The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) has completed its environmental impact assessment of the Paru Road Upgrade on Melville Island, proposed by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics.
It marks the third completed assessment, with a draft environmental approval prepared for the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security to consider, since the Environment Protection Act 2019 (EP Act) commenced.
The assessment was completed by supplementary environmental report (SER), an efficient mid-tier method of assessment, allowing careful scrutiny of the proposal within a medium-term assessment timeframe.
The NT EPA, in consultation with government authorities, recommended conditions requiring implementation of avoidance, mitigation and management measures with monitoring and independent checks to minimise any residual impacts and ensure the project is environmentally acceptable.