When new developments that require licensing under The Environment Act or The Dangerous Goods Handling and Transportation Act are proposed or existing developments are changed, they undergo an environmental assessment to identify potential impacts to the environment and public health. A key step within the environmental assessment process for new developments or major alterations to existing developments is a public review period.

Comments received from the public throughout the environmental assessment process influence the identification and assessment of adverse environmental effects, the development of mitigation measures and the development of a licence (should one be issued).

The public registry contains reports and other types of compliance information provided by a licensed development to the department.