The Panel is not the approving authority in relation to Major Developments
or Projects. Its functions are to set the guidelines and determine the
appropriate level of assessment prior to the assessment and decision-making
processes being undertaken.
The Panel determines the significant issues relating to a proposal
and classifies them in order of significance.
By comparing the issues against the criteria in the Regulations under
the Development Act, 1993, the Panel determines the level of assessment,
either an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Public Environmental
Report (PER) or Development Report (DR), that will apply to the proposal.
An EIS is the most stringent level of assessment where in-depth investigation
is required for a range of issues whilst a DR is the lowest level of
assessment which includes a description and analysis of general issues
relevant to the proposal. A PER represents an intermediate level of
assessment.
The Panel also uses the significant issues relating to a proposal to
determine the Guidelines that will apply to the proposal. The Guidelines
advise the proponent on what issues should be assessed, considered and
researched in the preparation of the EIS, PER or DR.
The Panel provides independent advice to the Minister of its determinations
on the level of assessment, the Guidelines to apply to the proposal
and the priority assigned to the issues identified in the Guidelines.
The Minister has no discretion in accepting that advice, but does authorise
the publishing of the Guidelines.
The Panel is an independent statutory authority consisting of a group of people with a variety of expertise, appointed by the Minister for Urban Development and Planning. The Panel has six members:
- The Presiding Member, who is also the Presiding Member of the Development Assessment Commission;
- A member of the Environment Protection Authority;
- A person selected from a panel of three persons submitted by the Local Government Association of SA;
- A person with wide experience in environmental conservation;
- A person with practical knowledge of, and experience in industry, commerce or economic development;
- A specialist member, who is a person with qualifications or experience relevant to the assessment of the particular development or project.
