PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Australian federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt on Wednesday announced measures to streamline environmental approvals, aiming to slash red tape and increase jobs and investment, while maintaining environmental standards.
Hunt said the government would approach the streamlining process in three stages, the first of which was to sign a memorandum of understanding with each of the willing states on the key principles and confirming cooperation on achieving a single process.
The second stage would see the federal and state governments agree on bilateral assessments and updating those that are already in, while stage three would see agreements on bilateral approvals within 12 months with willing states.
Hunt pointed out that significant work had already been done with the states in drafting the first memorandum of understanding, adding that each would be signed by the Prime Minister and the respective Premier.
“We expect that the first will be signed shortly as we implement our commitment to cut red tape. This is about setting the highest standards, making swift decisions and delivering certain outcomes,” the Minister said.
He added that the government would also continue working with the states on approving strategic assessments that provide a further simplification of the process for project approvals.
To assist the process, the federal government was also offering to place staff in the state offices to ensure the implementation occurs as smoothly and as quickly as possible.
The Western Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy has welcomed the federal government’s announcement. CEO Reg Howard-Smith said on Wednesday that the approvals framework avoided unnecessary duplication and delivered certainty, efficiency and transparency of decision-making processes. This, he said, was vital to attract future investment in the resources sector.
“The experience of recent federal environmental assessments of major resource projects has highlighted a lack of intergovernmental cooperation and unnecessary duplication which has resulted in drawn-out approval timelines and uncertainty for industry,” Howard-Smith said.
“In no way does a one-stop shop represent a ‘watering down’ of environmental standards. It is simply a more efficient and cost-effective approach to assessing the environmental suitability of projects.”
He noted that CME members believed that the approvals system had to be underpinned by the highest level of environmental integrity, readily understood by proponents and respected amongst community members.
“It is pleasing to see the federal government focus on the challenges faced by the sector, specifically, reducing the cost of doing business. Sensible policy initiatives such as those announced today will enable the continued growth of the resources sector in Western Australia,” said Howard-Smith.
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies has also welcomed the move, saying the framework policy was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial arrangement for the states and the federal government.