PER development process

Power and Water is preparing a Public Environment Report (PER)

The duplication of the East Point rising main and extension of the East Point outfall are the final stages of the Larrakeyah Outfall Closure Plan. This forms part of Power and Water's broader Darwin Region Sewerage Strategy.

The duplication of the sewer rising mains and extension of the East Point outfall will assist in the discharge performance of the Ludmilla Wastewater Treatment Plant (LWWTP) and increased disposal capacity for the LWWTP catchment.

The Northern Territory Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage has determined that this project requires formal assessment under the NT Environmental Assessment Act 1982.  

The project has also been deemed a controlled action under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (Cwth). 

As such, the project will be jointly assessed under the Environmental Assessment Act (NT) and Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (Cwth) at the level of PER.

When the PER has been prepared and submitted to the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport (NRETAS) it will be made available for public comment for 28 days. The proposed release date of the PER is late 2011.

At the close of the public comment period an Assessment Report will be developed by NRETAS, which will contain the relevant Minister’s determination and also include any suggestions or recommendations concerning conditions which will minimise potential environmental impacts.

Preparation of a PER

The preparation of a PER will assess the level of environmental risk and determine how best to manage potential environmental impacts associated with the duplication of the rising main and outfall extension, during construction and operation.

Construction timing for the duplication of the East Point rising main and outfall extension will depend on the requirements of the PER.

Power and Water has engaged external consultants URS Pty Ltd to prepare the draft PER documents with Appendices and Supplementary Report for submission to the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sports (NRETAS), based on the Guidelines for Preparation of a Public Environmental Report: Duplication of the East Point Effluent Rising Main and Extension of the East Point Outfall, Darwin Northern Territory - Power and Water Corporation - February 2010 issued by NRETAS.

PER documents

Power and Water has engaged URS Australia to develop a PER as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.

Preparing the PER involves a thorough and independent investigation of potential impacts associated with the proposed rising main and outfall construction and operation. The PER will also include appropriate mitigation measures. The PER will be developed in line with the NRETAS Guidelines.

Once the PER and supporting technical studies are completed, PER outcomes will be placed on public display for comment.
 
The PER planning process for the East Point rising main and outfall development is outlined below:

• A Notice of Intent was lodged with NRETAS and a referral to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. These were assessed and guidelines were developed and approved for a full environmental assessment of the project.
• The NT Government has a bilateral agreement with the Commonwealth for conducting environmental assessments on the Commonwealth’s behalf. This project will be assessed under the bilateral agreement.

Recently the PER was separated into the two distinct project components; the East Point rising main and the East Point outfall. Both components will be assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

The stages necessary to develop the PER are outlined below:

1. Power and Water Corporation (PWC) notifies the Minister for Essential Services of a proposal including details - Notice of Intent.
   
2. The Minister for Essential Services notifies Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage (the Minister) of proposal.
   
3. Minister may require further information from proponent to assist in determining level of environmental significance.
   
4. Minister determines the level of assessment and notifies the Minister for Essential Services and PWC that a PER is necessary.
   
5. The proposal was referred to the Australian Government by Power and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). A delegate for the Australian Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts determined the project is a controlled action under the EPBC Act.
   
6. Draft Guidelines for a PER are prepared.
   
7. Draft Guidelines available for public comment and referred to advisory bodies.
   
8. Minister finalises draft Guidelines, issues Guidelines to the proponent and directs the preparation of a PER.
   
9. PWC prepares PER and submits it to the Minister.
   
10. PER advertised for public comment and circulated for advisory body comment.
    
11. Minister can request further information.
    
12. The proposal is being assessed under the bilateral agreement, public and government advisory body comments are forwarded to the PWC. PWC prepares a Supplement to the PER and submits it to the Minister.
    
13. Preparation of assessment report and recommendations on the PER. The Minister forwards report and recommendations to Minister for Essential Services.
    
14. Under the bilateral agreement, the assessment report is forwarded to the Commonwealth for approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

During the public consultation phase

The PER will be made available for public review for a minimum period of 28 days, unless submitted between 30 November and 14 January, when an extended exhibition period will be utilised.

• Ten bound copies of the draft PER will be lodged with the Environment and Heritage Division (EHD) of NRETAS for distribution to NT Government advisory bodies.
• The PER will be available in Adobe PDF format on the NRETAS internet site.
• The PER will be advertised for review and comment in the Weekend Australian, NT News and The Sun Newspapers.

Environmental documents

Power and Water, as part of its environmental assessment obligations which are administered under the Environmental Assessment Act and Administrative Procedures, submitted a Notice of Intent to NRETAS for review.

The object of the Act is to ensure that matters affecting the environment to a significant extent are fully examined and taken into account in decisions by the NT Government.

The following documents are available to the general public.

• Notice of Intent
• PER Guidelines

Power and Water has developed fact sheets that provide the latest information regarding the Larrakeyah Outfall Closure Project and the PER:

• Larrakeyah Outfall Closure Plan fact sheet
• Public Environment Report for East Point Outfall works