This table explains what we do at each stage of the major project planning process and the information required from the proponent at each of these stages.
Major development proponents should contact the Assessments team within the department via email at landuse.enquiries@dpi.nsw.gov.au to seek comment, review, or undertake consultation (PDF, 73.99 KB)
Planning Stage | Description | What the NSW Department of Industry does | What is required from proponents |
|---|---|---|---|
NSW Mining & Petroleum Gateway | The Mining and Petroleum Gateway process adds an upfront step to the assessment of large mining and CSG production projects located on Strategic Agricultural Land in NSW. | We provide important technical advice on the potential water impacts of a particular proposal for the Minister's consideration. | The proponent is required to undertake a preliminary assessment of the proposal against a standard set of targeted scientific criteria, developed by the NSW Mining and Petroleum Gateway Panel, relating to agricultural and water impacts. |
Planning Focus Meeting (PFM) | For more complex projects, DP&E may convene a PFM with relevant government agencies and local councils prior to or immediately following the lodgement of an application for SEARs by a proponent. | Our assessing officer/s may attend PFMs to gain an initial understanding of the project and potential water-related issues. | Ensure a clear outline of the proposal is provided, including maps, water courses etc. |
Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) | The proponent lodges a development application with DP&E and seeks the Environmental Assessment (EA) requirements. These requirements outline what needs to be included/addressed in the project EIS. | We review the proponent's preliminary environmental assessment and provides advice to DP&E as to what should be included in the SEARs. | Ensure a clear outline of the proposal is provided, including maps, water courses etc.
The level of information required depends on the size of the project and predicted impacts on surface and groundwater sources. |
Test of Adequacy (ToA) | The proponent or DP&E may circulate the draft EIS for relevant agencies to review and decide if it meets the Secretary's EA requirements issued by DP&E. | We undertake a basic adequacy check against the SEARs issued by DP&E, to see if the information requested has been addressed/included in the draft EIS. | Provide a clearly set-out draft EIS with a contents table at the front that identifies where information for particular SEARs is located within the report. |
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) | The proponent submits their final EIS to DP&E. It is placed online for public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days. Both Government agencies and the public have the opportunity to comment on the EIS during this time. | We undertake a full merit assessment of the EIS against the SEARs. This includes seeking advice from technical experts within the organisation (e.g. groundwater and/or surface water modelling and management). | Provide a clearly set-out final EIS that includes an assessment of any additional water-related issues identified at the ToA stage. |
Response To Submissions (RTS) | The proponent responds to submissions received regarding the proposal. | We provide advice to DP&E as to whether the proponent's response adequately addresses concerns raised at the EIS stage. | The RTS report should provide a clear response to each issue raised, preferably in a table format, or with a separate section for each agency. |
Draft Conditions of Approval (CoAs) | DP&E circulates draft conditions of approval for agencies and the proponent to comment on. | We provide recommendations to DP&E regarding the adequacy of the draft conditions. | |
Modification (MOD) | The modification of a previously approved major project. | We provide advice to DP&E at each stage it is consulted (SEARs, EIS, CoAs). | Provide clearly set-out supporting documentation. |
Final Determination | DP&E makes a final determination on whether the project can go ahead. | We provide a record of the final determination, including the conditions of approval is kept for future reference. | |
Post-approval | Anything else post-approval that requires review or ongoing reporting. | We play an ongoing role in auditing and reporting through the conditions of a development consent/approval. | May involve more in-depth discussions with our technical experts. |