Referral required for actions assessment and approval processes, refer likely to have a significant to the following website: impact The key diagnostics and condition thresholds for the ecological community exclude many patches The EPBC Act is triggered if an action is likely to on have a significant impact on the Southern properties or along roadside verges that are Highlands Shale Forest and Woodland ecological considered too degraded for protection. In addition, community. If a proposed action would have such the EPBC Act provides exemptions for continuing an impact, it would require: (routine) use or where legal permission has a referral to determine whether the previously been given. action is likely to have a significant The major activity that is likely to have a significant impact on the ecological community impact on the ecological community is clearing assessment (the scope of the assessment large or otherwise important areas of intact or depends on the complexity of the proposed native vegetation. For example: action mining, residential, commercial or and impacts) other industrial development a decision by the Minister on approval and construction of new or projects to widen conditions. Through the EPBC Act approvals existing roads process, the Minister also considers social and conversion of large areas into new pastures economic matters relevant to individual or cropping fields. projects that may have a significant impact on the ecological community. To help reduce the significance of actions and Strict timeframes to assessments to referral under the EPBC Act, avoidance and mitigation to reduce clearing and associated impacts ensure decisions are made as quickly as possible. For further information on referral, is needed in the early planning stage. Southern Highlands Shale Forest and Woodland tall wet form, Upper Nepean State Conservation Area © Department of the Environment and Energy
Referral required for actions likely to have a significant impact The EPBC Act is triggered if an action is likely to have a significant impact on the Southern Highlands Shale Forest and Woodland ecological community. If a proposed action would have such an impact, it would require: a referral to determine whether the action is likely to have a significant impact on the ecological community assessment (the scope of the assessment depends on the complexity of the proposed action and impacts) a decision by the Minister on approval and conditions. Through the EPBC Act approvals process, the Minister also considers social and economic matters relevant to individual projects that may have a significant impact on the ecological community. Strict timeframes to assessments to ensure decisions are made as quickly as possible. For further information on referral, assessment and approval processes, refer to the following website: The key diagnostics and condition thresholds for the ecological community exclude many patches on properties or along roadside verges that are considered too degraded for protection. In addition, the EPBC Act provides exemptions for continuing (routine) use or where legal permission has previously been given. The major activity that is likely to have a significant impact on the ecological community is clearing large or otherwise important areas of intact or native vegetation. For example: mining, residential, commercial or other industrial development construction of new or projects to widen existing roads conversion of large areas into new pastures or cropping fields. To help reduce the significance of actions and referral under the EPBC Act, avoidance and mitigation to reduce clearing and associated impacts is needed in the early planning stage. Southern Highlands Shale Forest and Woodland tall wet form, Upper Nepean State Conservation Area © Department of the Environment and Energy