New procedures have been introduced to streamline environmental assessments by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) by resolving technical deficiencies and other potential issues up-front.
Under the changes, companies will be consulted on the conditions recommended for their development in a bid to improve the effectiveness of the conditions in protecting the environment. These discussions will take place before the proposed conditions are submitted for Ministerial consideration.
At the moment, the only avenue for proponents to raise issues with recommended conditions is through the appeals process. Sometimes these appeals involve simple errors of fact, mistakes in interpretation or perceived difficulties with the implementation of a condition. These relatively simple matters will now be able to be resolved through the new consultation period.
Under the changes, companies will be consulted on the conditions recommended for their development in a bid to improve the effectiveness of the conditions in protecting the environment. These discussions will take place before the proposed conditions are submitted for Ministerial consideration.
At the moment, the only avenue for proponents to raise issues with recommended conditions is through the appeals process. Sometimes these appeals involve simple errors of fact, mistakes in interpretation or perceived difficulties with the implementation of a condition. These relatively simple matters will now be able to be resolved through the new consultation period.
New procedures to streamline environmental assessments
The timeliness and effectiveness of the EPA’s functions will be enhanced by:
· introducing outcome based conditions where appropriate;
· using a risk-based assessment where applicable;
· improving project tracking;
· using greater rigour and consistency in the scoping phase;
· focusing more on timelines; and
· providing more guidance to proponents to improve certainty, clarity and consistency.
Details of the new initiative are available at http://www.epa.wa.gov.au
· introducing outcome based conditions where appropriate;
· using a risk-based assessment where applicable;
· improving project tracking;
· using greater rigour and consistency in the scoping phase;
· focusing more on timelines; and
· providing more guidance to proponents to improve certainty, clarity and consistency.
Details of the new initiative are available at http://www.epa.wa.gov.au
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Ph: +61 (08) 9923 9211; Fax: +61 (08) 9923 9222; Email: brian.ellis@mp.wa.gov.au
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