Action 11

Code of practice

Scoping/Drafting

Develop an enforceable Code of Practice and implement the intent of the recommendations for a code that defines and prescribes minimum standards for onshore exploration and production proposals involving hydraulic fracturing.

Lead agency
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Target completion date
December 2020
Revised completion date
Late 2022 for Regulation gazettal.

Updates

31 March 2022

Regulations are being developed under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 and the Environmental Protection Act 1986 in lieu of the Code of Practice.

30 September 2021

Based on CSIRO’s work, to ensure the standards recommended to be addressed in the Inquiry under the Code of Practice are enforceable, development of regulations under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 and the Environmental Protection Act 1986 will be required.  Development of the drafting instructions for Government approval for preparation the regulations is underway. It is envisaged that exposure drafts of the regulations will be released for public consultation by early 2022.

31 March 2020

The State Government has engaged CSIRO to assist with development of the WA Code of Practice. CSIRO’s expertise and experience across all aspects of the Code will ensure the WA Code of Practice is scientifically informed, technically sound and pragmatic.

31 December 2019

It is anticipated that the first draft of the WA Code of Practice will be available for consultation in the second quarter of 2020.

The Code will mandate minimum enforceable standards and requirements for the onshore hydraulic fracturing industry.

30 September 2019

Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation are:

  • undertaking review of the Northern Territory Code of Practice for relevance and applicability to Western Australia;
  • drafting additional requirements based on the WA Inquiry Recommendations; and
  • investigating mechanisms to ensure the Western Australian Code of Practice will be enforceable.
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