The Western Australian Legislative Council has approved new laws that would enhance the application and evaluation of mining activities in the State.
In a statement, the Western Australian Government said its Mining Amendment Bill 2021 seeks to streamline administrative procedures, protect the security of titles and licences, and increase certainty for the resource sector in an effort to strengthen regulation and regulatory practices.
Minister for Mines and Petroleum Bill Johnston said the Mining Amendment Bill 2021 backs the McGowan Government’s continuous efforts to cut red tape, making it easier to do business in the State.
“The reforms will greatly streamline activity approvals and improve regulation under the Mining Act,” Minister Johnston stated.
Without impairing the strong environmental protections that the current legislation offers, the Bill will shorten the time it takes for approvals to be granted and lessen the administrative burden on business and government.
“Most importantly, the new legislation supports best practices environmental regulation, through increased accountability and transparency,” Minister Johnston said.
In compliance with comprehensive information capture and without sacrificing environmental consequences, the State Government added a new automated authorisation process for eligible mining activities would be introduced.
According to the McGowan Government, the Bill proposes a Mining Development and Closure Proposal to remove the redundant data demanded by the current mining proposal and mine closure plan processes.
Adopting a single approval document for activities and pertinent environmental conditions across many tenements is one of the other novel features of the new law, the Government added.
Tenement holders will have a single Approval Statement that distinctly lays out the pertinent limits of allowed activities and conditions rather than reporting against various conditions established over time. These Statements will also be made public, the State Government said.
After the Bill is approved, discussions will start to create the enabling regulations. The start of the revisions is anticipated for mid-to-late 2023.
