❓ Hon Neil Thomson questions the Minister for Environment regarding updated cost-recovery guidance for Part IV compliance, including consultation, calculation, auditing, and revenue estimates. The parliamentary secretary provides detailed answers, including consultation details, calculation methods, review commitments, and revenue projections.
AnsweredQoN 1206Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL
REGULATION — COST-RECOVERY GUIDELINES
1206. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to new cost-recovery
guidance updated in June 2023 for part IV compliance.
(1) Who was consulted about these
fees before the publication of the guidance?
(2) How were these cost-recovery
fees calculated?
(3) Will the government commit to
auditing these fees and costs associated with part IV compliance?
(4) Has the government assessed how
much more revenue is likely from these fees?
(5) If yes to (4), how much will be
raised?
(6) In relation to (5), is this
published?
REGULATION — COST-RECOVERY GUIDELINES
1206. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to new cost-recovery
guidance updated in June 2023 for part IV compliance.
(1) Who was consulted about these
fees before the publication of the guidance?
(2) How were these cost-recovery
fees calculated?
(3) Will the government commit to
auditing these fees and costs associated with part IV compliance?
(4) Has the government assessed how
much more revenue is likely from these fees?
(5) If yes to (4), how much will be
raised?
(6) In relation to (5), is this
published?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide
the following answer.
(1) The fees for part IV compliance are listed in the
Environmental Protection (Cost Recovery) Regulations 2021. The Department
of Water and Environmental Regulation undertook five weeks of public
consultation, seeking feedback on the proposed fees and charges outlined in the
discussion paper on the implementation of cost recovery. This was followed by
seven briefings for peak industry bodies. The interim guideline published by
the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation only determines which fee
category the holder of a ministerial statement falls under. The Department of
Water and Environmental Regulation has been transparent that it has not
consulted on the interim guideline and that this will be followed by
consultation on a draft guideline in November 2023. The public and industry
will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the draft guideline.
(2) Detailed
information on how part IV compliance fees are calculated is published on the
Department of Water and Environmental
Regulation's website in the Interim guideline: Determining
compliance priority rating for cost recovery , dated June
2023. As set out in the guideline, the fee categories are calculated by taking
into consideration the risk to the environment, the complexity of the proposal
and the level of ongoing compliance required.
(3) The
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has previously committed to
undertaking a review of the structure of the fees after 18 months.
(4) Yes.
(5) Compliance
fees of between $1.6 million and $2 million are expected in the first year of
implementation. However, the quantum of fees raised after the 18-month review is
currently unknown.
(6) No, this is an internal estimate
only.
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide
the following answer.
(1) The fees for part IV compliance are listed in the
Environmental Protection (Cost Recovery) Regulations 2021. The Department
of Water and Environmental Regulation undertook five weeks of public
consultation, seeking feedback on the proposed fees and charges outlined in the
discussion paper on the implementation of cost recovery. This was followed by
seven briefings for peak industry bodies. The interim guideline published by
the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation only determines which fee
category the holder of a ministerial statement falls under. The Department of
Water and Environmental Regulation has been transparent that it has not
consulted on the interim guideline and that this will be followed by
consultation on a draft guideline in November 2023. The public and industry
will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the draft guideline.
(2) Detailed
information on how part IV compliance fees are calculated is published on the
Department of Water and Environmental
Regulation's website in the Interim guideline: Determining
compliance priority rating for cost recovery , dated June
2023. As set out in the guideline, the fee categories are calculated by taking
into consideration the risk to the environment, the complexity of the proposal
and the level of ongoing compliance required.
(3) The
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has previously committed to
undertaking a review of the structure of the fees after 18 months.
(4) Yes.
(5) Compliance
fees of between $1.6 million and $2 million are expected in the first year of
implementation. However, the quantum of fees raised after the 18-month review is
currently unknown.
(6) No, this is an internal estimate
only.
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