❓ Mr. Blayney asks about the success of the Reforming Environmental Regulation program. The Minister for Mines and Petroleum responds positively, highlighting reduced approval times for exploration programs and cost savings for proponents.
AnsweredQoN 851Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT
OF MINES AND PETROLEUM —REFORMING ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION PROGRAM
851. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY to the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
Can the minister please describe to the house the success of
the state government's Reforming Environmental Regulation program in
streamlining approvals?
OF MINES AND PETROLEUM —REFORMING ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION PROGRAM
851. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY to the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
Can the minister please describe to the house the success of
the state government's Reforming Environmental Regulation program in
streamlining approvals?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Geraldton for
the question. He is a member who understands the importance of having a
streamlined approvals process, because the sooner we can get exploration
started or mining proposals started, the sooner they can generate economic
benefits to the regions, which is jobs for the regions, because, as everyone
knows, most of the mining and exploration occurs in the regions.
Mr
D.T. Redman : A government for jobs.
Mr
W.R. MARMION : A government for jobs, yes.
One of the things I am very pleased
to report on is the progress that we have made in the last two years in
improving the time taken to approve programs of works for exploration. In 2013—I
just happen to have a handy little chart in front of me—it took 45 days
to process a typical program of works permit. The good news is that in 2015 it
is now only 28 days.
Mr
F.M. Logan : The number of applications has probably followed it down that
way as well!
Mr
W.R. MARMION : The number of applications is almost exactly the same. That
is a 40 per cent reduction in the time taken. Indeed, the estimated saving to
the proponents—just to the proponents—is about $2.2 million
through that reduction in time.
This is just the start. We are
looking at improvements in other areas of environmental approvals. We have just
passed through this house this morning the Mining Legislation Amendment Bill,
which will streamline environmental approvals so that they do not have to also
go to the Department of Environment Regulation for duplication of the same
approvals for clearing of land.
The Liberal–National
government supports jobs, and one of the ways we can support jobs is by making
sure that some of our development approvals can be quicker and we can get
production happening in the mining industry sooner. I commend my department for
what it has been doing in reducing red tape in Western Australia.
the question. He is a member who understands the importance of having a
streamlined approvals process, because the sooner we can get exploration
started or mining proposals started, the sooner they can generate economic
benefits to the regions, which is jobs for the regions, because, as everyone
knows, most of the mining and exploration occurs in the regions.
Mr
D.T. Redman : A government for jobs.
Mr
W.R. MARMION : A government for jobs, yes.
One of the things I am very pleased
to report on is the progress that we have made in the last two years in
improving the time taken to approve programs of works for exploration. In 2013—I
just happen to have a handy little chart in front of me—it took 45 days
to process a typical program of works permit. The good news is that in 2015 it
is now only 28 days.
Mr
F.M. Logan : The number of applications has probably followed it down that
way as well!
Mr
W.R. MARMION : The number of applications is almost exactly the same. That
is a 40 per cent reduction in the time taken. Indeed, the estimated saving to
the proponents—just to the proponents—is about $2.2 million
through that reduction in time.
This is just the start. We are
looking at improvements in other areas of environmental approvals. We have just
passed through this house this morning the Mining Legislation Amendment Bill,
which will streamline environmental approvals so that they do not have to also
go to the Department of Environment Regulation for duplication of the same
approvals for clearing of land.
The Liberal–National
government supports jobs, and one of the ways we can support jobs is by making
sure that some of our development approvals can be quicker and we can get
production happening in the mining industry sooner. I commend my department for
what it has been doing in reducing red tape in Western Australia.
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