Before going ahead some developments may be required to undergo an environmental impact assessment. “environmental impact assessment” (or “EIA”) describes the process under which the potential environmental impacts of a proposed development are assessed.

There is both a Commonwealth and a State regime for the assessment of the environmental impacts of proposed developments. EIA in Victoria is governed by the Environment Effects Act 1978 (Vic), which is managed by the Department of Planning and Community Development. EIA for Commonwealth matters are regulated by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), which is managed by the the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

Whether a development will be required to undergo EIA at the State or Federal level (or both) will depend on the likely environmental impacts that the proposed development may have.

The Victorian State EIA process is commenced by a project proponent, or Victorian Government Minister, agency, department, or local government making a referral of the matter to the Minister for Planning and Community Development.

For the Commonwealth environmental approval process to apply to a proposal it must be likely that the proposal will have a significant impact on one or more matters of "national environmental significance".

• Assessment of environmental impacts in Victoria – the Environment Effects Act 1978 (Vic)
• Commonwealth environmental impact assessment

• Victorian Government - Department of Planning and Community Development

• Victorian Government - Department of Sustainability and Environment

• Australian Government - Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts