Hi Marg & others
Please find below some information that was sent to me in regards to the
Coorong (SA) Ramsar site, but has national applicability. It details the
standard information that is being given out by some councils to applicants who
propose developments within sites of national significance under the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, eg a Ramsar area.
Cheers
Peter Waanders
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COMMONWEALTH ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
& BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACT 1999
(EPBCA)
Current Wording:
Please be
advised that the Commonwealth Government's Environmental Protection &
Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBCA) commenced operation on 16 July 2000. The Act states that the onus is on the
proponent to seek a determination on whether or not the proposal will have any
significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance. Accordingly, in order to determine whether
your proposal has a significant impact on a matter of national environmental
significance you must contact Environment Australia and if so considered, refer
your proposal to the Commonwealth Environment Minister for determination. Please refer to the following attachment on
the EPBCA.
Proposed
wording
Please be
advised that the Commonwealth Government's Environment Protection & Biodiversity
Conservation Act (the EPBC Act) commenced operation on 16 July
2000. Under the EPBC Act a person must
not take an action that is likely to have a significant impact on a matter of
national environmental significance without Commonwealth Approval. Penalties for taking such an action without
approval are significant. If you think
your proposal may have a significant impact on a matter of national
environmental significance, or if you are unsure, you should contact
Environment Australia on 1800 803 772.
The attached information on the EPBC Act explains what are the matters of
national environmental significance that are protected by the Act. Further information is available from the
Environment Australia’s Website (www.ea.gov.au/epbc).
Please note
that Commonwealth approval under the EPBC Act is independent of, and will not
affect, your application to Council.
