EIA and Soft Tools: Key Learnings, Procedures, Pitfalls, and Strategies for Reducing Congestion on Roads

Assignment No.1 (35%) EIA and Soft Tools 1
ASSIGNMENT NO.1 (35%) EIA AND SOFT TOOLS
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Assignment No.1 (35%) EIA and Soft Tools 2
Question 1.
Some of the key learnings from the article which is accredited to Hall, C.A. (2009), in
terms of limit to growth include;
There are serious problems that are relate to the competition for scares resources by ever
increasing human population. This can be seen on the interdependence on oil for production
despite the fact that the fossil fuel is declining. It is also important to note that various ecological
researchers have raised concerns before over the increasing human population and the
diminishing resources. However, their ideas were not taken seriously as in the case of Donella H.
Meadows (1972).
The economic status of most countries like that of the US and those of European
countries has always been controlled with the availability of petroleum products like oil. The
increase in oil prices has always led to the increase of prices of various products like food which
essential for human survival. The production of food through mechanized agricultural also
depend greatly on the availability of oil, where the production has always remained high.
However, the main concern is that how the human population will survive when the
production of oil comes to peak or maximum given that there is no alternative for it equal that
has been identified and most human development needs like energy and transportation and also
the basic needs like food and cloth production, including medicine production depends on the
petroleum products. This therefore means that the growth of human beings in terms of
population is likely to decline when the production of eventually comes to its peak.
Some of the measures taken by the measures that Australia has taken to solve these issues
include her increased investments in the renewable sources of energy like the hydro power and
wind .According to Stephanie Chalmers (2018), in her report with figures obtained from
Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) show that there was a 150 per cent increase in
Australia's investment in renewable in 2017 sources with a record of $US9 billion.
The Australian Government has also embarked on various plans on the promotion of use
of alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol, (Parliament of Australia 2010).This has been
promoted by the increasing prices of oil imports and the need for healthy environments, free
from emissions. This therefore means that Australia will be able to have adequate energy for

Assignment No.1 (35%) EIA and Soft Tools 3
food production and the maintenance of human growth even as the production of oil tents to get
to the peak.
Question 2.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is includes the assessment of various
environmental impacts of a proposed development project and various ways of mitigating the
negative impacts if any. My chosen state is the Queensland State which is majorly concerned
with the reduction in carbon emissions by investment in renewable clean energy. There are
various steps that need to be followed for the approval of projects that need EIA .According to
Chris McGrath (2016),there are various statutes that have been provided by the state laws for the
process of EIA and its approval ,including:
1. Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (Qld) (SPA)
2. Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld) (EPA)
3. State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (Qld)
4. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
(EPBC Act)
Generally ,the there are six major EIA procedures that need to be undertaken by
individuals for assessing the impacts resulting from controlled actions for the approval of the
project (Chris McGrath 2016).They include:
 Charring out of assessment process that has been accredited by the state
 Carrying out of referral information assessment.
 The preliminary documentation assessment by state officials
 The submission of public environment report.
 The submission of environmental impact statement to the authorities.
 Carrying out of public inquiry.

Assignment No.1 (35%) EIA and Soft Tools 4
Question 3.
There are a lot of problems or pitfalls that are always involved in the process of EIA and
even in its results .According to the article by (Lawteacher.net 2018), some of the issue involved
include lack of experienced experts, examination procedure unavailability, training procedure
unavailability for various stakeholders involved, restricted public hearing, ineffective auditing
system and control and public decision making limitations.
Looking at two pitfalls, that is, training procedure unavailability and ineffective auditing
system and control, there are a number of solutions that can be provided for the problems. The
problem of unavailable training procedure for the available experts can be solved through
provision of facilities for potential developments. Resources such as funds need to be channeled
towards the creation or development of training centers which can offer high level of training to
the available experts. Also, clear policies and guidelines should developed in such centers for the
maintenance of standards.
The problem of ineffective auditing system and control can be solved through the
establishment of an effective communication system. The main problem involved in auditing is
the lack of flow of information among the officials who are always involved in decision making
stage. A smooth coordination of ideas among the officials can greatly improve the performance
of the EIA process if a good communication is established for sharing of ideas.
Question 4.
According to the Australian Government (2018),there are procedures developed for the
carrying out of Environmental Impact Assessment in National Parks inAustalia.as provided in
the below EIAR.
Environmental Impact Assessment Report
Construction of Expansion of Roadways in Murujuga National Park
Purpose