Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) (EPBC Act) provides a legal framework to protect and manage matters of ‘national environmental significance’, namely:

  • World Heritage sites
  • National Heritage places
  • wetlands of international importance (often called ‘Ramsar’ wetlands)
  • listed threatened species and ecological communities
  • listed migratory species
  • Commonwealth marine areas
  • the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
  • nuclear actions
  • other matters of ‘national environmental significance’, as may be prescribed by regulation.

Referral to Australian Government

If an infrastructure project in Queensland has the potential to have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance, it must be referred to the Australian Government.

If the project does impact on a matter of national environmental significance, it is determined by the Australian Government environment minister to be a 'controlled action'.

'Controlled actions' require assessment and approval under the EPBC Act.

More information

For more information, visit the Australian Government's EBPC Act web page.