A parliamentary question regarding the expiry of mining industry exemptions from native vegetation clearing rules and the subsequent actions taken by the government. The Minister provides an update on regulations, clearing applications received, approved, and awaiting decision.

AnsweredQoN 881Legislative Council
Asked
16 October 2007
Portfolio
Resources

QuestionView source ↗

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT - MINING INDUSTRY EXEMPTIONS
I refer the minister to the expiry on 8 April 2007 of mining industry exemptions from the native vegetation clearing rules under the Environmental Protection Act, as reported in the last annual report of the Department of Industry and Resources. (1) Will the minister provide an update on what has happened since the expiry date regarding the requirements on industry and any further initiatives by government? (2) How many such clearing applications has the department received since the expiry date? (3) How many such clearing applications has the department approved since the expiry date? (4) How many clearing applications are awaiting approval? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Amendment Regulations 2007 were gazetted on 30 March 2007.  The amendment regulations provided for ongoing exemptions under regulation 5, item 25, for mineral exploration activities carried out under the Mining Act 1978, provided they were outside environmentally sensitive areas.  With regard to further initiatives by government, the native vegetation regulatory reform reference group, comprising government and industry representatives, was established in March 2007 to facilitate and identify opportunities for further reform to the clearing regulations. (2) The Department of Industry and Resources has received a total of 47 clearing applications since 8 April 2007.  Of these, two were withdrawn before they were advertised as accepted for assessment. (3) The Department of Industry and Resources has approved a total of 32 clearing applications since 8 April 2007. (4) A total of 23 clearing applications are currently awaiting decision.
(1) Will the minister provide an update on what has happened since the expiry date regarding the requirements on industry and any further initiatives by government? (2) How many such clearing applications has the department received since the expiry date? (3) How many such clearing applications has the department approved since the expiry date? (4) How many clearing applications are awaiting approval? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Amendment Regulations 2007 were gazetted on 30 March 2007.  The amendment regulations provided for ongoing exemptions under regulation 5, item 25, for mineral exploration activities carried out under the Mining Act 1978, provided they were outside environmentally sensitive areas.  With regard to further initiatives by government, the native vegetation regulatory reform reference group, comprising government and industry representatives, was established in March 2007 to facilitate and identify opportunities for further reform to the clearing regulations. (2) The Department of Industry and Resources has received a total of 47 clearing applications since 8 April 2007.  Of these, two were withdrawn before they were advertised as accepted for assessment. (3) The Department of Industry and Resources has approved a total of 32 clearing applications since 8 April 2007. (4) A total of 23 clearing applications are currently awaiting decision.
(2) How many such clearing applications has the department received since the expiry date? (3) How many such clearing applications has the department approved since the expiry date? (4) How many clearing applications are awaiting approval? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Amendment Regulations 2007 were gazetted on 30 March 2007.  The amendment regulations provided for ongoing exemptions under regulation 5, item 25, for mineral exploration activities carried out under the Mining Act 1978, provided they were outside environmentally sensitive areas.  With regard to further initiatives by government, the native vegetation regulatory reform reference group, comprising government and industry representatives, was established in March 2007 to facilitate and identify opportunities for further reform to the clearing regulations. (2) The Department of Industry and Resources has received a total of 47 clearing applications since 8 April 2007.  Of these, two were withdrawn before they were advertised as accepted for assessment. (3) The Department of Industry and Resources has approved a total of 32 clearing applications since 8 April 2007. (4) A total of 23 clearing applications are currently awaiting decision.
(3) How many such clearing applications has the department approved since the expiry date? (4) How many clearing applications are awaiting approval? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Amendment Regulations 2007 were gazetted on 30 March 2007.  The amendment regulations provided for ongoing exemptions under regulation 5, item 25, for mineral exploration activities carried out under the Mining Act 1978, provided they were outside environmentally sensitive areas.  With regard to further initiatives by government, the native vegetation regulatory reform reference group, comprising government and industry representatives, was established in March 2007 to facilitate and identify opportunities for further reform to the clearing regulations. (2) The Department of Industry and Resources has received a total of 47 clearing applications since 8 April 2007.  Of these, two were withdrawn before they were advertised as accepted for assessment. (3) The Department of Industry and Resources has approved a total of 32 clearing applications since 8 April 2007. (4) A total of 23 clearing applications are currently awaiting decision.
(4) How many clearing applications are awaiting approval? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Amendment Regulations 2007 were gazetted on 30 March 2007.  The amendment regulations provided for ongoing exemptions under regulation 5, item 25, for mineral exploration activities carried out under the Mining Act 1978, provided they were outside environmentally sensitive areas.  With regard to further initiatives by government, the native vegetation regulatory reform reference group, comprising government and industry representatives, was established in March 2007 to facilitate and identify opportunities for further reform to the clearing regulations. (2) The Department of Industry and Resources has received a total of 47 clearing applications since 8 April 2007.  Of these, two were withdrawn before they were advertised as accepted for assessment. (3) The Department of Industry and Resources has approved a total of 32 clearing applications since 8 April 2007. (4) A total of 23 clearing applications are currently awaiting decision.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Amendment Regulations 2007 were gazetted on 30 March 2007.  The amendment regulations provided for ongoing exemptions under regulation 5, item 25, for mineral exploration activities carried out under the Mining Act 1978, provided they were outside environmentally sensitive areas.  With regard to further initiatives by government, the native vegetation regulatory reform reference group, comprising government and industry representatives, was established in March 2007 to facilitate and identify opportunities for further reform to the clearing regulations. (2) The Department of Industry and Resources has received a total of 47 clearing applications since 8 April 2007.  Of these, two were withdrawn before they were advertised as accepted for assessment. (3) The Department of Industry and Resources has approved a total of 32 clearing applications since 8 April 2007. (4) A total of 23 clearing applications are currently awaiting decision.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Amendment Regulations 2007 were gazetted on 30 March 2007.  The amendment regulations provided for ongoing exemptions under regulation 5, item 25, for mineral exploration activities carried out under the Mining Act 1978, provided they were outside environmentally sensitive areas.  With regard to further initiatives by government, the native vegetation regulatory reform reference group, comprising government and industry representatives, was established in March 2007 to facilitate and identify opportunities for further reform to the clearing regulations. (2) The Department of Industry and Resources has received a total of 47 clearing applications since 8 April 2007.  Of these, two were withdrawn before they were advertised as accepted for assessment. (3) The Department of Industry and Resources has approved a total of 32 clearing applications since 8 April 2007. (4) A total of 23 clearing applications are currently awaiting decision.
(1) The Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Amendment Regulations 2007 were gazetted on 30 March 2007.  The amendment regulations provided for ongoing exemptions under regulation 5, item 25, for mineral exploration activities carried out under the Mining Act 1978, provided they were outside environmentally sensitive areas.  With regard to further initiatives by government, the native vegetation regulatory reform reference group, comprising government and industry representatives, was established in March 2007 to facilitate and identify opportunities for further reform to the clearing regulations. (2) The Department of Industry and Resources has received a total of 47 clearing applications since 8 April 2007.  Of these, two were withdrawn before they were advertised as accepted for assessment. (3) The Department of Industry and Resources has approved a total of 32 clearing applications since 8 April 2007. (4) A total of 23 clearing applications are currently awaiting decision.
(2) The Department of Industry and Resources has received a total of 47 clearing applications since 8 April 2007.  Of these, two were withdrawn before they were advertised as accepted for assessment. (3) The Department of Industry and Resources has approved a total of 32 clearing applications since 8 April 2007. (4) A total of 23 clearing applications are currently awaiting decision.
(3) The Department of Industry and Resources has approved a total of 32 clearing applications since 8 April 2007. (4) A total of 23 clearing applications are currently awaiting decision.
(4) A total of 23 clearing applications are currently awaiting decision.

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