Release Date: 16/12/2013
Streamlining of environmental approvals and cutting red and green tape to supercharge the national economy has been welcomed by the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tasmania’s peak industry body.
“This should allow some common sense to return to the process which in many cases has been hopelessly bogged down by duplication and inconsistent interpretations,” TCCI CEO, Michael Bailey said today.
“Developers have been frustrated by the current system of needed approval by both Governments that they’ve decided enough is enough and re-directed their dollars and ideas from Tasmania to other states.”
The new deal between the Federal Government and states and territories was signed off with the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, at Friday’s COAG meeting, in Canberra. The deal, signed by all state and territory leaders, will streamline environmental assessments and approvals for major projects and granting more power to local authorities.
Mr Bailey said it was also a step closer for the Coalition’s election promise to establish a Tasmanian Major Approvals Agency in Launceston.
The agency would be tasked as acting as a “one stop shop” for Tasmania that required any major project intended for Tasmania that required any type of Commonwealth regulatory approval, or regulatory reporting, not just environmental approvals.
“With the support of the Tasmanian Government, the “one stop shop” has the potential to be a huge asset to developers and investors.”