Environmental notifications and reports for petroleum and gas activities

A new petroleum and gas reporting practice direction commenced on 1 October 2020.

Reports and data previously lodged in QDEX Reports must now be lodged in the GSQ Lodgement Portal.

Use the menu below to find out about your environmental reporting and notification requirements for non-mining resource activities, including petroleum and gas, greenhouse gas storage and geothermal activities. Click on a heading to either expand or collapse the heading content. You should also read about environmental licences and permits.

Note: Holders of environmental authorities (EAs) that are not related to resource tenures should read about complying with an environmental authority.

You have a duty to notify of environmental harm and to report certain events (including an emergency or incident) according to the specific conditions of your EA.

Note: You have additional obligations to notify of environmental harm if you are an owner or occupier of contaminated land. Your employees and auditors also have obligations to notify of environmental harm.

This page explains how to meet your notification and reporting obligations under Queensland environmental legislation.

Who this applies to

Holders of all EAs for resource activities

How to lodge your notices and reports

The table below shows what you need to submit and how to do it. If you need more help:

refer to the legislation (references in the table below)
read the guideline The duty to notify of environmental harm (ESR/2016/2271) (PDF, 505KB)
read about meeting environmental obligations and duties.

Report/notice and legislation	When to lodge	How to lodge
Duty to notify of environmental harm (ESR/2015/2230) (DOCX, 127KB) or written notification with details of the event (EP Act¹ s. 320-320G)	Within 24 hours if: an event occurs that causes or threatens environmental harm or an activity has negatively affected, or is reasonably likely to negatively affect, water quality of an aquifer or the activity has caused the connection of 2 or more aquifers	Phone 1300 130 372 and select option 2 'pollution'. Also provide written notification to Permit and Licence Management, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by: Email pollutionhotline@des.qld.gov.au Include 'Duty to notify of environmental harm' in the subject line or Registered post GPO Box 2454 BRISBANE QLD 4000
Incident notification (resource activities other than mining) (ESR/2015/1753) (DOCX, 205KB) (condition of EAs)	When an incident occurs which causes or threatens environmental harm Check your EA for timing	Phone 1300 130 372 and select option 2 'pollution'. Also provide written notification to Permit and Licence Management, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by: Email pollutionhotline@des.qld.gov.au Include 'Incident notification' in the subject line or Registered post GPO Box 2454, BRISBANE QLD 4000

Report/notice and legislation

When to lodge

How to lodge

Duty to notify of environmental harm (ESR/2015/2230) (DOCX, 127KB)
or
written notification with details of the event
(EP Act¹ s. 320-320G)

Within 24 hours if:

an event occurs that causes or threatens environmental harm
or
an activity has negatively affected, or is reasonably likely to negatively affect, water quality of an aquifer
or
the activity has caused the connection of 2 or more aquifers

Phone 1300 130 372 and select option 2 'pollution'. Also provide written notification to Permit and Licence Management, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by:

Email
pollutionhotline@des.qld.gov.au
Include 'Duty to notify of environmental harm' in the subject line

Registered post
GPO Box 2454
BRISBANE QLD 4000

Incident notification (resource activities other than mining) (ESR/2015/1753) (DOCX, 205KB)

(condition of EAs)

When an incident occurs which causes or threatens environmental harm

Check your EA for timing

Phone 1300 130 372 and select option 2 'pollution'. Also provide written notification to Permit and Licence Management, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by:

Email
pollutionhotline@des.qld.gov.au
Include 'Incident notification' in the subject line

Registered post
GPO Box 2454, BRISBANE QLD 4000

¹EP Act: Environmental Protection Act 1994

As the holder of an EA for a resource activity, you are required to pay an annual fee in advance each year and submit a completed annual return for the past year. The annual fee is payable on or before the anniversary of the day the EA took effect.

The process for submitting annual returns has changed.

The annual return will now be sent separately to your annual notice.
The reporting period for the annual return is no longer for the year up to and including the anniversary date of your EA. The new reporting period is 1 January to 31 December.

The annual return will be issued separately prior to the due date, which has changed to 1 April each year.

The annual return form also includes minor changes to the questions and to the rehabilitation and disturbance information required for resource activities.

Annual returns are sent separately to your annual notice.

The reporting period for annual returns is 1 January to 31 December (calendar year).

If you have registered with Online Services:

the annual fee can be paid online using credit card
and
the annual return can be completed online.

You can register online through Online Services.

This page explains how to meet your notification and reporting obligations under Queensland environmental legislation.

Who this applies to

Holders of all EAs for resource activities

How to lodge your notices and reports

The table below shows what you need to submit and how to do it. If you need more help:

refer to the legislation (references in the table below)
read about annual returns and fees for an environmental authority
read the information sheet Summary of fees for environmentally relevant activities (ERAs) (ESR/2015/1746) (PDF, 1MB)
read about paying a reduced annual fee (ESR/2015/1723) (PDF, 113KB).

Report/notice and legislation	When to lodge	How to lodge
Annual fee and return (EP Act¹ s. 316I)	You will be sent an annual notice containing lodgement information at least 20 business days before the anniversary day for the EA Annual returns will be due on 1 April each year.	Follow the lodgement details on the notice
Notify change of eligibility for reduced annual fee (EP Reg² s. 126, 132)	Within 10 business days of becoming aware of a change in eligibility for a reduced annual fee	Email or post written notice to Permit and Licence Management, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by: Email palm@des.qld.gov.au or Post GPO Box 2454 BRISBANE QLD 4001

Report/notice and legislation

When to lodge

How to lodge

Annual fee and return
(EP Act¹ s. 316I)

You will be sent an annual notice containing lodgement information at least 20 business days before the anniversary day for the EA

Annual returns will be due on 1 April each year.

Follow the lodgement details on the notice

Notify change of eligibility for reduced annual fee
(EP Reg² s. 126, 132)

Within 10 business days of becoming aware of a change in eligibility for a reduced annual fee

Email or post written notice to Permit and Licence Management, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by:

Email
palm@des.qld.gov.au

or

Post
GPO Box 2454
BRISBANE QLD 4001

¹EP Act: Environmental Protection Act 1994
²EP Reg: Environmental Protection Regulation 2019

Holders of a petroleum lease with a site-specific EA must lodge a plan of operations before starting activities. This plan must be kept current throughout the plan period.

You may be required to amend or replace your plan when you:

change your development plan
amend your EA
become aware of an inconsistency with your EA
or
partially relinquish your resource authority and partially surrender your EA.

This page explains how to meet your notification and reporting obligations under Queensland environmental legislation.

Who this applies to

Holders of a petroleum lease with a site-specific EA

Before starting activities

Check notification requirements for land access and other notices before starting petroleum and gas activities.
Check your resource authority approval and EA for any additional plans required.

How to lodge your notices and reports

The table below shows what you need to submit and how to do it. If you need more help:

refer to the legislation (references in the table below)
read the guideline Preparing a plan of operations for an environmental authority relating to a petroleum lease (ESR/2015/1821) (PDF, 433KB)
read the Submission of a plan of operations (ESR/2018/4340) (DOCX, 249KB)
read about plans of operations for an environmental authority
read the guideline Estimated rehabilitation cost under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (ESR/2018/4425) (PDF, 966KB).

Report/notice and legislation	When to lodge	How to lodge
Plan of operations (EP Act¹ s. 291)	At least 20 business days before starting a new project unless a shorter period is agreed in writing by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation	Email or post to Energy and Extractive Resources Business Centre, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by: Email energyandextractive@des.qld.gov.au or Post GPO Box 2454 BRISBANE QLD 4001
Amending or replacing a plan of operations (EP Act s. 293, 295)	You may amend or replace the current plan of operations: any time before the current plan period ends or within 15 business days of becoming aware of an inconsistency between the plan and the EA	Email or post to Energy and Extractive Resources Business Centre, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by: Email energyandextractive@des.qld.gov.au or Post GPO Box 2454 BRISBANE QLD 4001

Report/notice and legislation

When to lodge

How to lodge

Plan of operations
(EP Act¹ s. 291)

At least 20 business days before starting a new project unless a shorter period is agreed in writing by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation

Email or post to Energy and Extractive Resources Business Centre, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by:

Email
energyandextractive@des.qld.gov.au

Post
GPO Box 2454
BRISBANE QLD 4001

Amending or replacing a plan of operations
(EP Act s. 293, 295)

You may amend or replace the current plan of operations:

any time before the current plan period ends
or
within 15 business days of becoming aware of an inconsistency between the plan and the EA

Email or post to Energy and Extractive Resources Business Centre, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by:

Email
energyandextractive@des.qld.gov.au

Post
GPO Box 2454
BRISBANE QLD 4001

¹EP Act: Environmental Protection Act 1994

When you intend to relinquish a resource authority, you should first surrender the relevant EA and submit a post-surrender management report. The post-surrender management report requires that you carry out a risk assessment of the land in compliance with the Residual risk assessment guideline (ESR/2020/5433) (PDF, 786KB).

If your EA contains conditions about rehabilitation and a PRCP schedule does not apply, you will also be required to submit a final rehabilitation report with your surrender application.

If you intend to relinquish only part of your resource authority, you should first apply for a partial surrender of your EA and complete a post-surrender management report and a final rehabilitation report (if required) for the area to be relinquished. You may also choose to apply for an estimated rehabilitation cost (ERC) decision. If you were required to have a plan of operations, you must amend or replace your plan.

Note: If you are conditionally surrendering a resource authority in favour of a new resource authority you cannot surrender the relevant EA.

This page explains how to meet your notification and reporting obligations under Queensland environmental legislation.

Who this applies to

Holders of all EAs for resource activities

How to lodge your notices and reports

The table below shows what you need to submit and how to do it. If you need more help:

refer to the legislation (references in the table below)
read about area relinquishment and end of authority for petroleum and gas
read about surrendering an environmental authority
read the guideline Final rehabilitation report for resource activities other than mining (ESR/2016/1874) (PDF, 95KB)
read the guideline Estimated rehabilitation cost under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (ESR/2018/4425) (PDF, 966KB)

Report/notice and legislation	When to lodge	How to lodge
Application for surrender or partial surrender of an environmental authority for a resource activity (ESR/2015/1751) (DOCX, 243KB) EP Act¹ s. 262)	When you surrender or partially surrender your EA	If prior to the cancellation or expiry of the resource authority, post or email to the relevant assessment hub Otherwise, email or post to: Permit and Licence Management Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by: Email palm@des.qld.gov.au or Post GPO Box 2454 BRISBANE QLD 4001
Amending surrender application (EP Act s. 263)	Any time before the application is decided	Email or post written notification to: Permit and Licence Management Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by: Email palm@des.qld.gov.au or Post GPO Box 2454 BRISBANE QLD 4001
Final rehabilitation report with landowner statement (ESR/2015/1616) (DOCX, 233KB) EP Act s. 264)	With a surrender or partial surrender, if the EA contains conditions about rehabilitation, at least 20 business days prior to the relinquishment notice being lodged with the Department of Resources	Submit with an application to surrender an EA
Post-surrender management report (ESR/2020/5434) (DOCX, 293KB)	With a surrender or partial surrender if the EA is for a resource activity	Submit with an application to surrender an EA
Application for a decision on the estimated rehabilitation cost (ESR/2018/4426) (DOCX, 191KB) (EP Act s. 298)	When you partially surrender your EA	Post or email to: Energy and Extractive Resources Business Centre Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by: Post GPO Box 2454 BRISBANE QLD 4001 or Email energyandextractive@des.qld.gov.au

¹EP Act: Environmental Protection Act 1994

You can apply for rehabilitated areas of your tenure to be certified as having met the rehabilitation conditions of your EA. As part of an application for progressive certification you must submit a progressive certification report.

When areas have been progressively certified, you can reduce the financial assurance held for the EA.

This page explains how to meet your notification and reporting obligations under Queensland environmental legislation.

Who this applies to

Holders of all EA for resource activities

How to lodge your notices and reports

The table below shows what you need to submit and how to do it. If you need more help:

refer to the legislation (references in the table below)
read about progressive certification for an environmental authority
read about financial assurance for resource activities
read the guideline Estimated rehabilitation cost under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (ESR/2018/4425) (PDF, 966KB).

Report/notice and legislation	When to lodge	How to lodge
Application for progressive certification (ESR/2015/1563) (DOCX, 192KB) EP Act¹ s. 318ZD)	When you wish to apply for progressive certification	Post or email to: Permit and Licence Management Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by: Post GPO Box 2454 BRISBANE QLD 4001 or Email palm@des.qld.gov.au
Amending progressive certification application (EP Act s. 318ZE)	Any time before the application is decided	Post or email written notification to: Permit and Licence Management Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by: Post GPO Box 2454 BRISBANE QLD 4001 or Email palm@des.qld.gov.au
Progressive rehabilitation report with landholder statement (ESR/2015/1616) (DOCX, 233KB) (EP Act s. 318ZF)	With a progressive certification application	Submit with an application for the certification of progressive rehabilitation
Application for a decision on the estimated rehabilitation cost (ESR/2018/4426) (DOCX, 191KB) EP Act s. 298)	When you partially surrender your EA	Post or email to: Energy and Extractive Resources Business Centre Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation by: Post GPO Box 2454 BRISBANE QLD 4001 or Email energyandextractive@des.qld.gov.au

¹EP Act: Environmental Protection Act 1994

Further information

For help or enquiries contact the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.