Western Australian Current Regulations

PETROLEUM AND GEOTHERMAL ENERGY RESOURCES (ENVIRONMENT) REGULATIONS 2012 - REG 34

34 .         Monitoring and reporting on emissions and discharges

        (1)         In this regulation —

        reporting period , in relation to an activity, means —

            (a)         the period of 3 months commencing when the environment plan for the activity is approved; and

            (b)         each subsequent period of 3 months.

        (2)         The operator of an activity must, in accordance with subregulation (3), monitor all emissions and discharges to any land, air, marine, seabed, sub‑seabed, groundwater, sub‑surface or inland waters environment that —

            (a)         occur in the course of the activity (whether during normal operations or otherwise); and

            (b)         are specified in the environment plan for the activity in accordance with regulation 15(7)(a).

        Penalty: a fine of $5 500.

        (3)         The monitoring mentioned in subregulation (2) must be done either continuously, or at specified intervals, in accordance with the environment plan for the activity.

        (4)         The operator of an activity must, in accordance with subregulation (5), conduct tests to assess the performance of monitoring equipment used for the purposes of subregulation (2).

        Penalty: a fine of $5 500.

        (5)         Tests performed under subregulation (4) must —

            (a)         be sufficient to verify the accuracy of the monitoring equipment; and

            (b)         be conducted at intervals specified in the environment plan for the activity in accordance with regulation 15(7)(c).

        (6)         The operator of an activity must record the results of —

            (a)         the monitoring mentioned in subregulation (2); and

            (b)         the tests mentioned in subregulation (4).

        Penalty: a fine of $5 500.

        (7)         The operator of an activity must, for each reporting period, submit a written report of emissions and discharges in accordance with subregulation (9).

        Penalty: a fine of $5 500.

        (8)         It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subregulation (7) if the operator has a reasonable excuse.

        (9)         A report under subregulation (7) —

            (a)         must be submitted to the Minister as soon as practicable, and in any case within 15 days, after the end of the reporting period; and

            (b)         must include a summary of the results of the monitoring mentioned in subregulation (2).