Environmental impact assessment under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA) (“EP Act”) is the main method of considering the environmental impacts of major developments in Western Australia.
The process involves a final decision about projects by the Minister for Environment (“the Minister”) after recommendations, assessments and process decisions by the Environmental Protection Authority (“EPA) (an independent 5 person statutory body). The Office of the Environmental Protection Authority (“OEPA”) is the government department which services the EPA for environmental impact assessments and also has some enforcement powers.
This fact sheet outlines the laws relating to environmental impact assessments in WA. See also Fact Sheet: Commonwealth environmental impact assessment for information on proposals that also require assessment and approval under Commonwealth legislation.
