An environmental impact assessment happens before a development application (DA) is submitted for assessment to:
- understand the potential impacts of a development and
- recommend any conditions for DA approval, should it be given.
It is not an approval to start work. Both the ACT and Commonwealth have environmental assessment pathways that apply to development on ACT land.
There are 2 environmental assessment options available for ACT-protected matters:
The assessment process to use depends on the development's circumstances.
Previously there was a third environmental assessment option – an EIS exemption. While EIS exemption applications can no longer be made, previous EIS exemptions can still be used in submitting a DA.