As part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Northern Water will undertake a detailed impact assessment. The impact assessment will:
- assess the positive and negative environmental, social and economic impacts
- define the environmental outcomes the Project should achieve to be acceptable to regulators, the community and other stakeholders
- identify measures to avoid, minimise, mitigate or offset potential impacts
- engage with the community and stakeholders to support informed feedback on the Project
- support regulators to make an informed response to the EIS, including setting any conditions, monitoring and reporting requirements to ensure impacts are acceptable.
The impact assessment considers a range of environmental attributes, consistent with the project-specific EIS Assessment Requirements issued by the State Planning Commission.
Amenity and environmental quality
- air quality
- noise and vibration (terrestrial)
- transport and traffic
- landscape and visual amenity.
Biological environment
- biosecurity (terrestrial and marine)
- matters of National Environmental Significance (as defined in the controlled action decision)
- marine flora and fauna (including underwater noise and vibration)
- terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna.
Climate change and resource use
- climate change adaptation
- greenhouse gas emissions
- sustainable use of resources
- waste management.
Economic environment
- local, regional and state economies (economic impact assessment).
Hazards and risks
- bushfire
- floods
- contamination.
Land use and site considerations
- land tenure
- protected areas
- use of land and marine waters.
Physical environment
- coastal land systems and marine water quality
- soils, landform and geology
- groundwater
- surface water.
Social and community
- Aboriginal cultural heritage
- Non-Aboriginal heritage places and areas
- community wellbeing
- social impact assessment.
Design
- design quality
- durability of infrastructure
- visual and amenity.