Some industrial or commercial activities have the potential to cause significant environmental harm through emissions or release of contaminants into the environment. These include a range of activities, such as:
- chemical, coal and petroleum products activities
- intensive animal industry, cropping and horticulture activities
- energy related services such as electricity generation and fuel burning
- extractive industries
- fabrication and manufacturing
- food processing
- metal production and mineral processing
- sawmilling, woodchipping and timber product manufacturing
- waste management
- water and sewage treatment.
These activities are referred to as environmentally relevant activities (ERAs). A full list of ERAs can be found in Schedule 2 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 (Qld). To conduct an ERA, you may need to apply for an Environmental Authority (EA).
An EA licenses you to conduct the ERA. It’s an offence under section 426 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld) to conduct an ERA without an EA.
Most ERAs are managed by either the:
A select few are delegated to local governments as devolved ERAs. This means Council acts as the regulator for specific, lower-risk activities.
The entity that administers your EA depends on the ERA you want to conduct.
Council administer EAs for the following:
- ERA 6 – Asphalt manufacturing
- ERA 12 – Plastic product manufacturing
- ERA 19 – Metal forming
- ERA 38 – Surface coating
- ERA 49 – Boat maintenance or repair.
To find out more, contact a Technical Advice Officer.
For some ERAs, you may need to apply for a development approval as well as an EA. These are called concurrence ERAs.
For example, if you’re extracting sand and gravel from a property for a road base, you may need a development permit for a Material Change of Use (MCU). Where a concurrence ERA is a MCU, we refer your development application to the state for assessment. If approved, you'll receive a decision notice for the MCU and an EA for the ERA.
If you’re extracting sand or gravel for mineral properties, you need to get a mining licence. For more information, call 131 468.
If you need to apply for a development approval, contact a Technical Advice Officer.
There are three types of EA applications:
- Standard – you can meet the criteria and standard conditions.
- Variation – you want to vary one or more of the standard conditions.
- Site-specific – you can't meet the criteria or an ERA standard hasn't been developed.
ERAs are assessed to determine their level of risk and the annual fee. Standard applications are for low risk activities. Find out if your activity is suitable for a standard application.
If your activity is on the list, check that you can meet the criteria and standard conditions.
To find out more about the application process, contact a Technical Advice Officer.