Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Updates: Recent Decisions and Notifications

Strategic Insights -

The Australian Federal Register of Legislation has released updates on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, including part 7-9 decisions published between August 18 and 24. The updates cover various actions determined under the EPBC Act, including mining projects, water management, and residential developments. Some projects have been approved with conditions, while others have been deemed not requiring approval or have undergone variations of conditions. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has implemented measures to minimize the risk of missing notifications and ensures that a history of notifications for each referral is available to the public.

Key Takeaways:

  • 2025/10228 Atlas Iron Pty Ltd: Approval for Sanjiv Ridge Stage 1 Below Groundwater Table Mining was granted, with public environment reports published on August 15, 2025.
  • 2021/8993 Bowen Pipeline Company Pty Ltd: Assessment approach for the Bowen Pipeline Preliminary Documentation was undertaken on August 15, 2025, under the EPBC Act section 87.
  • 2023/09666 Tasmanian Irrigation Pty Ltd: Approval for the Sassafras - Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme Augmentation was granted, with conditions, on August 15, 2025, under the EPBC Act section 133.
  • 2012/6406 Department Of Primary Industries Parks Water and ENVIRONMENT: Reconsideration decision for Marine Farming Expansion, Macquarie Harbour, TAS was made on August 13, 2025, under the EPBC Act section 78C.
  • 2019/8487 Department Of Transport: Variation of conditions for the Healesville - Koo Wee Rup Road Upgrade, Vic was approved on August 15, 2025, under the EPBC Act section 143.
  • 2021/8968 Stevens Holdings Pty Ltd: Notification of extension of time for the 414 Old Maitland Road Residential Subdivision was made on August 15, 2025, under the EPBC Act section 130(4).
  • Fosterville Gold Mine Pty Ltd: Notification of change in project timeline for the Fosterville Gold Mine Sustained Operations Project was made on August 15, 2025.
  • Lendlease Communities (Figtree Hill No. 3) Pty Limited: Notification of change in project timeline for the Mt Gilead Stage 2 Residential Development was made on August 18, 2025.

Statistics:

  • 15 approvals and variations were granted or accepted under the EPBC Act between August 18 and 24, 2025.
  • 10 decisions were made on referrals under the EPBC Act, with some projects approved with conditions and others deemed not requiring approval.
  • The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water implemented measures to minimize the risk of missing notifications and ensures that a history of notifications for each referral is available to the public.

Sources:

  • Australian Federal Register of Legislation
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
  • EPBC Public Portal
  • Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
  • Department of Environment and Energy