A report which was to be released last week had lined up the Department of Environment and Conservation for a ritual disembowelment. A government-appointed group spent the last 6 months investigating WA's resource approvals procedure, and concluded that the DEC run its own race.I presume this would be by one of the 141 NEW committees created, even though Mr Barnett said some months ago he was going to reduce them. Now his decided another committee is needed to reduce the committees.
One conclusion reached "Activities and decisions are influenced by philosophic beliefs and personal environmental policies, in several cases a belief that projects should not be approved, regardless of what the government wanted",according to one paper from this group. As a concerned member of the public I can only ask "How qualified are these people to be deciding anything, if they believe this rubbish."
To say the DEC are oblivious to the elected administration's policies,are they suggesting policies change with each party. Environmental laws should stand and become more stringent where necessary,not rubber stamped to keep companies happy.
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The extensive mining approvals and regulation processes of the state Government cost taxpayers approximately $485 million per year, much to the angst of the resource sector, which claim projects are tied in endless red and green tape making WA an
unattractive place to do business. So why is there no mention regarding environmental laws which are far more stringent in their own country.Until WA has adequate, qualified staff at(DEC,DOCEP,EPA,) etc, to carry out the many jobs particularly in the mining and environmental sectors, this government should not be looking to fast track anything.
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It was very nice of the minister to inform industry that his portfolio priority was to dramatically over haul the current unwieldy approvals process and provide greater certainty and confidence in the mining and resource sector. Are Australian workers receiving the same guarantees and attention regarding safety on work sites?Then there is the environmental concerns re: water,soil,wildlife and air, what protection is being offered to the people and future generations of this state?
1 comment:
The actions of this liberal party have show a zero regard for the environmental future.For once I'm with the Green's senator Rachel Siewert, where is the protection for this state's future?
What has happened to renewable energies, both state and federal government have ignored getting their house in order.
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