Strategic assessments
What is a strategic assessment?
Under section 146 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) the Australian Government Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts may agree to conduct a 'strategic assessment' of potential actions under a policy, program or plan.
These may include but not limited to:
- regional-scale development plans and policies
- district structure plans
- local environmental plans
- large-scale industrial development
- fire, vegetation or pest management policies, plans or programs
- water extraction/use policies
- infrastructure plans and policies
A strategic assessment happens early in the assessment process and is separate to the conventional referral/assessment/approval process under the EPBC Act. A strategic assessment may examine the potential cumulative impacts of actions which in accordance with one or more policy, program or plan.
When is it appropriate?
A strategic assessment may be the most appropriate form of assessment for:
- high growth areas with a large number of projects requiring assessment and approval by the Australian Government Environment Minister
- projects involving multiple stakeholders or complex, large-scale actions
The EPBC Act (sections 147 to 154) also includes particular provisions for the strategic assessment of Commonwealth managed fisheries. Potential also exists to take more strategic approaches to matters protected by the EPBC Act.
Why undertake a strategic assessment?
Advantages of undertaking a strategic assessment include:
- early consideration of national environmental matters in planning processes
- greater certainty to the local communities and developers over future development
- reduced administrative burden for proponents taking actions consistent with a policy, plan or program approved under a strategic assessment
- capacity to achieve better environmental outcomes and address cumulative impacts at the landscape level
- flexible timeframes commencing early in the planning process
Who can DEWHA conduct a strategic assessment with?
A strategic assessment is a collaborative assessment process between the Australian Government and an appropriate proponent. Proponents can include:
- state governments
- local governments
- developers
- mining and resource companies
- other stakeholders operating in environments/regions as identified above
Who to contact
Those considering a strategic assessment are encouraged to contact the Department as early as possible to ensure that it is able to work closely with the proponent during the planning and approval processes.
Other options
The EPBC Act provides several other ways to strategically protect matters of national environmental significance (NES). These include:
Conservation agreements
The Minister can enter into an agreement to enhance the conservation of biodiversity, the values, and the character of certain matters of NES. Conservation agreements
Bilateral agreements
The Minister can enter into an agreement that delegates responsibilities for assessing and/or granting environmental approvals under the EPBC Act to the states and territories. Bilateral Agreements
Bioregional planning
The Minister may prepare a plan for a bioregion that is within a Commonwealth area. Bioregional plans enable the ecologically sustainable management of biodiversity, heritage and other values. Bioregional Planning
More information
For more information on strategic assessments contact Strategic Approvals East (QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS) or Strategic Approvals West (WA, SA & Territories) in the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts on ph: 02 6274 1111.
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