A person proposing to take an action needs to undertake a 'self-assessment' to decide whether or not a proposed action has, will have or is likely to have a 'significant' impact on the National Heritage values of the place.
Indigenous significance
If a place has Indigenous heritage values as part of its National Heritage listing, consultation with Traditional Owners and other Indigenous people with rights and interests in the place may assist you in undertaking self-assessments.
The self-assessment should be objective and based on sufficient information. Assessment of the information should include:
- consulting the official heritage values to ensure the proposal is consistent with the values;
- consulting a management plan, if there is one, to ensure the proposal is consistent with the management recommendations and/or conservation policies;
- consulting the National Heritage management principles to be consistent with them;
- considering the action in the broadest context, including its related activities and infrastructure;
- looking at all possible alternatives to the action or proposal;
- looking at any possible subsequent and indirect effects the action may have on other matters of national environmental significance or in the future;
- selecting an action that does not or is not likely to significantly impact on heritage values;
- undertaking measures which mitigate the impact on National Heritage values;
- documenting the decision about taking the action and demonstrating how the action is not likely to have a significant impact on heritage values; and
- referring actions that may have a significant impact.
This information should be compiled as supporting information for the proposed action for a referral if one is to be lodged with the Department of the Environment and as a record of change to the place.
More information about the referral process can be found in the fact sheets at EPBC Act publications.