ENVM2203/7206 EIA

Practical 1 – Week 2
Screening
Environmental Assessment

Describes a technique and a process by which information

about the environmental effects of a project is collected,
both by the developer and from other sources, and taken
into account by the planning authority in forming their
judgements on whether the development should go
ahead’ (UK DoE, 1989)
Standard EIA Process
1. Screening and scoping (does it require EIA?)
2. Description of proposed actions
3. Description of environmental baseline
4. Identification and predictions of key impacts
5. Evaluation of significance of impacts and proposal of mitigation
measures
6. EIA presentation and public consultation and participation
7. EIA review and decision making
8. Post-decision monitoring and auditing
Screening: Does
it require an EIA?
 EIA becomes and extra
step in the project
development phase
only if the project is
likely to produce
substantial adverse
environmental impacts
Mindmap for a Site Review
 Toondah Harbour Case Study:
Initial Site Review

 Figure 1: An artist’s impression of the new development (obtained from the Toondah
Harbour website)
Toondah Harbour Case Study:
Initial Site Review
 Upcoming development in Moreton Bay
 Justification / description:
 ‘exciting, new, modern coastal village that is set to
transform the Redlands’
 Ferry to Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) requires
upgrading
 Tourism / economic benefits due to additional recreational
facilities
 Includes high-rise apartment complex
Toondah Harbour Case Study:
Initial Site Review
 Controversial:
 Will dredge and dry out 40 hectares of Ramsar wetlands
 Critically endangered Eastern Curlew
 Threatened species include sea turtles, whales, dolphins,
dugongs
 Being considered under EPBC Act
 Groups opposing development include:
 Members of local community
 Organisations including Birdlife Australia
Toondah Harbour Before Development

 Figure obtained
from Google Earth
Toondah Harbour Proposed Development

 Figure obtained
from the
Department of
Environment and
Energy
Useful References

 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-21/qcat-rulling-means-toondah-harbour-
document-to-stay-secret/100081612

 https://www.toondah-harbour.com.au

 https://www.envirojustice.org.au/projects/toondah-harbour-wetlands/

 https://www.edo.org.au/protecting-toondah/
Mindmap for a Site Review
Mindmap for Toondah Harbour

 Biophysical Environment:
 Ecosystems (Mangroves, sea grass)
 Indigenous communities
(connection to country)
 Endangered species (Curlew,
dugongs and sea turtles)
 Wetlands
 Migratory bird species
 Marine species (fish, sea turtles)
 Climate change impacted species
(corals)
Mindmap for Toondah Harbour

 Socio-Economic Conditions:
 Job opportunities
 Local population (income,
education, age
 Recreation activities (fishing, bird
watching and boating)
 Tourism
 Housing market changes
 Improved business opportunities
 Changes to the local lifestyle
 Gentrification
 Indigenous communities
Mindmap for Toondah Harbour

 Governance & Regulatory

Landscape:
 EPBC Act (RAMSAR)
 State and local government
regulations
 Compliance of the development
building standards
 Compliance of water quality
 Indigenous culture considerations
Mindmap for Toondah Harbour

 Potential Impacts or Implications:

 Indigenous culture considerations
 Housing market (Real estate
prices)
 Tourism
 Biodiversity impacts
 Population growth
 Climate change impacts (sea
level rise)
Mindmap for Toondah Harbour

 Processes & Components:

 Transport (bus services)
 Infrastructure
 Roads
 Dredging
 Local schools and services
 Housing code