NOTICE OF EXemption from a provision of part 3 (EPBC Act section 158(7))
Exemption under section 158 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
I, Sussan Ley, Minister for the Environment, 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 as represented by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER) (or any other Commonwealth agency), and those acting on behalf of DISER (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 “lighthouse operations” in relation to the Northern Endeavour Floating Production, Storage and Offtake Facility and associated infrastructure, until 31 December 2021.
In this notice:
Lighthouse operations includes essential operations such as critical inspections, monitoring, maintenance, and repair work to manage and avert risks to personnel, the environment, and maritime safety and security, with the advice and assurance of NOPSEMA that the operations are being undertaken in accordance with the previously-accepted Safety Case and Well Operations Management Plan and Environment Plan and in compliance with good oil field practice. Lighthouse operations does not include well production, injection or crude offtake activities.
This exemption takes effect on the date of this notice.
SIGNED
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Minister for the Environment
Dated the 31st day of July 2020
A copy of the Minister’s statement of reasons for this decision is publicly available at the following internet address: http://epbcnotices.environment.gov.au/exemptionnotices/