Four Government regulatory authorities are to receive funding to fast-track approvals for key environmental, mining and heritage projects.
Announcing the initiative, Premier, Mark McGowan said the funding could assist at least 17 projects currently seeking approvals, unlocking thousands of jobs.
The Premier said the additional funding would support State Government regulatory authorities in managing a significant increase in applications.
“Resource market trends, such as the expansion of the gold and iron ore sectors due to high commodity prices, and WA’s reputation as an attractive and safe destination for resource investment, are driving the surge in applications,” Mr McGowan said.
“The State Government is funding additional surge capacity across the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation including Environmental Protection Authority services; the Department of Planning, Land and Heritage; the Department of Mining, Industry Regulation and Safety, and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.”
He said the four Departments had agreed to work together on a number of new measures that would facilitate better coordination and the prioritisation of approvals for major projects across Government.
“These immediate short term actions have been taken in response to feedback from industry stakeholders, and ensure approvals for major projects will proceed in parallel with longer-term regulatory reform,” Mr McGowan said.
“The Government remains committed to delivering long-term regulatory reform and resourcing measures that will make sure applications for major projects are processed consistently and efficiently into the future,” he said.
