The Minister has published all the draft bilateral agreements. Each is different, taking into account the particular environment laws of individual states and territories. The EPBC Act identifies six areas of national environmental significance that can trigger the Commonwealth Government s involvement in the environmental assessment and approval of proposed actions. Any action that has, or is likely to have, a significant impact in relation to one of these matters may need Commonwealth environmental approval. There are significant penalties for actions taken without approval.
Guidelines are available to assess whether an action is likely to have a significant impact.
An action includes a project, development, undertaking or an activity or series of activities. A decision by a government body to grant an authorisation, such as a permit or licence, or to provide funding is not an action. The EPBC Act protects the threatened species and ecological communities, migratory species, and marine species that are listed by the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage, and the Act protects all whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The Act establishes new principles for managing World Heritage properties, Ramsar wetlands, and Commonwealth reserves. There will be opportunities for community consultation when management plans for these areas are being prepared.