Environmental and community issues must be considered alongside financial and budgetary factors when developing and planning PFP-type projects.
At project definition stage, any obligations under local, regional or State environmental plans or policies likely to affect the project should be considered. Issues such as public transport access, water and energy use and biodiversity conservation should be considered in consultation with the relevant agencies.
Proponents of unsolicited proposals must enter into an agreement with the lead agency about the responsibilities for obtaining the relevant environmental approvals under the EP&A Act.
Under the EP&A Act the Minister for Planning approves all major infrastructure and other developments under Part 3A.
Local councils determine agency building projects under Part 4 and Part 5A of the Act and the relevant Government agency approves its own infrastructure projects under Part 5 of the Act.
In all cases, an appropriate level of environmental assessment and community consultation must be undertaken as part of the assessment process. Final environmental and planning approval will not occur until full details of the project to be actually delivered are known.