Projects of regional significance
Assessment process
Legislation
The Commission assesses a project of regional significance under Part 4, Division 2A Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993. The Minister for Planning may declare a project of regional significance if it:
- has regional planning significance;
- requires high-level assessment; or
- would have a significant environmental impact.
Who undertakes the assessment
Once the Minister declares a project of regional significance the Minister then directs the Commission to assess the project.
The Commission appoints a Development Assessment Panel to carry out the assessment. The powers and functions of the Commission which are necessary to do the assessment are delegated to each Panel member. The Panel is made up of 3 people:
- a Commissioner, or nominee, is the chairperson;
- a person with appropriate qualifications and experience nominated by relevant councils; and
- a person the Commission considers has qualifications or experience relevant to the project.
Process
The Panel, with relevant guidance from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) under section 60K of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993, prepares assessment guidelines and provides them to the proponent.
The proponent must provide a project impact statement within a specified time to the Panel.
The Panel must advertise the public exhibition of a project of regional significance the project impact statement and invite representations.
The Panel holds hearings and then, subject to EPA advice, determines whether to grant a special permit allowing the development to proceed.
Relevant parties, including councils, the proponent and the EPA can object to the Panel on any conditions or restrictions in the special permit.
The flowchart
(PDF, 101 KB) shows the assessment process.
Decision-making
The Panel determines whether to grant a special permit, and any conditions or restrictions on that permit.
Public participation
Opportunities for public input are through representations in relation to:
- the project impact statement; and
- presentations at a Commission hearing.