During 2023 and 2024, the project team will be undertaking an environmental impact assessment for the project. It is anticipated that an environmental impact statement (EIS) level of assessment will be required.

When a development application is lodged, the Minister for Planning can, at their discretion, identify the level of assessment required including the option to declare a project as an impact assessed development, triggering the need for an EIS. An EIS is required when the Minister considers the project is of environmental, social or economic significance to South Australia, or is located in an environmentally sensitive location.

An EIS process is the highest level of development assessment under the South Australian Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act, 2016. Northern Water is committed to undertaking the level of assessment usually required for an EIS, regardless of the identified requirement.

  • the need for the project
  • the project’s location
  • the details of the project, its design and how it will operate
  • the existing environment
  • the project’s impacts during construction and long term
  • the project’s opportunities
  • mitigation strategies to eliminate or minimise impacts, and
  • strategies to enhance or add value to the project.

An EIS is used by the Minister for Planning to help make a decision regarding a development application. The Minister can approve the development, approve it with conditions, or refuse it.

EIS research and investigations

An EIS is a major piece of work that includes significant research and investigations undertaken over a number of months. Areas under investigation will include:

  • Aboriginal heritage and culture
  • Air quality and emissions
  • Climate change
  • Economic environment
  • Landscape and visual amenity
  • Land use and zoning
  • Marine environment
  • Native Title
  • Noise and vibration
  • Non-Aboriginal heritage
  • Social environment
  • Soil and geological environment
  • Surface and ground water
  • Terrestrial flora and fauna
  • Traffic and transport

The EIS process

The EIS process is monitored and managed by the State Planning Commission, which will prepare assessment requirements at the start of the process to which the EIS must comply.

Full details of the process can be found on Plan SA’s website.

After a period of technical investigations, research and stakeholder engagement, an EIS will be prepared that documents the project, its potential impacts and opportunities, and outlines strategies to either mitigate impacts or enhance opportunities. The EIS will be released for public exhibition and a document will be prepared that will respond to all the feedback received, including any amendments to the EIS or additional investigations that may be required. An overview of the process is outlined below: Environmental Impact Assessment Process Graphic

Getting involved in the EIS process

The Northern Water project is committed to ensuring open, transparent engagement with regular stakeholder and community input into the EIS process, during the investigation phase as well as at the release of the EIS.

You can read how we are engaging stakeholders and the community in our Engagement Plan or you can visit YourSAy to find out more and provide feedback.

You can also subscribe to receive regular updates on the project or get in touch with our team northernwater@sa.gov.au or 8429 4650.

We are planning a series of local engagement opportunities later in 2023 to help inform the EIS. Subscribe to receive updates as dates and locations are confirmed or visit YourSAy.

  • Aboriginal heritage and culture
  • Air quality and emissions
  • Climate change
  • Economic environment
  • Landscape and visual amenity
  • Land use and zoning
  • Marine environment
  • Native Title
  • Noise and vibration
  • Non-Aboriginal heritage
  • Social environment
  • Soil and geological environment
  • Surface and ground water
  • Terrestrial flora and fauna
  • Traffic and transport