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FACT SHEET
Gas Safety Bill 2018
The Gas Safety Bill 2018 is one of two Bills that form part of the implementation of the gas supply
industry framework review to ensure contemporary regulation across gas infrastructure, gas
installations and gas appliances. The second Bill, the Gas Industry Bill 2018 is being progressed via
the Minister for Energy and the Department of State Growth.
In the main, the Bill reflects current gas safety policy with only minor changes to fix issues with
the regime which have been apparent since the original legislation was put in place.
The Gas Act 2000 and Gas Pipelines Act 2000 have regulated the Tasmanian gas industry for over
ten years. Both Acts have undergone minor amendments, but there has not been a substantial
review of the legislation during this time.
The Gas Safety Bill 2018 and the Gas Industry Bill 2018 form a legislative package that effectively
separates out industry and safety matters currently combined in the Gas Act 2000 and the Gas
Pipelines Act 2000. Both Bills are considered interrelated and should be considered together with
regard to desired gas industry outcomes.
In terms of gas industry safety the Bill has meant the opportunity to implement:
Improved administrative efficiency within Government (responsibility for the Acts is
currently split across two agencies which creates considerable administrative
inefficiency).
Promotion of regulatory consistency with regard to the LP Gas industry, the
automotive gas fitting industry, and other emerging fuel gases.
Removal of unwarranted regulatory burden on the Tasmanian gas fitting industry
(change the gas installation application for acceptance criteria in line with evaluated
contemporary public risk).
Alignment of similar functions relating to the design, construction, commissioning and
operational integrity of gas distribution and transmission gas infrastructure.
Strengthened and diversified regulator powers with regard to unsafe gas installations
and gas appliances.
The Bill will deliver long term savings to departmental resources due to the administrative
efficiencies gained.
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Where there are new developments in areas of non–traditional gas supply and usage, such as
Biogas and stationary gas engines, the Bill provides flexibility, whilst maintaining safety outcomes,
to enable more effective monitoring of these activities.
Principally the Bill contains combined and consolidated provisions of the Gas Act 2000 and Gas
Pipelines Act 2000, however it rectifies current anomalies, reduces red tape where risk was not
proportionate to regulatory burden, and reflects current regulatory and industry best practice.
Key features of the Bill include:
Removal of certain industry and government obligations that were not conducive to
efficient decision making, and placed barriers to investment in projects including:
o Removal of Class 1a buildings from the definition of Standard Gas Installation of
a Prescribed Class.
o Increasing the gas consumption from 500 megajoules per hour to 750 megajoules
per hour before gas installations in certain classes of buildings become defined as
a Complex Gas Installation and therefore requiring an application for acceptance.
Aligning the Bill with amendments to the Gas (Safety) Regulations 2014 in respect to
provisions captured from the repealed Dangerous Goods Act 1998, including
automotive gas-fitting and LP Gas storage.
Creating a fairer 'recovery of costs' model for administration of the Act across the
broader gas supply industry.
Providing appropriate emergency powers and consultative mechanisms to ensure
safety and security of gas infrastructure and installations before, during, and after
emergency or gas rationing situations.
Providing safety regimes for emerging gases, for example compressed natural gas
(CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG, biogas and hydrogen).
Allowing for enforceable Codes of Practice to cover emerging technology not already
covered in legislation or standards.
Allowing for infringement notice provisions to better regulate safety outcomes.
Enhancing energy security for the State and consumers.
Allowing for flexibility to regulate the safety of reticulated and non-reticulated natural
gas, LP Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, Liquefied Natural Gas, Biogas, Hydrogen Gas
and any other gas that may emerge in the future.
Clarification of definitions.
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The Bill considers all feedback provided from industry stakeholders over a six week consultation
period. The Bill was also released twice to targeted stakeholder in conjunction with the Gas
Industry Bill. This resulted in feedback being sought from a very comprehensive inventory of
identified industry stakeholder including, but not limited to, gas entities, gas supplier, gas fitters,
relevant industry bodies and associations, and relevant Government agencies and branches.
The Bill provides for the making of gas safety regulations, which will reflect current content, and
rescinding of the Gas (Safety) Regulations 2014 and Gas Pipelines Regulations 2014.
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