Miners welcome introduction of WA environmental approvals reform to fast-track projects

The resources sector has welcomed the Western Australian government’s introduction of what it describes as the most “significant reforms to the state’s environmental approval laws in a generation.”

The introduction of the Environmental Protection Act Amendment Bill 2024 into parliament is designed to help fast-track major job-creating projects.

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) said the introduction of legislation that allows multiple government departments to process project permit applications simultaneously is simply common sense.

Delays a deterrent

CME chief executive officer Rebecca Tomkinson said delays caused by complicated assessment processes involving multiple government departments pose a significant deterrent to investment in projects in WA.

“Our sector relies on regulatory frameworks that maintain our strong environmental protections but, obviously, these must be delivered in a timely and efficient manner,” Ms Tomkinson said.

“Any perceptions of inefficiency, delay or WA being hard to do business with automatically impacts our reputation with investors and our trading partners.”

“Our legislation has to be forward-looking and not lag behind other jurisdictions – or worse, drag us backwards.”

Transparency critical

Ms Tomkinson said the introduction of clear, time-based metrics and transparent reporting is critical at all stages of the assessment process for all departments involved in project permit approvals.

In the most significant reform under the new legislation, other government regulators will be allowed to issue their own approvals ahead of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) issuing an environmental impact assessment.

Under the current system, other government regulators cannot consider approvals for projects until the EPA has finished its assessment, often resulting in multi-year delays to projects.

Under the new parallel decision-making policy, proponents could obtain other approvals while their environmental impact is assessed, potentially saving years in the process.

‘Right balance’

Premier Roger Cook said the reforms also remove the right of appeal against a decision made by the EPA not to assess a project, with most projects in this case subject to other forms of rigorous environmental regulation.

The EPA will instead publish a summary of reasons for its decision.

“This legislation strikes the right balance—slashing green tape, removing duplication and reducing delays—all while maintaining the highest environmental standards,” the premier said.

“For too long, major job-creating projects have been held up for years by an inefficient, sluggish system that does not deliver any additional environmental outcomes.”

“These sensible reforms retain all environmental protections but streamline processes into a more efficient, responsive system.”

“This legislation will ensure WA continues to be the engine room of the nation and deliver on our ambitions to become a green energy powerhouse.”