PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Northern Territory government will amend provisions in the proposed new environmental impact assessment and approval system, in response to concerns raised by industry.

Earlier this month the government released the draft Environment Protection Bill and draft Regulations for eight weeks of public consultation before being introduced into Parliament.

Community and industry concerns that were raised about provisions that relate to how decisions by the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and Minister can be reviewed and who has standing to ask for review, have now been addressed.

The consultation draft of the Bill currently canvases wide-ranging standing, and both judicial and merits review in the environmental assessment process.

Prior to the legislation being introduced in Parliament this will be changed to judicial review being allowed in the environmental assessment process. This will be permitted for those directly affected, and those who made a valid and genuine submission to the decision-making process.

“The Territory’s natural environment is one of our best assets and a huge part of what makes living here so special. Protecting the environment creates jobs - good environmental policy is smart economic policy,” said acting Environment and Natural Resources Minister Lauren Moss.

“The amended legislation will protect our unique environment while also delivering the investment certainty needed to create local jobs.”

The new legislation will continue to have increased opportunities for public involvement as well as transparency and accountability structures being built into the final legislation.

The territory government will also look to introduce merits review in the new environment protection legislation for operational approvals made by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to regulate waste and pollution and the environmental impacts of mining and other industries. 

This will be subject to consultation with industry.   

“We have been working closely with all sections of the community on the development of this important piece of legislation, because we want to ensure that it delivers for the Territory by providing a clear and streamlined process when it comes to environmental approvals for projects,” Moss said.