Exemption under section 158 of the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
I, Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water, acting under section 158 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) and being satisfied that it is in the national interest to do so, exempt the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (the Industry department) (or any other Commonwealth agency), and those acting on behalf of the Industry department (or other Commonwealth agency), from the application of all of the provisions of Part 3 (other than sections 12, 15A, 15B, 15C, 16, 17B, 21, 22A, 24B, 24C, 24D, 24E, 27A, 27B and 27C) and Chapter 4 of the EPBC Act, in relation to the following action:
The taking of “limited preparatory topside works and minimal flushing activities” on the Northern Endeavour Floating Production, Storage and Offtake Facility (FPSO) and associated infrastructure, until a decision is made on whether or not to approve Phase 1 decommissioning activities under the EPBC Act.
In this notice:
Limited preparatory works and minimal flushing will include:
- Nitrogen purge, gas-freeing and cleaning of the topsides process equipment and systems.
- Removal of bulk hydrocarbon inventory from vessels to enable controlled safe entry for disposal and testing of solids from the topside equipment and systems.
- Liquid circulation for decontamination of the topside equipment and systems.
These activities do not include subsea flushing through flow lines in any form or any disconnection or decommissioning activities.
This exemption takes effect on the date of this notice.
SIGNED
_____________________________________
The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Minister for the Environment and Water
Dated the 20th day of March 2023
A copy of the Minister’s statement of reasons for this decision is publicly available at the following internet address: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/epbc/approvals/register-of-exemptions