Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (EP&A) 1979, the RTA is required to assess the environmental impact of all projects to upgrade the Pacific Highway.

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment [Infrastructure and other Planning Reform] Act 2005 amended the EP&A Act. Assessment of the RTA's major highway projects, including the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade, is conducted under Part 3A of the EP&A Act.

The Part 3A assessment process ensures the community is consulted and an environmental assessment is undertaken. This assessment will focus on the key project issues that are identified as important by the Department of Planning and other agencies, including potential social, economic or environmental impacts.

A summary of the approvals process is described in the RTA's Environmental assessment - Part 3A fact sheet.

The environmental assessment has been finalised based on the assessment requirements issued by the Director-General of the Department of Planning.

Details of the environmental assessment are available on the Public information page.

An environmental assessment has now been prepared that addresses the key issues identified by the Director-General. The environmental assessment is on display for community comment until 29 September 2008 at the locations shown below:

• NSW Department of Planning, Information Centre, 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney (Mon- Fri 9am- 5pm).
• NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, Ground Floor, Centennial Plaza, 260 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills (Mon- Fri 8.30am- 5pm).
• RTA Pacific Highway Office, 21 Prince Street, Grafton (Mon- Fri 8.30am- 4.30pm).
• Ballina Motor Registry, Ballina West Shopping Centre, Ballina (Mon- Fri 9am- 5pm).
• Lismore Motor Registry, Carrington Street, Lismore (Mon- Fri 8.30am- 5pm, Sat 8.30am- noon).
• Ballina Shire Council, corner of Cherry and Tamar streets, Ballina (Mon- Fri 9am- 4pm).
• Byron Shire Council, 70-90 Station Street, Mullumbimby (Mon- Fri 8.30am- 4.30pm).

• Newrybar Hall, Old Pacific Highway, Newrybar.
• The Nature Conservation of NSW, Level 2, 301 Kent Street, Sydney (Mon- Fri 9am- 5pm).

• Ewingsdale Hall, Old Pacific Highway, Ewingsdale
  Friday 29 August 2008, 9am-3pm.
• Bangalow RSL Hall, Station Street, Bangalow
  Saturday 30 August 2008, 10am-3pm.
• Newrybar Hall, Old Pacific Highway, Newrybar
  Thursday 4 September 2008, 10am-7pm.

Your submission on the environmental assessment should be sent by 29 September 2008 to:

The Director
Pacific Highway Assessment Team
NSW Department of Planning
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001

Following the display of the environmental assessment, the RTA will consider community submissions received. The proposal will then be assessed by the NSW Department of Planning and considered for approval by the NSW Minister for Planning. The Chief Executive of the RTA will then decide whether to proceed with the Proposal.