The Western Australian opposition has thrown its support behind the Cook Government's contentious legislation designed to accelerate approvals for major projects, a move that virtually guarantees the bill's passage through Parliament but has ignited fresh fears of creating a new bureaucratic bottleneck.
Bipartisan Support Paves the Way for Legislative Change
In a significant shift, the Liberal Party and Nationals have decided to support the Planning and Development Amendment Bill 2023, which aims to streamline the approval process for significant state developments. This bipartisan backing means the bill, a key part of Premier Roger Cook's agenda, is now almost certain to become law once it returns to the Legislative Assembly for final approval.
The legislation proposes to amend the Planning and Development Act 2005, creating a new pathway for projects deemed to be of state significance. Under the new framework, the WA Planning Commission would take on the role of the central decision-making authority for these major proposals, bypassing traditional local government planning processes.
Critics Warn of Suburban Backlash and Environmental Shortcuts
Despite the political consensus, the bill faces fierce criticism from local governments, community groups, and environmental advocates. The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) has been a vocal opponent, arguing the changes will disenfranchise communities and strip away local democratic input on developments that directly impact neighbourhoods.
"This is a draconian piece of legislation that removes the rights of communities to have a say on developments that affect them," stated a WALGA spokesperson. Critics argue that fast-tracking approvals could lead to inadequate scrutiny of environmental and social impacts, potentially sidelining crucial concerns related to biodiversity, water management, and community infrastructure.
Shadow Planning Minister Neil Thomson, while confirming the opposition's support, acknowledged these concerns. He indicated the coalition would move amendments in the Upper House to address some issues, though their ultimate support is not conditional on these changes being adopted.
The Risk of a New Approval Bottleneck
A central irony of the debate is the warning that the new system, intended to speed things up, may simply relocate the bottleneck rather than eliminate it. By funnelling all major project approvals through the WA Planning Commission, there is a tangible risk of overloading the state-level body, leading to delays.
Industry groups, while generally supportive of streamlining, have expressed caution. They note that the success of the fast-track approvals system will hinge on the commission being adequately resourced with expertise and manpower to assess complex projects efficiently. Without this, the promised acceleration could stall.
The government, however, remains confident. Planning Minister John Carey has championed the bill as essential for driving economic growth and job creation. He argues that the current system is too fragmented and slow, deterring investment and delaying critical projects in sectors like mining, renewable energy, and public infrastructure.
The legislation is seen as a response to longstanding complaints from the resources and development sectors about costly delays. The government's case cites examples of projects mired in years of approval processes across multiple layers of government.
What Happens Next?
With the opposition's support secured, the legislative journey is now straightforward. The bill will proceed to the Legislative Council, where the opposition can propose its amendments. Following this, it will return to the Lower House for rubber-stamping.
The passage of this bill marks a pivotal change in WA's planning landscape. The coming months will reveal whether it successfully unlocks investment and accelerates job-creating projects, or whether critics' fears of centralised delays and diminished community voice become a reality. All eyes will now be on the capacity of the WA Planning Commission to manage its significantly expanded role as the state's primary arbiter for major development.
