About the REAP Scheme
On 1 July 2021, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (the Department) introduced the Rapid Assessment Framework (RAF) to ensure that State significant projects in NSW are supported by better assessment, better coordination and better engagement. The RAF is a package of system improvements with a purpose to increase the efficiency of major state project assessments, and also aiming to improve quality, engagement standards and customer service. Further detail on the RAF can be found at the Department’s website here.
A component of the RAF, with intention to improve quality assurance, mandated that all Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) attached to State Significant Development (SSD) and State Significant Infrastructure (SSI) applications are required to be reviewed and a declaration signed by a Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner (REAP). This declaration includes statements relating to the compliance, completeness, accuracy and legibility of the EIS. In order to be able to make this declaration, a REAP should also ideally oversee or be involved in the development of the entire EIS document.
A REAP Scheme has been developed by the Department to register suitably qualified persons and is delivered by third-party schemes.
The CEnvP Scheme is accredited by the Department to deliver the REAP Scheme via its CEnvP Impact Assessment specialist certification plus REAP Module.
How to become a REAP?
Practitioners seeking registration as a REAP can achieve this via the CEnvP Impact Assessment (CEnvP-IA) certification, plus an additional REAP module.
All applicants can complete their application using the online application form.
CEnvP certification is available to anyone, not only those who belong to a particular institute or organisation.
To gain REAP status:
At application, you may either:
- complete the requirements for CEnvP Impact Assessment specialist certification (CEnvP-IA) or;
- if you already hold current CEnvP-IA certification, you only need to complete the REAP specific module
See the CEnvP-IA REAP application video below.
Post-certification, to remain certified, you are required to:
- pay an annual renewal fee.
- every two years recertify by recommitting to the EIANZ Code of Conduct and submit 100 points of CPD, with REAP specific components.
Once certified
You will
- receive the post-nominal CEnvP (Impact Assessment specialist) and NSW REAP.
- receive a digital certificate of attainment.
- receive the CEnvP IA and NSW REAP digital seal below with registration number embedded.
All certified via CEnvP Scheme will be added to the CEnvP Directory as a CEnvP-IA and NSW REAP and be added to the Department’s REAP database for checking when NSW SSD and SSI EIS are received.
Further information
The Department has also a REAP Information Page which provides some further information.
See videos below on completing a REAP application; how to lodge an EIS as a REAP and related REAP CPD events presented by the Department.