EPBC Act Part 7-9 decisions published, 15/12/2025 to 21/12/2025

Administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Legislation au C2026G00017 In force Gazette

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DEPARTMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

EPBC Act Part 7-9 decisions published, 15/12/2025 to 21/12/2025

For further information see the referrals list at https://epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au/all-referrals/

and type the reference number in the Filter by Referral Number box

actions determined as CLEARLY UNACCEPTABLE (EPBC Act s.74B)

Reference	Title	Controlling Provisions	Date
2024/10005	Southern Han Parramatta Pty Ltd / Residential Development / 16-22a Hunter Street, 23-29 Macquarie Street, and 14-16 O’Connell Street, Parramatta, NSW / New South Wales / Hunter and Macquarie Streets Build-to-rent	World Heritage (sections 12 & 15A) National Heritage (sections 15B & 15C)	15/12/2025

actions determined as requiring approval (EPBC Act s.75)

Reference	Title	Controlling Provisions	Date
2025/10259	Newmont Boddington Gold Pty Ltd / Mining / Newmont Boddington, Gold Mine Road, Boddington, Western Australia 6390 / Western Australia / Newmont Boddington Mine Life of Mine Extension Amendment Proposal	Listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 & 18A)	10/12/2025
2025/10343	Benima Pty Ltd / Private / 430 – 490 Douglas Park Drive, Douglas Park, NSW 2569. Lot 2, DP 250359. / New South Wales / Proposed Cemetery - Douglas Park Cemetery	Listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 & 18A)	11/12/2025
2025/10341	Tronox Management Pty Ltd / Mining / 12051 Brand Highway, Cooljarloo, Western Australia 6507 / Western Australia / Cooljarloo Mineral Sands Mine - Osprey and GR6N Extension	Listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 & 18A)	12/12/2025
2025/10345	Alinta Energy (TE) Pty Ltd / Energy Generation and Supply (renewable) / 2281 Great Western Highway, Mount Lambie NSW 2790 / New South Wales / Mount Lambie Wind Farm	World Heritage (sections 12 & 15A) National Heritage (sections 15B & 15C) Listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 & 18A)	17/12/2025
2025/10357	AAPowerLink Australia Assets Pty Ltd / Energy Generation and Supply (renewable) / 12970 Stuart Highway, Pamayu Northern Territory / Northern Territory / Muckaty Solar Precinct	Listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 & 18A) Listed migratory species (sections 20 & 20A)	17/12/2025
2025/10335	FRV Services Australia Pty Limited / Energy Generation and Supply (renewable) / 13738 Bruxner Wy, Texas NSW 4385 / New South Wales / Texas Solar Farm and BESS	Listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 & 18A)	18/12/2025

actions determined as NOT requiring approval (EPBC Act s.75)

Reference	Title	Date
2025/10287	Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation / Tourism and Recreation / 312-402 Repeater Station Road, Springbrook, 4213, Queensland / Queensland / Best of All Lookout, Carpark and Walking Track Upgrade (Springbrook NP)	15/12/2025
2025/10338	Strontian Solar Farm Pty Ltd / Energy Generation and Supply (renewable) / Lot 1 DP220430, Strontian Road, Sandigo NSW 2700 / New South Wales / Strontian Solar Farm and BESS project	16/12/2025
2025/10317	Kimberley Ports Authority / Transport - Water / Lot 619 Port Drive, Minyirr, WA 6725 / Western Australia / Native Vegetation Clearing for Port tenant lot	19/12/2025

Assessment Approach (EPBC Act s.87)

Reference	Title	Assessment Approach	Date
2025/10259	Newmont Boddington Gold Pty Ltd / Mining / Newmont Boddington, Gold Mine Road, Boddington, Western Australia 6390 / Western Australia / Newmont Boddington Mine Life of Mine Extension Amendment Proposal	Public Environment Report	10/12/2025
2025/10341	Tronox Management Pty Ltd / Mining / 12051 Brand Highway, Cooljarloo, Western Australia 6507 / Western Australia / Cooljarloo Mineral Sands Mine - Osprey and GR6N Extension	Preliminary Documentation	12/12/2025

DECISION ON APPROVAL (EPBC Act s.133)

Reference	Title	Approval Decision	Date
2023/09461	Queensland Hydro Pty Ltd / Energy Generation and Supply (renewable) / Bella Creek Road & Borgan Road, Lake Borumba / Queensland / Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) Project - Exploratory Works	Approved with conditions	11/12/2025
2023/09641	Richmond Valley Solar and BESS Pty Ltd / Energy Generation and Supply (renewable) / 225 - 420 Avenue Road, Myrtle Creek, New South Wales / New South Wales / Richmond Valley Solar Farm	Approved without conditions	11/12/2025
2023/09498	Yih-Sheng Investments Pty Ltd / Residential Development / 200 Geelong-Ballan Rd, Moorabool, VIC, 3213, Australia / Victoria / Residential Development, 200 Ballan Road, Moorabool	Approved with conditions	12/12/2025
2009/4700	Heidelberg Materials Australia Pty Ltd / Mining / Toodyay Road, 30 km ENE of Perth / Western Australia / Extension of the Gidgegannup Granite Quarry	Approved with conditions	18/12/2025
2025/10163	Pilbara Energy (Generation) Pty Ltd / Energy Generation and Supply (renewable) / 1.7 km east/southeast from great northern highway 91 km south of Port Hedland, 6 km east/southeast of Wodgina mine / Western Australia / Turner River Solar Hub	Approved with conditions	18/12/2025
2023/09592	Paynesville Armstrong Pty Ltd / Residential Development / 10 Fullarton Drive, Paynesville VIC 3880 / Victoria / Shearwater - Paynesville Residential Development	Approved with conditions	19/12/2025
2023/09689	Comet Ridge Mahalo North Pty Ltd / Energy Generation and Supply (non-renewable) / Meroo Downs property, Meroo Downs Rd, Togara / Queensland / Comet Ridge Mahalo North Coal Seam Gas Project	Approved with conditions	19/12/2025
2017/7986	Crestlink Pty Ltd / Transport - Air and Space / N/A / Western Australia / Cockatoo Island Multi-User Supply Base, WA	Approved with conditions	19/12/2025

variation of conditions of approval (EPBC Act s.143)

Reference	Title	Date
2020/8773	Acciona Energy Australia Global Pty Lt / Energy Generation and Supply (renewable) / Lot 2 SP301578 and Lot 1 SP157677 / Queensland / Aldoga Solar Farm Project	17/12/2025

NOTICE OF EXTENSION OF TIME (EPBC Act s.130(4))

Reference	Title	Extended to	Date
2020/8720	Development Victoria / Residential Development / Lot CU and CT of Plan PS511683, bounded by the Western Highway and Western Ring Road / Victoria / Cairnlea Section G Mixed Use Development	4/02/2026	12/12/2025
2021/8999	TEC Coal Pty Ltd / Mining / Yarraman State Forest, South Burnett and Toowoomba regions / Queensland / Meandu Mine King 2 East Project	16/01/2026	16/12/2025
2023/09718	Keysbrook Leucoxene Pty Ltd / Mining / 1424 Hopeland Road, North Dandalup / Western Australia / Keysbrook Mineral Sands Project Western Extension	2/02/2026	18/12/2025
2024/09897	ARDG Deans Quarry Pty ltd / Mining / Corner of Rotherwood Road and Tangaratta Road, Cassilis NSW 2329 / New South Wales / Liverpool Range Quarry Project	2/02/2026	18/12/2025

Some public notifications on the Internet and in the Gazette relating to the processing of referrals for approval under Chapter 4 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 may occasionally be missed in processing by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water or may not meet timeframes for notification. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has implemented systems and ongoing quality assurance procedures to minimise any risk of missing a notification within the required timeframe. Where a missed notification is identified the practice will be to notify these even though the timeframe for notification has lapsed. This will ensure that the history of notifications for each referral is available to the public. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water regrets any inconvenience that may be caused by a missed notification. Please note that late notifications have not affected subsequent processing of referrals or assessments and they do not affect decisions made.

Overview

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) was enacted to address the need for a comprehensive framework to protect Australia’s environment, particularly focusing on species and ecosystems of national and global significance. The Act was introduced by the Australian Parliament to provide a coordinated approach to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, ensuring that development and other activities do not unduly harm the environment. The policy objective of the EPBC Act is to balance economic development with the need to protect and conserve the environment. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water administers the Act, ensuring that decisions on development projects are made with consideration of their environmental impacts. The EPBC Act provides a robust mechanism for evaluating and regulating activities that may impact listed threatened species, communities, and heritage places, aiming to mitigate adverse environmental effects and promote sustainable development practices.

Scope and Application

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) applies to various entities, including companies, individuals, and government bodies, engaging in activities that may impact matters of national environmental significance within Australia. This encompasses a broad range of industries such as mining, residential development, and energy generation, and also includes actions that may affect World Heritage, National Heritage, listed threatened species, and communities, and listed migratory species. The Act extends to the Commonwealth jurisdiction, meaning it has a nationwide application across all states and territories in Australia. However, specific exclusions and exemptions exist, such as certain activities that are already regulated under state or territory laws, which might be excluded from EPBC Act oversight. Additionally, the Act provides for the extension or restriction of its application through subordinate instruments, allowing for further specification and adaptation of its provisions to address emerging environmental challenges.

Key Provisions

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the "EPBC Act") sets out various provisions for the protection and conservation of the environment, including the assessment and approval of certain activities that may impact on matters of national environmental significance. Recent notifications under the EPBC Act, dated between 15/12/2025 and 21/12/2025, highlight several key decisions and processes. Firstly, certain actions were determined as clearly unacceptable under section 74B, including the residential development proposed by Southern Han Parramatta Pty Ltd in Parramatta, NSW, which was assessed under the World Heritage and National Heritage provisions (sections 12, 15A, 15B, and 15C) and decided on 15/12/2025. Secondly, several actions require approval under section 75, such as the mining proposal by Newmont Boddington Gold Pty Ltd in Boddington, WA, assessed under the listed threatened species and communities provisions (sections 18 and 18A) and decided on 10/12/2025, among others. Thirdly, some actions were determined not to require approval under section 75, such as the tourism and recreation project by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation in Springbrook, QLD, decided on 15/12/2025. The EPBC Act imposes several obligations on parties and entities it governs, particularly those proposing actions that may impact on matters of national environmental significance. These include the requirement to submit detailed referral documentation and undergo comprehensive environmental assessments. For instance, Newmont Boddington Gold Pty Ltd and Tronox Management Pty Ltd must provide detailed assessments of how their mining projects will impact listed threatened species and communities, as stipulated in sections 18 and 18A of the EPBC Act. Additionally, entities must comply with any conditions imposed by the Minister for the Environment as part of the approval process. These conditions could include measures to mitigate environmental impacts, monitoring requirements, or specific timelines for project implementation. Breaches of the EPBC Act can result in various civil and criminal consequences, including fines and imprisonment. Under section 80A, individuals or corporations found guilty of knowingly or recklessly contravening the Act can face fines of up to $66,000 for individuals and $330,000 for corporations, along with potential imprisonment for up to two years. Moreover, section 80B imposes stricter penalties for aggravated offences, where the maximum fine for individuals is $660,000 and for corporations, $3.3 million, with imprisonment extending up to five years. These penalties underscore the importance of compliance with the Act's provisions to protect Australia's environmental heritage.

Area of Law: Environmental Law
Instrument: Gazette Notice
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Licensing & Registration; Enforcement Powers; Prohibited Conduct

Interactions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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