Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021C01223:front:0:p51
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021C01223
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 153263–156216

to have a significant impact, it will be deemed a controlled action and be subject to the EPBC Act assessment and approval process.  Controlled actions are defined as:

      A proposed action that is likely to have a significant impact on: a matter of national environmental significance; the environment of Commonwealth land (even if taken outside Commonwealth land); or the environment anywhere in the world (if the action is undertaken by the Commonwealth).[41]

The Bank will document all decisions and reasoning made during the self-assessment process, whether or not it decides to refer any proposed actions. The Bank will contact the Heritage Branch at the Department of the Environment and Energy (heritage@environment.gov.au ) for information or to seek comments on self-assessment for proposed actions. Where possible, it will provide self-assessment documentation to the Department for their records as part of best practice heritage management.

The Bank has plans to undertake refurbishment of its Head Office Building in Sydney. These works will be self-assessed prior to them being carried out to determine if they are likely to have a significant impact on the environment on Commonwealth land, the definition of which includes heritage values of places.

6.2.5            Assessments of Heritage Impact
The Reserve Bank of Australia will undertake building approvals in a manner consistent with its approved Heritage Strategy.  In all instances, that is major, medium or minor works, the Workplace Department will undertake a self-assessment to determine the likely impact of any proposed works on the Commonwealth Heritage values identified for heritage places. or Specialist heritage advice will be sought where there is uncertainty about the likely impacts of proposed works. The RBA classifies projects as follows:

Major Capital Works
Major capital works are classified by the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Public Works (the Public Works Committee) as projects with an estimated value of over $15 million and must be submitted to the Public Works Committee (PWC). All major capital works are listed on the PWC's website and interested persons and organisations are invited to make submissions. The PWC report is available to the public following tabling of the matter in Parliament.

Medium Works
Building projects undertaken by the Bank, as an Australian Commonwealth agency, having an estimated cost of between $2 million and $15 million (excluding GST) are classified by the Public Works Committee as 'medium works'. The Bank is required to notify the Public Works Committee of such works prior to the calling of tenders to undertake those works.

Minor Works
Minor repairs and maintenance works are regularly undertaken as part of the cyclical maintenance program implemented by the Bank. Decisions regarding works and repairs are guided by and consistent with the policies and recommendations contained in the Heritage