Strategic Assessment Areas

This dataset maps Strategic Assessment areas listed under section 146 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC Act), whereby the Australian Government Environment Minister may agree to assess the impacts of actions under a policy, plan or program including but not limited to:

• regional-scale development plans and policies
• large-scale industrial development and associated infrastructure
• fire, vegetation/resource or pest management policies, plans or programs
• water extraction/use policies
• infrastructure plans and policies
• industry sector policies

Within this context a strategic assessment normally applies to multiple natured projects which would otherwise be assessed on a case-by-case basis under Part 9 of the EPBC Act.

A strategic assessment is a collaborative assessment process between the Australian Government and an appropriate proponent. Proponents can include:

• state governments
• local governments
• urban development industry
• mining and resource companies.