Planning and Development (Environmental Impact Statements) Amendment Bill 2010
The Planning and Development (Environmental Impact Statements) Amendment Bill 2010 streamlines the planning system while retaining and strengthening important environmental safeguards.
The draft bill is designed to refine the triggers for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to ensure that the highest level of environmental assessment required for an EIS applies only where a development will have a significant environmental impact. This is consistent with the existing approach of the Planning and Development Act, which is to match the level of environmental assessment to the scale, complexity and likely impact of a proposed development.
The draft bill will mean that infrastructure works in new suburbs that have limited or no environmental impact can get off the ground sooner.
The draft bill gives an enhanced role to independent regulators the Conservator of Flora and Fauna and the Environment Protection Authority in determining whether a proposed major development will have a significant adverse environmental impact.
Important existing protections remain including the Minister's ability to require an EIS if he decides one is necessary. Development will still be subject to the stringent environmental assessments that form part of ordinary development applications for projects in the merit assessment track.
Comments on the exposure draft can be sent to the postal address below or by email to: planning.systemreform@act.gov.au
If you have an enquiry on the exposure draft, or would like to be sent a copy of the draft, please contact:
Dr Paul Rutherford
Legislation Section
ACT Planning and Land Authority
GPO Box 1908
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: paulx.rutherford@act.gov.au
Phone: 6207 7912
Alternatively, please contact:
Mark Mannion, Manager
Legislation Section
ACT Planning and Land Authority
GPO Box 1908
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: mark.mannion@act.gov.au
Phone: 6207 5853
Comments close on 17 September 2010.
Once the Bill is finalised, legislation is expected to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly by late October 2010.
