Western Australia’s economy is set to benefit from a $45 million Federal funding commitment to fast‑track environmental approvals for major projects, a move welcomed by CCIWA.
The funding, to be delivered over four years, will support the progression of bilateral agreements between the Commonwealth and states under the reformed Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The changes aim to ensure project proponents do not need to navigate duplicative State and Federal approval processes.
WA has the greatest exposure to environmental approval regimes nationally, given the concentration of major resources, energy and infrastructure projects.
CCIWA Chief Economist Dr Daniel Kiely said the Federal Government’s focus on delivering “one‑touch” approvals was a positive reform that would help WA remain competitive in a global marketplace. It would also deliver better outcomes for industry and the WA economy.
“Australia’s environmental approvals system has been plagued by delays that jeopardise the viability of projects and make Australia a less attractive place to invest,” he said.
“The old system forced proponents to jump through hoops at both the State and Federal level, driving delays, cost blowouts and frustration.”
Prime Minister announces funding at Perth industry breakfast
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at an industry breakfast in Perth
Announcing the new funding to reform “Australia’s broken environmental laws” in Perth at the Chamber of Minerals and Energy breakfast on April 20, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the commitment would help move approvals to a “single‑touch process” and “remove an entire layer of bureaucracy”.
He said the lengthy approval timeframes had discouraged investment.
“Twenty years ago, the median approval time for a project under the EPBC Act was 48 weeks. By the time we brought our reforms to Parliament, that timeframe had blown out to 118 weeks,” Albanese said.
“Too often, that means investors simply walk away. Communities miss out on jobs, and people miss out on new energy or housing.”
WA Premier Roger Cook has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to begin negotiations on a bilateral assessment agreement.
While welcoming the progress, Kiely said industry was waiting for details on the National Environmental Standards that would underpin the new approvals framework.
“We look forward to further consultation with the Commonwealth to ensure the final framework supports investment while maintaining strong environmental outcomes.”
$1.1b boost to Westport
CCIWA also welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment in Perth that there would be no additional tax on existing gas contracts in the upcoming Budget.
“In the midst of a global energy crunch, now is clearly not the time to impose a new tax that would reduce Australia’s competitiveness,” Kiely said.
Artist’s impression of the preferred design for the new container port in Kwinana
A commitment in next month’s Federal Budget for $552 million to upgrade road connections around the proposed Westport container terminal in Kwinana – to support the $25 billion Henderson defence precinct – was also welcomed by industry.
The funding would be matched by the State Government.
“Westport is a strategically vital piece of infrastructure that will help to strengthen WA’s supply chain resilience, so it is important that all of the infrastructure that surrounds it is fit for purpose,” Kiely said.
See CCIWA’s ‘Let’s Energise WA’ recommendations for the 2026-27 pre-Budget submission.
Become a CCIWA Member to ensure your voice is heard and that you receive the latest updates. Contact us via [email protected] or on 1300 422 492.
