In response to development industry concerns over planning and environmental approvals duplication the WA Government has taken another important step towards streamlining processes by releasing the Environmental Offsets Policy.
The WA Environmental Offsets Policy is a cross-government initiative and its release supports the Government’s continuing commitment to environmental approvals reform.
An environmental offset is an off-site action to address significant residual environmental impacts of a development or activity. Environmental offsets will not replace proper on-site environmental practices.
Offsets may include acquisition of land for conservation; revegetation of natural areas outside the project area; or improving scientific or community understanding and awareness of environmental values affected by a development.
The release of the Environmental Offsets policy follows the joint State and Commonwealth announcement last month to streamline environmental approvals processes.
See the link below for more details:
http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/6682/1560/
Source: Property Council of Australia
