PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has commended the Northern Territory government’s announcement that it would reform its environmental regulatory system.

The territory government has announced that it would adopt a raft of recommendations from the 'Review into Environmental Assessment and Approvals Process' report.

“This will strengthen our environmental assessment processes and provides for a more robust regulatory regime,” Environment Minister Gary Higgins said.

“One of the key moves is to strengthen the audit and compliance role for the independent Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and provide for clarity in the roles and responsibilities of government agencies and the EPA in the system.

“Overall, the new regime will give the community more confidence, proponents more clarity and provide for an overall more transparent process.”

The report’s release was the beginning of an extensive consultation phase, which would encourage stakeholders and the community to be part of the process to deliver the new, more robust regime.

“Government will engage with key industry and community stakeholders to develop the best model for the Northern Territory,” Higgins said.

Hunt said this week that the territory government’s decision to reform their environmental regulatory system was a clear example of the Australian government's “one-stop shop” policy raising environmental standards in Australian states and territories.

“Key features of the Northern Territory reforms are designed to meet the national standards set out under the ‘one-stop shop’.

“Significant cuts to red and green tape in the Northern Territory will help boost the economy and facilitate jobs and development across Northern Australia,” Hunt said.

He noted that under the new system, business would benefit from a simpler and more transparent process, with publicly available assessment and approval policies and procedures, combined with the robust accreditation of government legislation and agency procedures.

“Importantly, this increased business certainty will be achieved while raising environmental standards,” Hunt added.