The Federal Government has committed $128.5 million to modernise the operation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act), and streamline the assessment and decision-making process under the Act, while ensuring strong environmental safeguards.
Single touch approvals via the integration of Commonwealth and state processes and well-designed landscape-scale approaches will support more timely and coordinated decision-making for resources projects.
Minerals Council of Australia Chief Executive Officer Tania Constable said the changes will help provide greater certainty for businesses to invest in regional Australia, supporting local communities, jobs and furthering sustainable development.
“Additional funding for administration of the Act, compliance and building the environmental knowledge base will also provide greater confidence for all parties,” she said.
The establishment of an advisory committee to provide expert industry advice will improve understanding of industry, including minerals development within EPBC Act processes.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA said the funding, together with the $47 million committed to expansion of the Digital Environmental Assessment Program “will help provide greater confidence for business investment without removing or diminishing environmental standards or safeguards”.
The funding commitment includes:
- $62.3M for development of regional plans in priority development regions
- $28.4 million to support decision making, strengthen data and modernise the environmental offsets policy
- $37.9M to streamline assessment processes, and progress single touch approvals processing.