Agencies involved

The Department of Planning covers the following area:

• The planning and development control functions in NSW, including the Project's Conditions of Approval.

The Department of Natural Resources covers the following area:

• Responsible for natural resource management in NSW.

The Department is responsible for:

• Infrastructure planning and coordination.
  
• Transport safety, including investigations.
  
• Land transport.
  
• Civil aviation and airports.
• Transport security.
  
• Delivery of regional and rural specific services.
  
• Maritime transport including shipping.
  
• Regional development.
  
• Matters relating to local government.
  
• Major projects facilitation.
  

The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), encompasses:

• The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, which covers parks and reserves, cultural heritage and nature and conservation.
• The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is the regulatory authority, and responsible for waste, water, air, noise and environmental economics amongst other issues.

The departments of Mineral Resources NSW, NSW Agriculture, NSW Fisheries and State Forests of NSW are under the banner of NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

Specifically, the Department of Primary Industries objectives of NSW Fisheries are to conserve, develop and share the fishery resources of the State for the benefit of present and future generations. In particular:

• To conserve fish stocks and protect key fish habitats.
• To conserve threatened species, populations and ecological communities of fish and marine vegetation.
• To promote ecologically sustainable development, including the conservation of biological diversity.
• Provide social and economic benefits for the wider community of New South Wales.

Approval authority for activities that impact or potentially impact on non-indigenous heritage items.

The Great Lakes Shire Council services an area of 3,373 square kilometres comprising both coastal and forested rural hinterland. Located on the Mid North coast of NSW, it has a rapidly expanding population of approximately 34,000.

Port Stephens Council covers an area of 979 sq km comprising both pristine waterways, coastal areas and picturesque rural hinterland. Located at the boundary of the mid north and central coasts of NSW, it has a population of 56,680 persons (Census 2001), a number that swells as much as three times during the holiday periods.

The RTA manages 17,919 km of State Roads (including 4250km of Auslink network and 166 km of privately funded toll roads). This includes facilities such as traffic lights, roundabouts, signs and linemarking.

It also manages nearly 3000 kilometres of regional roads and local roads in the unincorporated area of NSW where there are no local councils.

It provides financial assistance to local councils to manage 18,486 kilometres of regional roads and, to a limited extent, local roads, through funding and other support. Other areas of RTA interest include 4,928 bridges, major culverts and tunnels and nine vehicular ferries.

• Improving road safety.
• Managing the road network to achieve consistent travel times.