Law reforms have been made to approvals processes to accelerate major job-creating projects while protecting WA’s environment.
Amendments to the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) are designed to speed up approvals processes by enabling parallel approvals for the first time.
The changes deliver on recommendations made in an independent report into WA’s environmental laws, requested by the WA Government in 2023.
New laws allow decision-making authorities (DMAs) to process and issue their own approvals in parallel while Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) assessments are underway. This is designed to improve timeframes and provide more certainty for industry.
To ensure strong environmental protections, provisions that prevent the implementation of proposals before Ministerial decision making will remain in place.
Under the new laws, the Environment Minister will also provide the EPA with a Statement of Expectation, helping it to better understand the WA Government's priorities.
These priorities include the green energy transition, housing delivery and protection of WA's environment.
Project proponents who need to submit a referral/application to the EPA for assessment are encouraged to discuss the proposals with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).
They can work with you to scope your approval requirements, look at your parallel decision-making options, and provide guidance. See the EPA website and DWER’s One stop shop page for supporting information.
