The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has developed an information page with a kit and video to show stakeholders when their projects might require consultation with the Department.
The Department said that while State and Territory Governments were primarily responsible for land use, water, pollution control and air quality matters, in some cases Australia’s national environmental law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), also applied.
It said that where stakeholders were involved in a project or development proposal that could impact on Australia’s environment, approvals may be required from State, Territory or Local Government as well as the Australian Government.
It said the EPBC Act ensured that nationally significant animals, plants, habitats and places were identified and any potential negative impacts on them carefully considered before changes in land use or new developments were approved.
The Department said stakeholders could use the Protected Matters Search Tool to see if a proposed site was home to, or located near, any matters of national environmental significance.
It said that in the early planning stages it should be consulted to determine the extent to which a site is of national significance.
Contacting the Department and incorporating Australian Government environmental assessment into early project planning can help to avoid duplication and delays and potentially lower costs it said.
The Department said that before referring a project for assessment, stakeholders should consider organising a pre-referral meeting to learn more about the assessment process and what information is required.
The 13-page information kit factsheets can be accessed at this PS News link.
