The draft approval bilateral agreement provides for accreditation of Australian Capital Territory processes for approval of proposed actions that would otherwise be assessed by the Australian Government for approval under the EPBC Act. Only one decision including conditions on approval is made by the Australian Capital Territory, accounting for Australian Capital Territory matters and matters of national environmental significance.
The finalised approval bilateral agreement will include a list of Australian Capital Territory processes that have been accredited by the Federal Environment Minister. These processes are known as ‘accredited processes’. No separate Australian Government referral, assessment or approval will be required for proposed actions that fall under an accredited process.
The Regenerators intend to provide a submission on this matter before the 11 September 2014 closing data.