Independent lawyers appointed for EPA review

Environment Minister Albert Jacob has appointed three legal professionals to review the Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) practices for policy and guideline development and their application to environmental impact assessments.
  • Peter Quinlan SC, Eric Heenan and Sunili Govinnage to advise EPA and Minister
  • Final report expected in April

Environment Minister Albert Jacob has appointed three legal professionals to review the Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) practices for policy and guideline development and their application to environmental impact assessments.

The review team will be headed by Peter Quinlan SC, acknowledged as Western Australia's leading barrister in environment and planning, and assisted by experienced lawyer and barrister Eric Heenan and legal practitioner and researcher Sunili Govinnage.

Mr Jacob announced the review in December 2015 following a decision by the Chief Justice about the Roe Highway Stage 8 project environmental assessment.

"It is critical that a specialised third party examine the EPA's processes for the development of policy and guidelines and how they are applied to ensure the environmental assessment process remains rigorous, with improvements made where needed," he said.

"The review team has been selected for its expertise and is independent of the EPA.  It will determine the extent and form of consultation with other parties."

The Minister said he expected the final report to be presented to himself and the EPA in April.

Mr Jacob stressed that the EPA board fully supported the review as a necessary part of strengthening its application of policy to ensure greater transparency in the environmental assessment process.

The Minister said the review would not examine past EPA recommendations and all other environmental approvals were valid unless determined otherwise by the courts. 

Fact File

  • Peter Quinlan is a Senior Counsel cited in Doyles Guide to the Australian Legal Profession as the State's leading practitioner in environmental and planning law since 2014
  • Eric Heenan is an experienced lawyer and barrister practicing in a range of areas, including administrative and constitutional matters and environment
  • Sunili Govinnage is a lawyer and researcher with experience in environment and planning, and administrative law

Minister's office - 6552 5800