Environmental protection law overhaul will allow for easier approval of major projects including uranium mines

South Australia will get “single touch” approvals power to sign off on big developments including uranium mines. But the review is intended to keep protection for vulnerable environments.

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Green tape will be slashed for new uranium mines and other major projects under a massive overhaul of Australia’s environmental protection laws.

The changes will allow the State Government to approve new projects under a “single touch” process without the Federal Government conducting separate approvals.

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley is spruiking the overhaul as a chance to unlock job-creating projects, while slashing delays and costs for industry.

SA has about 80 per cent of Australia’s uranium resources.

SA has about 80 per cent of Australia’s uranium resources, which are mined at sites such as BHP’s Olympic Dam. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

New, legally enforceable national environmental standards will also be launched as part of the overhaul after an independent review by former ACCC chair Graeme Samuel found current Commonwealth environmental protection laws were “ineffective”, “slow, complex to navigate and costly for business”.

The standards, which will underpin deals between state and federal governments on “single touch” approvals, will include specific protections for the Great Barrier Reef, internationally recognised wetlands like the Coorong, and for the habitats of threatened species.

Ms Ley said the 20-year-old laws were “struggling” and the review was a chance to ensure environmental protection while creating jobs.

She will launch talks with the states to create the new streamlined approvals process and begin development of national standards.

The standards will include specific protections for environments such as the Coorong. Picture: Matt Loxton

The Federal Government has rejected the review’s call for an independent watchdog, saying it would add another layer of bureaucracy.

State approval processes would have to be accredited by the Federal Government to gain the “single touch” power, including for nuclear material such as uranium. But the interim report recommended the Commonwealth retain its right to intervene on projects involving nuclear material.

SA Chamber of Mines and Energy chief executive Rebecca Knol said streamlined approvals would help attract investment in new projects and cut development time frames.

Conservation Council SA boss Craig Wilkins welcomed protections for wetlands like the Coorong but warned national oversight should still be required for nuclear projects.

“It’s hard to see how handing more assessment powers over to the state to manage will mean anything but a lessening of protection,” he said.

A State Government spokesman said it would work with the commonwealth to streamline the approvals process “with no reduction to environmental protection”.

Originally published as Environmental protection law overhaul will allow for easier approval of major projects including uranium mines