The Federal and South Australian governments have signed a new bilateral agreement to streamline environmental assessments as part of the Commonwealth’s ‘One-Stop-Shop’ reform.
The new agreement creates a single environmental assessment process that meets the strict standards and protections of both South Australian and Commonwealth law.
This is another important milestone in reducing the regulatory burden on business. It streamlines the environmental assessment process while maintaining high environmental standards.
Duplication of federal, state or territory and local planning processes adds complexity and cost to environmental approvals across the country.
The introduction of the One-Stop Shop reform will save Australian businesses around $420 million every year.
This agreement accredits South Australian environmental assessment processes under the Development Act 1993 (SA) and Mining Act 1971 (SA) as those processes meet the strict environmental protection requirements under national environment law.
This agreement will ensure that the environment continues to be protected while delivering a real boost to South Australia’s economy.
Under this agreement, the Federal Government will retain the power to approve or refuse actions, and to attach conditions to approved actions.
Public consultation will commence shortly on the next step in the implementation of the ‘One-Stop Shop’ reform, which is to accredit the South Australian environmental approval system under national environmental law.
Further information can be found at http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/environment-protection/environment-assessments/bilateral-agreements(ENDS
(ENDS)