Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Definition: An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a formal document that assesses the potential environmental, social, and economic effects of a proposed major project before it is approved. It is one of the most important tools in Australia’s planning and approvals framework, designed to ensure that decision-makers and the community have a thorough understanding of what a project may affect — and how those impacts will be managed.

Why is an EIS Required?

Not every project requires an EIS. In Queensland, a project must first be declared a coordinated project by the Coordinator-General before an EIS is triggered. This declaration is typically reserved for projects that are large-scale, complex, or likely to have significant environmental or community impacts — such as major transmission lines, mines, or industrial facilities.

At the federal level, an EIS (or equivalent assessment) may also be required if the project is determined to be a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This occurs when a project is likely to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance, such as threatened species, World Heritage Areas, or wetlands of international importance.

What Does an EIS Cover?

The scope of an EIS is set by the Terms of Reference (TOR), which are published for public comment before the EIS is prepared. A comprehensive EIS typically addresses:

Ecology and biodiversity — impacts on native vegetation, wildlife corridors, and threatened species
Water resources — effects on groundwater, surface water, and water quality
Air quality and noise — emissions and acoustic impacts during construction and operation
Cultural heritage — impacts on Indigenous and non-Indigenous heritage sites
Social and economic impacts — effects on local communities, land use, and regional economies
Hazard and risk — assessment of safety risks and emergency management
Cumulative impacts — how the project interacts with other existing or planned developments

The EIS Process in Queensland

The EIS process in Queensland follows a structured sequence managed by the Office of the Coordinator-General:

Project declaration — The project is declared a coordinated project by the Coordinator-General.
Draft Terms of Reference — A draft TOR is released for public consultation, allowing the community and stakeholders to shape what the EIS must address.
Final Terms of Reference — The Coordinator-General releases the final TOR, setting the mandatory scope for the EIS.
EIS preparation — The proponent (project developer) prepares the EIS, often taking one to several years to complete.
Public consultation on the Draft EIS — The draft EIS is made publicly available, typically for a period of around 30 business days, during which submissions can be lodged.
Revised Draft EIS — The proponent may be required to submit a revised draft EIS in response to submissions and requests for additional information.
Coordinator-General’s Evaluation Report — The Coordinator-General reviews the final EIS and publishes an evaluation report, which may approve the project with conditions, refuse it, or request further information.

Real-World Example: CopperString 2032

The CopperString 2032 Project — a proposed ~1,000 km high-voltage transmission line connecting the North West Minerals Province to the National Electricity Market — went through Queensland’s full EIS process. Key milestones included:

April 2019 — Project declared a coordinated project
August 2019 — Terms of Reference released
December 2020 – February 2021 — Draft EIS on public consultation
February 2022 — Final EIS accepted by the Coordinator-General
September 2022 — Coordinator-General’s evaluation report released, approving the project with conditions
November 2022 — Federal approval granted under the EPBC Act (controlled action)

The CopperString EIS process took over three years from declaration to final approval — a timeline that reflects the complexity and scale of assessing a $5 billion infrastructure project across seven local government areas.

EIS vs. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

These terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle distinction:

An EIA refers to the broader process of identifying and evaluating environmental impacts.
An EIS is the document produced as part of that process.

In practice, most Australian jurisdictions use “EIS” to refer to both the document and the process.

Key Takeaway

An EIS is not just a regulatory hurdle — it is a critical planning tool that protects communities and ecosystems, improves project design, and builds public confidence in major infrastructure decisions. For energy planners, developers, and communities alike, understanding the EIS process is essential to navigating Australia’s complex approvals landscape.

Published on energyplanning.com.au | Energy Planning Glossary

Energy Planning

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)