2 weeks Ago By Creamer Media Reporter
The Western Australian government on Wednesday launched a new digital initiative that will centralise information and improve the efficiency of resource environmental applications. Administered by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Resources Online will replace the current Environmental Assessment and Regulatory System (EARS) with a consolidated solution in a single platform. The portal forms part of the government's Fast Tracking Mining Approvals programme that is seeking to improve environmental applications and assessments, potentially shortening approval timeframes for certain smaller or low-risk projects.
The platform is being implemented using a phased approach, with the first phase focusing on migrating Programmes of Work from EARS to Resources Online. "Resources Online represents a major step forward in making government services easier to access and navigate," commented Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael . "The Cook Government remains committed to improving business processes and reducing red tape to provide industry with the certainty it needs to make investment decisions.
" However, Michael stressed that while working hard to improve approval timeframes across the resources sector, the government would not compromise on community expectations or the interests of Traditional Owners..
