Assessment

Under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979, development that is important to the State for economic, environmental or social reasons can be classified a State significant development (SSD) or State significant infrastructure (SSI). This development requires the approval of the Minister for Planning or Independent Planning Commission before it may proceed.

The Department co-ordinates a whole-of-government assessment of the impacts of the projects against the triple bottom line in accordance with Government legislation, policies and guidelines. Community participation is an essential part of the assessment process, and community views are carefully considered in all decision-making.