The EPA's role

As South Australia’s independent environmental regulator, the EPA regulates activities impacting on the environment set out in the Environment Protection Act 1993 (EP Act). Dredging is a prescribed activity of environmental significance under the EP Act and the dredging aspects of the project are subject to regulatory approval, including EPA approval of the project’s management and monitoring plans.

The EPA focuses on ensuring mitigation measures and controls are in place to prevent and/or minimise environmental harm. The EPA will regulate the Phase II trial through an authorisation in the form of a licence (EPA Licence #52536).

Licences for dredging activities require a DMP, which must detail proposed measures to minimise adverse impacts from the dredging. The DMP for the Phase II dredge trial includes a WQMP, an SMP, and an NMP. These plans include strict controls, including turbidity triggers, to protect water quality, seagrass, and the environment.

The EPA will monitor compliance with the approved DMP during dredging works and has required that seagrass and water quality monitoring is undertaken by suitably qualified experts before, during, and after the trial. This monitoring is important to understand any impact on water quality and seagrass and will inform management requirements for any long-term replenishment program along the Adelaide metropolitan coastline.