Environmental offsets policy

The ACT Environmental Offsets Policy is a statutory policy under changes to the Planning and Development Act 2007 through the Planning and Development (Bilateral Agreement) Amendment Act 2014 which commenced on 2 April 2015.

The Commonwealth and ACT Governments are committed to delivering a one-stop-shop for environmental approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The one-stop-shop will maintain high environmental standards while promoting a stronger economy by simplifying approval processes.

An Environmental Offsets Policy is required by the Commonwealth Government to implement the one-stop-shop. Environmental offsets help manage impacts on threatened species and threatened species habitat. They provide environmental compensation for development impacts on sites that contain matters of national environmental significance, such as threatened species or communities like Yellow Box–Red Gum Woodland.

About the policy

The ACT Environmental Offsets Policy (1.3 MB) (HTML version) and ACT Environmental Offsets Delivery Framework (716.4 KB) (HTML version) is supported by an Environmental Offsets Calculator (2.5 MB) . The Environmental Offsets Calculator will be updated as required so please check this page for the most up to date version to download before starting your assessment.

The use of the calculator is guided through an Operational Manual (4.4 MB) . The manual is underpinned by an Assessment Methodology (1.7 MB) . For undertaking assessments using the ACT Environmental Offsets Calculator, users will need to refer to the following files:

The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) will provide training on the use of the Environmental Offsets Calculator for interested stakeholders. Please register your interest through Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

See current environmental offsets in the ACT managed by the ACT Government

The Environmental Offsets Register lists offset sites which have been established to compensate for the likely environmental impacts of development projects.

Consultation

Consultation on the ACT Environmental Offsets Policy included some consultation on the draft Environmental Offset Guidelines. The Guidelines provide an additional level of detail to inform the implementation of the ACT Environmental Offsets Policy (1.3 MB) (HTML version). The Guidelines have been modified in response to community consultation, but will require further consultation prior to being made statutory guidelines under the changes to the Planning and Development Act 2007 through the Planning and Development (Bilateral Agreement) Amendment Act 2014. The revised draft Guidelines are provided here for information.

Consultation on a draft ACT Environmental Offsets Policy and Delivery Framework Position Paper and associated draft Guidelines closed on 11 July 2014.

Twenty submissions were received from individuals, groups and organisations. Comments received were considered in finalising the policy and guidelines.

The ACT Environmental Offsets Policy is a statutory policy under changes to the Planning and Development Act 2007 through the Planning and Development (Bilateral Agreement) Amendment Act 2014 which commenced on 2 April 2015.