Call to fast track major developments
The reforms were aimed at speeding approval of mining or construction projects without weakening the workplace and environmental safeguards in place, the commission said.
It comes as business groups push for the federal government to reduce the amount of regulation on new projects, claiming it hampers investment.
Commissioner Jonathan Coppel said the reforms enhanced rather than reduced regulation and would benefit smaller projects the most by speeding up approval and lowering costs.
"The resources boom has led to an almost sevenfold increase in investment in major projects," he said. "All indicators suggest as projects are completed that will come down quite substantially.
"So what this report does is make what may be marginally viable projects more attractive without compromising environmental protection."
He said the changes, which include reducing duplication of federal and state government approvals, would improve transparency and maintain community protection "without weakening stringency of the regulation that is there to protect the environment, in particular".
Major projects accounted for about 7 per cent of Australia's gross domestic product during the peak of the mining boom - up from 1 per cent previously. Mr Coppel said it was just below that peak now.
The report's terms of reference limited the commission to looking at ways of enhancing regulation, rather than amending the laws currently in place.
The main recommendations include reducing state and Commonwealth duplication and putting limits on parties' ability to "stop the clock" on approval decisions.
It also recommends increased use of strategic assessments - such as the one being undertaken on the Great Barrier Reef - which take into account the cumulative environmental impacts of multiple projects in developing areas.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The Productivity Commission recommends fast-tracking the approval of major development projects to help get them off the ground as the mining boom recedes. This aims to speed up the approval process without compromising workplace and environmental safeguards.
The proposed reforms are expected to benefit smaller projects by speeding up approval processes and lowering costs, making them more attractive and viable without compromising environmental protection.
Business groups are advocating for reduced regulation on new projects because they believe that excessive regulation hampers investment and slows down the initiation of new projects.
The resources boom led to an almost sevenfold increase in investment in major projects. However, as these projects are completed, the level of investment is expected to decrease substantially.
The reforms aim to maintain environmental protection by improving transparency and reducing duplication of federal and state government approvals, ensuring that the stringency of regulations protecting the environment remains intact.
During the peak of the mining boom, major projects accounted for about 7% of Australia's gross domestic product, up from 1% previously.
The main recommendations include reducing duplication between state and Commonwealth approvals, limiting the ability to 'stop the clock' on approval decisions, and increasing the use of strategic assessments to consider cumulative environmental impacts.
Strategic assessments are recommended to evaluate the cumulative environmental impacts of multiple projects in developing areas, such as the ongoing assessment of the Great Barrier Reef, to ensure sustainable development.
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