Murray Watt and Roger Cook set up deal to streamline environment approvals to under 50 days

Environment Minister Murray Watt and Premier Roger Cook have pledged their governments will join forces to assess projects in less than two months, saving businesses hundreds of millions of dollars in delays. The pair met on Tuesday afternoon as Senator Watt finalises the Commonwealth’s overhaul of its environmental approvals process, with legislation expected to go to Parliament when it next sits at the end of October. The proposed new laws will cut the timeframe for Federal assessments and approvals from 70 days to 50 days. Just this 20-day cut in times could save the economy $445 million, according to a departmental assessment of the changes. A review of 196 projects from the past five years found streamlining processes could save 140 days, compared with the median time taken for projects to be assessed when they didn’t need any extra information, and up to 288 days for those that required more information. Recently, Senator Watt approved a Tasmanian wind farm project that had been under assessment for eight years. Shorter timeframes for complicated projects could save more than $6.8 billion. “We know that time is money — our new streamlined assessment process, as well as other reforms and initiatives, will deliver substantial cost savings for businesses and bring forward important economic development,” Senator Watt will tell the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA in a speech about the new laws on Wednesday. The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act overhaul is also expected to allow the Commonwealth to accredit States to do, at least, the assessment of proposals if they agree to a common set of environmental standards. Mr Cook and Senator Watt agreed to set up a new WA bilateral agreement as a step towards streamlining assessments. An existing agreement is in place but has never been used. Senator Watt said an updated agreement would reduce duplication and further streamline approval processes. “Our reforms will improve the flexibility and operation of the WA bilateral agreement,” he said. “We will continue to work closely with WA, and all States and territories, to implement all aspects of the reforms — this collaboration is critical to its success.” Mr Cook pledged WA’s support for “reforms that achieve the dual objectives of delivering faster approvals and strengthening environmental protection”. The State Government and resources sector’s opposition to a version of the laws put last year was key to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stepping in to halt them. “This commitment by the Commonwealth is an important step in ensuring Western Australia isn’t just a nation-leader in best practice for investment attraction, industry facilitation and regulation, but a world leader, too,” Mr Cook said. “By renewing the bilateral agreement, we’re making significant progress in our efforts to reduce duplication and ensure decisions can be made on major job-creating projects without delay.” This is Senator Watt’s fourth visit to WA since he took on the portfolio after the election, tasked with fixing the stalled but much-needed EPBC changes.