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Environment Protection Act 2019
26Environmental decision-making hierarchy
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26 Environmental decision-making hierarchy
(1) In making decisions in relation to actions that affect the
environment, decision-makers, proponents and approval holders
must apply the following hierarchy of approaches in order of priority:
(a) ensure that actions are designed to avoid adverse impacts on
the environment;
(b) identify management options to mitigate adverse impacts on
the environment to the greatest extent practicable;
Environment Protection Act 2019 23
(c) if appropriate, provide for environmental offsets in accordance
with this Act for residual adverse impacts on the environment
that cannot be avoided or mitigated.
(2) In making decisions in relation to actions that affect the
environment, decision-makers, proponents and approval holders
must ensure that the potential for actions to enhance or restore
environmental quality is identified and provided for to the extent
practicable.