OPEN ACCESS
This paper discusses the evolution of techniques to incorporate environmental factors into development decisions. The paper initially describes the introduction of environmental impact assessment (EIA) and its role in mitigating adverse environmental effects of projects. It then describes the expansion into project operations with environmental audits, and considering developments in their regional context through site selection and rehabilitation EIA, and state of environment reporting. The next stage of the evolution of techniques that is identified is the introduction of strategic environmental assessments (SEAs) bringing environmental considerations into decision making at an earlier stage in the development process.
However, effects-based legislation from which these instruments were drawn has not stopped the progressive degradation of the environment. This has led to the concept of regional sustainability strategies as a proactive approach to sustainable development rather than the reactive approach of EIA in response to development proposals. The example of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) as a regional sustainability strategy is described. Then, the application of the resources/processes/outcomes/response approach to the sustainability of operational activities in Canterbury is also presented.
The evolution of environmental instruments from mitigation to sustainability is summarized and examples of innovative approaches needed to manage at sustainability limits are identified.
environmental impact assessment, environmental instruments, sustainability limits, sustainability strategies
[1] National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Public Law 91-190 91st Congress S.1075, Jan 1 1970.
[2] South Australian Environmental Protection Act, 1993.
[3] Western Australian Environmental Protection Act, 1986.
[4] Jenkins, B.R., Ways environmental factors can influence projects. Transactions of Multi-Disciplinary Engineering, GE12, 1, pp. 1–5, 1988.
[5] Jenkins, B.R., Environmental audit – how to do it. Environmental Protection – Striking the Balance, Adelaide, 1991.
[6] Department of Aviation, Second Sydney Airport Site Selection Programme: Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Kinhill Stearns: Sydney, 1985.
[7] Penrith Lakes Development Corporation, Penrith Lakes Scheme Development Application 2 (DA2) Extraction and Rehabilitation Programme, Statement of Environmental Effects, Kinhill Stearns: Sydney, 1986.
[8] Jenkins, B.R., National Council Approaches – Implications for Site Remediation. Keynote Address 1999 Contaminated Site Remediation Conference, Fremantle, 1999.
[9] OECD , Environmental Indicators: Development, Measurement and Use, OECD: Paris, 2003.
[10] Dalal-Clayton, B. & Sadler, B., Strategic Environmental Assessment: a Sourcebook and Reference Guide to International Experience, Earthscan: London, 2005.
[11] Victorian Environment Effects Act, 1978.
[12] South Australian Environmental Protection Act, 1993.
[13] New Zealand Resource Management Act, 1991.
[14] Aitchison-Earl, P., Scott, D. & Sanders, R., Groundwater allocation limits: guidelines for the Canterbury Region. report U04/02 Environment Canterbury, Christchurch, 2004.
[15] Environment Court, Lynton Dairy v Canterbury Regional Council NZ Resource Management Act, Decision C108/2005.
[16] http://ecan.govt.nz/services/on-line-services/monitoring/groundwater-allocation/Pages/groundwater-allocation-summary.aspx
[17] Joint Decision and Recommendation of Independent Commissioners, Consent applications by Central Plains Water Trust, 2010.
[18] Canterbury Water, Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum, Environment Canterbury, Christchurch, 2013.
[19] Jenkins, B.R., Recent Western Australian Experience: Management of Resources and Sustainable Development – Implications for the RMA, RMLA Canterbury Branch Seminar, Christchurch, 2004.
[20] Canterbury Water, Canterbury Water Management Strategy: Strategic Framework, Environment Canterbury, Christchurch.
[21] Jenkins, B.R., Water Allocation in Canterbury, NZ Planning Institute Annual Conference, Palmerston North, 2007.
[22] Jenkins, B.R. & Henley, G., Collaborative Management: Community Engagement as the Decision-making Process. The Australasian Journal of Natural Resources Law and Policy, 17(2), pp. 135–152.
[23] Jenkins, B.R., Russell, S., Sadler, B. & Ward, M., Application of sustainability appraisal to the Canterbury Water Management Strategy, Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 21(1), pp. 83–101, 2014. http://dx.doi/10.1080/14486563.2014.880383
[24] Environment Canterbury, A Biodiversity Strategy for the Canterbury Region, Environment Canterbury: Christchurch, 2008.
[25] Jenkins, B.R., Progress of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy and some emerging issues. Agricultural and Resource Economics Society Conference, Lincoln University, 2013.
[26] Environment Canterbury, Canterbury Regional Environment Report , Environment Canterbury, Christchurch, 2008.
[27] Environment Canterbury, Environment Canterbury Community Outcomes Report 2006–2008, Environment Canterbury, Christchurch.
[28] Republic of South Africa, National Water Act, Government Gazette, 1998.
[29] Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council, Basin Salinity Management 2030 (BSM 2030), Murray-Darling Basin Authority: Canberra, 2015.