Public sector and policy

Towards net zero

Cwth Government to lead a review of the National Hydrogen Strategy: the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water announced the review of the National Hydrogen Strategy in Feb-23. Following agreement by representatives of all Australian governments, the Commonwealth will lead the review to ensure Australia remains on a path to be a global hydrogen leader by 2030. Public consultation associated with the strategy review is yet to commence.

Cwth Government commits $70M to the Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub program: the Commonwealth Government announced in Jan-23 the investment of $70M to support the development of a hydrogen hub in Townsville. The competitive Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub program will deliver grants from $30M to $70M towards projects that accelerate the development of a hydrogen industry in North Queensland. The competitive application process is presently open for submissions, closing on 27-Apr-23.

Cwth Government launches community consultation for Hunter Region offshore wind: the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water launched the community consultation process for the possible effects of future offshore renewable energy projects in the Pacific Ocean off the Hunter Region in Feb-23. The geographical area remains at proposal stage only, with written submissions due to close on 28-Apr-23.

CleanCo Queensland launches EOI for the Swanbank Clean Energy Hub: the Queensland Government-owned electricity generation and trading company, CleanCo, launched an Expression of Interest in Mar-23, seeking input to co-design the master plan for the Swanbank Clean Energy Hub. The proposed energy precinct is expected to include solar power, battery storage, and green hydrogen, with a grid connection capacity of up to 1.2GW.

NSW Government declares the Illawarra as the State’s final REZ: the New South Wales Government announced the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone as the fifth and final renewable energy zone across the State in Feb-23.The Energy Corporation of NSW will commence the next phase of development, which includes ongoing engagement with the local community, industry, councils and other key stakeholders.

NSW Government releases the ‘going circular in clean energy’ issues paper: the New South Wales Government released the Going Circular in Clean Energy Issues Paper in Jan-23. The Paper highlights the key barriers and opportunities to adopting a circular economy for clean energy, with stakeholder feedback sought to inform the development of a circular economy plan for the clean energy sector in NSW.

NSW Government launches $1.5Bn in green hydrogen electricity concessions: the New South Wales Government announced $64M in grant funding for two new hydrogen electrolyser projects in Port Kembla and Moree. These funding commitments were awarded as part of the $1.5Bn plan to incentivise the development of green hydrogen hubs around the State, with two groups of concessions available for green hydrogen producers:

1. exemptions for schemes levied on electricity consumers

2. discounts on charges for electricity network services.

VIC Government releases offshore wind strategy: the Victorian Government released the Victorian Offshore Wind Energy Implementation Statement 2 in Mar-23, outlining how the State will leverage industry-led investment in offshore wind for the first tranche of projects that will deliver at least 2GW by 2032. The Strategy also confirms the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal will be located at the Port of Hastings, with Offshore Wind Energy Victoria working towards a formal procurement process for the first tranche of capacity in 2025.

Towards a circular economy

QLD Government seeks feedback on the draft E-Products Action Plan: the Queensland Government released the draft E-Productions Action Plan in Mar-23. The Action Plan promotes extending the life of e-products to keep the value of materials in the economy for as long as possible, and seeks to prohibit recyclable e-products ending up in landfill - most notably, solar panels. Feedback on the draft Action Plan is open until 17-Apr.

QLD Government announces first grant funding recipients under the QRMF: the Queensland Government announced in Mar-23 the first three projects funded under the $40M Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund. Successful recipients include:

• Vinidex ($0.65M) - increase capacity to shred wash and micronise waste PVC materials

• Ability Enterprises ($0.51M) - plastics recycling project

• Casafico ($0.18M) - manufacturing plant for processing of plastics, polystyrene and glass.

QLD Government considers expanding the ‘containers for change’ program: the Queensland Government released the Proposal to expand the scope of eligible containers in Queensland’ Container Refund Scheme - Container for Change Discussion Paper, with community feedback closing in Feb-23. The Paper assesses public sentiment on the proposal to expand the scope of containers that are eligible for a refund under the scheme, including:

• glass containers that have contained wine and pure spirits

• flavoured mile and pure vegetable or fruit juice (>90% juice) between 1 litre and 3 litres

• water and wine in aseptic packs (liquid paperboard packs) between 1 litre and 3 litres

QLD Government announces funding for Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline: the Queensland Government announced in Jan-23 that Cabinet approved more than $370M in funding for the construction of the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline and upgrades to the Wivenhoe Pump Station to boost existing capacity.

NSW Government releases circular design principles: the New South Wales Government released the Circular Design Guidelines for the Built Environment in Feb-23, providing  whole-of-life principles for transitioning building, precincts and infrastructure to a circular economy.

NSW Government introduces reforms to the waste levy framework: the New South Wales Government implemented amendments to the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014 in Feb-23 that change the circumstances under which the waste levy is applied in the State. Several notable amendments which are likely to have material consequences for the viability of energy recovery facilities across the State include:

• clarification regarding how to determine the amount of waste at a waste facility for the purpose of determining when the occupier of the facility must pay the waste levy

• clarification on the definition of ‘scheduled waste disposal facility’ - to now include ‘waste disposal (thermal treatment)’. 

Sphere understands that engagement between the State and industry representatives is ongoing given the possibility for unintended consequences for landfill diversion.

NSW Government introduces reforms that charge mines for water access in Sydney drinking water catchments: the NSW Government announced new trading rules under the Water Management Act 2000 in Mar-23; requiring mines located within the Sydney Special Areas to obtain water allocations to account for their incidental surface water take under the Water Management Act 2000 and pay for this water. The reforms were introduced in response to the recommendations made by the Independent Expert Panel for Mining in the Catchment.

VIC’s 30-year infrastructure strategy released for public comment: Infrastructure Victoria commenced the first phase of engagement of Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy 2022-2055 in Feb-23, seeking community feedback on the 2025 strategy objectives, defining the major infrastructure challenges across the State and identifying infrastructure options and policies to address them.

WA’s Plan for Plastics - Stage 2 comes into effect: stage 2 of Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics came into effect in Feb-23, expanding the ban on the sale and supply of single-use or disposable plastic items and materials prior to Jul-25. Staggered transition periods for the phase-out of stage 2 items will commence from Sep-23, allowing businesses to run down supply and make plans for alternative processes and packaging.

WA Government considers expanding the container deposit scheme: the Western Australia Government released the ‘Container deposit scheme - expanding the scope of eligible beverage containers’ Discussion Paper in Dec-22. The Paper seeks community and stakeholder feedback on the proposal to expand the scope of containers to be included in the scheme, including:

• grape wine and spirits in glass bottles up to 3 litres

• grape wine in plastic containers and sachets 250ml - 3 litres

• grape wine and water in casks 1-3 litres

• all fruit and vegetable juice, flavoured milk and cordial containers up to 3 litres.

NT Government invites community feedback on circular economy strategy: the Northern Territory Government released a draft Circular Economy Strategy for community feedback in Mar-23. The Strategy is aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices through actions such as supporting local businesses, reducing single-use plastics, and investing in recycling infrastructure.

NZ Government releases national waste strategy: the New Zealand Government released the National Waste Strategy in Mar-23, outlining the proposed pathway towards a circular economy and long-term outlook to 2050. A multi-step pathway was adopted in preparing the Strategy, including:

1. embedding circular thinking into systems: enabling systems are working well and behaviour is changing, by 2030

2. expanding to make circular normal: circular management of materials is normal, expected and well supported, by 2040

3. helping others do the same: New Zealand has a low-emissions, low-waste circular economy and is helping other countries make the change, by 2050.

Soft Plastics Taskforce releases roadmap to restarts collection scheme: the Soft Plastics Taskforce, made up of supermarket retailers ALDI, Coles and Woolworths under an interim authorisation from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, released a Roadmap to Restart in Mar-23. The Roadmap outlines the steps required to launch a new supermarket soft plastic collection scheme, and the current state of play in the Australian recycling industry.

General government

NSW Government election: the New South Wales State election was held on 25-Mar, with the Labor Party elected as the new government for the next four-year term. Key policy announcements made by the Labor Government during the election campaign include:

• legislating an emissions reduction target of 50% by 2030 and net zero by 2050

• constitutional enshrinement of restrictions on the ability of future governments to privatise state assets including Hunter Water and Sydney Water

• establishing a state-owned renewable energy investment vehicle, NSW Energy Security Corporation, which will be seeded with $1Bn in funding from the existing Restart NSW Fund

• establishing a Hydrogen Centre of Excellence by 2026 to partner with industry participants to provide vocational training support in the form of apprenticeships and upskilling of qualified professionals.