Environmental Management Documents
To meet environmental requirements of the ACT, NSW and Commonwealth, ACTEW prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Preferred Project Report, Development Application (DA) and Public Environment Report (PER). These documents were finalised in response to issues raised by the community.
The project is a “critical infrastructure project” under Section 75 of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and the NSW Minister for Planning approved the project in April 2010 (more information on this is at www.planning.nsw.gov.au).
In May 2010, the EIS was considered complete by the ACT Minister for Planning. The ACT Planning and Land Authority then approved the DA in August 2010. The final Public Environment Report was lodged with the Commonwealth in June 2010 after the draft was revised in line with public comments. ACTEW received the final major environmental approval needed to undertake the Murrumbidgee to Googong Water Transfer on 29 October 2010. The approval was granted by Federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Hon Tony Burke, MP.
The Commonwealth approval, like those received by the ACT and NSW is subject to a number of conditions being met. Provided below are the Environmental Management Documents submitted regarding the Murrumbidgee to Googong Water Transfer.