Another milestone for approvals reform with EPA's board expanded

• David Caddy, Kelly Faulkner, Anthony Sutton and Dr Luke Twomey to join expanded Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) board
• New members to bring relevant and diverse skillset to the EPA board
• Change made as part of recently legislated Environmental Protection Act 1986 amendments
• Conflict provisions and qualification requirements also strengthened through reforms

The Cook Labor Government is continuing its generational reforms to Western Australia's environmental approvals system with the Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) board now expanded from five to nine members.

That change - made as part of recently legislated amendments to the Environmental Protection Act 1986 - will mean WA's EPA will go from having the smallest to the largest membership in the country, bringing it into line with comparable Government boards like the Heritage Council of WA and the WA Planning Commission.

It will also limit the extent to which members are conflicted out of making decisions, thereby reducing approvals delays, while preserving the EPA's independence and the nature of advice it provides to Government.

In addition to having an interest in and experience of environmental matters, board nominees will also be considered based on broader skills and expertise in other areas, including governance.

Conflict provisions have also been strengthened, ensuring members cannot be present at board meetings for any consideration, discussion or vote on a matter to which they are conflicted.

Following these changes, the following appointments have been made to the EPA's board:

• Professor David Caddy, who has extensive governance and planning experience and is the outgoing WA Planning Commission Chair;
• Kelly Faulkner, who has previously worked as the State's Appeals Convenor and has held a number of senior roles at the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, leading delivery of environmental regulation and compliance across WA;
• Anthony Sutton, who has also worked as the State's Appeals Convenor and is the outgoing executive director of Energy Transition Strategies at the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation; and
• Dr Luke Twomey, who is the CEO of the Western Australian Marine Science Institution and a serving member of the National Marine Science Committee.

They now join Chair Darren Walsh, Deputy Chair Lee McIntosh, Hamish Beck, Jane Bennett, and Karen Caple in rounding out the EPA's nine-member board.

With the introduction of parallel approvals and the Statement of Expectation, the State Government is on track to action 75 per cent of the Vogel-McFerran Review's agreed-to recommendations by the end of this year.

To find out more, head to: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/government-initiatives-and-projects/streamline-wa.

Comments attributed to Environment Minister Reece Whitby:

"I'd like to congratulate David Caddy, Kelly Faulkner, Anthony Sutton and Dr Luke Twomey on their appointments.

"Their appointments will ensure WA's high environmental protection standards are upheld while supporting efficient processes.

"Given the urgency of WA's energy transition and our success in attracting investment and workers to our State, we must do everything we can to reduce delays.

"This change is sensible and will streamline approvals processes without compromising the EPA's independence.

"I look forward to working with the EPA's board as we continue to progress our Government's approvals reform."