2022

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

(As presented)

(Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction)

Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Natural Gas Transition) Amendment Bill 2022

A Bill for

An Act to amend the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010, and for other purposes

The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory enacts as follows:

This Act is the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Natural Gas Transition) Amendment Act 2022.

This Act commences on the day after its notification day.

Note The naming and commencement provisions automatically commence on the notification day (see Legislation Act, s 75 (1)).

This Act amends the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010.

substitute

An Act to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and for other purposes

insert

 (aa) to implement measures to meet the targets; and

insert

Part 2A Natural gas connections

13A Restriction on certain natural gas connections

 (1) A gas distributor must not provide a new gas connection for natural gas in an area, or to stated premises in an area, prescribed by regulation.

 (2) Before a regulation is made for this section, the Executive must seek, and have regard to, the advice of the chief planning executive about the proposed regulation.

 (3) It is a condition of a gas distributor’s licence that the distributor complies with this part.

 (4) In this section:

alteration, of a connection, includes an addition, upgrade, extension, expansion or augmentation of the connection.

connection, in relation to premises, means a physical link between a distribution pipeline and the premises to allow the flow of natural gas.

distribution pipeline—see the National Gas (ACT) Law, section 2.

Note The National Gas (ACT) Act 2008, s 8 applies the National Gas Law set out in the National Gas (South Australia) Act 2008 (SA), schedule as if it were an ACT law called the National Gas (ACT) Law.

gas distributor—see the Utilities Act 2000, dictionary.

natural gas—

 (a) means natural gas as defined in the National Gas (ACT) Law, section 2; and

 (b) includes a substance that is blended with the substance mentioned in paragraph (a); but

 (c) does not include a substance prescribed by regulation.

new gas connection, in relation to premises—

 (a) means—

 (i) a new connection to the premises; or

 (ii) an alteration of an existing connection that results in an additional point of supply of natural gas to the premises or other premises; or

 (iii) if an existing connection to premises is permanently removed—the replacement or reinstatement of the connection; but

 (b) does not include—

 (i) a change in—

 (A) the retail customer supplied natural gas by an existing connection; or

 (B) the gas retailer for an existing connection; or

 (ii) an alteration of an existing connection that does not result in an additional point of supply to the premises or other premises; or

 (iii) a new connection exempted by regulation.

Example—par (a) (ii)

A granny flat is built on a property with an existing connection. The existing connection cannot be altered to install a new connection to the granny flat unless a regulation provides an exemption.

Example—par (a) (iii)

A residence with an existing connection is demolished and the existing connection is removed from the property. A new residence is built on the site. A new connection cannot be installed to replace the connection that was removed unless a regulation provides an exemption.

Example—par (b) (ii)

A residence on a property which has an existing connection is renovated. The renovation requires the existing connection to be relocated on the property. The existing connection can be altered to relocate the existing connection.

premises includes—

 (a) vacant land; and

 (b) any land around the premises.

provide, a new gas connection, includes cause a new connection to be provided.

13B Modification of certain national laws

 (1) A regulation may modify the operation of the following laws, including any regulation, rule or other instrument made under the laws:

 (a) the National Energy Retail Law (ACT);

 (b) the National Gas (ACT) Law.

Note 1 The National Energy Retail Law (ACT) Act 2012, s 6 applies the National Energy Retail Law set out in the National Energy Retail Law (South Australia) Act 2011 (SA), schedule as if it were an ACT law called the National Energy Retail (ACT) Law.

Note 2 The National Gas (ACT) Act 2008, s 8 applies the National Gas Law set out in the National Gas (South Australia) Act 2008 (SA), schedule as if it were an ACT law called the National Gas (ACT) Law.

 (2) A regulation may only be made under this provision for the purpose of giving effect to section 13A.

 (3) Without limiting subsection (2), a regulation may provide for the following:

 (a) the provision of information by a gas distributor to the Territory about its compliance with section 13A;

 (b) information that a gas distributor must give to existing or potential customers.

insert

 chief planning executive

Endnotes

1 Presentation speech

 Presentation speech made in the Legislative Assembly on 4 August 2022.

2 Notification

 Notified under the Legislation Act on 2022.

3 Republications of amended laws

 For the latest republication of amended laws, see www.legislation.act.gov.au.

© Australian Capital Territory 2022