On 28 February 2014, the Commonwealth Government announced a new streamlined approach for environmental approvals for offshore petroleum activities, which makes the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental management Authority (NOPSEMA) the sole environmental regulator for offshore petroleum activities in the Commonwealth waters.
The purpose of this Act is to amend the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cth) (OPGGS Act) to:
Expand the definition of ‘designated coastal waters’ to include all waters of the sea landward of the Commonwealth offshore area, so that States and the Northern Territory can confer functions and powers on the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) in respect of the broadest possible geographical area; and
Provide an alternative mechanism for offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas titleholders to take actions that are permitted, but not required, to be taken under the OPGGS Act and regulations (‘eligible voluntary actions’), such as submission of applications and nominations, where there is more than one holder of a single title.
For further information see the Explanatory Memorandum and Second Reading Speech.