Treasurer calls for urgent overhaul of environment laws
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has urged swift reform of Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, citing the need to reduce lengthy delays in the approval of construction and infrastructure projects. The proposed changes are designed to unlock faster delivery of housing and critical infrastructure, supporting national economic growth and the government’s ambitious home-building targets.
Key reforms to accelerate approvals and attract investment
Among the major proposals is the establishment of a federal environment protection agency, which would centralise and streamline the assessment process for major projects. The government is also considering the removal of the RG97 rule to encourage greater superannuation investment in infrastructure, alongside other regulatory changes intended to cut red tape and boost productivity.
Impact on housing and infrastructure pipeline
The government estimates that these reforms could accelerate the approval of around 30,000 housing projects, playing a crucial role in the broader goal of delivering up to 1.2 million new homes by 2029. Faster approvals are expected to ease housing shortages, improve affordability, and stimulate job creation across the construction sector.
Balancing environmental protection with economic growth
While the reforms aim to speed up approvals, Chalmers has emphasised the importance of maintaining robust environmental standards. The new agency would be tasked with ensuring that environmental protection is not compromised, even as the process becomes more efficient.
Sector reaction and next steps
Industry leaders have welcomed the push for reform, noting the urgent need to address bottlenecks that slow down project delivery and increase costs. Environmental groups are calling for careful oversight to ensure that streamlined processes do not weaken protections for biodiversity and natural heritage.
