In Western Australia the environmental approval process is referred to as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). It is designed to ensure that identified environmental impacts of projects can be avoided, minimised, or mitigated through adaptive management and offsets.

As required under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 the Roe Highway Extension proposal will be considered by the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). As the project will potentially have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance, it is also subject to approval from Department for Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), as required by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The environmental assessment under both acts will occur concurrently under the bilateral agreement between WA and the Commonwealth using the State EIA process.

Three key pieces of approval documentation are required as part of the approval process;

Referrals

The level of assessment for the Roe Highway Extension proposal is determined by State and Commonwealth authorities in response to the Referrals. Main Roads self referred the project to the EPA in 2008 and to DEWHA in August 2009. These documents can be viewed here

Environmental Scoping Document

The purpose of this document is to resolve with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) the scope of the environmental assessment work to be undertaken.

This document describes key environmental issues and the type of information that needs to be collected to better understand those issues or systems.  This information will enable South Metro Connect undertake an assessment of impacts of the extension of Roe Highway (Environmental Impacts Assessment, see below).

This document will include:

• A summary description of the proposal, including reasons and explanations for the project
• A description of the regional surroundings and environment
• A description of potential environmental impacts, their consequences and management responses
• Proposed environmental studies and investigation
• Key environmental and social issues
• Applicable legislation
• Community engagement program
• Project timeline

The Environmental Scoping Document will be developed with input from a Scoping Document Focus Group, comprising representatives of key Government agencies and interest groups. The document is expected to be submitted for approval before the end of 2009.

The draft Environmental Scoping Document has been submitted to the EPA.  This document can be viewed here.

Environmental Impact Assessment - Public Environmental Review (PER)

Following EPA approval of the Environmental Scoping Document, preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment report (EIA) and associated activities begin.

• The assessment level for this project has been set at Public Environmental Review (PER), with an extended 12 week period of consultation.
• The purpose of the PER document is to demonstrate to the EPA why the proposal should be judged as environmentally acceptable.

Prior EPA Advice

In February 2003 the EPA issued Bulletin 1088; Environmental values associated with the alignment of Roe Highway (Stage 8). This Bulletin was prepared to provide ‘environmental advice on the key environmental values associated with the alignment of Roe Highway Stage 8 and likely impacts arising if construction was undertaken. …and does not constitute a formal assessment or approval by the EPA.’

The Roe Highway Extension is subject to the State and Federal environmental approval processes, which requires the development of an Environmental Impact Assessment so that the project may be assessed in full.