Crown land used for vegetation rehabilitation
Currently native vegetation offsets for private land clearing can be sourced only on private land. Offsets on crown land are extremely limited. This reform will facilitate native vegetation offsetting on public land making it cheaper and easier for businesses to meet their native vegetation offsetting obligations.
Bonds for land rehabilitation by instalment
Current rehabilitation bond requirements for mining licence or extractive industry work
authority holders are inflexible requiring 100% bonds upfront. This reform will allow for
reduced rehabilitation bonds of up to 50% during the start-up phase of new mining and
quarrying projects, when the risk of default is low and additional liability to the Government
is minimal. It will also institute a cash bond system for individual bonds up to $10,000 as an
alternative to bank guarantees in appropriate circumstances reducing costs and barriers to
entry in the mining and extractives sectors.
Return of bonds for land rehabilitation
The current process for rehabilitation bond return in the mining and extractives sector is
protracted. This reform will streamline the bond return process toVictorian mining/quarrying operators to ensure that bonds are returned as soon as possible following the successful conclusion of landowner consultation.
Mining information online
Currently administration of mining exploration licences is paper based. This reform will
transition mining application and reporting systems to an online format including enabling
online searches for existing licences and online applications for new licences.
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