Info Note #1 - WA Environmental Approvals Process Public Submissions
- Details
- Published: Friday, 08 August 2014 16:26
Projects that may have a significant impact on the environment are assessed by the EPA under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA).
There are 2 levels of assessment:
- Assessment on Proponent Information(API): This is the lowest level of assessment and doesnt include public comment.
- Public Environmental Review(PER): This is the highest level of assessment, and includes public consultation.
The company wishing to undertake a project is called the Proponent.
The following steps are an overview of the first steps in the EPA environmental assessment process:
- The Proponent submits a referral to the EPA
- The EPA advertises the Proponent’s referral on its website, and the public has 7 DAYS to make a submission.
- The Public Submissions are done using an online form on the EPA website
- The Public Submissions are limited to 500 words
- The Public Submission needs to pick which level of assessment the Project should have (API or PER) and why.
- Once the 7 days are over, the EPA looks at the public submissions and decides which level of assessment is appropriate. The EPA then advertises its decision on the website.
- If the EPA sets an API level of assessment, there is no further chance for public comment
- If the EPA sets a PER level of assessment, there will be further opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed project. This includes a 4 – 12 week public comment process where you have the chance to read the Proponent’s PER document and raise your concerns.
The EPA sets a PER level of assessment if the proposed project meets any one of the following criteria:
- The proposal is of regional and/or State-wide significance.
- The proposal has several significant environmental issues, some of which are complex or of a strategic nature.
- Substantial and detailed assessment of the proposal is required to determine whether, and if so how,the environmental issues could be managed.
- The level of interest in the proposal warrants a public review period.
So you want to have a say about bauxite mining in the Avon and Hills area.... Where to from here? Stage 1
- Keep an eye on the EPA website to see if proposed bauxite mining projects have been referred to the EPA: https://consultation.epa.wa.gov.au/
(or you can subscribe to the EPA’s automatic notification service on the website) - Have a look at the online referral Public Submission form
- If you want to have the chance to have a say in the assessment process, you will need to ask the EPA to set a PER level of assessment as soon as the bauxite mining proposal has been referred to the EPA. Don’t forget you only have 7 days to get your public submission in!
- You only have 500 words to explain why you think the proposed project should be assessed at a PER level– use them wisely! Be short and to the point - Lists are a great way to save words.
Wait for the EPA’s announcement to see what level of assessment has been set.... And then we’ll tackle Stage 2 – we will provide more information on Stage 2 in the future, stay tuned to www.ahmag.com.au
More details on the EPA environmental impact assessment process can be found here: www.epa.wa.gov.au/EIA