Major projects across Western Australia are being held up by Australia's failing environmental approval system, with new data revealing approvals are now taking 40% longer than just two years ago.
Broken System Strangling Economic Development
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act is causing unacceptable delays for critical projects in Western Australia, according to analysis from the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA). The current system is taking an average of 104 days longer to approve projects compared to 2022 figures.
WA Liberal Senator and opposition environment spokesperson Jonno Duniam described the situation as completely unacceptable. "We've seen a massive blowout in approval times," Senator Duniam stated. "This broken system is holding back job-creating projects and economic development across Western Australia."
Specific Projects Caught in Approval Gridlock
The Woodside Energy's Scarborough gas project exemplifies the problem, facing significant delays despite its importance to both WA's economy and the broader energy security picture. Similarly, Perdaman's $4.5 billion urea fertiliser plant in the Pilbara has been caught in the approval bottleneck, threatening thousands of potential jobs.
APPEA chief executive Samantha McCulloch highlighted the real-world consequences of these delays. "These aren't just numbers on a page," she emphasized. "Every day of delay means lost opportunities for local communities, reduced investment in regional areas, and postponed job creation."
Government Response and Industry Concerns
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has acknowledged the system's failures, describing the EPBC Act as "broken" and in need of urgent reform. The government is currently developing new environmental laws, including the controversial Nature Positive Plan, but industry leaders remain concerned about the timeline and effectiveness of these reforms.
The delays are particularly damaging for WA's resources sector, which contributes significantly to both state and national economies. With global competition for investment intensifying, industry representatives warn that Australia cannot afford to maintain a regulatory system that actively discourages development.
Senator Duniam called for immediate action, stating that "WA projects and jobs are being held hostage by a system that simply doesn't work." The opposition has pledged to work with the government on sensible reforms that protect the environment while enabling responsible development.
As the debate continues, businesses across Western Australia face ongoing uncertainty, with major investments hanging in the balance while waiting for environmental approvals that seem to take longer with each passing year.
