The Standing Committee on Legislation tabled its report on the Mining Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 in the Western Australian Legislative Council today.
Committee member Dave Grills MLC said the report contained a number of recommended changes to the Bill designed to meet the needs of government, the environment and the mining industry.
“The Committee received 33 submissions and also heard evidence at public hearings in Perth and Kalgoorlie-Boulder,” Mr Grills said.
“We have taken this feedback into account and put forward 18 recommendations aimed at addressing a number of issues of importance to the mining industry.”
The Mining and Pastoral Region MP said the Committee’s report reaffirmed the contribution that the small-scale mining sector made to industry, the community and the wider economy.
“The Committee acknowledges the vital role that small miners play in the State and the importance of protecting the interests of those in the sector,” Mr Grills said.
“One of the recommendations put forward by the Committee is the introduction of a tiered approach to the mining industry in WA, with a specific set of provisions to apply only to small-scale miners.
“Such reforms would reduce the compliance burden on small miners and prospectors in places like the Goldfields and keep them in the industry.”
Other recommendations in the report include the introduction of a template environmental management system for use by small-scale miners, both paper and online options for lodgements and the itemisation of those mining activities considered minor enough to not require a low-impact notification or programme of works.
The report and the full list of recommendations can be found at www.parliament.wa.gov.au/leg/reps
“I thank those who contributed to this process and I urge all stakeholders to carefully read the recommendations in the final report,” Mr Grills said.
For media enquiries contact Dave Grills MLC on (08) 9071 500 or email dave.grills@mp.wa.gov.au
