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EPBC Act Strategic Assessment

To enable development to proceed in the Sydney Growth Centres while protecting Sydney’s precious environment, the NSW Government undertook a Strategic Assessment of the Growth Centres under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The Commonwealth Environment Minister has endorsed the Sydney Growth Centres Strategic Assessment Program. 

• Endorsement Letter
• Notification of Decision to Endorse the Program
• Proposed Approval Decision 
• Final Program Report (including addendum)
• Supplementary Report - part 1
• Supplementary Report - part 2

This is the first major step towards removing the need for site-by-site approvals for impacts on matters of national environmental significance under Commonwealth environment laws.

The Strategic Assessment considered the potential impacts of development on matters of national environmental significance for the whole of Sydney’s Growth Centres. This allows strategic conservation outcomes to be identified and secured. It also provides greater certainty for those constructing new houses and employment areas, as well as infrastructure providers in the Growth Centres.

This approach builds on - but does not replace - the Growth Centres Biodiversity Certification under the State Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. The Growth Centres Biodiversity Certification will continue to be implemented.

What happens next?

NSW is seeking approval from the Commonwealth for all actions within the North West and South West Growth Centres associated with urban development undertaken in accordance with the Program.

Following this approval, the need for site by site approvals under the EPBC Act for those actions and classes of action will no longer be required.

The Commonwealth Minister can approve actions or classes of actions with or without conditions, if the requirements of sections 146F-M of the EPBC Act and the Strategic Assessment Agreement Endorsement Criteria are met.

Until this approval occurs the assessment and approval requirements of the EPBC Act continue to apply. NSW has requested the Commonwealth provide these approvals as a priority.

Do proposals need to be referred to the Commonwealth under the EPBC Act?

Yes. Until the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment approves classes of actions that no longer require approval under the EPBC Act, any proposal likely to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance would need to be referred to the Commonwealth Government under the EPBC Act.

Background

NSW and Commonwealth Governments entered into an agreement in 2009 to proceed with the Strategic Assessment. The agreement includes Terms of Reference for Strategic Assessment report.

General information in relation to strategic assessments under the Commonwealth EPBC Act can be found on the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities website. 

The exhibition of the draft Sydney Growth Centres Strategic Assessment Report and draft Sydney Growth Centres Program Report was undertaken in 2010.

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