Under the Environment Effects Act 1978, project works that could have a significant effect on the environment may be referred to the Minister for Planning by a proponent or a decision maker, for advice on whether an Environment Effects Statement (EES) is required.
NVIRP submitted a referral to the Minister for Planning on 20 February 2009 and received a Minister for Planning's decision on 14 April 2009 stating that NVIRP did not require an EES pursuant to NVIRP complying with certain conditions. Listed below are links to NVIRP's referral document, the accompanying support documents and the Minister for Planning's decision.
Media Release "No EES required for irrigation modernisation project"
Media Release "Green light for NVIRP's environmental plans"