The Victorian Government has claimed that businesses and the broader community will benefit from a fairer and more predictable approval system following the release of EPA Victoria’s Approvals Review Final Report.

State Minister for the Environment, Ryan Smith, said that key reforms will ensure that EPA’s approvals processes and decisions will become more timely, transparent and effective while reducing red tape for industry.

“Environmental regulation, from approvals to enforcement, must be efficient, consistent and open to review. It should allow business to manage its own risks, exercise its own choices and fulfil its environmental obligations, while supporting innovation and market approaches,” Mr Smith said.

Key reforms under the Approvals Review include:

  • establishing a tool to ensure EPA’s level of assessment is proportionate to each proposal’s level of risk;
  • shortening timelines around applications;
  • better guidance for applicants; and
  • developing and running an alternative process to recognise excellence across all EPA licensees.

Mr Smith said as with EPA’s compliance and enforcement and licensing reforms, the Approvals Review was a critical part of the agency’s ongoing transformation plan.

To date, EPA’s licence reform process has included:

  • the introduction of public annual performance statements for all licensed companies;
  • the standardisation of licence conditions so they are less prescriptive and easier to understand and comply with;
  • improved guidance for licensees; and
  • increased visits to licensed sites based on risk assessments.

More information can be found here