Environmental assessment and environmental approvals process
The Ichthys Gas Field Development Project is subject to the jurisdiction of both the Northern Territory Government and the Commonwealth Government (refer to About Ichthys ). INPEX therefore took steps in late 2007 to initiate the environmental assessment process with the two governments in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act (NT) and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) (the EPBC Act). Following this, the Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport (NRETAS) and the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) determined that they will jointly assess the INPEX proposal to establish its gas-processing facility in Darwin.
In March 2008 INPEX submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the Northern Territory Government. This was followed by a referral in accordance with the EPBC Act to the Commonwealth Government in May 2008 (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Referral ). Following these submissions, both governments determined that the project would be assessed at the level of an environmental impact statement (EIS).
In September 2008 the Northern Territory Government released its Guidelines for Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement . These guidelines were prepared to satisfy the administrative requirements of the regulatory authorities of both governments.
INPEX had already commenced baseline environmental surveys and studies of both Blaydin Point and Darwin Harbour in October 2007, with offshore Ichthys Field surveys and studies having been undertaken since March 2006. When these studies are complete, we will have gained a comprehensive understanding of the environmental, ecological and social impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Project and will have developed plans for managing these impacts. These studies will inform the development of the environmental impact assessment documented within the EIS.
In addition to this, INPEX has already engaged in consultation with the key stakeholder groups in the Northern Territory, and will continue to consult with these stakeholders and other interested parties from the wider community as the Project progresses.
The draft EIS document will be submitted to NRETAS and DEWHA and will be made available to the community for public comment. Following this, INPEX will prepare a supplement to the EIS which will address any issues and concerns that might be raised during the public review period. The supplement will then be submitted to the responsible minister who in turn will circulate it to advisory bodies for comment and review. The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority will then prepare an “assessment report” which will be forwarded to the Minister responsible for giving final approval to the proposal.
The assessment report will be accessible to the general public through the NRETAS web site and will also be available in hard-copy form at the offices of the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Division of NRETAS. A similar assessment report will be prepared by DEWHA for recommendation to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, which will be published on the DEWHA web site.
The assessment process will provide the basis for sound decision-making and will demonstrate that INPEX is conducting its activities in an environmentally acceptable and socially responsible manner.
