Premier Roger Cook will announce a significant overhaul of the state’s environmental approvals process today, in response to business delays and uncertainty which have hampered productivity.
Premier Roger Cook will announce a significant overhaul of the state’s environmental approvals process today, in response to business delays and uncertainty which have hampered productivity.
The move, to be announced the same morning as Mr Cook’s appearance at a Business News Politics & Business breakfast, follows a short review of the current process commissioned in October.
Proposed changes to the Environmental Protection Act 1986 will be progressed to give Environment Minister Reece Whitby and the government greater control over environmental approval timelines.
One key change will allow the minister to direct the Environmental Protection Authority to assess projects considered significant to the state within a specified timeframe.
Other government approvals will now be allowed to run parallel with EPA approvals, while the EPA’s board will be expanded to include more skills-based members.
Parallel assessments are expected to significantly cut down on approvals timeframes.
It follows an announcement last month that will allow Lands Minister John Carey to grant lease options on Commonwealth land to renewables projects yet to receive EPA approval.
A statement of intent will also be set for the EPA by the environment minister, recognising the government’s priorities and policies.
The Joondalup-based EPA will also establish a Perth presence and receive an $18 million injection to reduce bottlenecks and allow rapid deployment for critical approvals.
Additional resources made available will include the use of external consultants and technical experts.
Mr Cook said the changes were an acknowledgement of a system that was not working as designed.
“It’s important we have a strong approvals system to protect WA’s unique environment, but right now, our system isn’t working,” he 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.
“Delays and uncertainty are putting a handbrake on investment and jobs, and slowing down our important progress to becoming a clean energy powerhouse – without delivering any benefit to the environment.”
Mr Cook said the onus was on government to reduce green tape and remove duplication while delivering for the environment.
Further work will be undertaken to reduce duplication, with particular focus on assessments of emissions already covered by the federal Safeguard Mechanism and on Aboriginal cultural heritage assessments.
Appeals processes will also be reviewed with streamlining in mind.
The government singled out statutory timeframes, consultation parameters and determining the number of appeal and public comment opportunities as key on this front.
The $18 million funding will also support a new coordinator general role and a team within the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, to coordinate efforts and facilitate approvals for projects of state significance.
Further consultation with industry and conservation groups will be undertaken as the part of the reforms.
Today’s announcements come off the back of 39 recommendations put forward by report authors - former EPA chair Paul Vogel and former government policy advisor David McFerran - all of which were accepted or noted by government.
Mr Whitby thanked Dr Vogel and Mr McFerran for their work on the review and said it would guide the government in making the process smoother while protecting the environment and economy.
“We must be conscious of delays caused by excessive approval timeframes which carry no environmental benefit,” he said.
“Increasingly, the EPA’s job has become more complex as applications increase and public awareness of environmental issues rise.”
