8 January 2009

Draft environment assessment report for the importation of common eggfly butterflies (Hypolimnas bolina)

A draft environment assessment report has been prepared by the University of Queensland under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) to amend the live import list to include the Common Eggfly Butterfly (Hypolimnas bolina).

5 January 2009

Gunns pulp mill — no approval until detailed environmental studies completed

The Australian Government environmental approval for the Gunns Ltd Bell Bay pulp mill will not be granted until detailed studies on the potential marine impacts have been completed.

Submissions to the Independent review of the EPBC Act

The period for making a written submission to the Independent review of the EPBC Act has now closed. Submissions closed on Friday 19 December 2008.

Approved terms of reference for the Molonglo and North Weston strategic assessment

The terms of reference have now been approved addressing comments received during a public consultation process.

State of the Environment 2011 Committee being established

The Department is seeking expressions of interest in membership on the SoE 2011 Committee. Submissions will close 18 January 2009.

Interaction between offshore seismic exploration and whales

This updated Policy Statement aims to minimise the effect of seismic surveying on whales based on current scientific understanding.

Notification of variation to approval for Great Southern Plantations Forestry Project

The Australian Government Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (the Minister) has decided to vary the conditions of approval for the Great Southern Plantations Forestry Project, approved in 2001, to address a breach of approval conditions.

Traveston Crossing Dam information page

The Traveston Crossing Dam proposal involves the construction and operation of a new dam on the Mary River in Queensland and was designated 'a controlled action' under the EPBC Act. This means that mandatory assessment processes must be undertaken before a final decision can be made on the project.