Read the latest IA news from around the country.

Tasmania

Provided by Kate Düttmer, EPA Tasmania

EPA Board concludes environmental assessments of four development proposals

The Board of the Environment Protection Authority, at its recent February meeting, has concluded the environmental assessment of four development proposals for ‘Level 2’ activities in Tasmania (those activities listed in Schedule 2 of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994):

• Upgrade of the sewage treatment plant at Blackmans Bay, south of Hobart, to increase capacity from 4.125 ML/day to 8.5 ML/day and to improve overall effluent treatment
• A quarry, at Melton Mowbray in the Southern Midlands, producing up to 70,000 cubic metres of crushed dolerite per annum
• A quarry, at Runnymede in the south east of the State, producing up to 20,000 cubic metres of crushed dolerite per annum
• A tyre storage and shredding operation at Longford, in the Northern Midlands, shredding up to 7,800 tonnes of tyres per annum, both from an existing stockpile and from new deliveries.

All proposals were considered by the Board to be able to be operated in an environmentally sustainable manner, and specific conditions for operation provided. The Board’s decision and conditions in all cases have been forwarded to the relevant local planning authority for a planning decision. Further information can be found on the EPA website here. Completed assessment reports and environmental permit conditions will also be available on the EPA Tasmania website soon.

Go to EPA Tasmania website >

New South Wales

Reforms continue to environmental and planning legislation

The NSW Government commenced extensive consultation in 2016 with planning stakeholders to improve the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (the EP&A Act). As a result, a number of amendments have been proposed. A number of draft guidelines related to environmental assessment are expected to be released over the next few months. 

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Victoria

New website for Victorian planning information

The Victorian Government has launched a new website for planning information. The website is meant to provide ‘more interactive engagement opportunities’ as well as interactive planning scheme maps and other information. The environmental assessment pages are available here.

Visit the planning website >

Federal

Review of cost recovery fees for small businesses

The Australian Government commenced cost recovery arrangements for environmental assessments and some strategic assessments under the EPBC Act in 2014. The Department of the Environment and Energy is reviewing the exemption criteria for small businesses and is seeking comments by 28 March 2017.

Find out more >