As state governments and the private sector clamour for delegation of Federal EPBC approval powers, Victoria's Auditor-General has delivered a scathing assessment of the effectiveness of the state environment department's approach to compliance.
Despite ruling in 2008 that a Polaris Metals drilling program in an environmentally sensitive area needed assessment, the EPA this year decided it wasn't warranted for a substantially larger version of the project – and Environment Minister Bill Marmion this week rejected an appeal against the agency's backflip.
More than two-thirds of the registration certificates for 'environmentally relevant activities' that are currently held by Queensland businesses would no longer be required, saving them $6.8m in annual fees, a new draft impact statement reveals.
In an 'autopsy' of decision-making on Cougar Energy's coal gasification project that has broader ramifications, Queensland's ombudsman has uncovered numerous failings and shortcomings by state agencies, in part triggered by the flight of experienced officers to mining, oil and gas companies.
A Port Jackson Partners report for the Minerals Council calls for a shortening of approvals timeframes and unfavourably compares Canadian attitudes to the oil sands industry with Australian views on coal seam gas.
Proponents of new mines or CSG projects in key farming areas of NSW will face two significant new thresholds under the NSW Government's new Strategic Regional Land Use policy.
Budget papers reveal the Queensland environment department has dropped performance measures including the number of inspections and audits conducted and the extent of new areas protected for conservation.