What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?
An EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) is a document prepared to describe the potential impacts of a proposed activity on the environment. An EIS describes the impacts, and documents ways to avoid, minimise or offset potential negative impacts.
An EIS
- Clearly describes the Project
- Details all applicable legislative requirements
- Evaluates the existing environmental values and surrounds
- Identifies and assesses the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of the Project for all phases of its development
- Identifies measures to avoid, mitigate or offset any potential adverse impacts of a project
- Develops an environmental management plan for the construction and ongoing operation of the Project
- An EIS comprises a range of studies and assessments
An EIS comprises a range of studies and assessments, including:
- Land impact (land use, contamination, erosion, landscape character and visual amenity)
- Air quality
- Noise and vibration
- Water resources (flooding, management of produced water, water quality)
- Flora and fauna
- Indigenous and shared cultural heritage
- Social and economic impact
- Hazard and risk
The EIS Process
In April 2009, the Queensland Coordinator-General declared the Project “significant” under the State Development and Public Organisation Act (1971). This means that an environmental impact statement (EIS) is required.
The Project has also been referred to the Commonwealth Government for consideration under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999).
The draft EIS Terms of Reference were made available for public comment by the Coordinator-General from August to October 2009, and have since been finalised.
The Draft EIS for the Australia Pacific LNG Project was lodged with the Queensland Government on the 29th January 2010.
The final EIS is expected to be publicly released for comment in the first quarter of 2010.
View the Initial Advice Statement (IAS) (3MB)
