182Decommissioning of structures, equipment and other items of property

182 Decommissioning of structures, equipment and other items of property

(1) For the purposes of item 21 in Schedule 4 to the Act, this regulation makes provision for the decommissioning of structures, equipment and other items of property.

(2) An application for the grant of a greenhouse gas injection licence must be accompanied by a plan (a provisional decommissioning plan) for—

(a) decommissioning structures and equipment; and

(b) remediation of the site—

after the injection of the greenhouse gas substance ceases.

(3) The Minister must not approve the application for the grant of the greenhouse gas injection licence unless the Minister is satisfied that the plan mentioned in subregulation (2) is suitable.

The suitability of a site plan is ultimately dependent on the circumstances of the decommissioning. The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions is able to assist applicants with information about suitable site plans.

(4) If the Minister approves the plan mentioned in subregulation (2)—

(a) the Minister must notify the applicant, in writing, within 15 days after approving the plan; and

(b) advise the applicant of the effect of subregulation (5).

(5) A greenhouse gas injection licensee must review a plan approved under subregulation (3)—

(a) at least once in every 10 years during the injection phase of the project; and

(b) at least 5 years before the time when injection of the greenhouse gas substance is expected to cease.

(6) A review must include consideration of whether the plan needs to be varied, having regard to—

(a) the evolution of industry best practice; and

(b) the conduct of the operations; and

(c) whether the site plan has been, or is to be, varied to include significant new structures during the injection phase of the project.

(7) A greenhouse gas injection licensee must give the Minister a final plan for—

(a) decommissioning structures and equipment; and

(b) remediation of the site—

at least 12 months before the time when injection of the greenhouse gas substance is expected to cease.

The final plan for decommissioning will not cover any monitoring wells that are used for monitoring the behaviour of the greenhouse gas substance in storage formation after the site is closed.

(8) The Minister must not approve the grant of the site closing certificate unless the Minister is satisfied that the final plan mentioned in subregulation (7) is suitable.