December 16, 2025

Major Changes to the EPBC Referral Process – What You Need to Know (2025)

The Commonwealth Government has introduced the most significant reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) in over two decades. These changes reshape how environmental referrals, assessments, and approvals are undertaken, with stronger national standards and new streamlined pathways.

 

Key Changes You Need to Know

  • Streamlined Assessment Pathway: Multiple older assessment routes have been consolidated into a single streamlined pathway. For eligible proposals, decisions may now be issued within 30 business days, provided the referral information is complete and robust.
  • Higher Upfront Information Requirements: Referrals must now include more detailed baseline data, impact analysis, and justification to qualify for the faster pathway.
  • Binding National Environmental Standards: All referral decisions must now align with new National Environmental Standards, ensuring proposals avoid “unacceptable impacts” and meet strengthened requirements for managing residual impacts.
  • Expiry of ‘No-Controlled-Action’ Decisions: A “no-controlled-action” determination will automatically lapse after five years unless the project has substantially commenced.
  • Creation of a New Federal Regulator: The reforms establish the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), significantly increasing compliance oversight and enforcement powers.

 

Traditional Owner Engagement

The reforms strengthen expectations around early Traditional Owner engagement, particularly for projects affecting MNES such as listed ecological communities, wetlands, and culturally significant landscapes.


Proponents are now expected to:

  • Demonstrate early and proactive liaison with Traditional Owners or Native Title parties
  • Include cultural values, knowledge and perspectives in baseline information
  • Identify impacts on culturally significant species, places or landscapes
  • Show how Indigenous engagement has informed avoidance, mitigation, and offset planning


Early engagement is now considered essential for delivering a “complete” referral that qualifies for streamlined pathways.

 

How Redleaf Can Support Your Project

Redleaf can help you navigate the new EPBC requirements by:

  • Conducting early project screening and identifying risks
  • Preparing referral packages that meet strengthened information thresholds
  • Facilitating Traditional Owner liaison and integrating cultural values into project design
  • Updating impact and offset assessments
  • Advising on the suitability of streamlined vs. standard pathways

 

If you’re planning a future development or unsure how the reforms affect your project, our team is here to help.

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Blaze tree with markings

Did you know? Blaze Trees: Silent Markers of the Past

January 27, 2026
Did you know? Not all scarred trees are of Aboriginal cultural origin. Some, like the ones in these photos, were “blazed” by early European settlers, explorers, or surveyors to mark trails, boundaries, land parcels and even watercourses.  These scars were often made using iron/steel axes, and the cut marks of these tools alongside visible traces of white paint are typical indicators of a European origin. They were used as surveyor’s marks before being replaced by the permanent survey markers that form the basis of today’s cadastral maps. You might be wondering: How do our expert archaeologists identify these blaze trees? These trees are identified by: Iron axe cut marks Remnants of white surveyor’s paint Placement on fence lines, lot corners, or boundary points Scarred trees, including these blazes, are all part of the multi-layered history written, or in this case - cut into our landscapes.
Beach sunset

Honouring Country Through Connection: Cultural Heritage Leadership at Nudgee Beach

January 27, 2026
At Redleaf Group, our heritage work is guided by a deep respect for Country and a commitment to meaningful connection with Traditional Owners. This year, we partnered with GHD and Brisbane City Council on a cultural heritage assessment at Nudgee Beach , working closely with the Turrbal People , the Traditional Owners of the area. Collaboration with Purpose Our Heritage Team walked Country with the Turrbal People, listening to their knowledge and cultural stories that shape the significance of this landscape. While no physical artefacts were found, the process reaffirmed the site’s cultural importance and the enduring relationship between people and place. Embedding Cultural Values in Project Delivery Redleaf provided practical recommendations to ensure the project continues respectfully, including: On-Country cultural heritage monitoring Cultural heritage inductions for project teams Opportunities for signage and interpretation of local cultural stories Walking Forward Together With this phase complete, the project progresses with a shared understanding of Country and its cultural values. Redleaf is proud to support work that brings people and Country together—and we remain committed to culturally grounded, collaborative heritage practice.