The Arckaringa Project is one of the largest projects currently planned for South Australia and may be classified as a Major Project. This classification will trigger a very clear pathway including environmental, indigenous, social and engineering studies, leading to approval and development. Major Projects are managed by the Office of Major Projects and Infrastructure within the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI).

There are multiple state and federal statures which will apply to the development application, some of which are listed below.

 

Approval Agency Comment
Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Department of Environment Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA)
– Federal Government Approval
Triggered when project potentially impacts on matters of National Environmental Significance (NES).

The Project is expected to require assessment under the EPBC Act
Development Act 1993 Minister for Mineral Resources Development and Planning SA
– State Government Approval
Triggered if the project is classified as a Major Development or Project

EIS Approvals Process will apply to the Project
Mining Act 1971

Mines and Works Inspection Act 1920
Primary Industry and Resources South Australia (PIRSA)

State Government Approval
A Mining and Rehabilitation Program (MARP) will be required for the Project
Environment Protection Act 1993

Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 1994

Environment Protection (Industrial Noise) Policy 1994

Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2003

Other regulatory controls for groundwater quality, aquifer re-charge and water re-use
Environment Protection Authority

State Government Approval
Project infrastructure, such as the coal gasification plant, will require a works approval and license. Works approval and licensing requirements for inclusion of groundwater management-extraction and/or recharge

The scope of the development approvals and the form of the assessment undertaken will largely be determined by the results of the EIA, Federal and State requirements and the preferred development option, as determined by the results of the BFS work programme.

Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval

CNOOC-NEI’s investment in the AUEJV requires Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) assessment. The FIRB review process is a Commonwealth Government requirement and was independent of Altona and CNOOC-NEI. FIRB advised CNOOC-NEIA on 26 May 2010 that it had no objection to the proposed investment.

 

Top