The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s introduction of new legislation which it says will help cut the “red tape” which has been holding back important mining developments and investment in the state.
MCA executive director, James Sorahan, says the move to introduce a duties model in the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 is an opportunity to reform the current works approval process.
The MCA describes the previous model as complex and uncertain, leading to the creation of long timeframes for mining developments.
“A new general duty model for mine approvals will modernise Victoria’s mining permitting legislation and follows the introduction of the general environmental duty in the Environment Protection Act 2017,” Mr Sorahan said.
“It has the potential to create a more efficient approvals and variations process while maintaining high community and or environmental standards in Victoria.”
Victoria ranks last in mining investment attractiveness
Victoria was ranked last in Australia in the most recent global survey of investment attractiveness produced by Canadian “think tank” the Fraser Institute.
That survey result was based on the international mining industry’s perceptions of Victoria’s “poor” approval timeframes.
Mr Sorahan said the reforms proposed in the legislation are overdue.
“MCA Victoria has been calling for reforms to the workplan system and is supportive of the legislation passing Parliament with close consultation with industry on the subsequent regulations.
“As global demand for minerals increases, Victoria has the opportunity to produce more of the minerals and metals essential for the transition to low carbon economies such as lithium, copper, mineral sands and rare earth elements.
“A modern, efficient approvals process is essential to Victoria adding to this growth industry and creating jobs in regional areas to supply the world with mineral resources.”
Budget moves
The MCA was also supportive of Victoria’s recent 2023 budget which included a total of $23.2 million in resources initiatives items.
The Council said the budget initiatives will support mining projects and build on the state’s renewable energy supply chains.
The budget included the establishment of an Earth Resources Approvals Coordinator to help complex mining projects navigate through the array of Acts, regulators and tiers of government.
It also featured funding for the amendments to the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990.
However, the MCA was not so happy about the government’s decision to increase payroll tax, describing it as an unnecessary burden at a time when the state was looking to turn its mining fortunes around.
