Carolyn Cameron

Strategic assessments under the EPBC Act: Projects, policy settings and lessons to date

Carolyn Cameron
Acting Assistant Secretary,
Strategic Assessment and Approvals Branch,
Commonwealth Department for Environment, Water, Heritage, the Arts, ACT

Abstract:
Amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the Act) in 2007 enable the Federal Environment Minister to conduct strategic assessments (SA) of plans, policies and programs. This may result in the Minister approving actions or classes of action undertaken in accordance with the endorsed plan, policy or program, obviating the need for project assessments.

In 2008 the Council of Australian Governments identified strategic assessments as a prime opportunity for reducing green tape, and harmonising administration of environment and planning legislation across State and Territory jurisdictions. In April 2009 the Productivity Commission’s review of the regulatory burden on the oil and gas sector recommended undertaking SA at an early stage in resource development planning.

This presentation will describe the SA process, key related policies and approaches, and outline current SAs – including a common-user LNG hub in the Kimberley, urban development project in Melbourne and the ACT, and on fire management policy in South Australia. It will also outline lessons to date, identify possible opportunities for SA of urban and resource development projects, and directions coming out of the independent review of the Act.

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