Question - Environment

Regarding environmental assessments of the CSIRO Ginninderra site can the minister (a) confirm that a referral application to the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water would only be necessary if works were proposed that affected identified areas of environmental and ecological value (b) advise whether the Suburban Land Agency has held any discussions with officers in the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) about preparing an environmental impact assessment for the CSIRO Ginninderra site and (c) advise whether the Suburban Land Agency has held any discussions with officers in EPSDD about varying the Territory Plan so that it is not inconsistent with the National Capital Plan designation of ‘urban areas’.  

(a) When a proposal has a potential impact on any matters protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) the proponent may need to submit a referral to the Commonwealth. The referral is considered by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water who determines whether the development is a controlled action and, if a controlled action, will identify the required assessment pathway as per the EPBC Act. However, the proponent may determine whether a referral is required through a self-assessment of impacts which can also be guided by advice from the Commonwealth. A referral process is only required if the proposal is likely to have a significant impact on a matter protected under the EPBC Act. Information on this process can be found at  https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/epbc/advice/self-assessments. 

(b) The CSIRO Ginninderra site remains under the custodianship of the Commonwealth. The Suburban Land Agency has had high level discussions with EPSDD on the site in the context of its inclusion as a future change area in the Belconnen District Strategy.

(c) The CSIRO Ginninderra site remains under the custodianship of the Commonwealth. The Suburban Land Agency has had high level discussions with EPSDD on the site in the context of its inclusion as a future change area in the Belconnen District Strategy