Submitting to an EIA in Perth, Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia residents and organisations can make public submissions when a project is referred for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This guide explains what to include in a submission, key deadlines and the offices responsible for handling comments and enforcement. It focuses on pragmatic steps for local stakeholders who want their views considered during the statutory assessment and decision-making process.
How to prepare a submission
Submissions should be concise, evidence-based and clearly linked to environmental factors such as flora, fauna, water, heritage, noise, air quality or social impacts. Provide your name, contact details, the project reference (if provided in the public notice), a clear statement of your position, and supporting evidence or references to specialist reports. If you represent a community group, state your status and the number of members represented.
What to include
- Project reference and assessment number where shown in the public notice.
- Clear statement of issues of concern and the environmental values affected.
- Supporting evidence or citations to reports, photos, maps or expert views.
- Your contact details and whether you consent to your submission being published.
Process and timelines
Public comment periods are set out in the public notice for each referral or assessment. Typical practice is a defined public consultation window during which documents are placed on the regulator's website and submissions accepted by email or an online portal. If a deadline is advertised, submit before that date; late submissions may not be accepted.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement for breaches of environmental law in Western Australia is handled by state agencies. Exact monetary penalties for false statements or non-compliance in the EIA process are set out in primary legislation and regulations; specific fine amounts or scales are not specified on the public-facing guidance pages and should be checked in the controlling instrument or by contacting the regulator for up-to-date figures.
- Enforcer: state environmental regulator and decision-making authority (agency contact provided in Help and Support / Resources).
- Inspection and complaints: regulators can inspect sites and investigate alleged breaches; use the regulator complaint/contact channels.
- Fines: not specified on the cited public guidance pages; consult the Environmental Protection Act and associated regulations or contact the regulator for current amounts.
- Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offences and their treatment are determined by the enforcement policy and statute; specific escalation ranges are not specified on the public guidance pages.
- Non-monetary sanctions: enforcement may include directions, remediation orders, suspension of approvals, seizure of items and referral to courts.
- Appeals and review: rights of appeal or review depend on the decision instrument; time limits for appeals vary by decision type and are not specified on the general public guidance pages.
Applications & Forms
There is generally no separate statutory "submission form" required beyond sending a written submission via the method specified in the public notice (email or online portal). If a specific form is required for a process, that form and any fees will be listed on the regulator's project page or public notice; where a form or fee is not published, it is not specified on the public guidance pages.
Action steps
- Identify the project reference and read the public notice and assessment documentation.
- Draft a concise submission with facts, evidence and specific requested outcomes.
- Submit by the advertised method before the deadline and keep a copy of your submission and any delivery receipt.
- If you need to appeal a decision, note the decision notice and seek the statutory appeal route and deadline listed with that decision.
FAQ
- Who can make a submission?
- Any member of the public, community groups, local governments, businesses and stakeholders with an interest in the project can make a submission during the advertised consultation period.
- Where do I send my submission?
- Send submissions by the method specified in the public notice for the project (usually email or an online portal provided on the regulator project page).
- Can I remain anonymous?
- Publication of submissions and anonymity are governed by the public notice and the regulator's publication policy; some regulators publish submissions unless you request confidentiality, in which case check the guidance on that project page.
How-To
- Locate the public notice and assessment documents for the project and note the consultation deadline.
- Collect evidence: photos, reports, maps and any expert input relevant to your concerns.
- Write a clear submission: state who you are, the project reference, the environmental factors of concern, and the outcomes you seek.
- Attach supporting documents and provide contact details; state whether you consent to publication of your submission.
- Submit via the method in the public notice and retain a copy and proof of lodgement.
Key Takeaways
- Be concise, evidence-based and link concerns to specific environmental values.
- Observe the public consultation deadline stated in the notice; late comments may not be accepted.
- Use the official project page or regulator contact channels for queries and to confirm procedures.
Help and Support / Resources
- Environmental Protection Authority WA - Consultation and public involvement
- Department of Water and Environmental Regulation - Contact us
- City of Perth - Planning & building information