The EPBC Bilateral Agreement: What is it and How Does it Affect Queensland?
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act is a federal law enacted in Australia in 1999. It aims to protect the country`s biodiversity and manage national environmental issues. The act covers a wide range of activities, including the assessment and approval of development projects, the protection of threatened species and ecological communities, and the management of heritage sites.
Recently, the Federal and Queensland Governments signed a bilateral agreement under the EPBC Act. This agreement devolves certain responsibilities and powers to the Queensland state government. It allows the state to take on the assessment and approval of certain development projects, as well as the management of certain species and ecosystems. This agreement is significant because it represents a shift in the balance of power between the federal and state governments when it comes to environmental issues.
Under the bilateral agreement, the Queensland government will be responsible for assessing and approving development projects that may impact matters of national environmental significance. These matters include threatened species and ecological communities, migratory species, world heritage sites, and water resources that are likely to have a significant impact on the environment. The agreement also enables the Queensland government to manage certain species and ecosystems that are listed under the EPBC Act.
This new agreement has been subject to some controversy and criticism. Some environmental groups have expressed concern that devolving powers to the state government may result in weaker environmental protections. They argue that the Queensland government has a history of approving controversial development projects that put the environment at risk.
However, supporters of the agreement argue that it will improve environmental outcomes by streamlining the approval process for development projects. They believe that the state government is better equipped to assess and approve projects that are specific to Queensland`s unique environment and economy. The agreement also provides an opportunity for greater collaboration between the federal and state government on environmental issues.
In conclusion, the EPBC Bilateral Agreement between the Federal and Queensland governments represents an important shift in the management of environmental issues in Australia. While there are concerns about the implications of devolving powers to the state government, there are also benefits in terms of streamlining the approval process and enabling greater collaboration between the federal and state governments. It remains to be seen how this agreement will affect the way development projects are assessed and approved in Queensland, and how it will impact the protection of the environment in Australia as a whole.