Christmas Island strategic assessment

Christmas Island is home to many unique and endangered plants and animals. Some of these live only on that island. A strategic assessment will help to protect the island's environment and promote sustainable development.

 

Strategic assessments are a collaboration between the Australian Government and an assessment partner. This collaboration allows for a big-picture approach to safeguarding protected matters from the impacts of development over a long time.

The Christmas Island strategic assessment on this page is in progress. This means the Environment minister signed an agreement with a partner to undertake a strategic assessment. The partner is now working to develop the required information.

Overview

Christmas Island is an external territory of Australia in the Indian Ocean.

In 2021, it was home to 1,692 people. It's also home to many rare plants and animals – some not found anywhere else in the world.

Christmas Island's importance and value are internationally recognised. The island has a high level of protection under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

A strategic assessment will help to protect the island's future by supporting sustainable development and plans to promote economic activity.

Signed agreement

On 15 February 2019, 2 ministers agreed to undertake a strategic assessment under the EPBC Act. The signatories to the agreement were:

  • the Commonwealth Environment minister, as represented by the former Department of the Environment and Energy (now the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water)
  • the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, as represented by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA)

Part 10 Strategic Assessment Section 146 agreement for Christmas Island (PDF - 1.24 MB)
Part 10 Strategic Assessment Section 146 agreement for Christmas Island (DOCX - 791.67 KB)

Terms of reference

The terms of reference for a strategic assessment detail how the strategic assessment partner is to assess the impacts of their proposed development activities.

The draft terms of reference for the Christmas Island strategic assessment were exhibited from 15 February to 29 March 2019. The public could comment on them during that time.

On 4 April 2019, the final terms of reference (PDF), which considered public comments, were approved.

Plan and impact assessment report

Christmas Island sustainable development plan

DITRDCA is developing a plan for future land use on Christmas Island. This plan will:

  • outline permitted development activities
  • provide opportunities to sustainably develop on the island
  • set out environmental commitments and outcomes to manage impacts on protected matters from proposed developments.

Activities in the plan are likely to include:

  • residential, industrial and commercial development
  • ecotourism
  • mining
  • agriculture
  • environmental management activities
  • supporting infrastructure.

Development in the Christmas Island National Park won't be part of the strategic assessment. Activities in the National Park will still require individual approvals under national environment law.

Interested stakeholders will have several opportunities to provide their feedback on these documents and throughout the strategic assessment process.

Find further information about public consultation on DITRDCA’s website.

Strategic impact assessment report

DITRDCA is also preparing a strategic impact assessment report, which will:

  • assess the impacts of any proposed development activities detailed in the plan
  • look at the effectiveness of proposed environmental management measures.

Following public consultation, the Environment minister will review the Christmas Island:

  • sustainable development plan
  • strategic impact assessment report.

If endorsed and approved, the Christmas Island strategic assessment will then:

  • provide stakeholders with greater certainty about investment and development opportunities on the island
  • ensure the long-term protection of the island’s unique environment and heritage.

It will also remove the need for individual assessments under the EPBC Act, where proposed projects:

  • align with the plan
  • are an approved type of development.

Get in touch

Contact our Referrals Gateway team: