Environment Protection Act 1997

This section applies in relation to an application for an environmental authorisation in relation to an activity.

At the authority’s request, or on the Minister’s own initiative, the Minister may—

direct that an EIS be prepared in relation to the possible environmental impact of the activity; and

after the EIS is given to the Minister—establish a panel to conduct an inquiry into the activity.

For subsection (2)—

the Minister must not direct that an EIS be prepared or establish a panel unless satisfied that the activity is not the subject of a development application under the Planning Act 2023; and

the authority must not make a request unless the authority—

is satisfied that the activity is not the subject of a development application under the Planning Act 2023; and

has reasonable grounds for believing the activity has the potential to cause serious or material environmental harm.

The Minister must give the authority a copy of—

any EIS prepared as directed under subsection (2) (a); and

the report of any inquiry panel established under subsection (2) (b).