Australian mining is one step closer to having a one-stop-shop approval process, after all States and Territories finalised a new agreement on environmental assessments with the Commonwealth Government late last week.
Prime Minister Tony Abbot signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Friday to implement the plan.
The federal, state and territory governments now have to agree on bilateral assessments and updating those that were already in place. Queensland has already agreed to bilateral assessments.
Abbott said the new streamlined approvals process would, “create certainty for investment, grow the economy, reduce costs for business, boost productivity and create jobs.”
“By eliminating duplication, we can deliver more timely approvals and enable Australian businesses to expedite their work while maintaining the current high standard of environmental protection,” Abbott said.
The Western Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) has welcomed the state government’s decision, saying it was a necessary step towards removing unnecessary duplication in environmental assessment, and delivering much needed certainty, efficiency and transparency of decision-making for resources projects.
“Despite concerns raised by environmental lobby groups, the one-stop shop will not see a ‘watering down’ of environmental standards. The establishment of bilateral agreements will realise significant efficiencies in the process while maintaining the same level of Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act environmental protection,” said CME CEO Reg Howard-Smith.
“When fully implemented, this policy will help deliver more streamlined and cost-efficient approvals, reducing the commonwealth’s involvement on a project-by-project basis, and enabling a focus on more strategic outcomes for biodiversity.”
“We are acutely aware of the need to ensure high environmental standards are met, but we believe this can be achieved in a better way than having federal officers in Canberra assessing projects in Queensland.
“This agreement will establish one assessment process that incorporates state and federal requirements to ensure proponents meet the national environmental standards right off the bat.
“I am confident that this will encourage investment and deliver certainty for industry, it will improve our competitiveness as a state and, importantly, this will deliver jobs for Queenslanders.
“I am equally confident that this will not come at a cost to our natural environment.”
Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell said the new assessment process would deliver enhanced cooperation between the state and federal governments to ensure the highest environmental standards were met.
“As part of this agreement the Queensland Government will be able to seek input and advice on assessments from Commonwealth organisations such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, or the Supervising Scientist to ensure we are meeting the national environmental standards,” Mr Powell said.
“In addition, Commonwealth officers will be established in Queensland to audit our processes and ensure our assessments are rigorous, and delivering the best environmental outcomes for the state, and the nation.
“This is not about watering down environmental protections – it’s about us lifting the bar and combining our processes with the Commonwealth to apply Australia’s highest environmental standards to projects in Queensland.
“Our assessment processes have been accredited by the Commonwealth and I am confident that we can deliver strong environmental outcomes for the state.”
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