Regulatory performance and reporting

Government business

The government has implemented a lead agency framework. Amendments have been made to mining, environmental protection, planning and land administration legislation to streamline the approval system.

DEC has made substantial improvements in the delivery of key regulatory processes as a result of careful management of performance and implementation of risk management objectives. DEC has introduced timeframe reporting for all of its key regulatory processes.

The first stage is those regulatory processes that directly relate to project approvals. DEC's approvals processes extend to other areas of environmental and natural resource licensing and permitting. DEC will work towards introducing reporting for a range of approvals functions under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 and Wildlife Conservation Act 1950.

Fifty works approvals were issued and fourteen industry emission licence applications were granted in the last quarter. One hundred and twenty seven decisions on applications to clear native vegetation were made; 107 permits were issued, two were refused and the balance either withdrawn by the applicant or declined to be processed as they were determined to be invalid applications.

The number of applications for works approvals and licences received in the 2011-12 financial year to 31 December is 165 compared to 339 in 2010-11. The number of applications to clear native vegetation received for the same period is 231 with 130 of these in the last quarter, compared to 758 in 2010-11. The average time taken to issue works approvals and licences continues to trend upwards. The average time (74 days) to issue industry licences for projects other than major resource projects exceeded the target of 60 days for the first time since 2009-10. Effort is being applied to ensure all approvals are completed within the targets. Staff turnover in these business areas is contributing to longer assessment times.

DEC presents its quarterly reports for the second quarter of 2011-12 financial year for the following:

Timeliness reporting

Permits and licences - Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986

1. Industry regulation - works approvals and licences (448.37 kB)
2.  Native vegetation conservation program - clearing (164.02 kB)
3. Environmental enforcement statistics - Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Litter Act 1979 (146.42 kB)
4.  Land use planning advice (139.61 kB)
5.  Contaminated Sites assessments and classification performance (100.65 kB)
   

Recently released documents and guidelines that are relevant to proponents and the community are available at the relevant webpages for each regulatory area. This page will be updated quarterly.