The Minister for Planning has approved new, refreshed Ministerial guidelines for the assessment of environmental effects under the Environment Effects Act 1978 (Eighth edition, 2023). At this seminar, you will hear how the Ministerial guidelines have been updated to better reflect current practices and processes, and changes in legislation and other statutory requirements (since 2006).

The refreshed guidelines also clarify some aspects of the process to better support all stakeholders in understanding the steps in the process. Importantly, the guidelines include information on a second tier of impact assessment, namely an environment report. This approach has been in place for some time and is commonly used in the context of the Bilateral Agreement with the Commonwealth under the EPBC Act. The seminar will provide perspectives from both the regulator and experienced practitioners.

At the conclusion of the presentation there will be drinks, nibbles and networking!

Meet the speakers:

Geoff Ralphs | Director Impact Assessment, Department of Transport & Planning

Geoff Ralphs has the role of Director, Impact Assessment at the state’s Department of Transport and Planning (DTP). He leads the state’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) system for major projects under the Environment Effects Act 1978 and the Victoria’s Bilateral Agreement with the Commonwealth under the EPBC Act. He has 25 years’ experience working in the environmental field, particularly implementing the EE Act, Environment Protection Act, progressing EIAs and approvals for major projects, across a range of sectors including energy, transport, water, mining, marine, ports.

Since 2008 Geoff’s had leadership roles within the state government’s Impact Assessment and Planning groups, leading teams and delivery of EIA systems, assessments and approvals. Geoff has qualifications in environmental engineering and science, having also worked at the EPA and in consulting. He is passionate about EIA and resolving good environmental outcomes in challenging and often complex circumstances. He loves sports, music and camping with his family.

David Hyett | Industry Director, AECOM

David is an Industry Director – Environment with AECOM, based in Melbourne. David is an environmental practitioner with more than 20 years experience managing environmental issues for government and business. David has managed environmental assessment and approvals for a number of large scale developments including transport, energy and resources projects. He is also an experienced peer reviewer, independent environmental auditor and expert witness. David’s professional interests are environmental impact assessment practice, options analysis methods, risk assessment techniques and sustainability strategy.

Mat Peel | Arup