Environmental Protection Authority

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is an independent statutory authority and is the key provider of independent environmental advice to Government. The EPA’s objectives are to protect the environment and to prevent, control and abate pollution and environmental harm. The EPA aims to achieve some of this through the development of environmental protection Guidance Statements for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of proposals. This document is one in a series being issued by the EPA to assist proponents, consultants and the public generally to gain additional information about the EPA’s thinking in relation to aspects of the EIA process. The series provides the basis for EPA’s evaluation of, and advice on, development proposals subject to EIA. The Guidance Statements are one part of assisting proponents in achieving an environmentally acceptable proposal. Consistent with the notion of continuous environmental improvement and adaptive environmental management, the EPA expects proponents to take all reasonable and practicable measures to protect the environment and to view the requirements of this Guidance as representing the minimum standards necessary to achieve an appropriate level of flora and vegetation surve