The government is working with stakeholders to discuss issues related to the environmental regulation of the petroleum, mineral exploration and mining industries.
The Ministerial Advisory Panel (MAP), Industry Reference Group for Mining Proposal Reform, Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel (RERAP) and the Environment Liaison Committee (ELC) were groups setup by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS). Members of these groups comprised of industry, community, conservation and government representatives.
Industry groups administered by the department do not have decision making powers and are not involved in the day-to-day functioning, specific regulatory decisions, processes or administration of the department. They were established to assist the department in its decisions as they relate to environmental reform.
Industry Reference Group for Mining Proposal Reform
The Industry Reference Group for Mining Proposal Reform were established in 2014. They worked closely with the industry in developing the shape and content of the new Guideline for Mining Proposals in Western Australia – April 2016.
Upon release of the new guideline in 2016, DEMIRS continued to collaborate with the group to include the development of new internal and external processes and training. The stakeholder group concluded in 2017.
Environment Liaison Committee (ELC)
The ELC was formed in 2016 and were established by DEMIRS as an advisory body for stakeholder engagement initiatives of the Reforming Environmental Regulation (RER) program. The previous Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel (RERAP) concluded operations in 2015. The ELC concluded in 2018.
ELC’s objective was to:
- provide advice to DEMIRS on policy, legislative and regulatory reform;
- identify opportunities to enhance environmental regulatory services in line with the principles of best practice environmental regulation; and
- identify key emerging issues in environmental regulation.
Minutes and agendas:
1 December 2017 - Environment Liaison Committee minutes
29 March 2018 – Environment Liaison Committee agenda
1 December 2017 – Environment Liaison Committee agenda
4 October 2017 – Environment Liaison Committee minutes
4 October 2017 - Environment Liaison Committee agenda
Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel (RERAP)
RERAP was established in 2013 and provided advice to the department’s Director General and its Reform Group project team. RERAP concluded in 2015.
RERAP’s objective was to:
- implement an environmental regulatory framework for the Western Australian mineral and energy resources sector,
- implement a business model that ensured efficient service delivery strategies,
- establish clear and appropriate environmental objectives,
- develop meaningful outcomes-based performance indicators,
- establish clear and enforceable environmental obligations for mining activities, and
- implement a robust and transparent relinquishment and abandonment process.
Minutes and agendas:
18 September 2015 - Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel meeting minutes - 123 Kb
18 September 2015 - Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel meeting agenda - 67 Kb
19 June 2015 - Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel agenda - 65 Kb
19 June 2015 - Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel minutes - 55 Kb
13 March 2015 - Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel agenda and minutes - 164 Kb
5 December 2014- Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel minutes and agenda - 122 Kb
19 September 2014 - Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel agenda and minutes - 303 Kb
13 June 2014 - Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel agenda and minutes - 67 Kb
14 March 2014 - Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel agenda and minutes - 85 Kb
20 September 2013 - Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel agenda and minutes - 996 Kb
26 July 2013 - Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel agenda and minutes - 2 Mb
17 May 2013 - Reforming Environmental Regulation Advisory Panel agenda and minutes - 2 Mb
Ministerial Advisory Panel (MAP)
MAP was established in June 2012 to provide advice to the Minister, the Hon. Bill Marmion with the Hon. Cheryl Edwardes as the independent Chair on Reforming Environmental Regulation (RER). MAP concluded in December 2012.
MAP established the following four Working Groups to undertake detailed consultation and provide advice on tools and strategies for the reforms:
- Compliance Working Group
- Governance Working Group
- Approvals Working Group
- Petroleum Environment Working Group
RER was a program established by DEMIRS in 2012 to fully implement a best practice regulatory framework and intended to:
- Remove duplication across DEMIRS and with other State and Commonwealth agencies;
- Increase the level of transparency for industry and the community;
- Ensure that DEMIRS’ legislative base is clear and enforceable;
- Ensure regulatory framework is risk and outcomes-based;
- Ensure regulatory effort is targeted, proportionate, effective, efficient and timely;
- Incorporate ongoing monitoring and reform into the process; and
- Ensure that any reforms have been developed in consultation with all stakeholders.
Ministerial Advisory Panel Documents
Ministerial Advisory Panel Background Sessions – overview of the department’s environmental regulation functions
Reforming Environmental Regulation in the WA Resources Industry - 2012 - A look in the Reforming Environmental Regulation of the Western Australian Resources Industry.
