorities to which pt 27 applies (1) This section applies if, after the commencement— (a) a person (the transferee) becomes the holder of an environmental authority to which part 27 applies; and (b) a PRCP schedule is not approved for the authority. (2) Within 60 business days after the transfer day, the administering authority may, with the agreement of the transferee, give the transferee a notice mentioned in subsection (3) (a restart notice). Note— If the administering authority does not give a restart notice to the transferee, see section 765A. (3) The restart notice must state a period of at least 6 months, from the day the notice is given, within which the transferee may, under section 802(2), ask the administering authority to assess a proposed PRC plan for the environmental authority. (4) If the administering authority gives the transferee a restart notice— 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Page 62 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (a) section 765A(2) does not apply, and is taken not to have applied from the transfer day; and (b) without limiting section 802(5), section 431A does not apply to the transferee during the period— (i) starting on the transfer day; and (ii) ending on the last day of the period stated in the restart notice under subsection (3); and (c) if, before the transfer day, the administering authority had given a notice under section 754(1) to the previous holder of the environmental authority— (i) the notice given under section 754(1) stops having effect, and is taken to have stopped having effect from the transfer day; and (ii) section 765A(3) does not apply, and is taken not to have applied from the transfer day; and (d) if, immediately before the restart notice was given, the administering authority was assessing an application for a proposed PRC plan for the environmental authority, the application is taken to have been withdrawn on the giving of the restart notice. (5) In this section— transfer day, for an environmental authority mentioned in subsection (1), means the day the transferee becomes the holder of the authority. 849 Application of new s 802 New section 802(1)(a) applies— 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Page 63 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 48] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (a) regardless of the reason a PRCP schedule has not been approved; and Examples of reasons a PRCP schedule may not have been approved— • The holder of an environmental authority failed to comply with a notice given under section 754. • The holder of an environmental authority did not receive a notice required to be given to the holder under section 754. • The administering authority gave the holder of an environmental authority a written notice refusing to approve a proposed PRCP schedule. • The application to which a proposed PRCP schedule relates lapsed or was withdrawn. (b) whether the reason arose before or after the commencement. Division 4 Transitional regulation 861 Transitional regulation-making power (1) A regulation (a transitional regulation) may make provision about a matter for which— (a) it is necessary to make provision to allow or facilitate the doing of anything to achieve the transition— (i) from the operation of this Act as in force before the commencement of a relevant amendment; and (ii) to the operation of this Act as in force after the commencement of the relevant amendment; and (b) this Act does not provide or sufficiently provide. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Page 64 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 49] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (2) A transitional regulation may have retrospective operation to a day not earlier than the day the relevant amendment to which the regulation relates commences. (3) A transitional regulation must declare it is a transitional regulation. (4) A transitional regulation— (a) may be made for a relevant amendment within 2 years after the relevant amendment commences; and (b) expires on the day that is 2 years after the day the relevant amendment commences. (5) This division expires on the day that is 2 years after the day the last relevant amendment commences. (6) In this section— relevant amendment means an amendment of this Act by the amendment Act. 49 Amendment of sch 2 (Original decisions) (1) Schedule 2, part 1, division 1, entry for section 41A(1)(b), ‘to public notification’— omit. (2) Schedule 2, part 1, division 1, entry for section 43(3)(c)— omit. (3) Schedule 2, part 1, division 1, entry for section 68(3)(b), ‘comment or’— omit. (4) Schedule 2, part 1, division 3, entry for section 274(2), after ‘give’— insert— surrender 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Clause 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Page 65 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 50] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (5) Schedule 2, part 1, division 3— insert— (6) Schedule 2, part 1, division 3, entries for sections 318YN(1)(b), 318YN(1)(c), 318YU(2) and 318ZJA— relocate to schedule 2, part 1, division 4. (7) Schedule 2, part 2, division 6— insert— 50 Amendment of sch 4 (Dictionary) (1) Schedule 4, definitions comment period, public interest consideration, public interest evaluation, rehabilitation direction and TOR notice— omit. (2) Schedule 4— insert— general rehabilitation direction see section 316S(2). surrender rehabilitation direction see section 274(2). (3) Schedule 4, definition audit period, ‘section 285(1)’— omit, insert— section 285(3)(b) 285 decision to give PRCP schedule audit notice if section 285(2)(b) applies in relation to the giving of the notice 316S decision to give general rehabilitation direction 461 decision to seize a thing under section 461 unless a circumstance mentioned in section 463B(1)(a) or (b) applies 463D(4)(a) decision to retain a seized thing 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Clause 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Page 66 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 51] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (4) Schedule 4, definition audit report, ‘section 285(2)(a)’— omit, insert— section 285(6)(a) (5) Schedule 4, definition regulatory requirement, paragraph (b)(i), ‘to public notification’— omit. Division 3 Amendments commencing by proclamation 51 Amendment of s 4 (How object of Act is to be achieved) Section 4(4)— insert— (c) deciding environmental values that are to be protected as a priority and declared to be significant environmental values. 52 Amendment of s 6A (Principles of environmental protection) (1) Section 6A(1)— insert— (d) the State interest of protecting significant environmental values as a priority. (2) Section 6A(2)(b), ‘principle’— omit, insert— matter 53 Insertion of new s 9A After section 9— 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Clause 9 10 11 12 13 14 Clause 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Clause 24 25

Page 67 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 54] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 insert— 9A Significant environmental values (1) Each of the following is a significant environmental value— (a) an environmental value declared to be a significant environmental value under an environmental protection policy; (b) an environmental value declared to be a significant environmental value under a regulation. (2) An environmental value may be declared to be a significant environmental value only if the Minister is satisfied the value is of significance to the State and should be protected under this Act as a priority. (3) Environmental values may be declared to be significant environmental values by reference to environmental values in a particular area. Examples for subsection (3)— • all environmental values in a protected area under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 • all environmental values in a marine conservation park zone established under a zoning plan for a State marine park under the Marine Parks Act 2004 • all environmental values in a fish habitat area declared under the Fisheries Act 1994 54 Replacement of ch 1, pt 3, div 2, sdiv 4 (Environmentally relevant activities) Chapter 1, part 3, division 2, subdivision 4— omit, insert— Subdivision 4 Environmentally relevant activities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Clause 27 28 29 30 31 32

Page 68 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 54] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 18 Meaning of environmentally relevant activity (1) An environmentally relevant activity is an activity that is prescribed under section 19 to be— (a) an environmentally relevant activity (general); or (b) an environmentally relevant activity (resource). (2) An agricultural ERA as defined in section 79 is also an environmentally relevant activity. 19 Activity may be prescribed as environmentally relevant activity (1) A regulation may prescribe an activity, other than a resource activity, as an environmentally relevant activity (general). (2) A regulation may prescribe a resource activity as an environmentally relevant activity (resource). (3) To remove any doubt, it is declared that an activity that is an agricultural ERA as defined in section 79 may be prescribed as an environmentally relevant activity (general). Note— An environmental authority is required for carrying out an agricultural ERA that is a general ERA—see section 426. (4) However, the Minister may recommend the making of a regulation prescribing an activity under subsection (1) or (2) only if the Minister is satisfied— (a) that— (i) a contaminant will or may be released into the environment when the activity is carried out; and 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Page 69 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 54] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (ii) the release of the contaminant will or may cause environmental harm; or (b) the activity will or may otherwise adversely affect— (i) a significant environmental value; or (ii) an environmental value of the marine environment. 19A Transitional arrangements for former or new environmentally relevant activities (1) This section applies if, on the commencement of a regulation under section 19 (the relevant regulation)— (a) an activity that was an environmentally relevant activity is no longer an environmentally relevant activity; or (b) an activity that was not an environmentally relevant activity becomes an environmentally relevant activity. (2) A regulation may provide for transitional arrangements about the operation of this Act in relation to the activity, including, for example, by providing that— (a) if subsection (1)(a) applies— (i) on the commencement of the relevant regulation, an application for an environmental authority for the activity that has been made but not decided is taken to have been withdrawn; or (ii) on the commencement of the relevant regulation, an environmental authority for the activity that is in effect is taken to have been surrendered; or 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Page 70 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 54] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (iii) particular fees relating to a withdrawal mentioned in subparagraph (i), or a surrender mentioned in subparagraph (ii), must be refunded; or (b) if subsection (1)(b) applies—for a stated period, a stated provision of this Act, including, for example, section 426 or 435A, does not apply in relation to a person who was carrying out the activity immediately before the commencement of the relevant regulation. 20 Declaration of environmentally relevant activity as a code-managed ERA (1) A regulation may declare an environmentally relevant activity to be a code-managed ERA. (2) The regulation may also declare that a person carrying out the code-managed ERA under the relevant ERA code must be registered under chapter 6, part 1. (3) The Minister may recommend the making of a regulation under this section for an environmentally relevant activity only if the Minister is satisfied— (a) the risk of environmental harm that may be caused by the carrying out of the activity is known; and (b) the environmental harm can be effectively prevented, minimised, rehabilitated or remediated, by requiring compliance with an ERA code. (4) Also, the Minister may recommend the making of a declaration under subsection (2) in relation to the environmentally relevant activity only if the Minister is satisfied the carrying out of the activity needs to be monitored under this Act— 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Page 71 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 55] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (a) having regard to— (i) the nature of the activity; and (ii) the degree of risk of environmental harm that may be caused by the carrying out of the activity; and (b) to ensure the effective administration of this Act. 20A General ERAs carried out in connection with resource ERAs (1) This section applies in relation to an environmental authority for a resource ERA that authorises 1 or more other activities that are general ERAs (each an ancillary activity). (2) The ancillary activities are taken to be resource ERAs for the purpose of an application for an environmental authority. (3) However, the ancillary activities are taken to be general ERAs for the purpose of the following— (a) the power to impose conditions on the environmental authority under chapter 5, part 5, division 6; (b) the fees that apply to the environmental authority under this Act. (4) This section applies whether or not the environmentally relevant activities approved by the environmental authority are carried out as a resource ERA project. 55 Omission of ch 1, pt 3, div 2, sdiv 6 (Prescribed conditions) Chapter 1, part 3, division 2, subdivision 6— omit. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Clause 28 29 30 31

Page 72 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 56] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 56 Amendment of s 28 (Contents of policies) Section 28(1)— insert— (c) include each declaration of a significant environmental value made under section 9A(1)(a) in relation to the environment or aspect or part of the environment to which the policy applies. 57 Amendment of s 79 (What is an agricultural ERA) Section 79— insert— Note— An agricultural ERA may also be a general ERA—see section 19(3). 58 Amendment of s 81 (What is an agricultural ERA standard) (1) Section 81— insert— (3A) An agricultural ERA standard— (a) applies to a person carrying out the agricultural ERA to which the standard relates; but (b) does not apply to the person carrying out the agricultural ERA to the extent the standard is inconsistent with a condition of an environmental authority under which the person is carrying out the activity. (2) Section 81(3A) to (6)— renumber as section 81(4) to (7). Clause 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Clause 9 10 11 12 13 14 Clause 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Page 73 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 59] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 59 Omission of ss 106–111 Sections 106 to 111— omit. 60 Amendment of s 112 (Other key definitions for ch 5) (1) Section 112, definitions ERA project, prescribed ERA project and resource project— omit. (2) Section 112— insert— ERA project means a general ERA project or resource ERA project. general ERA project means 2 or more general ERAs, whether of the same or different kinds, carried out, or proposed to be carried out, as a single integrated operation. resource ERA project means resource ERAs carried out, or proposed to be carried out, as a single integrated operation— (a) under 1 or more resource tenures, in any combination; and (b) whether or not general ERAs are also carried out, or proposed to be carried out, as part of the operation. Note— See section 20A in relation to environmental authorities authorising resource ERAs and general ERAs. 61 Amendment of s 115 (Development application taken to be application for environmental authority in particular circumstances) (1) Section 115(1)(b)(i), (2), (4) and (5), ‘prescribed ERA’— Clause 1 2 3 Clause 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Clause 28 29 30 31

Page 74 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 61] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 omit, insert— general ERA (2) Section 115— insert— (1A) However, this section does not apply in relation to a material change of use of premises for a general ERA that is a code-managed ERA if the applicant states in the development application that the applicant intends to carry out the code-managed ERA under the relevant ERA code. (3) Section 115(1A) to (5)— renumber as section 115(2) to (6). (4) Section 115— insert— (7) Also, if the general ERA is a code-managed ERA— (a) the applicant may give the administering authority written notice that the applicant intends to carry out the code-managed ERA under the relevant ERA code; and (b) if the applicant gives a written notice under paragraph (a), the application for an environmental authority for the general ERA under subsection (3)— (i) is taken to have been withdrawn; or (ii) for an application for an environmental authority for the general ERA under subsection (3) relating to a code-managed ERA the subject of a notice under paragraph (a) and other general ERAs—is taken to have been withdrawn to the extent the application relates to the code-managed ERA the subject of the notice. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Page 75 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 62] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 Note— See— (a) chapter 6, part 1 for the requirement to be registered under that part if a regulation made under section 20 declares that a person carrying out the code-managed ERA under the relevant ERA code must be registered; and (b) section 435A for the requirement to comply with the relevant ERA code when carrying out the code-managed ERA other than under an environmental authority. 62 Amendment of s 118 (Single application required for ERA projects) (1) Section 118(2), after ‘all’— insert— the environmentally (2) Section 118— insert— (3) Subsection (2) does not apply to an environmentally relevant activity that is a code-managed ERA if the person— (a) for a code-managed ERA that may be carried out under the relevant ERA code only by a person who is registered under chapter 6, part 1—is registered under chapter 6, part 1 in relation to the code-managed ERA; or (b) for another code-managed ERA—has given the administering authority a written notice stating the person intends to carry out the code-managed ERA under the relevant ERA code. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Clause 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Page 76 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 63] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 Note— See section 435A for the requirement to comply with the relevant ERA code when carrying out a code-managed ERA other than under an environmental authority. 63 Amendment of s 119 (Single environmental authority required for ERA projects) (1) Section 119(3), ‘resource activity’— omit, insert— resource ERA (2) Section 119— insert— (5) Also, this section does not prevent the holder from carrying out a code-managed ERA as part of the project if the holder— (a) for a code-managed ERA that may be carried out under the relevant ERA code only by a person who is registered under chapter 6, part 1—is registered under chapter 6, part 1 in relation to the code-managed ERA; or (b) for another code-managed ERA—has given the administering authority a written notice stating the holder intends to carry out the code-managed ERA under the relevant ERA code. Note— See section 435A for the requirement to comply with the relevant ERA code when carrying out a code-managed ERA other than under an environmental authority. 1 2 3 4 5 Clause 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Page 77 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 64] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 64 Amendment of s 130 (Nomination of principal applicant) (1) Section 130— insert— (2A) Also, the principal applicant nominated in the application may give the administering authority a written notice mentioned in section 118(3)(b) or 119(5)(b) for all applicants for the application. Note— See also sections 318ZN and 318ZW(4) in relation to making requests or giving notices relating to carrying out a code-managed ERA under the relevant ERA code. (2) Section 130(2A) and (3)— renumber as section 130(3) and (4). 65 Amendment of s 316C (Application of division) Section 316C(1)(b), ‘or prescribed condition for a small scale mining activity’— omit. 66 Amendment of s 318YE (Conditions of recognition) (1) Section 318YE(2), ‘granted’— omit, insert— approved (2) Section 318YE(2)(b)— omit, insert— (b) the owner of the program must— (i) make a record about a decision to accredit a person under the program; and (ii) keep the record for at least 6 years after the decision is made; Clause 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Clause 14 15 16 17 Clause 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Page 78 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 67] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (3) Section 318YE(2)(c)(ii), ‘address’— omit, insert— lot on plan description (4) Section 318YE(2)(c)(iii), after ‘accreditation’— insert— , including the day the accreditation expires (5) Section 318YE(2)— insert— (ca) the owner of the program must, if asked by the chief executive, give the chief executive a copy of the records mentioned in paragraph (b); (6) Section 318YE(2)(ca) to (f)— renumber as section 318YE(2)(d) to (g). (7) Section 318YE(4)(a), ‘granted’— omit, insert— approved (8) Section 318YE(4), after paragraph (a)— insert— (aa) renewal of the recognised accreditation program is approved; or (9) Section 318YE(4)(aa) and (b)— renumber as section 318YE(4)(b) and (c). 67 Amendment of s 318YI (Approval continues pending decision about renewal) Section 318YI(1), ‘60 days’— omit, insert— 45 business days 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Clause 24 25 26 27 28

Page 79 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 68] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 68 Amendment of s 318YM (Inquiry about application) Section 318YM(1) and (3), ‘30 days’— omit, insert— 30 business days 69 Replacement of s 318YN (Decision on application) Section 318YN— omit, insert— 318YN Decision on application (1) The chief executive must consider the application and decide— (a) to approve the application subject to the standard recognition conditions only; or (b) to approve the application subject to the standard recognition conditions and 1 or more non-standard recognition conditions; or (c) to refuse the application. (2) If the chief executive decides to approve the application subject to the standard recognition conditions only, the chief executive must give the applicant a notice about the decision. (3) If the chief executive decides to refuse the application, or to approve the application subject to 1 or more non-standard recognition conditions, the chief executive must give the applicant an information notice for the decision as soon as practicable after making the decision. (4) In this section— non-standard recognition conditions means conditions of recognition under section 318YE(2)(g). Clause 1 2 3 4 Clause 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Page 80 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 70] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 standard recognition conditions means conditions of recognition under section 318YE(2)(a) to (f). 70 Amendment of s 318YO (Failure to decide application) Section 318YO(1) and (3),‘30 days’— omit, insert— 30 business days 71 Amendment of s 318YR (Show cause notice) Section 318YR(3), ‘28 days’— omit, insert— 20 business days 72 Amendment of s 318YV (Immediate suspension of recognition of accreditation program) Section 318YV(3)(b)(iii),‘45 days’— omit, insert— 45 business days 73 Insertion of new ch 6 After chapter 5A— insert— Chapter 6 Carrying out code-managed ERA under relevant ERA code 1 2 3 Clause 4 5 6 7 Clause 8 9 10 11 Clause 12 13 14 15 16 Clause 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Page 81 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 73] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 Part 1 Registration for particular code-managed ERAs 318ZK Application of part This part applies in relation to a code-managed ERA if— (a) an ERA code is in effect for the activity; and (b) a regulation made under section 20 declares that a person carrying out the activity under the ERA code must be registered under this part. 318ZL Requirement to be registered (1) A person must not carry out the code-managed ERA under the ERA code unless the person is registered under this part in relation to the activity. Maximum penalty—50 penalty units. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person carrying out the code-managed ERA under an environmental authority. 318ZM Request for registration (1) A person may ask the administering authority to register the person under this part in relation to the code-managed ERA. (2) The request must be— (a) in the approved form; and (b) accompanied by the registration fee (if any) prescribed by regulation for the registration. (3) If a person makes a request under this section, the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Page 82 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 73] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 administering authority must as soon as practicable— (a) register the person under this part in relation to the code-managed ERA; and (b) record in the relevant register the person’s registration for the code-managed ERA; and (c) give the person written notice of the registration. (4) To remove any doubt, it is declared that a person may make a request under this section even if the person— (a) is the applicant for an environmental authority for the code-managed ERA; or Note— See also section 318ZS. (b) holds an environmental authority approving the code-managed ERA; or Note— See also section 318ZT. (c) has given the administering authority a written notice mentioned in section 318ZU(1)(b)(ii) or 318ZY(1)(b)(ii) in relation to the code-managed ERA. 318ZN Joint request for registration (1) A person (the principal) may make a request under section 318ZM for the registration of the principal and 1 or more other persons (the others) under this part in relation to the code-managed ERA if— (a) the principal is the principal applicant for an application for an environmental authority for the code-managed ERA made jointly by the principal and the others; or 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Page 83 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 73] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 (b) the principal and the others jointly hold an environmental authority for the code-managed ERA. (2) If a request under section 318ZM is made as mentioned in subsection (1)— (a) the administering authority must— (i) register the principal and the others under this part in relation to the code-managed ERA; and (ii) give the principal written notice of the registration of the principal and the others; and (b) for applying this Act, the principal and the others are all taken to have requested registration in relation to the code-managed ERA under section 318ZM. 318ZO Notice of ceasing to carry out code-managed ERA (1) This section applies if a person registered under this part in relation to the code-managed ERA proposes to stop, or stops, carrying out the activity on a day (the end day). (2) The person must give the administering authority notice, in the approved form, of the person no longer carrying out the code-managed ERA from the end day— (a) at least 30 days before the end day; or (b) if the end day is less than 30 days after the day the person decides to stop carrying out the activity on the end day—as soon as practicable but no later than 10 business days after the end day. Maximum penalty—50 penalty units. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Page 84 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 73] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 318ZP Term of registration A person’s registration under this part in relation to the code-managed ERA continues in effect until any of the following happens— (a) the person gives the administering authority a notice under section 318ZO and the later of the following days ends— (i) the end day stated in the notice; (ii) the day the notice is given; (b) the administering authority otherwise becomes aware the person has stopped carrying out the code-managed ERA and gives the person a written notice stating that the person’s registration has ended; (c) the person is issued an environmental authority that approves the code-managed ERA. Part 2 Transitioning to relevant ERA code Division 1 Preliminary 318ZQ Purpose of part The purpose of this part is to provide for persons who have applied for, or hold, an environmental authority for a code-managed ERA to transition to carrying out the code-managed ERA under the relevant ERA code instead of an environmental authority. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Page 85 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 73] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 Division 2 Code-managed ERAs for which registration required 318ZR Application of division This division applies in relation to a code-managed ERA to which part 1 applies. 318ZS Withdrawal of application for environmental authority if applicant requests registration (1) This section applies if a person who has applied for an environmental authority for the code-managed ERA requests registration in relation to the code-managed ERA under section 318ZM before the application is decided. (2) The person’s application for the environmental authority for the code-managed ERA is taken to have been withdrawn. (3) The administering authority must refund to the person any fee paid for the application for the environmental authority for the code-managed ERA. (4) If the person’s application for an environmental authority relates to the code-managed ERA and other environmentally relevant activities— (a) subsection (2) applies only to the extent the application relates to the code-managed ERA; and (b) subsection (3) does not apply in relation to the application. 318ZT Surrender of environmental authority if holder requests registration (1) This section applies if a person who holds an environmental authority that approves the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Page 86 Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel [s 73] Environmental Protection (Efficiency and Streamlining) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Part 2 Amendment of Environmental Protection Act 1994 code-managed ERA requests registration in relation to the code-managed ERA under section 318ZM. (2) When the person is registered under part 1 in relation to the code-managed ERA— (a) the environmental authority stops applying in relation to the code-managed ERA; and (b) the person is taken to have surrendered— (i) the environmental authority; or (ii) if the environmental authority also applies to 1 or more other environmentally relevant activities—the part of the environmental authority applying to the code-managed ERA. Note— See section 435A for the requirement to comply with the relevant ERA code when carrying out a code-managed ERA other than under an environmental authority. (3) The administering authority must, as soon as practicable— (a) record the surrender of the environmental authority, or the part of the environmental authority, in the relevant register; and (b) give the person written notice of the surrender; and (c) refund to the person any amount required to be refunded for the environmental authority under section 318ZZ. 318ZU Surrender of environmental authority on holder’s deemed registration (1) This section applies if— 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33