Hon Robin Chapple questions the extension of Programme of Work validity periods in the mining sector, inquiring about the method, consultation process, and implementation date. The response clarifies it was a policy decision under the Reforming Environmental Regulation program.

AnsweredQoN 343Legislative Council
Asked
15 October 2013
Portfolio
Mines and Petroleum

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the media release of Wednesday, 18 September 2013, “State Government cuts more mining red tape”, and I ask: (a) other
than the statement contained in the media release saying that Department of
Mines and Petroleum has increased the validity period for Programmes of Work to
four years, has there been a regulatory or legislative method used to achieve
this extension; (b) if no to (a), why not; (c) if yes to (a), will the Minister advise the
House by which method this has been achieved; (d) what consultation process over the changes to
the Programme of Work was entered into with which parties; and (e) on what dates were the increase to the validity
period for Programmes of Work to four years introduced?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
19 November 2013
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
35 days
The Department of Mines and Petroleum advises:
(a)-(c)
There have been no changes to regulations or legislation to enable the extension of validity periods for Programmes of Work. The
Mining Act 1978
has no specific restriction on the validity period for Programmes of Work. This was a policy decision that achieves a balance to maintain oversight of activities that impact on the environment and minimise administrative burden on tenement holders.
(d)
The extension to the Programme of Work validity period was one outcome of the Department of Mines and Petroleum's Reforming Environmental Regulation (RER) programme. The RER programme has been the subject of extensive and ongoing consultation with industry, conservation groups, stakeholder groups (e.g. Pastoralists and Graziers Association), and other Government agencies.
(e)
The increase to the validity period was introduced by the Department of Mines and Petroleum on 10 September 2013.

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