There are many laws that govern project planning, design, construction and maintenance activities. The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) provides the overall framework under which approvals are obtained for developments or activities in NSW.
The approval process for new projects depends on 1. What you are doing, and 2. Where you are doing it.
Possible planning approval processes:
- The works were previously approved - No assessment is required.
- The works require a Part 4 DA - Contact Environmental Services.
- The works are Exempt - No assessment is required.
- The works require a Part 5 assessment under the EP&A Act - Complete the SER.
- The works are likely to have a significant affect on the environment - EIS and Minister approval is required
Most new construction work carried out by Ausgrid requires a Part 5 environmental assessment. Most Part 5 assessments will be in the form of an NS174A Summary Environmental Report (SER). In some cases, such as major projects, the environmental assessment will be in the form of a review of environmental factors (REF).
Routine repairs, maintenance and emergency works will generally be considered exempt development and do not require an environmental assessment, providing the work is of minimal impact. Those projects can proceed in accordance with the controls in Ausgrid's NS174C Environmental Handbook.
In addition to approval processes above, the works may also require:
- Commonwealth approvals. - works affecting matters of National Environmental Significance.
- External approvals/licences. - works involving dredging a waterway, disturbing Aboriginal relics, working in critical habitat, etc.
- Notifications - to local council, other authorities or occupiers of adjoining land.
A verified NS174A SER, and any associated other approvals, licences and permits and Ausgrid's NS174C Environmental Handbook are legally binding documents. Failure to comply with a NS174A SER is an offence carrying penalties up to $5M.
Contact Ausgrid's Environmental Services for other environmental assessment processes such as development applications (DA) prepared under Part 4 of the EP&A Act, or an environmental assessment prepared for state significant development under Part 5.1 of the EP&A Act.
Ausgrid's Environmental Services must also verify all NS174A SER that have level 3 impacts. Ausgrid's Environmental Services may prepare SER for environmentally sensitive projects.