On a project as large and significant as the Hunter Expressway project, many government agencies are involved. Legislation, regulations and reporting guidelines need to be met and stringent mechanisms are put in place to protect the community, safeguard our environment and monitor construction. The key government agencies, their website addresses, and area of responsibility are listed below.

NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DOPI)

www.planning.nsw.gov.au

The Department of Planning and Infrastructure covers the following area:

• The planning and development control functions in NSW, including the project's Conditions of Approval.

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

http://www.environment.gov.au/

The department develops and implements national policy, programs and legislation to protect and conserve Australia's environment and heritage.

On 2 August 2007 the Department granted conditional approval for the Hunter Expressway as a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) for impacts on Commonwealth listed threatened species and communities.

Department of Infrastructure and Transport

www.infrastructure.gov.au

The Department is responsible for:

• Infrastructure planning and coordination.
• Transport safety, including investigations.
• Land transport.
• Civil aviation and airports.
• Transport security.
• Delivery of regional and rural specific services.
• Maritime transport including shipping.
• Regional development.
• Matters relating to local government.
• Major projects facilitation.

NSW Department of Heritage and Environment

www.environment.nsw.gov.au

DHE's wide-ranging responsibilities include:

• climate change and greenhouse issues, including the climate change fund.
• sustainability programs, including environmental education, energy efficiency and water. conservation programs and renewable energy policy.
• policy and regulation for air and water quality, noise control, chemicals, radiation and forestry.
• programs to reduce the amount and toxicity of waste, litter and illegal dumping.
• management of national parks and reserves, and marine parks.
• biodiversity, threatened species and native vegetation policy and programs.

Heritage Office of NSW

As part of the Department of Heritage and Environment, the Heritage Office of NSW is the approval authority for activities that impact or potentially impact on non-indigenous heritage items.

NSW Department of Primary Industries

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Primary Industries and Resources and Energy are Divisions of the Principal Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services (TIRIS).

The Department of Primary Industries works to develop and sustain diverse, profitable food and fibre industries, and ensures best practice management of our natural resources.

The Division of Resources and Energy works to secure, regulate and deliver energy and mineral resources for our state.

Specifically:

• To conserve fish stocks and protect key fish habitats.
• To conserve threatened species, populations and ecological communities of fish and marine vegetation.
• To promote ecologically sustainable development, including the conservation of biological diversity.
• Provide social and economic benefits for the wider community of New South Wales.

NSW Office of Water

www.water.nsw.gov.au

The NSW Office of Water is a separate office within the NSW Department of Primary Industries
It is responsible for the management of the State's surface water and groundwater resources.

Cessnock City Council

www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au

Cessnock Local Government Area (Cessnock City) covers approximately 1,950 square kilometres within the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, approximately 120 kilometres north of Sydney and 40 kilometres west of Newcastle. It has a population of approximately 50,000.

Singleton Council

www.singleton.nsw.gov.au

Singleton Council covers an area of approximately 4869 sq km and has a population of approximately 23,500. It is located approximately 200 kilometres from Sydney and approximately 80 kilometres north-west of Newcastle.

Maitland City Council

www.maitland.nsw.gov.au

Maitland City Council covers an area of approximately 392 sq km and has a population of approximately 67,700. It is located on the Hunter River approximately 166 kilometres north of Sydney and 35 kilometres north-west of Newcastle.

Lake Macquarie Council

www.lakemac.com.au

Lake Macquarie City Council covers an area of approximately 648 sq km and has a population of approximately 195,500. The city of Lake Macquarie is located 90 minutes north of Sydney, 10 minutes from Newcastle, and 40 minutes from Hunter Wine Country and the NSW Central Coast.