11 April 2006 - A residential
development in Victoria, which was the subject
of media attention last week because of potential
impacts on the Golden Sun Moth, will not require
approval by the Australian Government.
VillaWorld Limited lodged a referral under the
EPBC Act for a proposed residential development
at Eynesbury on 13 March 2006.
My Department has looked at this proposal and
concluded that it does not trigger federal environment
law.
This means it will not require any further assessment
by the Australian Government given that significant
impacts on the Golden Sun Moth are not likely.
The Australian Government’s Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
provides for the protection of certain defined
matters of national environmental significance.
These matters include world and national heritage
properties, wetlands of international importance,
migratory species, nationally threatened species
and ecological communities, nuclear actions, and
the Commonwealth area. The Golden Sun Moth is
listed as a critically endangered species under
the EPBC Act.
Development proposals that are likely to have
a significant impact on these matters must be
assessed and approved by the Australian Government
under the EPBC Act. Those development proposals
which are not likely to impact on these matters
do not require approval.
This proposal is one that does not require approval
as it is not likely to impact on these matters.
