The EPA recognises that with increasing pressure from development on parts of WA’s unique environment, as well as other pressures such as climate change, it is imperative to strengthen CIA as a process. Reflecting this, cumulative impacts was added to the definitions provided in section 3(1)(b) of the EP Act as part of amendments made to the EP Act in 2020. This makes it explicit that the EPA’s consideration of impacts on the environment must include cumulative impacts.
The purpose of this guideline is to provide an overview of what cumulative impact assessment (CIA) is and how it is undertaken as a part of environmental impact assessment (EIA) under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) in Western Australia (WA). It provides the basis for a consistent approach to CIA to be applied by proponents, across the majority of environmental factors and across the different regions of WA.
This guideline is intended to clarify the EPA’s expectations of proponents for CIA and aims to improve information quality on cumulative impacts, supporting informed decision-making and improved environmental outcomes.
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