Action 3

Hydraulic fracturing activities are prohibited in any future petroleum acreage releases dating from 26 November 2018 (Action 1 – completed), and not permitted on places of iconic natural heritage (Action 2 – completed) identified within petroleum titles existing as of 26 November 2018.

The requirement for proposals involving hydraulic fracture stimulation to be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority (Action 7.1) has been finalised. The amendment to the Regulation 2C of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987 was approved by the Executive Council on 30 June, gazetted on 7 July 2020 and commenced 8 July 2020.

This completes Implementation Plan Action 3.

This action will be addressed through implementation of the Government’s Decisions 1 and 2, and Inquiry’s Recommendation 34, which will preclude hydraulic fracture stimulation over land subject to future petroleum acreage releases or places of iconic natural heritage (see Actions I, 2 and 7).

Gazettal of the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources (Hydraulic Fracturing) Amendment Regulations 2019 marks completion of the Government’s Implementation Plan Action 1.

Actions 2 and 7 are progressing.