PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Australian resources sector has called on federal Parliament to support pragmatic, targeted and reasonable amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act which the government will bring forward for debate this week.

The Australian government has introduced two Bills to lay the foundations of reforms to the EPBC Act and deliver single touch environmental approvals and the development of national environmental standards.

The Bills reflect the position supported by all governments at National Cabinet, and it is hoped the reforms would improve the operation of the Act by reducing duplication and delays while improving environmental outcomes. 

The Minerals Council of Australia, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, as well as industry bodies from Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia have said in a joint statement that the passage of these Bills will protect the environment while supporting resources jobs and regional communities.

“As Australia recovers from Covid-19, creating more resources jobs more quickly to support economic growth and regional communities while boosting environmental protection is a clear path to a stronger Australia.

“EPBC Act approvals for resources projects can take over 1 000 days, with every day of delay costing up to A$1-million. 

“The second independent 10-year statutory review of the EPBC Act found it was outdated and required urgent reform.

“After a decade of inaction following the previous review, action is needed to fix inefficient and ineffective laws which are delaying major resource projects and failing to protect the environment,” the sector’s representative bodies said in a joint statement.

“It is important these reforms occur in accordance with this government’s proposed timeline to provide clarity and certainty to all stakeholders.

“The Commonwealth should also ensure that appropriate funding is provided to state and territory governments for the establishment and operation of bilateral agreements. 

“Given that the comprehensive reform required will take years, the time to start the reform journey is now.”

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (Amec) has also urged Parliament to support the reforms, with CEO Warren Pearce saying the reforms will significantly reduce the unnecessary duplication between state and federal systems, and offer shortened timeframes for environmental approvals, without compromising environmental outcomes.

“The federal government’s proposal for ‘single touch’ environmental bilateral assessment and approvals, has undergone significant consultation with state and territory governments and wide range of stakeholders, and now represents the best chance to enact meaningful reform.

“Removing the duplication of the Commonwealth and state approvals process would be a significant achievement, with the most recent report recommending streamlining through devolution supported by new national environmental standards,” said Pearce.

“The mining and exploration industry need an approvals framework that provides clarity and certainty for proponents to invest in new projects.”