Environmentally Relevant Activities (ERA's)

An Environmentally Relevant Activity is an activity that has been identified as one that will, or has the potential to, release contaminants into the environment causing environmental harm. The Whitsunday Regional Council has over 150 licensed ERAs. They are usually industrial activities but some agricultural activities such as poultry farming, pet, stock or aqua culture food manufacturing are also ERAs.

ERA Levels and Licensing
Application for Development Approval
Application for Registration Certificate
Related Applications
Application Process - Existing Registered Premises
Application Process - Changes to my Registered Premises
Annual Returns
Additional Information
Operator Environmental Guides

ERA Levels and Licensing

There are two levels of ERAs. Level 1 ERAs are considered to be a higher risk to the environment and require the operator to have a registration certificate under the Environmental Protection Act (licence with development approval), as well as under the Integrated Development Assessment System (IDAS). Level 2 ERAs are lower risk and only require a development approval under IDAS.

A full list of ERAs can be found in Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 1998.

The administering authority for the administration and enforcement of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) for certain ERAs is local government. The administering authority for non-devolved ERAs is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Primary Industries (DPI) or Department of Natural Resources and Water.

The Department of Local Government and Planning provides information that will assist you in determining if an application is required to be assessed under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

For a list of ERAs devolved to Local Government please click here (20 Kb). Please note that compliant businesses are offered a reduced fee. Contact Environment and Compliance on (07) 4945 0200 (Southern Office) or (07) 4761 3633 (Northern Office) for more information on this reduced fee. Once the new fees and charges are adopted, a new compliant fee will be adopted for the entire region.

Application for Development Approval

To operate an Environmentally Relevant Activity (ERA) you will be required to apply for a Development Approval and Operators Registration. You will need to submit a complete application to Council. The following information will assist you in ensuring your application is complete and that you consider other applications that may be required for your business.

Development Approval
All applications require Development Approval to conduct an ERA. This approval is required before the ERA Registration Certificate can be issued. Plans will be required for Development Approval.

Forms
To obtain Development Approval, all Environmentally Relevant Activity applications will require the following forms to be submitted prior to obtaining Operators Registration. Application forms are available from Council or download here:

IDAS form Part A Common Details (Guidelines); and

IDAS form Part G Environmentally Relevant Activity (ERA), and the

IDAS assessment checklist.

Fees
Please click here for a list of coucil's new fees and charges.

IDAS form Part A Common Details (Guidelines); and

IDAS form Part G Environmentally Relevant Activity (ERA), and the

IDAS assessment checklist.

Fees
Please click here for a list of coucil's new fees and charges.

Application for Registration Certificate

Registration Certificate application forms are available from Council's main office. Please contact Environment and Compliance on (07) 4945 0200 (Southern Office) or (07) 4761 3633 (Northern Office) or visit one of the Customer Service Centres.

Related Applications

Do you intend to have, or already have, Flammable and Combustible liquids on site? If yes, you may be required to hold a Flammable and Combustible liquids licence. Please refer to the Flammable and Combustible Liquids page for further information.

Do you intend to, or already discharge trade waste to Council's sewer system? If yes, please contact Environment and Compliance on (07) 4945 0200 (Southern Office) or (07) 4761 3633 (Northern Office).

Application Process – Existing Registered Premises

You are responsible for ensuring the Operators Registration application is complete.
You may apply for a inspection report (Health Search) before settlement. The report will highlight any problems at the premises that may need attention. It is imperative that you apply for a Health Search at least 21 days before settlement. This enables the Environmental Health Officers to complete the inspection report and provide copies to the solicitors and proprietors before settlement takes place. If you require a Health Search, please contact Environment and Compliance on (07) 4945 0200 (Southern Office) or (07) 4761 3633 (Northern Office).
You may apply for a search through Council’s records to confirm that there is a current Registration Certificate and to ascertain the current level of compliance. This process may require written permission from the vendor.
If the nature or scale of the business is changing, you may require Development Approval for a Material Change of Use before obtaining a Registration Certificate. Contact Council prior to the lodgement of the Development application.
Council will process your Operators Registration application within agreed timeframes. You will be contacted should additional information be required to process your application.
When approved, and if there are no alterations to the premises, you can commence operation.
If you are undertaking alterations to the premises you must contact Council for an inspection to check compliance with development approval conditions.
When approved, Council will issue your Operators Registration Certificate allowing you to commence operations.
Council will inspect the premises on a regular basis.

You are responsible for ensuring the Operators Registration application is complete.
You may apply for a inspection report (Health Search) before settlement. The report will highlight any problems at the premises that may need attention. It is imperative that you apply for a Health Search at least 21 days before settlement. This enables the Environmental Health Officers to complete the inspection report and provide copies to the solicitors and proprietors before settlement takes place. If you require a Health Search, please contact Environment and Compliance on (07) 4945 0200 (Southern Office) or (07) 4761 3633 (Northern Office).
You may apply for a search through Council’s records to confirm that there is a current Registration Certificate and to ascertain the current level of compliance. This process may require written permission from the vendor.
If the nature or scale of the business is changing, you may require Development Approval for a Material Change of Use before obtaining a Registration Certificate. Contact Council prior to the lodgement of the Development application.
Council will process your Operators Registration application within agreed timeframes. You will be contacted should additional information be required to process your application.
When approved, and if there are no alterations to the premises, you can commence operation.
If you are undertaking alterations to the premises you must contact Council for an inspection to check compliance with development approval conditions.
When approved, Council will issue your Operators Registration Certificate allowing you to commence operations.
Council will inspect the premises on a regular basis.

Application Process – Changes to my Registered Premises

You are responsible for ensuring the application is complete.
You are encouraged to contact Council to discuss any changes to your premises.
If you want to make a minor change to your Operators Registration (eg change of contact details), please contact Council.
You are not required to submit an application for this.
If you wish to apply for amendments to your Development Approval conditions, please contact Council.
If the nature or scale of the business is changing or you intend to operate additional ERAs on site, you may require Development Approval for a Material Change of Use before obtaining a new or amended Operators Registration Certificate. Contact Council prior to the lodgement of this application.
You will be notified when a decision has been made regarding your Operators Registration application.
Council will inspect the premises on a regular basis.

You are responsible for ensuring the application is complete.
You are encouraged to contact Council to discuss any changes to your premises.
If you want to make a minor change to your Operators Registration (eg change of contact details), please contact Council.
You are not required to submit an application for this.
If you wish to apply for amendments to your Development Approval conditions, please contact Council.
If the nature or scale of the business is changing or you intend to operate additional ERAs on site, you may require Development Approval for a Material Change of Use before obtaining a new or amended Operators Registration Certificate. Contact Council prior to the lodgement of this application.
You will be notified when a decision has been made regarding your Operators Registration application.
Council will inspect the premises on a regular basis.

Annual Returns

You will be sent a notice prior to the expiration/anniversary of your current registration that will require your immediate attention.

If you need a copy of, or wish to amend details on your current registration, please contact Council.

Additional Information

Please contact Environment and Compliance on (07) 4945 0200 (Southern Office) or (07) 4761 3633 (Northern Office) for further information.

Copies of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and associated legislation can be found on the legislative website.

If your Environmentally Relevant Activity is not devolved to Whitsunday Regional Council, please contact the Environmental Protection Agency.