EPA Victoria’s Approvals Reform team has been working hard on a new improved approvals process. Today is an exciting milestone as we launch the flagship approvals proposal form and pathway guidelines to support applicants.
These documents have been shaped with direct input from industry and are to be used when seeking exemptions, Research Development & Demonstrations (RD&Ds), fast track works approvals and standard works approvals.
They will be used to determine the level of assessment required for each development proposal.
It allows applicants to self-assess which pathway a project may be assessed on; this proposal form is submitted to EPA and we will confirm the appropriate pathway within two weeks of receiving the form. This approach allows both proponents and EPA to determine what level of information is required at the application stage rather than during the statutory assessment stage.
Each pathway will have defined process steps and target timeframes. This will provide proponents with certainty around approvals processes and timelines.
The assessment pathway approach has been introduced to reduce red tape for Victorian industry and will result in a more streamlined, transparent, effective and efficient EPA approvals system that maintains the current level of environment protection in Victoria.
In addition to benefits for business and agencies, the assessment pathway approach provides an incentive for all applicants to effectively engage with their local community before seeking an EPA approval. The introduction of the fast track works approvals pathway provides the proponent with the opportunity to demonstrate their proposal is low risk to the community and the environment.