From February 1973 until environmental legislation came into force in June 1975, the Australian Government insisted on the environmental assessment of proposals on an administrative basis.
 
There were two public inquiries held while these directions were in force.  The first was an inquiry held on the proposed Molonglo Parkway in 1973.  The second was the Redcliff Environmental Inquiry in 1974 which "... was conducted in relation to the environmental aspects of the proposal to develop a petrochemical complex at Redcliff in South Australia." [1]
 
The outcome of the Redcliff Environmental Inquiry found that no enviromental damage from the construction and operation of the plant could be identified.  Even so, further investigations were carried out to resolve some outstanding issues and information was published in three reports - "Redcliff Petrochemical Development : Progress Report, Environmental Studies, 1974," "Redcliff Petrochemical Development : Project Report, 1974," and "Redcliff Petrochemical Development : Plan for Environmental Study" prepared by Environment Division and South Australian State Planning Office, Department of Environment and Conservation.  After this time, the project was deferred on economic grounds.
 
In 1979, a report was published by the South Australian Department for the Environment which may have been produced as a result of further investigations taking place sometime after 1975.  The report was called "The Redcliff Petrochemical Complex : Guidelines for an Environmental Effects Statement and an Environmental Impact Statement," by M.R. Harvey.  
Bibliography
 
[1]  Parliamentary Paper No. 139/1976, Department of Environment, Report for Period July 1974 to June 1975
 
 
Sources
 
Parliamentary Paper No. 139/1976, Department of Environment, Report for Period July 1974 to June 1975
 

Historical agency address
Subject to research
Legislation administered
Environmental Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974