The Victorian Government has passed the Minerals Resources (Sustainable Development) Amendment Bill to help the state transition to renewables while still protecting the environment.
The Bill will help to focus provisions on higher risk sites and activities, while also reducing red tape for standard changes.
It will also help to ensure a more transparent and consultative approach for local communities while keeping up the rigid safety and environmental safeguards.
The work approvals scheme will be replaced with a transparent system to drive the highest standards of performance, best practice and simple approval process for everyone to understand.
“These changes will help deliver the materials we all need while maintaining protections for communities and the environment,” Victorian Minister for Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said.
“We’re supporting our growing mineral resources sector to get the job done, as our state demands more rock, sand and critical minerals to build new homes, hospitals, schools, transport and renewable energy infrastructure.”
The amendments are set to commence on July 1 2027 to provide the time needed to develop the supporting regulatory systems in consultation with industry, local Government, environmental groups and communities.
It is hoped that the Bill will enable Victoria’s regulatory system to better meet the increasing demand for resources. The reform comes as part of the Victorian Government’s $23.2 million investment in delivering best-practice reforms and streamlined approaches.