associated with an activity, to enable decision-makers to be fully informed about the consequences of proceeding or not proceeding with a project. That includes discussion of: The scope of the project Its need and justification, including consideration of ESD principles Alternatives and options, including the nothing” option and demonstrating practical “do application of steps taken to avoid and minimise impacts Statutory requirements and approvals Community, local government and agency views Environmental impacts, including to Specified Protected Matters, and consideration of cumulative outcomes Environmental management, including safeguards and mitigation, together with identification of any offsets that may be required. In addressing environmental impacts, the REF considers: The nature of impacts including levels of confidence in predictions; environmental – resilience; permanency or irreversibility; mitigation or management options; compliance with performance criteria, plans or policies; the public interest; and the need for additional studies The extent of impacts (generally and in environmentally sensitive areas) including the – type; size, scope (direct and indirect); intensity; and duration of any impacts. Roads and Maritime procedures require specific consideration of potential impacts on matters of national environmental significance, including Specified Protected Matters, as part of preparation of the REF. This includes application of relevant Australian Government assessment guidelines and policies. Australian Government Department of the Environment policy, plans and guidance – material The Australian Government Department of the Environment develops a range of guidance, policies and plans with respect to Specified Protected Matters under the EPBC Act. This information includes: Listing advices Recovery plans Threat abatement plans Conservation advices Wildlife conservation plans Survey and significant impact guidelines. Program commitment four environmental impact assessment – Roads and Maritime will undertake best practice and rigorous environmental impact assessment of its activities, in accordance with relevant environmental legislation. To that end, and Maritime will maintain and continually improve its guidelines and procedures for environmental impact assessment, ensuring that consideration of Specified Protected Matters are clearly addressed and that the avoid, minimise, mitigate and offset hierarchy is applied. Roads and Maritime will consider relevant EPBC Act policy, plans and guidance material, including in relation of offsetting, as part of the activity assessment process. Roads and Maritime will also ensure that the environmental impact assessment of road and traffic management activities identifies and incorporates appropriate safeguards and management measures for the Specified Protected Matters. These will follow the SMARTA approach, meaning
associated with an activity, to enable decision-makers to be fully informed about the consequences of proceeding or not proceeding with a project. That includes discussion of: The scope of the project Its need and justification, including consideration of ESD principles Alternatives and options, including the “do nothing” option and demonstrating practical application of steps taken to avoid and minimise impacts Statutory requirements and approvals Community, local government and agency views Environmental impacts, including to Specified Protected Matters, and consideration of cumulative outcomes Environmental management, including safeguards and mitigation, together with identification of any offsets that may be required. In addressing environmental impacts, the REF considers: The nature of impacts – including levels of confidence in predictions; environmental resilience; permanency or irreversibility; mitigation or management options; compliance with performance criteria, plans or policies; the public interest; and the need for additional studies The extent of impacts (generally and in environmentally sensitive areas) – including the type; size, scope (direct and indirect); intensity; and duration of any impacts. Roads and Maritime procedures require specific consideration of potential impacts on matters of national environmental significance, including Specified Protected Matters, as part of preparation of the REF. This includes application of relevant Australian Government assessment guidelines and policies. Australian Government Department of the Environment – policy, plans and guidance material The Australian Government Department of the Environment develops a range of guidance, policies and plans with respect to Specified Protected Matters under the EPBC Act. This information includes: Listing advices Recovery plans Threat abatement plans Conservation advices Wildlife conservation plans Survey and significant impact guidelines. Program commitment four – environmental impact assessment Roads and Maritime will undertake best practice and rigorous environmental impact assessment of its activities, in accordance with relevant environmental legislation. To that end, and Maritime will maintain and continually improve its guidelines and procedures for environmental impact assessment, ensuring that consideration of Specified Protected Matters are clearly addressed and that the avoid, minimise, mitigate and offset hierarchy is applied. Roads and Maritime will consider relevant EPBC Act policy, plans and guidance material, including in relation of offsetting, as part of the activity assessment process. Roads and Maritime will also ensure that the environmental impact assessment of road and traffic management activities identifies and incorporates appropriate safeguards and management measures for the Specified Protected Matters. These will follow the SMARTA approach, meaning