An Environmentally Relevant Activity (ERA) is an activity that has been identified as one that will, or has the potential to, release contaminants into the environment causing environmental harm. They are usually industrial activities but some agricultural activities such as piggeries, prawn farms and cattle feedlots are also ERAs.
There are two levels of ERA. Level 1 ERAs are considered to be a higher risk to the environment and require the operator to be licensed under the Environmental Protection Act (licence with development approval), as well as under IDAS. Level 2 ERAs only require a development approval under IDAS.
The administering authority for the administration and enforcement of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) for certain ERAs is local government. The administering authority for non-devolved ERAs is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Primary Industries (DPI) or Department of Natural Resources and Water.
The Department of Local Government and Planning provides information that will assist you in determining if an application is required to be assessed under the EPA.
Council has prepared the following two information packages as guidelines to help applicants complete application forms for development approvals sought under the Integrated Planning Act 1997 for the operation of a devolved ERA:
For a list of ERAs Devolved to Local Government please press here.
The Pollution Solution Series have been developed to provide advice to industry in complying with the Environmental Protection Act 1994, however it is important to realise that complying with a Pollution Solution Guideline does not necessarily exempt an operator from prosecution or ensure compliance with the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please contact the Environmental and Health Department on (07) 4783 9870.