Division 5.1 Review of Environmental Factors

 A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is a report used by councils to assess the environmental and planning issues that relate to Council managed infrastructure projects. Council projects that are “development permitted without consent” and defined as an ‘activity’ are allowed under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021.

The report provides information on the impacts the activity may have, and actions to avoid, minimise or manage those impacts as set out within Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

From the 1 July 2022, certain Review of Environmental Factors (that meet the criteria set out in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021) must be published on Council’s website or the NSW Planning Portal if –

• The activity has a capital investment value of more than $5 million, or
• The activity requires an approval or permit as referred to in any of the following provisions before it may be carried out –
  - Fisheries Management Act 1994, sections 144, 200, 205 or 21
  - Heritage Act 1977, section 57
  - National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, section 90
  - Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, sections 47–49 or 122, or
• the determining authority (Council) considers that it is in the public interest to publish the review.

A Review of Environmental Factors are published for information only to keep our community informed.

A list of our current Review of Environmental Factors is listed below.

Under the Government Information Public Access (GIPA) Act 2009, you can apply to access government information regarding proposed activities.

You will need to submit a request to Council. More information can be found on Council's Access to Information webpage: Access to Information Fairfield City Council (nsw.gov.au)