The resources sector has welcomed reform of Western Australia’s project approvals process, under which former Argyle Diamonds managing director Brendan Hammond will head a new unit that will report directly to Premier Geoff Gallop.
Mr Hammond will head the Office of Development Approvals Coordin-ation, which will absorb the project approvals coordination unit that is currently part of the Department of Industry and Resources.
State Development Minister Alan Carpenter said the new office would have the imprimatur of the premier, giving it more authority in government.
The reform package includes setting timetables for government agencies, such as the planning and environment departments, to complete their work on project approvals.
If agencies fail to meet the deadlines they will be deemed to have no comment to make.
The government has also provided an extra $25 million over the next four years so agencies can hire extra staff to ensure they can meet the new timetables. Agencies will also be given the capacity to hire expert consultants when necessary to keep projects moving.
Dr Gallop said the government recognised the need to have an influ-ential person heading the new office.
“It’s one thing to have the department of industry coordinating,” he said. “It’s another thing to have an experienced person from industry in there helping us out with that process.”
Dr Gallop said the changes did not constitute a lowering of approval standards.
Chamber of Minerals and Energy chief executive Tim Shanahan said the package of changes was “a very positive step”.
He said the new agency would elevate project coordination within gov-ernment and improve decision making.
Oil and gas industry group APPEA applauded the work done by Mr Carpenter to sort out the project approvals process.
“While the proof of the pudding is in the eating, APPEA believes the minister has at last got the ingredients right,” WA APPEA director Don Sanders said.
Mr Hammond said he had no idea about the new two-year consultancy, which will pay up to $250,000 a year, when he resigned from Argyle.
He continues as a board member at the Water Corporation but has resigned as deputy chairman of aspiring uranium miner, OmegaCorp
