The referral form update project was initiated to ensure the forms reflected the contemporary suite of the EPA’s policy and guidance and to ensure that targeted and sufficient information was provided to the EPA to assist in the determination on whether or not assessment is required and the appropriate level of assessment. Before finalising and publishing the new forms, the OEPA consulted and trialled versions with industry, DMAs and key stakeholders. This consultative approach received positive feedback and ensured the new forms meet the requirements of the EPA and key users. Since their release in January, the OEPA has noticed a marked improvement in the provision of succinct and relevant information on proposals, schemes and scheme amendments. Online lodgement of referral documentation has been identified as a targeted improvement for the OEPA’s information management team, and the update of the referral forms has been a key first step in this process, which will continue during 2015–16. Public consultation The public are encouraged to: participate in consultation by offering advice, identifying omitted relevant data/information, providing knowledge and proposing alternatives; participate in strategic policy and planning as appropriate, since engagement at these earlier stages may influence the development and evaluation of future proposals; be informed of the administration and outcomes of EIA; and take a responsible approach to opportunities for engagement in the EIA process, including being informed of objective information about the environmental issues. Environmental Impact Assessment (Part IV Divisions 1 and 2) Administrative Procedures 2012 To facilitate public participation, all opportunities to comment and make formal submissions on matters before the EPA can be found on the OEPA’s hub” at https://consultation.epa.wa.gov.au. The OEPA also “consultation prefers responses be made through the hub. It provides a comprehensive platform for online consultation that enables the EPA to: manage all its consultation activity; create consultations and surveys; publicise and promote EIA consultations; analyse and report on responses; and feed back to the public.
The referral form update project was initiated to ensure the forms reflected the contemporary suite of the EPA’s policy and guidance and to ensure that targeted and sufficient information was provided to the EPA to assist in the determination on whether or not assessment is required and the appropriate level of assessment. Before finalising and publishing the new forms, the OEPA consulted and trialled versions with industry, DMAs and key stakeholders. This consultative approach received positive feedback and ensured the new forms meet the requirements of the EPA and key users. Since their release in January, the OEPA has noticed a marked improvement in the provision of succinct and relevant information on proposals, schemes and scheme amendments. Online lodgement of referral documentation has been identified as a targeted improvement for the OEPA’s information management team, and the update of the referral forms has been a key first step in this process, which will continue during 2015–16. Public consultation The public are encouraged to: participate in consultation by offering advice, identifying omitted relevant data/information, providing knowledge and proposing alternatives; participate in strategic policy and planning as appropriate, since engagement at these earlier stages may influence the development and evaluation of future proposals; be informed of the administration and outcomes of EIA; and take a responsible approach to opportunities for engagement in the EIA process, including being informed of objective information about the environmental issues. Environmental Impact Assessment (Part IV Divisions 1 and 2) Administrative Procedures 2012 To facilitate public participation, all opportunities to comment and make formal submissions on matters before the EPA can be found on the OEPA’s “consultation hub” at https://consultation.epa.wa.gov.au. The OEPA also prefers responses be made through the hub. It provides a comprehensive platform for online consultation that enables the EPA to: manage all its consultation activity; create consultations and surveys; publicise and promote EIA consultations; analyse and report on responses; and feed back to the public.
OEPA%20AR%202014-15.docx