Guideline for Agricultural Impact Statements (AIS) at the Exploration Stage
Summary
The Exploration AIS Guideline only requires an AIS when the land on which the proposed exploration activities are considered to have significant agricultural value, and the nature of the exploration activities has the potential to impact agricultural land or agricultural activities.
If the proposed exploration activities are located within any of the following Local Environment Plan (LEP) zones:
- RU1 Primary Production
- RU2 Rural Landscape
- RU4 Primary Production Small Lots
- C3 Environmental Management
and within 250m of:
- Strategic Agricultural Land (SAL), or
- Land and Soil Capability (LSC) Classes 1 2, 3 or 4;
and will result in more than one hectare of surface disturbance on this land (as outlined in Appendix 1 of the Exploration guideline application and assessment process for exploration activities)
The updated guideline ensures a thorough assessment of impacts on high-value agricultural land while streamlining the process for exploration of other land.
