Development Control

Development Control indentifies, evaluates and seeks solutions to the likely consequences of a project or development on the Environment through an Environment Licensing system under Part IV of the Environment Act (as ammneded) 1999.

The main functions of the Development Control Unit includes the following:

  • study the effects of a development proposal in order to protect people and the environment from poorly considered planning decisions,
  • undertake a systematic evaluation of all significant environmental consequences a proposed activity is likely to have on the environment before a decision to undertake the activity is made,
  • review environmental impact assessment reports,
  • give a structured, comprehensive approach to controlling developments,
  • improve development by suggesting project implementation and operational standars, or identiying more appropriate alternatives,
  • communicate with the public and faciliate their involvement in designing the best possible development,
  • attend public complaints in relation to development projects,
  • carry out site visit and scoping (preliminary assessments) to development proposals,
  • processing of Environment Licence,

Another responsibilty of the Development Control Unit is to regulate Environmental Scientific Research (ESR) activities in Kiribati through a permitting system.