What’s Happening?
The National National Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has used its new environmental protection powers for the first time, issuing an Environment Protection Order (EPO) to Wombinoo Station in North Queensland.
The order prevents further land clearing on the property, south of Cairns, amid concerns about sediment entering the Great Barrier Reef.
The agency is also investigating the original clearing, which took place in 2025. However, the investigation remains active, and the order is intended to prevent further environmental harm.
Why It Matters
The action demonstrates how the National EPA can intervene when activities threaten matters protected under federal environmental law.
National EPA Head of Compliance and Enforcement Dani Yannopoulos said the new powers allow the agency to respond before further damage occurs.
“The new power to issue an EPO allows us to act quickly and decisively to prevent environmental harm”
She also warned that the agency would pursue serious environmental breaches.
“The National EPA will take strong action where there is knowing, wilful or significant environmental damage caused by breaches of the EPBC Act.
Local Impact
The order addresses a potential threat to the Great Barrier Reef from land clearing within its catchment.
Fine sediment is a significant threat to the Reef. In this case, hydrological evidence indicates that further clearing could allow additional sediment to reach the marine environment.
The order therefore aims to stop activities that could increase that risk while the National EPA continues its investigation.
By The Numbers
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1,600 hectares of land at Wombinoo Station are covered by the order preventing further clearing works.
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More than 1,000 tonnes of fine sediment could reach the Great Barrier Reef annually if further clearing occurs, according to hydrological evidence.
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24 August 2026 was when the new EPO powers came into effect under the Australian Government’s environmental protection reforms.
Zoom In
Under the order, further clearing works cannot proceed, including the removal of felled trees and the burning of vegetation.
An EPO remains in force for 14 days, during which the recipient must comply with its requirements. The National EPA can also extend the order for a maximum of another 14 days.
Yannopoulos explained why the agency issued the order.
“This EPO has been issued to address the risk of further harm through unauthorised land clearing near a waterway leading to the Great Barrier Reef.
Zoom Out
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 allows the National EPA to issue protection orders to prevent serious damage to matters protected under the Act.
The legislation also provides enforcement options if investigations identify unlawful clearing.
For contraventions occurring on or after 1 July 2026, maximum civil penalties can reach $1.82 million for individuals and $18.2 million for corporations.
Criminal penalties may include imprisonment of up to seven years, fines or both. Other available measures include remediation determinations, injunctions and enforceable undertakings.
Yannopoulos emphasised the importance of the Reef’s federal protections.
“Federal laws provide special protections for the environment and habitats in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area because the reef is such an important and iconic natural asset for Australia.”
What To Look For Next?
The National EPA’s investigation into the original land clearing remains ongoing.
Following the order, the agency may formally request that the landholder submit an environmental referral under section 70 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Alternatively, it may seek a Federal Court injunction to prevent activities that breach, or are likely to breach, the Act.
Any further enforcement action will depend on the circumstances and findings of the investigation.
