Definition: An Initial Advice Statement (IAS) is a document submitted by a project proponent to the Coordinator-General at the very beginning of the coordinated project assessment process in Queensland. It provides an early, high-level description of a proposed project and its likely impacts, giving the Coordinator-General the information needed to decide whether to declare the project a coordinated project and, if so, to begin preparing the Terms of Reference for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
What is the Purpose of an IAS?
The IAS serves as the formal entry point into Queensland’s major project approvals process. It is not a detailed environmental assessment — that comes later in the EIS — but rather an introductory overview that allows the Coordinator-General to understand:
- What the project is — its nature, scale, location, and purpose
- Who the proponent is — the entity proposing to develop the project
- What the likely impacts are — a preliminary identification of environmental, social, economic, and cultural issues
- What approvals are needed — an outline of the state and federal regulatory requirements that may apply
- Why coordinated assessment is sought — the proponent’s case for why the project warrants a coordinated process
In essence, the IAS allows the Coordinator-General to make an informed and early judgment about the nature and complexity of the project before committing to a full assessment process.
What Does an IAS Typically Contain?
While the exact requirements can vary depending on the project type and the Coordinator-General’s guidance, a well-prepared IAS will generally include:
- Project description — a clear explanation of the proposed works, infrastructure, technologies, and operational activities
- Location and land tenure — maps, coordinates, and details of land ownership or tenure arrangements
- Project rationale — the economic, social, or strategic justification for the project
- Preliminary environmental assessment — an initial identification of potentially affected environmental values, including ecology, water, heritage, and social factors
- Identification of potential impacts — a high-level summary of construction and operational impacts and how they might be managed
- Regulatory context — an outline of relevant state and federal legislation, approvals, and referral requirements
- Stakeholder and community considerations — identification of key affected parties, including Traditional Owners, landholders, and local governments
- Preliminary project schedule — an indicative timeline for development and construction
The IAS is not required to resolve all of these issues — it is a starting point, not a conclusion. Its purpose is to paint a credible and comprehensive picture of the project at a stage when many details are still being developed.
The IAS and the Coordinated Project Declaration
Once an IAS is submitted, the Coordinator-General assesses whether the project meets the threshold for declaration as a coordinated project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act). Key considerations include:
- Whether the project is of a type that typically requires coordinated assessment
- Whether the scale and complexity of potential impacts warrants an EIS
- Whether multiple state agencies and legislative frameworks are involved
- Whether there is significant public or community interest in the project
If the Coordinator-General decides to declare the project a coordinated project, the IAS also informs the preparation of the draft Terms of Reference — essentially becoming the foundation from which the scope of the EIS is built.
IAS vs. EIS — Understanding the Difference
The IAS and the EIS are fundamentally different documents serving different purposes at different stages of the process:
| Initial Advice Statement (IAS) | Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) | |
|---|---|---|
| Stage | Beginning of the process | Middle of the process |
| Purpose | Trigger coordinated project declaration | Assess all significant impacts in detail |
| Depth | Preliminary and high-level | Comprehensive and highly technical |
| Prepared by | Proponent | Proponent (with specialist consultants) |
| Reviewed by | Coordinator-General | Coordinator-General + public + agencies |
| Outcome | Project declaration and TOR | Evaluation report with conditions |
The IAS can be thought of as the project’s first introduction to the regulatory system — whereas the EIS is its most detailed and scrutinised chapter.
Real-World Example: CopperString 2032
For the CopperString 2032 Project, the IAS was the document that set the entire approval process in motion:
- February 2019 — Powerlink Queensland submitted the Initial Advice Statement to the Coordinator-General, outlining the proposed ~1,000 km high-voltage transmission line connecting the North West Minerals Province to the National Electricity Market
- 26 April 2019 — The Coordinator-General declared CopperString a coordinated project, directly informed by the content of the IAS
- May 2019 — The Australian Government determined the project was a controlled action under the EPBC Act, triggering a parallel federal assessment process
- July–August 2019 — Draft Terms of Reference released for public consultation, drawing heavily on the issues identified in the IAS
The CopperString IAS — running to over 7 megabytes of technical content — provided the detailed project description and preliminary impact identification that allowed the Coordinator-General to scope a TOR comprehensive enough to cover seven local government areas, multiple ecological zones, and hundreds of kilometres of pastoral and agricultural land.
Tips for Preparing a Strong IAS
For proponents entering Queensland’s coordinated project process, the quality of the IAS can significantly influence the efficiency of the assessment that follows. A strong IAS will:
- Be honest about uncertainty — acknowledging what is not yet known while demonstrating a credible plan to find out
- Identify all likely impacts upfront — a comprehensive preliminary impact identification reduces the risk of the TOR requiring additional studies that were not anticipated
- Demonstrate stakeholder awareness — showing early evidence of engagement with affected landholders, Traditional Owners, and local governments builds credibility with the Coordinator-General
- Include clear and accurate mapping — precise location information is essential for agency referrals and community notification
- Align with the project’s investment case — the IAS should make a compelling case for why the project is in the public interest, not just describe its technical features
Key Takeaway
The Initial Advice Statement is the starting gun of Queensland’s major project approvals process. While it may not attract the same level of public attention as the EIS consultation or the Coordinator-General’s evaluation report, it is a foundational document — one that shapes the scope of assessment, the conditions of declaration, and ultimately the trajectory of the entire approvals journey. For proponents, getting the IAS right is one of the most important investments they can make in the success of their project.
Published on energyplanning.com.au | Energy Planning Glossary
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