The Hon Peter Garrett AM MP
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts
Point Lonsdale development given conditional approval
Media release
14 August 2009
PG/320
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A residential development at Point Lonsdale, Victoria has been given federal environmental approval but must carry out further hydrological modelling and monitoring before it can complete all stages of construction.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett said his approval of the Stockland Development project followed an assessment and approval by the Victorian Government, which included a panel inquiry.
"My decision-making responsibility relates specifically to matters protected under national environment law. This proposal was assessed by the Federal Government for its potential to impact on nationally listed threatened species and ecological communities, listed migratory species and wetlands of international importance," Mr Garrett said.
"Following this thorough assessment, I have approved work on stages one, two and three of this development, but the remaining stages cannot start until a further 13 months of water quality modelling and monitoring are completed," Mr Garrett said.
"That modelling and monitoring data must be reviewed by a suitably qualified expert and will be used to develop a water quality management plan.
"The remaining stages of the development cannot proceed unless the data and the plan demonstrate that there will be no environmental harm to the nearby Ramsar wetlands as a result of construction activities or the presence of the completed development.
"The water management plan will need my approval before those remaining stages of construction can go ahead."
Mr Garrett said the approval conditions also required the company to develop and implement a conservation management plan to protect and rehabilitate habitat for critically endangered migratory species.
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