New Guidelines On Environmental Impact Assessments For Offshore Wind Projects Released

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has published the 'Guidance – Key environmental factors for offshore windfarm environmental impact assessment under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)' (Guidance Document).

Snapshot

• The Guidance Document identifies 13 key impacts which offshore wind proponents should consider when undertaking their environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the purposes of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).
• The Guidance Document provides high-level comments on assessing cumulative impacts, but flags that further specific guidance will be issued by DCCEEW in relation to assessing cumulative impacts of offshore wind projects.