Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974.

The object of this Act is to ensure, to the greatest extent that is practicable, that matters which emerge during proposal stage or carrying out of works and which affect the environment to a significant extent are fully examined and taken into account (sect. 5). Without limiting the scope of section 5, a matter is taken, for the purposes of that section, to be a matter affecting the environment to a significant extent if it could threaten with extinction, or significantly impede the recovery of, a listed native species or a listed ecological community (sect. 5A). Section 6 provides for powers of the Governor-General to introduce new administrative procedures for purposes of achieving the object of this Act. The responsible Minister may direct enquires to be conducted in respect of all or any environmental aspects of a project and shall appoint a Commissioner or Commissioners under section 11 for this purpose. Sections 12 to 24 deal with duties, powers and rights of the Commissioners. Section 25 empowers the Governor-General to make regulations for carrying out or giving effect to this Act. (25 sections)