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Australian Government approval
If a ‘significant project’ has the potential to cause environmental, social or economic impacts, the project proponent must prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS).
If the project is a ‘controlled action’, the Coordinator-General’s report on the EIS is submitted to the Australian Government environment minister.
Decision-making process
After receiving the report, the minister has 30 business days to:
- inform the proponent of the proposed decision (approval, approval with conditions, or refusal). (The proponent has 10 business days to comment in writing.)
- take into consideration the proponent’s comments before making a decision - the ‘hearing rule’, a critical part of procedural fairness.
- approve, approve with conditions, or refuse the ‘controlled action’.
Alternative proposals
If a project involves alternative proposals, the Australian Government environment minister may approve one or more of the alternatives.
