THE Commonwealth has made its first move in its rollout of the controversial one stop shop for environmental approvals by signing an agreement implement the initiative in Queensland.
NSW government has indicated it will follow Queensland’s lead.
However, opinions are divided over the project development boost which the one stop shop could deliver compared to the potential environmental impacts.
Designed to cut the time and effort required for processing projects proposals, the one stop shop would combine state and federal assessment processes, essentially handing responsibility for the legislations to the states.
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said he welcomes the initiative and is expected to follow Queensland's lead.
The Commonwealth says the move will slash red and green tape which is a "handbrake on investment".
NSW's resources sector will be eying the developments with interest, as a number of large coal seam gas and mining projects are currently stalled in various stages of the approvals process.
Greg Hunt says the streamlined process will set the highest standards, make swift decisions and deliver certain outcomes.
Opponents of the one stop shop say state governments have a poor track record of safeguarding the environment against damaging development.
NSW Farmers president Fiona Simson said the duplication of state and federal approval processes adds costs for farmers.
“Agriculture in NSW is being severely limited in seizing vast potential through a confusing myriad of complex state and federal regulation.”
However, Ms Simson expressed reservations over the future of the water trigger amendment with the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, which assesses the impact of large coal and coal seam gas projects on water resources.
“We are concerned that this one-stop-shop presents a precursor for the future weakening of the water trigger.”
Federal Nationals MP for New England Barnaby Joyce welcomed the move, saying it would boost productivity for farmers while maintain environmental standards.
"I am committed to improving returns at the farm gate, and removing unnecessary red tape will help farmers and producers to improve profitability.
"The one stop shop does not replace any state or federal environment laws? State governments already administer environmental law and should be able to make environmental approvals on the Commonwealth's behalf while maintaining the same strict standards."
State Nationals MP David Gillespie represents the Mid North Coast electorate of Lyne, referred the The Land to Mr Hunt when asked if he would welcome the one stop shop and whether he holds any reservations about the process.
AGL is currently negotiating the approvals process for its controversial coal seam gas project at Gloucester, within Mr Gillespie's electorate.
Queensland Greens Senator Larissa Waters, also an environmental lawyer, said the states have a poor track record regarding project approvals and “can't be trusted to look after the environment on their own.”
Ms Waters said that if there were no Commonwealth oversight of project approvals in the past, the Franklin and Mary rivers would be dammed and oil rigs would be operating on the Great Barrier Reef.
Shadow Environment Minister Mark Butler Queensland's move will downgrade environmental standards and queried the current legislation would allow for the one stop shop to be established.
"By placing environmental approvals in Campbell Newman's hands Tony Abbott and Greg Hunt will be signing a death warrant for the future biodiversity of Queensland's environment, and most specifically the Great Barrier Reef.
"Whether certain environmental approval powers can be handed to the states is a question for the Minister."
