We are pleased to release an overview of the EIANZ 2025 Impact Assessment Symposium.

The Impact Assessment Symposium brought together practitioners, regulators and researchers to address a critical challenge facing the profession: the tension between streamlining impact assessment (IA) processes and delivering meaningful environmental and social outcomes. The symposium revealed that constant pressure to do more with less – time, funding and personnel – has led to an efficiency-focused approach that risks undermining the very outcomes IA is designed to achieve.

The symposium explored five key themes: developing clear IA intended outcomes, identifying barriers to outcomes-based approaches, ensuring integrated assessment, strengthening impact assessment follow-up, and clarifying the role of strategic environmental assessment and regional planning. Discussions emphasised that efficiency metrics alone cannot measure IA success – effectiveness must be demonstrated through tangible environmental and social benefits.

Among other recommendations contained in the communiqué, the symposium emphasised that practitioners must lead the conversation in adopting outcomes-first approaches that maintain rigour whilst delivering meaningful results. Critical elements like community engagement should be defended not on the basis of process requirements alone, but through demonstrating their demonstrable value to achieving desired outcomes.

Our thanks go out to the symposium technical committee and all speakers who contributed to this important and timely event.

2025 Impact assessment symposium Communiqué