Northern Territory Government introduces reforms to strengthen environmental regulation
The Northern Territory Government has introduced reforms to improve the Territory’s environmental management of mining activities and provide greater certainty for industry.
The new Environmental Protection Legislation Amendment (Mining) Bill 2023 reforms will implement a modern, streamlined and effective system to support the ecologically sustainable development of the mining industry in the Territory.
The Bill introduces a new legislative framework for managing the environmental impacts of mining, based on the environmental risk.
It:
- Introduces a new three-tier risk-based licensing system to manage mining activities
- Extends existing compliance and enforcement powers under the EP Act
- Provides impacts previously managed through multiple regulatory approvals
Once the Bill has passed, the Northern Territory will have the most contemporary environmental framework for the Mining Remediation Fund. Further, the Territory will be at the forefront of ongoing innovation and development in legacy mine remediation.
Northern Territory Mining and Industry Minister Nicole Manison says the reforms will give more certainty to the mining industry.
“These reforms ensure we have streamlined environmental assessments system that will give greater certainty to the mining industry and streamline processes to faster approvals,” she said.
“These changes will help make the Northern Territory a more attractive place for mining investment with a modernised environmental system.
“These changes mean Territorians can have confidence that mining can take place in a sustainable way with strong environmental protections in place.”
Worth over $6b, the Northern Territory’s resources sector will be a global supplier of what the world needs.
Mining is a priority economic activity in the Territory, and it’s important for the industry to further develop it in an ecologically sustainable manner.
Northern Territory Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Minister Lauren Moss says the reform will increase transparency and accountability of mining operations.
“The new legislative framework is set to implement a modern, streamlined and effective system to support the ecologically sustainable development of the mining industry in the Territory,” she said.
“These proposed reforms are critical to ensure we have a robust regulatory system in place for the sustainable development of our mineral resources, thereby protecting the Territory’s unique environment.”
