Project Approvals Processes
The Western Australian Department of Industry and Resources helps developers with the process of obtaining government approvals for industrial or resource-based projects. For significant projects, DoIR assigns a Project Manager from the Investment Facilitation Division to work closely with project proponents through the investigation and implementation phases of the project.
The Western Australian Government has developed an Integrated Project Approvals System (IPAS) aimed at streamlining approvals processes while maintaining appropriate standards of review.
This system is supported by the Office of Development Approvals Coordination (ODAC) which has the specific job, for complex projects, of coordinating approval processes across government. DoIR is there to advise, assist and guide project proponents through the process of getting the government approvals needed to bring plans to fruition - as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Overview
Gaining necessary approvals and permits often involves initiating and managing several parallel processes. (See diagram to the right)
These processes may start and finish at different times, and there may be a number of government agencies and several Acts of Parliament involved (both State and Commonwealth).
Some approvals may need to be obtained before other approval processes can start, or finish. There may be critical milestones, often related to important investment decisions by the developer, when approval processes need to be synchronised.
DoIR advisers will help proponents to develop timelines and to manage these processes.
The Main Steps
The major government approvals steps to get a project off the ground are:
- Obtaining access to land (or waters)
- Securing approval to use that land (or waters) for the project activity
We refer to these as Primary Approvals.
In addition to Primary Approvals, some Secondary Approvals are usually needed. Generally these relate to the way in which a project is carried out - largely operational matters.
For some particularly large and complex projects a State Agreement may be developed to establish a framework of rights and obligations, for both proponent and government, designed to optimise benefits from the project for the proponent, and for the people of Western Australia.
State Agreements (PDF 38kb, opens in a new window)
What we provide
The Project Approvals Processes part of the DoIR website provides largely 'overview' information to help project proponents understand:
- What government approvals processes may be needed
- Where to go to get down to the detail of approvals requirements
- What assistance is available from DoIR and other government agencies
It provides links to further information either within the DoIR website, or in websites of other agencies involved in the approvals process.
Flowcharts, available from the document section of this page, provide more detailed outlines of the State approvals required for mining, petroleum and downstream resource processing projects.
State approvals processes for mining projects (PDF, 20kb Opens in new window) State approvals processes for petroleum projects (PDF, 104kb Opens in new window) State approvals processes for downstream processing projects (PDF, 28kb Opens in new window)
