A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is an environmental assessment used to determine whether an activity should be approved by taking into account all matters that affect or may affect the environment. This can include technical reports prepared by industry specialists, including: Ecological Consultants (Flora and Fauna Assessments), Heritage Consultants (Aboriginal & European Heritage Assessment Reports), Contaminated Lands (Environmental Scientists), Noise & Vibration, Visual & Amenity, Traffic & Transport and others to address the specific details required for the project approval. This environmental assessment is prepared in accordance with Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act).

An REF is required to be implemented for ‘Activities’ such as those conducted by ‘self-determining authorities’ (e.g. government agencies and public authorities) as a part of the assessment of activities needing approval under NSW legislation and planning instruments, including:

• The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act);

• The Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act), including ‘Tests of Significance’ (5-part test);

• The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act);

• The Fisheries Management Act 1994 (FM Act);

• Water Management Act 2000 (WM Act);

• National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act) and National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2002 (NP&W Reg);

• The Heritage Act 1977;

• Wilderness Act 1987;

• Rural Fires Act 1997;

• Biosecurity Act 2015;

• Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (PoEO Act);

• State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007; and

• All other relevant State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP).