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Evaluation of EIS
If a ‘significant project’ has the potential to cause environmental, social or economic impacts, the project proponent must prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS).
The EIS is prepared in accordance with the terms of reference for the EIS.
Have your say
The public and state government advisory agencies are invited to make a submission on the EIS, namely:
- the project’s potential environmental effects
- whether the EIS adequately addresses the terms of reference
- whether the strategies proposed by the proponent will effectively manage the project’s impacts.
Public notices
Public notices inviting submissions on the EIS are published in local, regional and state newspapers - national papers, too, if the project is a 'controlled action'.
Generally, the EIS is advertised in the same newspapers used to advertise the draft terms of reference for the EIS.
Consultation period
Although the length of the consultation period is not legislatively prescribed, it typically runs for at least 30 business days, following the publication of the public notices.
Properly made submissions
A 'properly made' submission is one:
- made in writing to the Coordinator-General
- received on or before the deadline for submissions
- stating the name and address of each submitter
- signed by each submitter
- stating the grounds of the submissions and the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds.
The Coordinator-General will consider all properly made submissions and may also consider submissions that are not properly made.
However, unless your submission is properly made, you will forego your right to appeal against the relevant assessment managers' decisions on the project.
Privacy
The Coordinator-General is authorised to collect personal information under sections 24 and 34 of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act).
The department will provide the project proponent with a copy of your submission. Your personal information may also be disclosed to government agencies that are involved in the proposed project, and is also subject to disclosure under the Right to Information Act 2009.
Your personal information will be collected for the purpose of:
- considering your submission
- evaluating the EIS
- completing the EIS process
- the performance of functions under the SDPWO Act and other legislation relevant to the proposed project.
Your personal information will not otherwise be disclosed, unless disclosure is authorised or required by law, or is permitted under the Information Privacy Act 2009.
Meetings with advisory agencies
During the public consultation period, the Coordinator-General may arrange meetings between the proponent and advisory agencies to:
- present an overview of the EIS
- enable the proponent to outline the key elements of the project, its potential impacts and possible mitigation strategies
- solicit feedback from advisory agencies on matters of interest or concern - prior to their formal submissions on the EIS.
Supplementary EIS
After evaluating the EIS, the Coordinator-General may ask the project proponent to prepare a supplementary EIS.
Coordinator-General’s report on EIS
After evaluating the EIS (including any supplementary EIS) the Coordinator-General prepares a report on the EIS.
Fees
There are fees associated with the evaluation of the EIS, supplementary EIS (SEIS) and submissions on the EIS and SEIS; and the preparation of the Coordinator-General’s report on the EIS.
