Here's something I just picked up: the assessment process for...

Here's something I just picked up: the assessment process for the application is by bilateral agreement (see the decision notice from 5/4/2019 on the EPBC site for this project) which means it goes back to State level organisations to assess rather than being done inside the Federal EPBC. So it has gone back again to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to look at - the same Department that did all the assessment of it in the first place and deemed it an approvable project before it went to the IPC for approval assent. So yes, am sure there are new things they may look at a bit closer and in the end, it will still be the Federal department that makes the final decision, but certainly sleeping well at night to know this is how it is being done rather just a whole new set of eyes looking at it.


https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/epbc/advice/assessment-methods#toc_6

Other types of assessment

Assessment under a bilateral agreement

We have bilateral agreements with states and territories across Australia in which the minister has accredited organisations to assess projects under the EPBC Act. These agreements reduce duplication of environment assessment processes between us and the states and territories.

We will ask the relevant state or territory minister for their views about how we should assess your project. If they say that assessment under a bilateral agreement is appropriate, we work closely with the state or territory organisation throughout your assessment.

When it's complete, the state or territory organisation submits a report detailing the assessment information for the minister's final decision.