Other advice

The EPA will, as required under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, continue to consider proposed developments for this area on an individual basis, however, the EPA recognises the significance of the natural values of the Whicher Scarp across a range of biodiversity characteristics at the genetic, species and community levels, and the small overall extent of the Whicher Scarp environments. Where the EPA considers a proposal is likely to pose significant risk to the outstanding natural values of the Whicher Scarp, it will be formally assessed.

The content of this document is the same as Environmental Protection Bulletin No 6, The Natural Values of the Whicher Scarp, August 2010. The cover and title have changed to be consistent with the EPA’s Policy Framework.

Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is a process that uses fluids and other materials that are pumped under high pressure into gas-bearing rock formations in order to open fractures (cracks) to create a path for the gas to flow. The purpose of this bulletin is to:

• define the circumstances under which the EPA will assess proposals that include hydraulic fracturing;
• outline the EPA’s expectations for EIA with respect to hydraulic fracturing activities; and
• ensure that the EPA has sufficient information to undertake a thorough assessment of impacts and risks to the environment from proposals involving hydraulic fracturing.

The focus of this bulletin is on those activities and potential environmental impacts specifically related to hydraulic fracturing, which have not routinely been assessed by the EPA, and not on the broader range of environmental issues which may be associated with the development of gas resources from shale and tight rocks. This bulletin replaces advice issued in 2011 (EPB 15) and reflects how the regulation around the industry has evolved over the past few years.

The content of this advice has not been updated to reflect the EPA’s revised policy framework.

The main purposes of this document are:

• to provide information and advice to assist participants in land use planning and development processes to protect, conserve and enhance the environment, and
• to describe the processes the EPA may apply under the EP Act to land use planning and development in Western Australia, and in particular to describe the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process applied by the EPA to schemes.

The content of this guideline has not been updated to reflect the EPA’s revised policy framework.

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 Environmental Protection (Western Swamp Tortoise Habitat) Policy 2011 that protection of the Western Swamp Tortoise and its habitat are critical.

The content of this guideline has not been updated to reflect the EPA’s revised policy framework.

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.

The content of this advice has not been updated to reflect the EPA’s revised policy framework.

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.

The content of this advice has not been updated to reflect the EPA’s revised policy framework.

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 Advice in response to the need to protect mangroves from the potential impacts associated with further industrial or other development of the region. 

The content of this document is the same as Guidance Statement for Protection of Tropical Arid Zone Mangroves Along the Pilbara Coastline (GS 1), April 2001. The cover and title have changed to be consistent with the EPA’s Policy Framework.

This EAG specifically addresses approaches to proposal design and implementation to protect marine turtles from the adverse impacts of light. This EAG sets out:

• guidance on an array of approaches available for avoiding, reducing, managing and mitigating light impacts on marine turtles to be considered when preparing documentation relevant to the EIA process and during the implementation of proposals or planning schemes; and
• alternative methods for the avoidance and management of light impacts that can be applied using a risk-based approach and by applying best practice methods.

The content of this advice has not been updated to reflect the EPA’s revised policy framework.

Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) has published a revised Statutory Guideline for Mine Closure Plans and Mine Closure Plan Guidance – how to prepare in accordance with the Statutory Guidelines. The Statutory Guideline and Guidance take effect from 3 March 2020 and can be found on the DMIRS website.

The DMIRS Statutory Guidelines and Mine Closure Plan Guidance replace the 2015 Joint Guidelines for Preparing Mine Closure Plans (DMP and EPA, 2015).

Mine closure is a critical component of environmental management with many mining proposals assessed by the EPA having rehabilitation and/or closure requirements. The EPA will continue to assess mine closure rehabilitation as part of its Environmental Impact Assessment process, where relevant, and may refer to the DMIRS’ guidance as part of this process.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) endorses the use of the Swan Bioplan - Peel Regionally Significant Natural Areas (Peel RSNAs) information to guide strategic land use and conservation planning in the Peel Sector of the Swan Coastal Plain. 

The content of this document is the same as Environmental Protection Bulletin No. 12, Swan Bioplan - Peel Regionally Significant Natural Areas, December 2013. The cover and title have changed to be consistent with the EPA’s Policy Framework.