Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s central piece of environmental legislation. It provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places — defined in the Act as matters of national environmental significance. More about the EPBC Act
Key assessments
Projects currently being assessed under national environment law (the EPBC Act).
New South Wales
Eastern Star Gas Narrabri coal seam gas proposal
Four proposals by Eastern Star Gas, related to a coal seam gas project near Narrabri, are being assessed under national environment law.
Queensland
South of Embley project bauxite mine, Cape York
The proposed South of Embley bauxite mine and port on Western Cape York, proposed by RTA Weipa Pty Ltd, is being assessed under national environment law because of its potential impacts on threatened and migratory species, and the Commonwealth marine area.
Caloundra South development
The Caloundra South development, proposed by Stockland, is being assessed under national environment law for its potential impacts on nationally protected matters, including on the Pumicestone Passage, which forms part of the Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetland.
Great Keppel Island
The proposed Great Keppel Island tourism and marina development includes 750 villas, 300 apartments, a 300-suite hotel facility, a 250-berth marina, and an 18-hole golf course and club, a retail area, and a sporting oval, as well as upgrading works to the existing airstrip and the creation of 545 hectares of environmental parks.
Tin Can Bay marina
A proposal to build a marina in Tin Can Bay's Snapper Creek Harbour, as well as associated infrastructure, a kiosk, a car park, a yacht club, a boat ramp and a promenade, is being assessed under national environment law.
Western Australia
BHP Billiton Port Hedland outer harbour development
The proposed BHP Billiton Port Hedland outer harbour development involves the construction and operation of landside and marine infrastructure for the handling and export of iron ore. The proposed project includes the construction of stockyards within Boodarie and an offshore jetty and wharf structure off Finucane Island, WA.
Kimberley strategic assessment
The Australian and Western Australian governments have agreed to a strategic assessment to find a suitable site for a liquefied natural gas precinct to service the Browse Basin gas reserves off the Kimberley coast, and to ensure that this site is appropriately managed.
Wiluna uranium mine
The Wiluna uranium mine proposal is being assessed under national environment law for its potential environmental impacts.
South Australia
Olympic Dam mine expansion
BHP Billiton's proposal to expand its Olympic Dam copper, uranium, gold and silver mine is being assessed under national environment law.
