We understand the complexities involved in obtaining environmental planning and statutory approvals. In greenfield areas the two key issues are rezoning land and obtaining development consent for water infrastructure works under the relevant planning legislation – which in NSW is the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.
We undertake the environmental planning, obtain all the necessary statutory approvals and ensure compliance during all aspects of project delivery.
Our Planning Approach
Our approach to undertaking environmental planning, the obtaining of all necessary statutory approvals and for ensuring compliance during design, construction and compliance is described below. We undertake the following key tasks:
- Meet with the Statutory Authorities and confirm their relevant legislation, current approval roles and specific requirements. At this point we prepare an Environmental Planning & Statutory Approval Strategy Report;
- Identify the key environmental aspects and the potential environmental impacts for the project. From this we formulate the environmental objectives and directives for the design consultants, formulate environmental objectives for suppliers and contractors, develop environmental performance indicators and produce the Project Environmental Management Plan;
- Undertake desk research and field work to establish a baseline of environmental data e.g. flora/fauna, Aboriginal and European heritage, water quality, energy and material use, and data about potential pollution and emissions;
- Manage and audit design consultants to ensure that the environmental objectives and directives are progressively incorporated into the design;
- Appoint environmental consultants, prepare the necessary environmental impact assessment documentation and obtain all statutory approvals;
- Prepare environmental and statutory approval sections of the construction contract documents;
- Monitor and manage environmental and statutory compliance of suppliers and construction contractors through inspection and audit; and
- Manage landscape rehabilitation and restoration after completion of construction.
Approvals
The most appropriate way to obtain the necessary Statutory Approvals for water infrastructure is determined after discussions with the various Statutory Authorities. This may involve obtaining Statutory Approvals in NSW from:
- Councils for above ground works under Part 4 of the EP&A Act for reservoirs (elevated and ground level) and pumping stations not on existing Sydney Water land;
- Sydney Water environmental branch under Part 5 of the EP&A Act for potable and recycled water mains, water pumping stations, sewer mains (gravity and rising), sewage pump stations;
- Department of Planning under Part 5 of the EP&A Act for sewage treatment and recycled water plants;
- Department of Planning under Part 3A of the EP&A Act for major projects;
- Various other Statutory Authorities, eg; Department of Environmental and Climate Change (DECC), Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Department of Planning (DoP) and Environment Australia (EA).
During the 17 years in which we have been providing trunk water infrastructure in the Rouse Hill Development Area, we have adopted many best practice environmental processes. We have adopted features identified by external bodies and have developed and implemented many other excellent environmental features based on our own proactive approach to environmental management.
Best Practice
Since we have been providing trunk water infrastructure in the Rouse Hill Development Area and the North West Growth Centre we have adopted many best practice processes.
Our approach to best practice is reflected in all of our processes; the external accreditation to our international standards AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 9001:2008 and implementing the principles of sustainable development.