Legislation: EIA site sensitivity protocols finalised

The general requirements of protocols for undertaking the theme-specific site sensitivity verifications associated with environmental impact assessments were gazetted on Friday. They will only come into force on 9 May, replacing Appendix 6 (specialist reports) of the existing regulations, as amended, reports Pam Saxby for Legalbrief Policy Watch. Released in draft form in January for comment, according to the accompanying Government Gazette notice ‘each protocol applies exclusively to the environmental theme identified within its scope’. This is noting that any activity requiring environmental authorisation may bring multiple themes into play. Where no specific protocol has been prescribed, site sensitivity verifications should be conducted in accordance with the broader requirements of the regulations.