Contents

Chapter 1--Preliminary                                                                                                        1

Part 1--Preliminary                                                                                                                1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1

3............ Objects of Act .................................................................................... 1

3A......... Principles of ecologically sustainable development ............................ 3

4............ Act to bind Crown .............................................................................. 3

5............ Application of Act ............................................................................. 4

6............ Extended application of Act to match extended management of fisheries under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 ............................................................................................................ 6

7............ Application of the Criminal Code ...................................................... 7

8............ Native title rights not affected ............................................................ 7

9............ Relationship with other Acts ............................................................. 8

10.......... Relationship with State law ................................................................ 8

Chapter 2--Protecting the environment                                                                     9

Part 2--Simplified outline of this Chapter                                                                 9

11.......... Simplified outline of this Chapter ...................................................... 9

Part 3--Requirements for environmental approvals                                         10

Division 1--Requirements relating to matters of national environmental significance                 10

Subdivision A--World Heritage                                                                              10

12.......... Requirement for approval of activities with a significant impact on a declared World Heritage property              10

13.......... What is a declared World Heritage property? .................................. 11

14.......... Declaring a property to be a declared World Heritage property ...... 11

15.......... Amending or revoking a declaration of a declared World Heritage property            13

15A....... Offences relating to declared World Heritage properties .................. 14

Subdivision AA--National Heritage                                                                       15

15B....... Requirement for approval of activities with a significant impact on a National Heritage place               15

15C....... Offences relating to National Heritage places ................................... 17

Subdivision B--Wetlands of international importance                                       22

16.......... Requirement for approval of activities with a significant impact on a declared Ramsar wetland             22

17.......... What is a declared Ramsar wetland? ................................................ 23

17A....... Making and revoking declarations of wetlands ................................. 23

17B....... Offences relating to declared Ramsar wetlands ................................ 25

Subdivision C--Listed threatened species and communities                             26

18.......... Actions with significant impact on listed threatened species or endangered community prohibited without approval .......................................................................................................... 26

18A....... Offences relating to threatened species etc. ...................................... 28

19.......... Certain actions relating to listed threatened species and listed threatened ecological communities not prohibited 29

Subdivision D--Listed migratory species                                                             30

20.......... Requirement for approval of activities with a significant impact on a listed migratory species              30

20A....... Offences relating to listed migratory species .................................... 31

20B....... Certain actions relating to listed migratory species not prohibited .. 32

Subdivision E--Protection of the environment from nuclear actions               32

21.......... Requirement for approval of nuclear actions .................................... 32

22.......... What is a nuclear action? .................................................................. 34

22A....... Offences relating to nuclear actions .................................................. 35

Subdivision F--Marine environment                                                                      37

23.......... Requirement for approval of activities involving the marine environment               37

24.......... What is a Commonwealth marine area? ........................................... 39

24A....... Offences relating to marine areas ...................................................... 40

Subdivision G--Additional matters of national environmental significance 44

25.......... Requirement for approval of prescribed actions .............................. 44

Subdivision H--Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division             46

25A....... Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division ..................... 46

Subdivision HA--Limitation on liability for actions of third parties                47

25AA.... Limitation on liability for actions of third parties ............................ 47

Subdivision I--Evidentiary certificates                                                                  48

25B....... Evidentiary certificates ..................................................................... 48

25C....... Certificate to be given to person ....................................................... 49

25D....... Evidentiary effect of certificate ........................................................ 49

25E........ Variation of certificate ...................................................................... 49

25F........ Revocation of certificate ................................................................... 49

Division 2--Protection of the environment from proposals involving the Commonwealth         50

Subdivision A--Protection of environment from actions involving Commonwealth land   50

26.......... Requirement for approval of activities involving Commonwealth land .. 50

27.......... What is Commonwealth land? .......................................................... 51

27A....... Offences relating to Commonwealth land ......................................... 51

Subdivision AA--Protection of Commonwealth Heritage places outside the Australian jurisdiction             53

27B....... Requirement for approval of actions with significant impact on Commonwealth Heritage places overseas           53

27C....... Offences relating to Commonwealth Heritage places overseas ........ 54

Subdivision B--Protection of the environment from Commonwealth actions 55

28.......... Requirement for approval of activities of Commonwealth agencies significantly affecting the environment          55

Subdivision C--Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division             57

28AA.... Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division ..................... 57

Subdivision D--Limitation on liability for actions of third parties                   58

28AB.... Limitation on liability for actions of third parties ............................ 58

Part 4--Cases in which environmental approvals are not needed             59

Division 1--Actions covered by bilateral agreements                              59

29.......... Actions declared by agreement not to need approval ....................... 59

30.......... Extended operation in State and Northern Territory waters ............ 60

31.......... Extended operation in non‑self‑governing Territories ...................... 60

Division 2--Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and accredited management arrangements or accredited authorisation processes                                           62

Subdivision A--Effect of declarations                                                                    62

32.......... Actions declared by Minister not to need approval ......................... 62

Subdivision B--Making declarations                                                                     63

33.......... Making declaration that actions do not need approval under Part 9 63

34.......... What is matter protected by a provision of Part 3? .......................... 67

Subdivision C--Prerequisites for making declarations                                     69

34A....... Minister may only make declaration if prescribed criteria are met .. 69

34B....... Declarations relating to declared World Heritage properties ............ 69

34BA.... Declarations relating to National Heritage places ............................. 70

34C....... Declarations relating to declared Ramsar wetlands ........................... 70

34D....... Declarations relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities         71

34E........ Declarations relating to migratory species ........................................ 72

34F........ Declarations relating to Commonwealth Heritage places ................. 73

Subdivision D--Other rules about declarations                                                   73

35.......... Revoking declarations ....................................................................... 73

36.......... Other rules about declarations .......................................................... 74

36A....... Minor amendments of accredited management arrangement or accredited authorisation process            74

Division 3--Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and bioregional plans              76

Subdivision A--Effect of declarations                                                                    76

37.......... Actions declared by Minister not to need approval ......................... 76

Subdivision B--Making declarations                                                                     76

37A....... Making declarations that actions do not need approval under Part 9 76

Subdivision C--Prerequisites for making declarations                                     77

37B....... General considerations ...................................................................... 77

37C....... Minister may make declaration only if prescribed criteria are met .. 77

37D....... Declarations relating to declared World Heritage properties ............ 77

37E........ Declarations relating to National Heritage places ............................. 78

37F........ Declarations relating to declared Ramsar wetlands ........................... 78

37G....... Declarations relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities         78

37H....... Declarations relating to listed migratory species .............................. 79

37J........ No declarations relating to nuclear actions ....................................... 79

Subdivision D--Other rules about declarations                                                   80

37K....... Revoking declarations ....................................................................... 80

37L........ Other rules about declarations .......................................................... 80

Division 3A--Actions covered by conservation agreements                81

37M...... Actions declared by conservation agreement not to need approval . 81

Division 4--Forestry operations in certain regions                                    82

Subdivision A--Regions covered by regional forest agreements                     82

38.......... Part 3 not to apply to certain RFA forestry operations .................. 82

Subdivision B--Regions subject to a process of negotiating a regional forest agreement                82

39.......... Object of this Subdivision ................................................................ 82

40.......... Forestry operations in regions not yet covered by regional forest agreements        82

41.......... What is an RFA region? .................................................................... 84

Subdivision C--Limits on application                                                                    85

42.......... This Division does not apply to some forestry operations ............. 85

Division 5--Actions in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park                86

43.......... Actions taken in accordance with permission .................................. 86

Division 6 --Actions with prior authorisation                                                  87

43A ....... Actions with prior authorisation ...................................................... 87

43B ....... Actions which are lawful continuations of use of land etc. .............. 88

Chapter 3--Bilateral agreements                                                                                 89

Part 5--Bilateral agreements                                                                                         89

Division 1--Object of Part                                                                                        89

44.......... Object of this Part ............................................................................ 89

Division 2--Making bilateral agreements                                                       90

Subdivision A--Power to make bilateral agreements                                         90

45.......... Minister may make agreement .......................................................... 90

46.......... Agreement may declare actions do not need approval under Part 9 . 91

47.......... Agreement may declare classes of actions do not need assessment . 95

48.......... Other provisions of bilateral agreements .......................................... 96

48A....... Mandatory provisions ...................................................................... 97

49.......... Express provision needed to affect Commonwealth areas or actions 99

Subdivision B--Prerequisites for making bilateral agreements                     99

49A....... Consultation on draft agreement ....................................................... 99

50.......... Minister may only enter into agreement if prescribed criteria are met 100

51.......... Agreements relating to declared World Heritage properties ........... 100

51A....... Agreements relating to National Heritage places ............................ 100

52.......... Agreements relating to declared Ramsar wetlands .......................... 101

53.......... Agreements relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities          101

54.......... Agreements relating to migratory species ....................................... 103

55.......... Agreements relating to nuclear actions ........................................... 104

56.......... Agreements relating to prescribed actions ...................................... 104

Subdivision C--Minor amendments of bilateral agreements                          104

56A....... Ministerial determination of minor amendments to bilateral agreements                 104

Division 3--Suspending and ending the effect of bilateral agreements 106

Subdivision A--Suspension and cancellation of effect                                      106

57.......... Representations about suspension or cancellation ......................... 106

58.......... Consultation before cancellation or suspension ............................. 107

59.......... Suspension or cancellation .............................................................. 107

60.......... Emergency suspension of effect of bilateral agreement .................. 109

61.......... Cancellation during suspension ...................................................... 110

62.......... Revocation of notice of suspension or cancellation ........................ 110

63.......... Cancellation or suspension at request of other party ..................... 111

64.......... Cancellation or suspension of bilateral agreement does not affect certain actions    112

Subdivision B--Expiry of bilateral agreements                                                  112

65.......... Expiry and review of bilateral agreements ...................................... 112

65A....... Expiry of bilateral agreement does not affect certain actions ......... 113

Chapter 4--Environmental assessments and approvals                               114

Part 6--Simplified outline of this Chapter                                                             114

66.......... Simplified outline of this Chapter .................................................. 114

Part 7--Deciding whether approval of actions is needed                              116

Division 1--Referral of proposals to take action                                        116

67.......... What is a controlled action? ............................................................ 116

67A....... Prohibition on taking controlled action without approval .............. 116

68.......... Referral by person proposing to take action .................................. 116

68A....... Actions proposed to be taken under a contract etc. ....................... 117

69.......... State or Territory may refer proposal to Minister ......................... 118

70.......... Minister may request referral of proposal ..................................... 118

71.......... Commonwealth agency may refer proposal to Minister ................ 119

72.......... Form and content of referrals ......................................................... 120

73.......... Informing person proposing to take action of referral .................... 120

74.......... Inviting provision of information on referred proposal .................. 120

74A....... Minister may request referral of a larger action .............................. 122

74AA.... Offence of taking action before decision made in relation to referral etc.                 123

Division 1A--Decision that action is clearly unacceptable                   125

74B....... Application of this Division ........................................................... 125

74C....... Informing person proposing to take action that action is clearly unacceptable        125

74D....... Procedure if Minister is requested to reconsider referral ................ 126

Division 2--Ministerial decision whether action needs approval     128

75.......... Does the proposed action need approval? ..................................... 128

76.......... Minister may request more information for making decisions ....... 130

77.......... Notice and reasons for decision ...................................................... 131

77A....... Action to be taken in a particular manner ....................................... 132

Division 3--Reconsideration of decisions                                                      134

78.......... Reconsideration of decision ............................................................ 134

78A....... Request for reconsideration of decision by person other than State or Territory Minister     137

78B....... Minister must inform interested persons of request and invite comments              138

78C....... Minister must reconsider decision and give notice of outcome ...... 139

79.......... Reconsideration of decision on request by a State or Territory ..... 140

Part 8--Assessing impacts of controlled actions                                               142

Division 1--Simplified outline of this Part                                                      142

80.......... Simplified outline of this Part ......................................................... 142

Division 2--Application of this Part                                                                   143

81.......... Application ..................................................................................... 143

82.......... What are the relevant impacts of an action? ................................... 143

83.......... This Part does not apply if action covered by bilateral agreement 144

84.......... This Part does not apply if action covered by declaration ............. 145

Division 3--Decision on assessment approach                                           147

Subdivision A--Simplified outline of this Division                                            147

85.......... Simplified outline of this Division .................................................. 147

Subdivision B--Deciding on approach for assessment                                     147

87.......... Minister must decide on approach for assessment ........................ 147

88.......... Timing of decision on assessment approach .................................. 149

89.......... Minister may request more information for making decision ......... 150

90.......... Directing an inquiry after starting an assessment ........................... 150

91.......... Notice of decision on assessment approach ................................... 151

Division 3A--Assessment on referral information                                    153

92.......... Application of this Division ........................................................... 153

93.......... Recommendation report ................................................................. 153

Division 4--Assessment on preliminary documentation                        155

94.......... Application of this Division ........................................................... 155

95.......... Direction to publish referral information and invitation to comment--no further information required                 155

95A....... Direction to publish referral information and invitation to comment--further information required      156

95B....... Procedure after end of period for comment .................................... 157

95C....... Recommendation report ................................................................. 158

Division 5--Public environment reports                                                         159

96.......... Application ..................................................................................... 159

96A....... Minister must give designated proponent written guidelines for preparation of draft public environment report 159

96B....... Standard guidelines ......................................................................... 160

97.......... Tailored guidelines .......................................................................... 160

98.......... Designated proponent must invite comment on draft public environment report   162

99.......... Finalising public environment report .............................................. 162

100........ Recommendation report ................................................................. 163

Division 6--Environmental impact statements                                           164

101........ Application ..................................................................................... 164

101A..... Minister must give designated proponent written guidelines for preparation of draft environmental impact statement ........................................................................................................ 164

101B..... Standard guidelines ......................................................................... 165

102........ Tailored guidelines .......................................................................... 165

103........ Designated proponent must invite comment on draft environmental impact statement          167

104........ Finalising environmental impact statement .................................... 168

105........ Recommendation report ................................................................. 168

Division 7--Inquiries                                                                                                 169

Subdivision A--Preliminary                                                                                  169

106........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 169

Subdivision B--Establishment of inquiries                                                         169

107........ Appointing commissioners and setting terms of reference ............. 169

108........ Publicising inquiry .......................................................................... 170

Subdivision C--Conduct of inquiries                                                                   171

109........ Procedure of inquiries ..................................................................... 171

110........ Inquiry to be public ........................................................................ 171

111........ Calling witnesses ............................................................................ 172

112........ Dealing with witnesses ................................................................... 172

113........ Dealing with documents given to commission ................................ 174

114........ Inspections of land, buildings and places ....................................... 174

115........ Entering premises by consent ......................................................... 175

116........ Entering premises under warrant .................................................... 175

117........ Warrants by telephone or other electronic means .......................... 176

118........ Identity cards .................................................................................. 178

119........ Contempt ........................................................................................ 178

120........ Protection of commissioners and witnesses ................................... 179

Subdivision D--Inquiry reports                                                                             181

121........ Timing of report ............................................................................. 181

122........ Publication of report ....................................................................... 181

Subdivision E--Commissioners' terms and conditions                                    181

123........ Basis of appointment ..................................................................... 181

124........ Remuneration .................................................................................. 181

125........ Leave of absence ............................................................................. 182

126........ Resignation ..................................................................................... 182

127........ Termination of appointment .......................................................... 182

128........ Disclosure of interests .................................................................... 183

129........ Other terms and conditions ............................................................ 183

Part 9--Approval of actions                                                                                           184

Division 1--Decisions on approval and conditions                                    184

Subdivision A--General                                                                                          184

130........ Timing of decision on approval ...................................................... 184

131........ Inviting comments from other Ministers before decision ............... 185

131AA.. Inviting comments before decision from person proposing to take action and designated proponent     186

131A..... Inviting public comment before decision ........................................ 188

132........ Requesting further information for approval decision .................... 188

132A..... Requesting notice from appropriate State or Territory Minister about certain actions           189

133........ Grant of approval ........................................................................... 190

134........ Conditions of approval ................................................................... 192

135........ Certain approvals and conditions must not give preference ........... 196

135A..... Publication of recommendation reports .......................................... 197

Subdivision B--Considerations for approvals and conditions                         198

136........ General considerations .................................................................... 198

137........ Requirements for decisions about World Heritage ......................... 200

137A..... Requirements for decisions about National Heritage places ........... 200

138........ Requirements for decisions about Ramsar wetlands ...................... 200

139........ Requirements for decisions about threatened species and endangered communities                201

140........ Requirements for decisions about migratory species ..................... 201

140A..... No approval for certain nuclear installations .................................. 202

Division 2--Requirement to comply with conditions                               203

142........ Compliance with conditions on approval ....................................... 203

142A..... Offence of breaching conditions on approval ................................. 203

142B..... Strict liability offence for breach of approval condition ................. 204

Division 3--Variation of conditions and suspension and revocation of approvals            206

143........ Variation of conditions attached to approval ................................. 206

144........ Suspension of approval .................................................................. 208

145........ Revocation of approval .................................................................. 209

145A..... Reinstating suspended or revoked approval ................................... 211

Division 4--Transfer of approvals                                                                      213

145B..... Transfer with Minister's consent ................................................... 213

Division 5--Extension of period of effect of approval                              215

145C..... Application to Minister to extend period of effect of approval .... 215

145D..... Minister must decide whether or not to extend approval period ... 215

145E...... Minister may request further information for making decision ...... 216

Part 10--Strategic assessments                                                                                  217

Division 1--Strategic assessments generally                                               217

Subdivision A--Assessment of actions to be taken in accordance with policy, plan or program      217

146........ Minister may agree on strategic assessment ................................... 217

Subdivision B--Approval of taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program              219

146A..... Definition ........................................................................................ 219

146B..... Minister may approve taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program              219

146C..... Inviting comments from other Ministers before deciding whether or not to approve taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program .......................................... 220

146D..... Effect of approval of taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program                221

Subdivision C--Considerations for approving taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program                                                                                                        222

146E...... Minister must comply with this Subdivision ................................. 222

146F...... General considerations .................................................................... 222

146G..... Approvals relating to declared World Heritage properties ............. 223

146H..... Approvals relating to National Heritage places .............................. 223

146J...... Approvals relating to declared Ramsar wetlands ........................... 223

146K..... Approvals relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities            223

146L...... Approvals relating to listed migratory species ............................... 224

146M.... No approvals relating to nuclear actions ........................................ 224

Division 2--Assessment of Commonwealth‑managed fisheries        225

147........ Simplified outline of this Division .................................................. 225

148........ Assessment before management plan is determined ....................... 225

149........ Assessment before determination that no plan required ................ 226

150........ Assessment of all fisheries without plans must be started within 5 years               226

151........ Assessment of all Torres Strait fisheries to be started within 5 years 227

152........ Further assessment if impacts greater than previously assessed ... 228

153........ Minister must make declaration if he or she endorses plan or policy 229

154........ This Division does not limit Division 1 ......................................... 229

Part 11--Miscellaneous rules about assessments and approvals           230

Division 1--Rules about timing                                                                           230

155........ This Chapter ceases to apply to lapsed proposals ........................ 230

156........ General rules about time limits ....................................................... 231

Division 1A--Variation of proposals to take actions                                232

156A..... Request to vary proposal to take an action .................................... 232

156B..... Minister must decide whether or not to accept a varied proposal . 233

156C..... Minister may request further information in relation to a varied proposal              233

156D..... Effect of Minister's decision to accept or not accept a varied proposal 234

156E...... Notice of decision ........................................................................... 234

Division 1B--Change of person proposing to take action                    236

156F...... Change of person proposing to take action .................................... 236

Division 2--Actions in area offshore from a State or the Northern Territory     238

157........ Actions treated as though they were in a State or the Northern Territory               238

Division 3--Exemptions                                                                                          239

158........ Exemptions from Part 3 and this Chapter ...................................... 239

Division 3A--Approval process decisions not affected by listing events that happen after section 75 decision made                                                                                      240

158A..... Approval process decisions not affected by listing events that happen after section 75 decision made                 240

Division 4--Application of Chapter to actions that are not controlled actions   242

Subdivision A--Minister's advice on authorising actions                               242

159........ Simplified outline of this Subdivision ............................................. 242

160........ Requirement to take account of Minister's advice ......................... 243

161........ Seeking the Minister's advice ......................................................... 245

161A..... Minister may decide that advice is not required ............................. 246

161B..... Certain provisions of other Acts not to apply if Minister decides that advice is not required                246

162........ Assessment of the action ................................................................ 247

163........ Providing advice .............................................................................. 247

164........ Reporting on response to advice .................................................... 248

Subdivision C--Assessment under agreement with State or Territory        248

166........ This Subdivision applies if Ministers agree it should .................... 248

167........ Making an agreement ...................................................................... 249

168........ Content of an agreement ................................................................. 250

169........ Application of a Division of Part 8 ................................................ 251

170........ Application of Subdivision A of Division 1 of Part 10 .................. 252

Division 5--Publication of information relating to assessments        254

170A..... Publication of information relating to assessments ........................ 254

170B..... Information critical to protecting matters of national environmental significance not to be disclosed     255

170BA.. Designated proponent may request Minister to permit commercial‑in‑confidence information not to be disclosed ........................................................................................................ 255

Division 6--Withdrawal of referrals                                                                   258

170C..... Withdrawal of referral of proposal to take an action ...................... 258

Chapter 5--Conservation of biodiversity and heritage                                  259

Part 11A--Interpretation                                                                                                 259

170D..... References to business days are references to Canberra business days .. 259

Part 12--Identifying and monitoring biodiversity and making bioregional plans    260

Division 1--Identifying and monitoring biodiversity                                260

171........ Identifying and monitoring biodiversity ......................................... 260

172........ Inventories of listed threatened species etc. on Commonwealth land 261

173........ Surveys of cetaceans, listed threatened species etc. in Commonwealth marine areas              261

174........ Inventories and surveys to be updated ........................................... 262

Division 2--Bioregional plans                                                                              263

176........ Bioregional plans ............................................................................ 263

177........ Obligations under this Act unaffected by lack of bioregional plans 264

Part 13--Species and communities                                                                            265

Division 1--Listed threatened species and ecological communities 265

Subdivision A--Listing                                                                                           265

178........ Listing of threatened species .......................................................... 265

179........ Categories of threatened species ..................................................... 266

180........ Native species of marine fish .......................................................... 267

181........ Listing of threatened ecological communities ................................. 267

182........ Critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable communities ..... 268

183........ Listing of key threatening processes .............................................. 269

184........ Minister may amend lists ............................................................... 269

186........ Amending list of threatened native species .................................... 269

187........ Amending list of ecological communities ........................................ 271

188........ Amending list of key threatening processes ................................... 272

189........ Minister must consider advice from Scientific Committee ............. 273

189A..... Certain information may be kept confidential ................................ 274

189B..... Disclosure of Scientific Committee's assessments and advice ....... 275

190........ Scientific Committee may provide advice about species or communities becoming threatened