The Queensland State Government has proposed substantial savings after it promised to ‘take a razor to green tape in Queensland’.

 

Environment and Resource Management Minister Kate Jones has released a statewide Greentape Reduction Project aimed at simplifying and expediting environmental approvals for businesses starting up operations in Queensland.

 

Ms Jones said businesses and the community are invited to comment on the proposed reforms under the Government’s Smart Regulatory Reform Agenda which will deliver major improvements to the licensing and approval processes under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

 

"The Greentape Reduction initiatives will see businesses save money while implementing best practice regulatory principles," Ms Jones said.

 

"However, these reforms do not let any businesses off the hook, and stringent environmental requirements will continue to apply to high risk and emerging industries such as the underground coal gasification industry."

 

Ms Jones said all businesses currently required to be licensed under the Act will benefit from these improvements, including mining, manufacturing, extractive industries and intensive agriculture.

 

"Firstly, the proportional licensing initiative will benefit smaller and lower risk businesses," Ms Jones said.

 

"Specifically, it will replace the need to apply for a licence with statutory rules and standard conditions, making it easier for these operators to gain approvals while saving considerable time and money.