Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2021C00298:section:64:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2021C00298
Segment Type: section
Provision Reference: s 64 (pt 8/10)
Character Range: 58114–61449

consistent with the maintenance of proper environmental protection.
    2.5.5 Between the States
      2.5.5.1 Where the policies, programs, projects, legislation or regulations of a State may affect the environment of another State or States, the States undertake to provide timely notification to any affected State, and appropriate consultation in relation to those policies, programs, projects, legislation or regulations.
      2.5.5.2 Wherever significant adverse external effects on another State are expected or identified, the relevant States will use their best endeavours to establish appropriate mechanisms for ensuring cooperative management.
      2.5.5.3 Where the States are directly and cooperatively involved with the management of significant adverse external effects and one or more of the States considers that one or more of the other States are not adequately discharging their management responsibilities, the State or States concerned will endeavour to resolve expeditiously any issue of disagreement or concern.
      2.5.5.4 The States will if necessary determine what mechanism or process should be employed to resolve any disagreement or matter of concern, which mechanism or process may include inviting the Commonwealth to assist in the resolution of the matter.
    2.5.6 National Interest
      Notwithstanding the particular responsibilities of the Commonwealth in safeguarding and accommodating national environmental matters, the parties agree that all levels of Government have a responsibility to ensure that matters of national interest are properly taken into account in their activities.
SECTION 3—PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
    3.1 The parties agree that the development and implementation of environmental policy and programs by all levels of Government should be guided by the following considerations and principles.
    3.2 The parties consider that the adoption of sound environmental practices and procedures, as a basis for ecologically sustainable development, will benefit both the Australian people and environment, and the international community and environment. This requires the effective integration of economic and environmental considerations in decision‑making processes, in order to improve community well‑being and to benefit future generations.
    3.3 The parties consider that strong, growing and diversified economies (committed to the principles of ecologically sustainable development) can enhance the capacity for environmental protection. In order to achieve sustainable economic development, there is a need for a country's international competitiveness to be maintained and enhanced in an environmentally sound manner.
    3.4 Accordingly, the parties agree that environmental considerations will be integrated into Government decision‑making processes at all levels by, among other things:
          (i) ensuring that environmental issues associated with a proposed project, program or policy will be taken into consideration in the decision making process;
          (ii) ensuring that there is a proper examination of matters which significantly affect the environment; and
          (iii) ensuring that measures adopted should be cost‑effective and not be disproportionate to the significance of the environmental problems being addressed.
    3.5 The