Margaret River conservation heads back concerns about environmental protection Bill

Conservationists have voiced concerns about looming changes to WA’s Environmental Protection Authority which were challenged outside Parliament by the WA Conservation Council.

The Perth-based council has accused the State Government of undermining the autonomy and effectiveness of the State agency crucial to defending the region against major development threats.

In a statement last week, CCWA executive director Jess Beckerling said the introduction of the Environmental Protection Act Amendment Bill 2024 for consideration earlier this month was “a very dark day for WA and our environment”.

“The Government is taking an axe to the thin green line that defends our nature for all West Australians,” she said.

“At the behest of mining magnates, the Cook Government is pushing legislation through Parliament to gut the independence of the EPA.”

Among the proposed changes, reforms would allow industry representatives on the EPA board, and for the State Government to issue “statements of intent” which Ms Beckerling argued were instructions on what decisions the EPA needed to make.

The EPA has proven crucial in multiple major projects in the region, including the proposed coal mine fought off by residents between 2010 to 2013.

Nature Conservation Margaret River Region general manager Drew McKenzie said the importance of the EPA could not be understated as awareness of environmental risks continued to grow.

“At a time when there is a Senate inquiry into Australia’s extinction crisis, we are very concerned that the WA Government is undermining the independence of the EPA,” he said.

“Allowing industry reps onto the EPA board and for the Government to issue ‘statements of intent’ to direct the EPA erodes the independence of this important authority.

“At this critical point in time, we need more effective environmental protection and restoration and these changes move us in the wrong direction.”

Premier Roger Cook said the criticisms were over-hyped and the Bill was particularly focused on supporting the green energy transition and relief in the housing sector.

“This is about informing the EPA of what the Government’s priorities are in the way it carries out its work,” he said.

“Most boards under our public sector are subject to a statement of expectations by the minister in relation to the broad policy priorities that they’ll be working within.

“They still have to stick to within the parameters of their legislation. It does not affect the assessment process or the protection of the environmental values of the projects they are assessing.”

Mr Cook said the moves were not about telling the EPA what to do or undermining its independence.

“This is about smashing bureaucracy,” he said. “Making sure we get to these projects as soon as we can and making sure that assessment process can move as efficiently as possible.”

The agency was expected to play a key role in determinations around the proposed Westin Margaret River Spa & Resort at Gnarabup.

Protest group Surfrider Margaret River said they didn’t have enough information about the mooted changes to comment, but said the EPA was crucial for protecting the State’s environment.

Former shire president Pam Townshend, who is part of the Margaret River Regional Environment Centre, said Labor was “caving in spectacularly to the mining magnates who want to gut WA’s environmental protections and fast-track project approval”.

She also feared the Opposition would “love” the weakening of environmental controls despite widespread recognition “nature is in crisis”.