WA & NT announce faster approvals

The WA Government has launched the new Resources Online platform to streamline mining and petroleum environmental lodgements.

The portal forms part of the State Government’s Fast Tracking Mining Approvals (FTMA) program to help shorten approval timeframes for some smaller and low-risk projects.

Administered by the WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS), Resources Online will replace the current Environmental Assessment and Regulatory System (EARS).

Further initiatives will be introduced in 2025 with the first phase focusing on migrating Programmes of Work (PoW) from EARS to Resources Online.

WA Mines and Petroleum David Michael comments on this.

“Resources Online represents a major step forward in making Government services easier to access and navigate,” he said.

“The [WA Government] remains committed to improving business processes and reducing red tape to provide industry with the certainty it needs to make investment decisions.

“While we are working hard to improve approval timeframes across the resources sector, at no point will we compromise on community expectations or the interests of Traditional Owners.”

The NT Government has also appointed an Approvals Fast Track Taskforce to provide recommendations on how to reform regulatory processes and ease the burden on business and industry.

NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro says the taskforce will operate for six months and play a key role in streamlining approvals, and reducing red tape, to grow business and investment opportunities in the Territory.

“It will have a broad remit but will focus on small businesses, including in the construction, retail, accommodation and hospitality sectors,” she said.

“The Taskforce will take a risk-based approach, seeking to balance the economic benefits of improved investment and economic development with the need to avoid undue risk for Territorians.”