Environment and Resource Management

Chapter 4 activities

Chapter 4 activities are environmentally relevant activities (ERAs) that are prescribed in Schedule 2 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2008. Codes of environmental compliance can apply to ERAs that are carried out in accordance with well established, standard practices.

Each code is a document that contains the standard environmental conditions for an activity and criteria that will determine when (and to what extent) a code applies to an activity. The code also contains advisory notes on action that may be taken to assist in reaching compliance with the standard environmental conditions.

The ERA component of development covered by a code is self-assessable development under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. While a development approval is not required for the ERA component, it may be required for other aspects of the development.

Anyone operating under a code is required to have a registration certificate before commencing operations - for more information see the information sheet Requirement to become a registered operator - EM2452 (PDF, 66K)*. The fees for registration certificate applications are listed in the information sheet Summary of annual fees for environmentally relevant activities (ERAs) - EM389 (PDF, 194K)*.


Approved codes are listed in Schedule 3 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2008.

Refer to the information sheet: Carrying out an ERA subject to a code of environmental compliance (PDF, 73K)* for more information on codes for chapter 4 activities.

Certain aspects of extractive and screening activities (ERA 16) - Version 6

Code of environmental compliance for certain aspects of extractive and screening activities (ERA 16) - Version 6 (PDF, 196K)*

This version of the code applies to anyone who meets all the criteria listed for the code and applies for a registration certificate from 10 June 2011.

Transitional arrangements apply for existing operations being conducted under a development approval or a previous version of the code. Version 6 of the code will apply from 10 June 2012 where the existing operation meets the criteria of this version of the code.

Under criterion 4 this code cannot be used for new developments within a wild river area. However criterion 4 is met if the site of an existing operation under this code becomes part of a newly declared wild river area. This is in accordance with the intent of section 17 of the Wild Rivers Act 2005.

The conditions have not changed from Version 5 of the code. Version 6 of the code applies to a wider range of activities.

Commencement date:

10 June 2011

Criteria:

  1. The activity applies to the extraction and screening of material for the construction or maintenance of rail transport infrastructure and roads.
  2. The quantity of material extracted or screened at any one site is between 5000 and 100000 tonnes per year and the maximum area of disturbance is 1.5 hectares.
  3. There is no intentional or negligent release of contaminants to waters from the activity.
  4. The activity will not be carried out in:
    -  a protected area; or
    -  in a Wild River Area as defined in the Wild Rivers Act 2005.
  5. The activity does not include the use of explosives.
  6. The activity occurs in daylight hours and between the hours of 6am and 6pm.
  7. The activity does not occur within 1 kilometre of a sensitive place.
  8. The activity does not occur within 100 metres of any watercourse, wetland or spring.

Certain aspects of extractive and screening activities (ERA 16) - Version 5

Code of environmental compliance for certain aspects of extractive and screening activities (ERA 16) - Version 5 (PDF, 298K)*

This version of the code does not apply to new operators.

This version of the code applies to anyone who meets all the criteria listed for the code and had applied for a registration certificate between 26 November 2010 and the commencement date of Version 6.

Transitional arrangements apply for existing operations being conducted under a development approval or Version 4 of the code. Version 5 of the code will apply from 26 November 2011 where the existing operation meets the criteria of this version of the code. These operators must have transitioned their operations to comply with the requirements of this version of the code or have a valid development approval for the ERA by that date.

Under criterion 4 this code cannot be used for new developments within a wild river area. However criterion 4 is met if the site of an existing operation under this code becomes part of a newly declared wild river area. This is in accordance with the intent of section 17 of the Wild Rivers Act 2005.

Commencement date:

26 November 2010

Criteria:

  1. The activity applies to the extraction and screening of material for the maintenance of roads.
  2. The quantity of material extracted or screened at any one site is between 5000 and 100000 tonnes per year and the maximum area of disturbance is 1.5 hectares.
  3. There is no intentional or negligent release of contaminants to waters from the activity.
  4. The activity will not be carried out in:
    -  a protected area; or
    -  in a Wild River Area as defined in the Wild Rivers Act 2005.
  5. The activity does not include the use of explosives.
  6. The activity occurs in daylight hours and between the hours of 6am and 6pm.
  7. The activity does not occur within 1 kilometre of a sensitive place.
  8. The activity does not occur within 100 metres of any watercourse, wetland or spring.

Certain aspects of mobile and temporary abrasive blasting (ERA 17)

Code of environmental compliance for certain aspects of mobile and temporary abrasive blasting (ERA 17) (PDF, 150K)*

Commencement date:

1 July 2006

Criteria:

  1. The ERA is mobile and temporary, as defined in schedule 4 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994, and the administration of the ERA is not devolved to local government under the Environmental Protection Regulation 2008.
  2. If abrasive blasting activities are carried out over water, on land below highest astronomical tide or on land subject to a 1:10 year flood regime, the activity is restricted to fixed items of marine equipment such as jetties, piers, bridges and gantries.

Certain aspects of regulated waste transport (ERA 57)

Code of environmental compliance for certain aspects of regulated waste transport (ERA 57) (PDF, 203K)*

Commencement date:

1 July 2006

Criteria:

  1. Regulated waste is transported by road vehicles only (not by train, boat, aircraft, pipeline or other means).

 

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Last updated 14 May 2012

Codes of environmental compliance

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