Bilateral agreements can reduce duplication. This agreement allows South Australia (SA) to use its own processes to assess actions under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Since 2015, we've had assessment bilateral agreements with all states and territories.
Bilateral agreements allow each state or territory to assess proposed actions (projects or developments) on behalf of the Australian Government.
They remove the need for a separate assessment, reducing duplication. The Commonwealth Environment minister uses a state or territory's environmental assessment report to inform the final decision about whether to approve an action.
Assessment bilateral agreements have existed with all states and territories since 2015.
Assessment agreement with South Australia
Under the assessment bilateral agreement, the Commonwealth minister can use the South Australia process to inform an assessment of the impacts of any eligible action.
The previous assessment bilateral agreement has been in place since September 2014.
South Australia Assessment Bilateral Agreement (PDF 2.6 MB)
South Australia Assessment Bilateral Agreement (DOCX 108 KB)
Agreement notice (PDF 15 KB)
Agreement notice (DOCX 21 KB)
Report on comments (PDF 190 KB)
Report on comments (DOCX 40 KB)
Statement of reasons (PDF 11 MB)
Statement of reasons (DOCX 55 KB)
Updating the Assessment Bilateral Agreement
In 2020-2021, the South Australian Government made amendments to the Mining Act 1971 (SA) and commenced the new Mining Regulations 2020 (SA), which replaced the Mining Regulations 2011 (SA).
In addition, the Development Act 1993 (SA) was repealed in March 2021, and was replaced by the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (SA).
To continue to deliver streamlined environmental impact assessments in South Australia, there is a need to enter into a new Assessment Bilateral Agreement to reflect the South Australian Government’s new legislative framework.
Intention to develop a draft assessment bilateral agreement
Under the EPBC Act, the Environment minister must publish a notice of intention to develop a draft bilateral agreement. They must do this as soon as possible after starting to draft an agreement with a state or territory.
On 5 April 2023, the Environment minister signed the notice of intention to develop a draft assessment bilateral agreement with the South Australian Government.
Notice of intention to develop a draft assessment bilateral agreement with SA (PDF 55 KB)
Notice of intention to develop a draft assessment bilateral agreement with SA (DOCX 38 KB)
Get in touch
If you have any questions about bilateral agreements with South Australia:
- Email: eadsaandntsection@dcceew.gov.au
- Phone: 1800 423 135 between 9 am and 5 pm Canberra time.