Anna Grage

Research Organisation: Centre for Environmental Management
Field of Research: Law and Legal Studies
Supervisor(s): Professor Chad Hewitt (Principal Supervisor); Professor Marnie Campbell (Associate Supervisor); Professor Warwick Gullett (University of Wollongong, external research advisor)
Student Type: Doctor of Philosophy

Contact Details

Phone: +61 7 49707203
Email: a.grage@cqu.edu.au

Research Details

Thesis Name: The law as protection for the marine environment: considering cumulative and synergistic impacts within the Australian legal framework

Thesis Abstract:

Cumulative and synergistic impacts occur as a result of human influenced and natural marine environmental change. A lack of requirement to consider such impacts, or an inconsistent approach, within legal frameworks can result in neglect within environmental assessments e.g. EIA and SEA. Due to inherent differences between cumulative and synergistic impacts, the research focuses on the need to consider these impacts as separate concerns. The research identifies limitations on consideration within Australian legal frameworks from both a requirement and consistency perspective. This is achieved through case study analyses, including, the extent of requirement contained in legislation relevant to marine activities within several Australian jurisdictions, and the consistency of approach from a requirement and decision-making perspective within EIA procedure. Insight into methods for improving the status quo is sought from the approaches taken for environmental assessments of offshore wind farms within the European Union and several of its member countries. The research aims for recommendations that improve existing Australian legal and governance decision-making frameworks associated with the environmental assessment of marine activities; with emphasis on improving the EIA approach and subsequent integration within SEA. It is anticipated that the modifications could improve consideration of cumulative and synergistic impacts relating to current, emerging and future activities.

Why my research is important/Impacts:

Identifying cumulative and synergistic impacts is important for improving knowledge about the marine environment as well as achieving goals relating to marine environmental protection and conservation. Understanding and considering these impacts assists the achievement of both sustainable marine environmental use and development, and the application of the precautionary principle. Further to this, identifying the potential gaps within elements of Australia’s legal frameworks surrounding environmental assessment for marine use and development, within the context of both EIA and SEA, and providing potential solutions for addressing any lack of consideration given to cumulative and synergistic impacts could assist in better management of complex environmental impacts. To this end, providing recommendations for addressing issues within existing legal frameworks is important for the continual evolution of environmental assessment practices within Australia. The recommendations can also provide insight into improving the management of environmental impacts caused by existing, emerging and future use and development activities within Australia’s marine environment.

Funding/Scholarship: CQUniversity Post Graduate Research Award (UPRA)