State Conservation Areas (SCAs) established under the National Parks and Wildlife Act to operate in areas of joint conservation and mineral/petroleum potential. They are places of environmental importance and/or cultural significance in NSW where it has been agreed that it is possible to manage for conservation and permit exploration.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) (now part of the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC)) and the Department of Primary Industries – Mineral resources (DPIMR) in consultation with the NSW Minerals Council have prepared a Guidelines for Exploration in State Conservation Areas and have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recording the understanding and agreement of the two agencies with respect to assessment of exploration, mining and petroleum production and the conservation of natural and cultural values in SCAs.
Before any exploration in a SCA can proceed, an assessment under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 is required. The level of assessment is determined by both the potential impact of the proposed activities and the sensitivity of the area to be explored. The Guideline sets out simplified procedures to assist explorers to undertake low-impact reconnaissance exploration in a SCA with appropriate safeguards.
SCAs are reviewed by the Minister for the Environment every five years and with the concurrence of the Minister for Mineral Resources, can be reserved as a national park or nature reserve. The review does not impact on existing mining interests or renewals of those interests.
For more information on State Conservation Areas refer to the DPIMR website www.minerals.nsw.gov.au