Major Projects
Major development projects are required to go through formal approvals processes in WA, through a Lead Agency Framework (External link) which provides an efficient and coordinated process for development. The Department of Health is a key partner in the approvals process and assists proponents identify and address health issues related to a proposal.
It is important that the health of communities is not adversely affected by major developments. Project proposals should aim to prevent environmental changes that can have potential adverse effects on the health of present and future generations.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) advises proponents of major projects to consult with the Department of Health on health related matters linked to environmental changes. Any health related considerations are included in the proponent’s Environmental Impact Assessment.
Environmental impact assessment and health
The following information outlines the requirements for considering health of individuals and the community in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process administered by the Environmental Protection Authority (External link). Specific details of the EIA process are outlined on the EPA’s website (External link).
Frequently Asked Questions
- What types of proposals should consider health?
- What are the benefits to a proponent for considering health?
- What is the Department of Health’s role in the EIA process?
- Are there any tools to assist with identifying health factors?
1. Why should health be considered during the EIA process?
Health considerations should be integrated into EIA to:
(1) address public concerns
(2) minimise the need for separate health and environmental impact assessments
(3) demonstrate cost effectiveness
(4) minimise the adverse and maximising the beneficial effects on health, and
(5) support the concept of sustainable development
Health, wellbeing and quality of life issues can go unnoticed by developers and be easily ignored unless identified by health experts, individuals or communities. The public often raises concerns about the potential health impacts of new proposals during public consultation processes. Using EIA means that health concerns can be addressed during the early planning stages of proposals and can potentially minimise future health nuisances and concerns.
It makes sense to include health considerations within EIA for economic and social reasons and ultimately, to ensure that the health and well-being of individuals and society is not compromised. |
2. What types of proposals should consider health?
Most proposals may be located within close proximity to towns (including aboriginal communities) or have implications for populations and workers within WA. Therefore, all proposals including:
projects
- plans
- programmes and
- policies
should consider if there is the potential for impacts on human health during all phases of a proposal. For example for mining projects this would include construction, operation, modification, decommissioning and abandonment.
3. What are the benefits to a proponent for considering health?
Developers spend extensive resources planning the logistics of a proposal, yet may not consider the implications of their development on the people or communities who live in or near the future development. If health isn’t considered in the early stages, substantial investment in the future may be needed by a proponent or government to alleviate health problems that have arisen because they weren’t probably planned out of the development or activity.
By investing in the early scoping and screening stages of a proposal a proponent can identify potential health concerns and implement ways to mitigate or eliminate problems that may arise.
People and communities also often want to know about what’s going on around them. Involving people in the early planning stages and listening and responding to concerns about health and wellbeing may help increase tolerance to proposals.
There are many WA examples where huge costs were needed to alleviate health problems caused by poorly planned developments and activities. These costs could have been prevented by considering health during planning.
4. What is the Department of Health’s role in the EIA process?
The Department of Health is the State Government Department responsible for helping Western Australians maintain and improve their health. However, human health is a shared responsibility among all Western Australians and includes any person, government or industry group wishing to develop within the state.
The Department of Health provides advice on health related matters to proponents, the EPA and other stakeholders such as other government agencies during all stages of the EIA process (including scoping and screening phases), and focuses on adding value or improving the health outcomes of a proposal.
The responsible authority, such as the Environmental Protection Authority, the Departments of State Development, Planning or Housing, and Local Governments etc, or the proponent determines how the advice provided by WA Health will be used in the EIA process, and the responsible authority makes all decisions related to the EIA of the project.
It is the proponent’s responsibility to ensure specific public health regulatory approvals, licenses, and other health statutory obligations are obtained. |
5. When does the Department of Health contribute to EIA?
Upon written request, the Department of Health can provide advice during all phases of the EIA process including:
initial scoping consultation and terms of reference/guidelines
review of environmental assessment reports, i.e. screening reports, public environmental review reports, comprehensive study reports, technical reviews and memos
operational stages follow-up.: In some circumstances, the Department of Health may suggest that follow-up monitoring is conducted to verify initial assessments for human health. The Department of Health may provide technical advice and support in the development and implementation of monitoring programs.
The Department of Health recommends that all information relevant to human health is clearly identified as such in the environmental assessment, and that all relevant assumptions, reference values, health standards, models, equations and reference citations are clearly stated. |
6. What information should be submitted to the Department of Health?
In order to obtain the Department of Health’s advice, State Government agencies, proponents, mediators and/or Local Government Authorities involved should:
Submit a written request for comment or advice regarding the potential impacts of a proposed project on human health.
Provide electronic copies of documents greater than 5 pages to ensure review within an appropriate timeframe by multiple health experts and one hard copy.
Allow a minimum of 28 working days (where possible) for the Department of Health experts to review documentation or to approve a licence required under WA Health regulations. This process will be significantly delayed where a proponent has provided insufficient or incomplete information.
The Department of Health’s comments on proposals are coordinated by the Science and Policy Unit of the Environmental Health Directorate. Depending on the scope of the project, multiple health experts in a range of health areas may be required to comment on the proposal.
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7. What types of health factors need to be considered?
Adverse effects associated with projects arise from the biophysical environment and can include issues such as:
Social and community health may also be affected negatively where individuals face a loss of cultural identity and quality of life, social disruption and violence, and a breakdown of community and family support networks. Furthermore, socio-cultural well-being can be affected by increasing stress, anxiety, and feelings of alienation.
Beneficial effects of the proposal on health and well-being include employment creation both directly for the proposal or indirectly through local purchasing and provide other economic benefits that contribute to a better standard of living for communities. Economic well-being has been linked with longevity and other indicators of health because people with adequate incomes can afford to eat balanced diets and engage in healthier lifestyles. As well, a healthy economy is necessary to pay for health care services.
The following table summarises health factors that a proponent should consider during the early stages of planning for a proposal. Where a proponent is uncertain on the applicability of public health factors to a proposed project, WA Health can provide advice or a review.
To help expedite the Department of Health’s review of a technical study/environmental assessment documents, it is useful for the written request to indicate which sections of the documentation are to be reviewed by the Department of Health, and/or pose specific questions to be addressed by the Department of Health.
It is important to note that not all items listed in the table below are applicable to all types of development projects.
Determinants of Health
Health determinant category |
Example Health determinants |
The natural environment |
- Air quality
- Contaminated land: soil and groundwater
- Food safety and quality
- Health hazards in the built environment
- Radiation safety
- Vector borne diseases
- Water quality: drinking, recycled, recreational, wastewater
- Vibration
- Noise, odour, dust, light
- Natural resources
- Green space
- Waste disposal/management
|
Transport |
- Access to transport
- Congestion
- Private vs. public
- Alternatives
|
People & Community Wellbeing |
- Community structure
- Social contacts
- Community participation
- Crime & antisocial behaviour
- Discrimination
- Safe environments
- Social networks
- Feelings of trust
- Feelings of power and control over life decisions
|
Lifestyle |
- Exercise patterns
- Recreation choices
- Access to and use of leisure facilities
- Access to nutritional food
- Risk behaviours
- Communicable diseases
|
Sustainability |
- Increasing public transport use, walking, cycling & non car dependent modes of transport
- Disturbance of ecosystems or natural environments
- Support for local businesses
- Effect on future generations
|
Social Environment |
- Family structure & relationships
- Housing conditions
- Employment status
- Working conditions
- Income
- Education
|
Community services |
- Workplaces
- Advice
- Leisure facilities
- Health services
- Police
- Transport
- Public works
- Banking
- Local community facilities & organisations
- Emergency services
- Schools and child care services
- Other services such as shops, and local community facilities (e.g. swimming pool).
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8. Are there any tools to assist with identifying health factors?
A range of tools and resources are available on the health impact assessment publications webpage to assist with considering health factors in a proposals.
Useful Websites
Western Australian agencies:
Commonwealth agencies:
Legislation:
Other:
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Last updated: May 2011
