The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) acknowledges the release today of the Federal Government’s response to the Samuels Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
CME will now work with its member companies to review the response in full and understand the implications for the WA approvals landscape and project pipeline.
“We have $87 billion in medium and long-term projects in the WA pipeline – projects essential for the supply of energy, renewables, critical minerals and metals needed to deliver on Australia’s commitment to meeting net zero emissions by 2050,” CME CEO Rebecca Tomkinson said.
“Project approvals are an extremely significant factor in whether these projects can come online in the timeframes we need them to, to meet these commitments. With that in mind, we welcome the Federal Government’s stated intention to streamline approval processes and look forward to understanding how the reforms will deliver on this, noting the proposed introduction of a national Environmental Protection Authority and existing duplication between state and Commonwealth processes.
“Progression of bilateral approvals – a key recommendation from the Samuels Review that CME has publicly supported – will also be absolutely critical to keep project timeframes workable and deliver on Australia’s decarbonisation commitments.
“I know the WA government has previously stated its commitment to act on this as well. The mining and resources sector looks forward to working with environmental authorities in WA as they seek to gain the accreditation under National Environmental Standards that will facilitate one-touch approvals.
“Noting WA’s stringent environmental standards and robust regulatory approvals processes, CME would like to see accreditation for approval of bilateral agreements implemented as soon as possible.
”We look forward to further detail regarding how the changes outlined in this response this will complement, and not duplicate, existing State and Federal approval processes”
