The Western Australian (WA) government is set to overhaul the state’s environmental approvals system in a move to unlock billions of dollars of investment protecting WA’s unique environment.
“It’s important we have a strong approvals system to protect WA’s unique environment, but right now, our system isn’t working,” Premier Roger Cook said.
“Our economy is growing, and our success in attracting major projects to WA has seen a significant increase in the number of applications for assessment to the EPA – putting unprecedented strain on the system.”
According to Cook, delays and uncertainty are putting a handbrake on investment and jobs, and slowing down the state’s important progress to becoming a clean energy powerhouse.
“That’s why we will overhaul approvals to slash green tape, remove duplication and reduce delays – while continuing to deliver robust protections for our environment,” he said.
“These important changes will provide certainty for major projects – including green energy projects that will drive our shift to net zero emissions – and ensure our economy remains strong for generations to come.”
The review, led by former Environmental Protection Authority chair Dr Paul Vogel, and planning expert David McFerran, delivered 39 recommendations to government – all of which have been accepted or noted, with work already underway to deliver reform.
The Cook Government will progress a series of changes to the Environment Protection Act 1986, such as allowing the Environment Minister to direct the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to assess a project of State significance within a specified timeframe.
The state will also allow other government approvals processes to run in parallel with an EPA approval, expand the EPA’s board to include more skills-based members; and require the EPA to have a Statement of Intent from the Environment Minister, recognising the government’s priorities and policies.
Allowing parallel assessments alone will significantly cut down on approvals timeframes.
Under current laws, a mining proponent cannot begin the assessment process on a wastewater treatment plant on their mine site until the mine itself has environmental approval, delaying final approvals by months.
The state government will further investigate options to streamline appeals processes, including statutory timeframes, parameters around consultation, and determining the number of opportunities for appeal and public comment.
Further work will be undertaken to reduce duplication in assessments by the EPA, with particular focus on assessments of emissions from projects already covered by the Commonwealth’s Safeguard Mechanism, and on Aboriginal cultural heritage assessments.
To deliver on its agenda to slash green tape, the Cook Government will invest $18 million to reduce bottlenecks and allow for rapid deployment of additional resources for critical approvals – including using external consultants and technical experts to clear the backlog of assessments.
The funding will also support a new Coordinator General role and team within the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, to better coordinate efforts and facilitate approval across Government for projects of State significance.
The Coordinator General will work to prevent and resolve delays to priority projects and will provide regular reports to Cabinet on progress of major projects and opportunities to further regulatory reforms.
“The State Government has a dual responsibility to uphold the highest possible standards of environmental protection and ensure WA’s economy continues to grow through investment and job creation,” Environment Minister Reece Whitby said.
“We must be conscious of delays caused by excessive approval timeframes which carry no environmental benefit.
“Increasingly, the EPA’s job has become more complex as applications increase and public awareness of environmental issues rise.”
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