Preparing a referral
A person proposing to take an action needs to undertake a 'self-assessment' to decide whether or not a proposed action has, will have or is likely to have a 'significant' impact on the National Heritage values of the place.
Find out more about referrals, actions and 'significant impacts'.
Indigenous significance
If a place has Indigenous heritage values as part of its National Heritage listing, consultation with Traditional Owners with rights and interests in the place may assist you in undertaking self-assessments.
The self-assessment should be objective and based on sufficient information. Assessment of the information should include:
- consulting the official heritage values to ensure the proposal is consistent with the values
- consulting a management plan, if there is one, to ensure the proposal is consistent with the management recommendations and/or conservation policies
- consulting the National Heritage management principles to be consistent with them
- considering the action in the broadest context, including its related activities and infrastructure
- looking at all possible alternatives to the action or proposal
- looking at any possible subsequent and indirect effects the action may have on other matters of national environmental significance or in the future
- selecting an action that does not or is not likely to significantly impact on heritage values
- undertaking measures which mitigate the impact on National Heritage values
- documenting the decision about taking the action and demonstrating how the action is not likely to have a significant impact on heritage values; and
- referring actions that may have a significant impact.
This information should be compiled as supporting information for the proposed action for a referral if one is to be lodged with the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and as a record of change to the place.
More information about the referral process can be found in the fact sheets at http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/index.html.
Quick Links
- Public notices
- Asia-Pacific Focal Point
- Australia's dinosaurs
- Managing Commonwealth heritage places
- Australian Heritage Council
- Australian Heritage Places Inventory (AHPI)
- Australian Heritage Database
- Export permits
- Indigenous heritage
- Place managers network
- Historic Shipwrecks Program factsheet
- Patrimonito Storyboard competition
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