Like other tools Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been developed to do a specific job. In the case of EIA the task is to gain an understanding of the environmental consequences of proposed actions. The theory is that this helps decision-makers determine if the action is worthwhile, and if any safeguards would be required. In practice EIA has been introduced world-wide, but since it is a social and political tool it may not necessarily stop bad environmental decisions from being made. The question then is what is the role of EIA? What is EIA? And how does EIA relate to other assessment procedures, such as Social Impact Assessment? EIA in Australia: Theory and Practice explores these questions. But it goes further, to outline in a practical and clear fashion how EIA is undertaken. A discussion of the range of international EIA approaches, as well as the procedures and legislation governing EIA within the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments of Australia are included in EIA in Australia: Theory and Practice. Specific sections look at how the need for an EIA is decided, how EIA is undertaken and how the community is involved.Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the main document of an EIA, is also reviewed so that the reader is introduced to the challenges involved in determining the content and presentation of information in an EIS.
EIA in Australia: Theory and Practice concludes with an overview of the future role of EIA, its use in private industry, and its relationship to processes such as Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Management Systems. The fourth edition of EIA in Australia: Theory and Practice has essentially the same structure as previous editions, but has expanded the discussion of assessment approaches and their operation. In recognition of the developing interest in SEA, discussion has been expanded to recognise the growing emphasis that it is attracting both internationally and in Australia.