We have extended this consultation. The original closing date was 28 February 2024.
Overview
We’re looking at ways to clarify and improve the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2023. We want to ensure titleholders consult and engage in a meaningful way when developing environment plans. Consultation requirements must be clear so that consultation activities are targeted and effective.
Australia has a broad legislative and policy framework to manage the environmental impacts and risks of offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities.
Role of consultation
Consultation is a key feature of Australia offshore environmental management framework. Consultation is essential to good decision-making and is mutually beneficial to all parties. It provides the offshore industry with the opportunity to build relationships, partnerships and social licence with people, organisations and local communities who may be impacted by proposed activities.
Titleholders must consult when preparing an environment plan for every offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activity. Consultation is key to gathering relevant information and informing the content of the environment plans.
We’re seeking views on the consultation requirements for offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas activities and how we can clarify them. We want to ensure that consultation is appropriately targeted and that meaningful consultation and engagement occur during the development of environment plans.
We welcome feedback from everyone with an interest in offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities including:
offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas companies and peak bodies
Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples and communities
government agencies and regulators
fishing peak bodies and fishers
environmental groups and organisations
other marine users and industries
members of the public.
You will have the opportunity to have your say on other elements of our offshore environmental management review over the next 3 years.
Consultation documents
Clarifying consultation requirements for offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage regulatory approvals [PDF 380KB] [DOCX 253KB]
This paper is seeking views on:
how to better clarify the consultation requirements under the Offshore Environment Regulations
how consultation for offshore resources activities can be appropriately targeted to meet the needs of persons or organisations who may be impacted
how all relevant persons, including Traditional Owners and First Nations communities, can participate meaningfully in the development of environment plans and in a manner that is culturally sensitive and appropriate.
Information session
We held an online information session about this consultation on Wednesday 28 February. The session provided an overview of the current consultation requirements and the key themes in the paper. The presentation from this session is available on request to EnvironmentalReview@industry.gov.au