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) | Within 24 hours if:
| Phone 1300 130 372 and select option 2 'pollution'. Also provide written notification to Permit and Licence Management, Department of Environment, Science and Innovation by: Email or Registered post |
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 Environment, Science and Innovation by: Email or Registered post |
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 | 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 | 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 Environment, Science and Innovation by: Email Post |
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 | 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 Environment, Science and Innovation by: Email or Post |
| Amending or replacing a plan of operations | You may amend or replace the current plan of operations:
| Email or post to Energy and Extractive Resources Business Centre, Department of Environment, Science and Innovation by: Email or Post |
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) | 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: Email or Post |
Amending surrender application | Any time before the application is decided | Email or post written notification to: Email or Post |
Final rehabilitation report with landowner statement (ESR/2015/1616) (DOCX, 233KB) | 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) |
| Post or email to: Post or |
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) | When you wish to apply for progressive certification | Post or email to: Post or Email |
Amending progressive certification application | Any time before the application is decided | Post or email written notification to: Post or Email |
Progressive rehabilitation report with landholder statement (ESR/2015/1616) (DOCX, 233KB) | 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) | When you partially surrender your EA | Post or email to: Post or |
1EP Act: Environmental Protection Act 1994
Further information
For help or enquiries contact the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.
- Last reviewed: 8 Jul 2022
- Last updated: 10 Jan 2024