The Queensland Government has passed its Greentape Reduction Bill, reducing the Environmental Protection Act by 90 pages and aiming to save businesses on average $20,000 in costs, 150 pages in paper work and 68 days in processing time.

 

The Government expects that the reduced procedures will save administrative costs of $12.5 million.

 

The Bill aims to streamline mining and petroleum approvals by clarifying the application process and removing the need for administrative transfers and ensuring communities are consulted earlier in the process.

 

The removal of plans of operations requirements for small miners will also remove a 15 page administrative requirement from around 2,400 operators.

 

The new framework is intended to commence in March 2013 to allow time for more detailed information to be made available to industry and the wider community.