The purposes of an EIS and the EIS process are as follows—
(a) to assess—(i) the potential adverse and beneficial environmental, economic and social impacts of the project; and(ii) management, monitoring, planning and other measures proposed to minimise any adverse environmental impacts of the project;
(b) to consider feasible alternative ways to carry out the project;
(c) to give enough information about the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) to the proponent, Commonwealth and State authorities and the public;
(d) to help the administering authority decide an environmental authority application for which the EIS is required;
(e) to give information to other Commonwealth and State authorities to help them make informed decisions;
(f) to meet any assessment requirements under—(i) the Commonwealth Environment Act for a project that is, or includes, a controlled action under that Act; or(ii) a bilateral agreement;Note—For what is a
"controlled action" under the Commonwealth Environment Act , see section 67 (What is a
"controlled action" ?) of that Act.
For assessment requirements of controlled actions, see the Commonwealth Environment Act , chapter 4 , part 8 (Assessing impacts of controlled actions).
For bilateral agreements, see the Commonwealth Environment Act , chapter 3 (Bilateral agreements).
(g) to allow the State to meet its obligations under a bilateral agreement.