Guidance Statements

Home > Policies and guidelines > Environmental Assessment Guidelines > Guidance Statements

Guidance Statements are the predecessors of Environmental Assessment Guidelines and will remain current unless the EPA decides otherwise. They provide advice to proponents and the public generally on the procedures and minimum environmental requirements that the EPA expects to be met during the environmental impact assessment process.

Guidance Statements are not statutory documents. However, a proponent wishing to deviate from the minimum level of performance set out in a Guidance Statement would be expected to put a well-researched and clear justification to the EPA arguing the need for the deviation. An argument to deviate from the requirements in a Guidance Statement should demonstrate that all practicable endeavours have been made to meet the intent of the Statement.

Please note that a number of Guidance Statements previously published by the EPA are obsolete. If you are unable to find them on this list, contact the Office of the EPA for advice.

Index For Guidance Statements for the Assessment of Environmental Factors

Draft Guidance
8	Environmental Noise
54a	Sampling methods and survey considerations for subterranean fauna in Western Australia (Technical appendix to Guidance Statement 54)

Final Guidance
1	Protection of Tropical Arid Zone Mangroves along the Pilbara Coastline
3	Separation Distances between Industrial and Sensitive Land Uses
6	Rehabilitation of Terrestrial Ecosystems
7	Protection of the Western Swamp Tortoise Habitat, Upper Swan/Bullsbrook
10	Level of Assessment for proposals affecting natural areas within the System 6 region and Swan Coastal Plain portion of the System 1 Region
12	Minimising Greenhouse Gases
17	A Site Remediation Hierarchy for Contaminated Soil
18	Prevention of Air Quality Impacts from Land Development Sites
19	Environmental Offsets
20	Sampling of Short Range Endemic Invertebrate Fauna for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia
28	Protection of the Lake Clifton Catchment
29	Benthic Primary Producer Habitat Protection for Western Australia's Marine Environment *This Guidance Statement has been superseded by Environmental Assessment Guideline 3, as of 1 December 2009.*
33	Environmental Guidance for Planning and Development
40	Management of Mosquitoes by Land Developers
41	Assessment of Aboriginal Heritage
49	Assessment of Development Proposals in Shark Bay World Heritage Property
51	Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia
54	Consideration of subterranean fauna in groundwater and caves during Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia
55	Implementing best practice in proposals submitted to the environment impact assessment process
56	Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia

No.	Report
20	Sampling of Short Range Endemic Invertebrate Fauna for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia
	Summary: This Guidance Statement specifically addresses the general standards and a common framework including risk-based assessment for the sampling and assessment of SRE invertebrate fauna for EIA in Western Australia. It also sets out the EPA's current expectations in respect of the quality and quantity of information derived from these surveys, and the consequent analysis, interpretation and reporting. The Guidance recognises and discusses limitations on current knowledge in respect to this fauna, and how this may affect the EPA's consideration of development proposals. Status: Final Release Date: 25 May 2009 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 5.06 MB)
19	Environmental Offsets - Biodiversity
	Summary: This Guidance Statement specifically addresses environmental offsets for proposals or schemes that impact on biodiversity. It should be read in conjunction with Position Statement No. 9 Environmental Offsets (EPA, 2006). The main purpose of this Guidance Statement is to provide more specific advice than in the Position Statement, particularly in relation to the technical application of biodiversity offsets and the presentation of offsets packages to the EPA. Click here for the reporting form. Status: Final Release Date: 8 September 2008 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 3.06 MB)
33	Guidance Statement 33 - Environmental Guidance for Planning and Development
	Summary: The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has released Guidance Statement No. 33 Environmental Guidance for Planning and Development. A draft of the guidance statement was released in 2005 for public comment. This final document incorporates comments from the public and necessary changes resulting from the creation of the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Water. Status: Final Release Date: 26 May 2008 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 1.97 MB)
54	54a - Sampling methods and survey considerations for subterranean fauna in Western Australia
	Summary: This document outlines the EPA's position in relation to what are acceptable sampling efforts and methodologies for subterranean fauna. A framework is provided for determining whether an area is likely to have significant subterranean faunal values. This Guidance Statement has the status "Draft" which means that it has been endorsed by the EPA for release for stakeholder and public review use and comment for 12 months. Status: Final Release Date: 27 July 2007 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 632.94 KB)
8	Environmental Noise
	Summary: This draft guidance deals with the assessment of environmental noise emissions, where those emissions come under the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997, or other relevant acceptable standards. Status: Draft Release Date: 7 May 2007 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 431.98 KB)
6	Rehabilitation of Terrestrial Ecosystems
	Summary: This guidance: (a) applies to terrestrial habitats and wetlands, excluding aquatic ecosystems such as lakes, estuaries and marine habitats; (b) concerns land clearing where natural ecosystems will be reinstated; (c) focuses on effective use of completion criteria to measure biodiversity in rehabilitation projects; and (d) addresses general principles only. Additional consultation is required for project specific advice. Status: Final Release Date: 26 June 2006 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 1.89 MB)
7	Protection of the Western Swamp Tortoise Habitat, Upper Swan/Bullsbrook
	Summary: The Western Swamp Tortoise is the one of the most endangered tortoises on earth and one of Australia's most endangered species. The EPA therefore emphasises through this guidance statement and the existing Environmental Protection (Western Swamp Tortoise Habitat) Policy 2002 that protection of the Western Swamp Tortoise and its habitat are critical. The small remnant population of Western Swamp Tortoise (110 individuals in 2001) in this policy area is hanging on precariously to existence. Status: Final Release Date: 26 June 2006 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 340.86 KB)
10	Level of assessment for proposals affecting natural areas within the System 6 region and Swan Coastal Plain portion of the System 1 Region
	Summary: This Guidance outlines the EPA's approach to environmental assessment of proposals involving the clearing of natural areas within the System 6 region and Swan Coastal Plain portion of the System 1 region. The EPA places great importance on protecting natural areas and expects that proponents will conduct a thorough appraisal of all development options and site selection options that would avoid direct or indirect impacts on natural areas in the first instance, prior to presenting a proposal for Environmental Impact Assessment. Status: Final Release Date: 6 June 2006 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 664.77 KB)
3	Separation Distances between Industrial and Sensitive Land Uses
	Summary: This document provides advice on the use of generic separation distances (buffers) between industrial and sensitive land uses to avoid conflicts between incompatible land uses. Status: Final Release Date: 27 June 2005 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 1.8 MB)
56	Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia
	Summary: The primary purpose of this Guidance Statement is to provide direction and information on general standards and protocols for terrestrial fauna surveys to environmental consultants and proponents engaged in EIA activities. The generic process for the writing of Guidance Statements is set out in Appendix 1. This Guidance Statement should be read in conjunction with the Technical Guide - Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment. Status: Final Release Date: 28 June 2004 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 347.55 KB)
51	Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia
	Summary: The primary purpose of this Statement is to provide guidance and information on expected standards and protocols for terrestrial flora and vegetation surveys to environmental consultants and proponents. This Guidance should be used when preparing documentation for referral of proposals, planning schemes and their amendments to the EPA, as well as for formal assessment and audit. Status: Final Release Date: 21 June 2004 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 433.92 KB)
29	Benthic Primary Producer Habitat Protection for Western Australia's Marine Environment
	Summary: In this Guidance Statement, the EPA has provided a set of principles to be applied by proponents and the EPA when considering development proposals that may result in removal or destruction of, or damage to, marine benthic primary producer communities or the habitats which support them. Status: Final Release Date: 8 June 2004 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 1.51 MB)
41	Assessment of Aboriginal Heritage
	Summary: This Guidance considers 'Aboriginal heritage' as a relevant environmental factor in circumstances where they are linked directly to physical and biological attributes of the environment, and when the protection and management of those attributes are threatened as a result of a proposed development. Status: Final Release Date: 19 April 2004 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 1.29 MB)
55	Implementing Best Practice in Proposals Submitted to the Environmental Impact Assessment Process
	Summary: This Guidance Statement specifically outlines the EPA's position on what it means by ‘best practice’ in the context of EIA. It aims to provide to proponents, stakeholders and other participants in the EIA process, including the community, an indication of the EPA’s position on the use of best practice to protect the environment, and the approach which the EPA will take when assessing best practice implementation in proposals. While best practice is particularly relevant to industrial process design, and especially the avoidance or minimisation of waste discharges, the principle can also be applied more widely to encompass project site selection, project configuration and technology or procedures for the protection of the environment. Status: Final Release Date: 22 December 2003 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 385.79 KB)
54	Consideration of Subterranean Fauna in Groundwater and Caves during Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia
	Summary: This Guidance Statement specifically addresses the conservation of stygofauna in groundwater systems and troglofauna and stygofauna in subterranean caves. This document provides guidance on the information that the EPA will consider when assessing proposals where the protection of stygofauna or troglofauna is a relevant environmental factor. Status: Final Release Date: 1 December 2003 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 95.98 KB)
12	Guidance Statement for Minimising Greenhouse Gas Emissions
	Summary: This Guidance Statement specifically addresses the minimisation of greenhouse gas emissions from significant new or expanding operations. At the time of writing this Guidance Statement the State Government was developing a State Greenhouse Strategy which will set the wider policy context for greenhouse gas management. This Guidance Statement will be reviewed when new Government policy is announced. Status: Final Release Date: 14 October 2002 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 190 KB)
1	Guidance Statement for Protection of Tropical Arid Zone Mangroves Along the Pilbara Coastline
	Summary: The EPA recognises the intrinsic value of these tropical arid zone mangroves and the need to protect distribution and function along the Pilbara coastline. The EPA has prepared this Guidance Statement in response to the need to protect mangroves from the potential impacts associated with further industrial or other development of the region. Status: Final Release Date: 23 April 2001 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 2.58 MB)
49	Guidance Statement for Assessment of Development Proposals in Shark Bay World Heritage Property
	Summary: This Guidance Statement deals with environmental impact assessment of development proposals within and adjacent to the Shark Bay World Heritage Property. Status: Final Release Date: 20 November 2000 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 538.69 KB)
17	Guidance Statement for Remediation Hierarchy for Contaminated Land
	Summary: This Guidance Statement supersedes the 'EPA Policy for EIA No. 17 - A Site Remediation Hierarchy for Contaminated Sites' (Interim Policy) which was released in 1997 for a period of 12 months. The intent of that policy was to put in place a hierarchy of remediation and treatment options that the EPA considered were relevant in relation to the assessment and management of contaminated sites and which proponents and consultants needed to address when submitting proposals for environmental impact assessment. Status: Final Release Date: 28 July 2000 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 48.25 KB)
40	Guidance Statement for Management of Mosquitoes by Land Developers
	Summary: This Guidance Statement specifically addresses the management of mosquitoes. The Guidance provides information which the EPA will consider when assessing proposals where mosquito management is a relevant environmental factor in an assessment. Status: Final Release Date: 30 June 2000 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 227.42 KB)
18	Prevention of air quality impacts from land development sites
	Summary: This document provides guidance on the control of dust and smoke form land development sites. The guidance and its application, presented in sections 3 and 4 of the document respectively, will be used by the EPA to prevent air quality impacts due to dust and smoke from land development sites. Status: Final Release Date: 31 March 2000 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 44.75 KB)
28	Protection of the Lake Clifton Catchment
	Summary: The guidance and management criteria presented in sections 4 and 5 of the document will be used by the EPA in considering any proposal within the Lake Clifton catchment. Where proposals meet the guidance and criteria it is unlikely that they will require formal assessment by the EPA. Status: Final Release Date: 1 May 1998 Appeals close Click here to view the document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 3.45 MB)
	Guidance Statements
	Appeals close Click here for more information