at this point that the minister is able to formally request modifications to the Program if they are considered necessary. Finalise the Program document and strategic assessment report based on public comments and any advice from the department. Assessment Ensure that there is whole-of-government sign off for the commitments in partner the Program (if necessary). responsibilities Address modifications (if any) to the submitted final Program if required by the minister. Provide clear advice about the requirements for the Program and strategic assessment report. Department responsibilities Provide advice to the minister on whether any modifications to the submitted final Program are needed. Final Program document. Final strategic assessment report or supplementary strategic assessment Required output report to go along with the draft. 3+ months. Suggested timing Program endorsement Endorsement of a Program by the minister does not equate to the approval of actions under the EPBC Act. However, it is a necessary step towards approval. Endorsement occurs when the minister is satisfied that the Program and the associated strategic assessment report: adequately identifies and addresses impacts on matters of national environmental significance meet the terms of reference, endorsement criteria, and any other requirements set out in the strategic assessment agreement provide for any modifications recommended by the minister. Assessment None partner responsibilities Department Submit the final documents to the minister for endorsement responsibilities Required output Formal endorsement of the Program by the minister 2 months Suggested timing Approval of actions Following endorsement of a Program, the minister may approve the taking of an or ‘action’ ‘class of in accordance with the endorsed Program. This approval is the legal step that allows actions’ activities under the Program to proceed without need for further federal approval of individual proposals or developments. Approval may occur concurrently with endorsement or any time after that, and conditions may be attached to an approval if the minister considers them necessary. Approvals may be staged, whereby classes of actions are approved at different times.
at this point that the minister is able to formally request modifications to the Program if they are considered necessary. Assessment partner responsibilities Finalise the Program document and strategic assessment report based on public comments and any advice from the department. Ensure that there is whole-of-government sign off for the commitments in the Program (if necessary). Address modifications (if any) to the submitted final Program if required by the minister. Department responsibilities Provide clear advice about the requirements for the Program and strategic assessment report. Provide advice to the minister on whether any modifications to the submitted final Program are needed. Required output Final Program document. Final strategic assessment report or supplementary strategic assessment report to go along with the draft. Suggested timing 3+ months. Program endorsement Endorsement of a Program by the minister does not equate to the approval of actions under the EPBC Act. However, it is a necessary step towards approval. Endorsement occurs when the minister is satisfied that the Program and the associated strategic assessment report: adequately identifies and addresses impacts on matters of national environmental significance meet the terms of reference, endorsement criteria, and any other requirements set out in the strategic assessment agreement provide for any modifications recommended by the minister. Assessment partner responsibilities None Department responsibilities Submit the final documents to the minister for endorsement Required output Formal endorsement of the Program by the minister Suggested timing 2 months Approval of actions Following endorsement of a Program, the minister may approve the taking of an ‘action’ or ‘class of actions’ in accordance with the endorsed Program. This approval is the legal step that allows activities under the Program to proceed without need for further federal approval of individual proposals or developments. Approval may occur concurrently with endorsement or any time after that, and conditions may be attached to an approval if the minister considers them necessary. Approvals may be staged, whereby classes of actions are approved at different times.
strategic-assessment-guide_1.docx