Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 18 June, during question time, Senator Heffernan asked me a question concerning alleged breaches of certain EPBC conditions. I seek leave to incorporate into Hansard some additional information provided by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER

(Senate Question without Notice)

On 18 June 2009 during question time, Senator Heffernan asked me a question concerning alleged breaches of the conditions imposed by Minister Garrett on approval of the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project under the EPBC Act resulting from recent Victorian Government Orders in Council, as well as a question in relation to a landowner being found guilty of trespassing on their own property under the EPBC Act.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts has provided the following information.

My Department has not made any arrests, charges or prosecutions under the EPBC Act in relation to or in the vicinity of the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project.

My Department is aware of the Orders in Council published in the Victorian Government Gazette of 28 May 2009, in relation to the allocation of water from Lake Eildon, but is not aware of any provision contained within these orders that would cause Melbourne Water (the proponent for the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project) to breach my conditions of approval. Under the EPBC Act, I may impose penalties of up to $1.1 million for breaches of approval conditions by a body corporate, and I may also vary, suspend or revoke my approval if warranted. My Department will continue to investigate any allegations of non-compliance.