Western Australia’s Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) will aim to improve efficiency by entering into an administrative agreement.
The agreement will facilitate the interactions between the two departments to support them in meeting their legislative obligations and responsibilities.
DMIRS is responsible for the regulation of mining, petroleum, and geothermal energy activities in Western Australia.
DBCA is responsible for managing and protecting the range of values of reserved lands and waters.
“The administrative agreement outlines a shared understanding for facilitating environmentally responsible and economically beneficial resource access, exploration and development activities in Western Australia,” DMIRS resource and environmental compliance executive director Karen Caple said.
“It provides a framework to facilitate transparent, efficient and effective communication, interaction and administration between DMIRS and DBCA in our respective performance of legislative responsibilities, facilitating high-quality decision making for the benefit of the state and the community.”
The objectives of the agreement are to identify shared principles of operation regarding interactions between resource development activities and Conservation and Land Management Act managed reserves and biodiversity values.
By implementing the agreement, it aims to maximise consistency and minimise uncertainty for proponents and the public in relation to approvals and the outcomes of resource development activities.
Both departments will work collaboratively, recognising and respecting each other’s roles and responsibilities and will undertake a coordinated and consistent approach to considering applications for approvals under each agency’s relevant legislation.
The agreement has commenced and will continue on its terms, subject to a full review every five years, until it is terminated by written notice by either party or it is replaced.