RFI - Attachment 4C - MSES-MNES Assessment - Noosa Landfill RRC- Revision 3

                                                                             Native Foresters



Specifically, the objective for this report is

      i.       To assess if the proposed works will, or are likely to have a significant impact on
               any MNES:

                •      To determine whether adequate measures to avoid or reduce impacts on
                       MNES are proposed.
                •      To determine whether a Referral under the EPBC Act 1999 to the
                       Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
                       (DCCEEW) is required.

      ii.      To assess the potential for impacts on MSES:

               •       Determine whether the ‘avoid, mitigate, offset’ obligation can be met in
                       accordance with the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014, using the
                       Significant Residual Impact Guideline (DEHP, 2014) and the Significant
                       Residual Impact Guideline (DSDLP, 2014),
               •       Identify potential offset requirements under the guidelines and the Offsets
                       Act, Offsets Regulation and Offsets Policy.


1.3         Legislation

1.3.1       Federal Legislation

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act),
assessment of the presence of potential significant impact (SI) on Matters of National
Environmental Significance (MNES) is required for the prescribed activity, which includes for
the Noosa landfill expansion:

      •     Nationally threatened species and ecological communities - Koala (Phascolarctos
            cinereus) listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act.

The SI Assessment contained within this report is based on the relevant criteria contained in
the Matters of National Environmental Significance, Significant impact guidelines 1.1, which
defines significant impacts as important, notable, or of consequence, having regard to their
context or intensity (Commonwealth of Australia, 2013).

A referral to the Federal Government Minister of Environment may be required under the
EPBC Act, if an action will, or is considered likely to have a Significant Impact (SI) on a Matter
of National Environmental Significance (MNES).

1.3.2       State Legislation

Matters of state environmental significance (MSES) are a component of the biodiversity state
interest that is defined under the State Planning Policy (SPP) and defined under the
Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014 (Offset Regulation). MSES include certain
environmental values that are protected under Queensland legislation as follows:

      •     Environmental Offsets Act 2014 and Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014
      •     Environmental Protection Act 1994
      •     Fisheries Act 1994

Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment                      2