Public Environment Report - the Assessment Report from the
Office of Environment and Heritage
What is a PER
When a project in the Northern Territory could have a significant impact on the environment, the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) will assess whether they need to submit an Environmental Impact Statement or a Public Environment Report (PER). This is a requirement of the Environmental Assessment Act.
The PER is drafted following formal guidelines issued by the Minister for the Environment. The community is consulted throughout this process and their concerns are also addressed in the PER.
The project proponents submit the PER for assessment by OEH, which also takes public submissions and government agency comments into account.
The Minister for the Environment then assesses the PER and writes a report on it. The report sets conditions for environmental protection that the proponent must comply by.
The PER for the ‘Water Reuse in the Alice’ project was submitted by the Power and Water Corporation and the Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development (DPIFM).
Power and Water and DPIFM must now comply by the conditions for environmental protection as determined by the Minister for the Environment in the PER assessment report.
Why was a PER submitted for ‘Water Reuse in the Alice’
Power and Water and DPIFM submitted a PER so environmental impacts were properly researched before the project proceeded.
The PER for ‘Water Reuse in the Alice’ covered two areas of the project. The first was the proposed Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT) system – a system where recycled water will be stored underground into an already existing natural geological formation. The other aspect was the proposed horticulture activities at the Arid Zone Research Institute.
The Minister for the Environment directed that Power and Water and DPIFM submit a PER that covered the significant environmental issues associated with the project, which included:
- Soil disturbance and salinity
- Groundwater and hydrododgeology
- Waste management
- Biodiversity
- Heritage and cultural issues
- Socio-economic issues
What were the PER findings?
The OEH found that the proposed SAT and horticultural schemes can operate without having an adverse impact on the environment, as long as Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) are implemented. These EMPs will be subject to continual review, updating and auditing by NT Government regulators as the project continues.
Where to from here?
Power and Water and DPIFM will comply with the PER assessment recommendations. The EMPs for the ‘Water Reuse in the Alice’ project are currently being drafted, and will be submitted to OEH for review and approval.
Once the EMPs have been approved, the ‘Water Reuse in the Alice’ project will continue moving forward.
The environmental monitoring process will continue for the life of the project. Regular monitoring and reporting is part of this project and will be for many years into the future, ensuring the environment is protected.
