DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION —COST
RECOVERY DISCUSSION PAPER
899. Hon KEN BASTON to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the ''Discussion Paper on cost recovery for
the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation''.
(1) During the
process of authoring this discussion paper, did the department also seek to
identify inefficiencies such as duplications or overly burdensome conditions
that could reduce the cost burden to the department of issuing licences and
permits?
(2) If yes, what inefficiencies were identified?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON
replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) No. This
was out of the scope of the discussion paper. However, the Department of Water
and Environmental Regulation and its predecessor, the Department of Water, have
had a five-year regulatory efficiency program for the water business, REFOCUS.
A complete review of water licence conditions was undertaken, a new water
online digital system has been built, a regulatory capability division
established, staff trained and advice to licensees reviewed.
Since the amalgamation of
departments on 1 July 2017, there has been a concerted effort for all
regulatory—clearing, water, industry and compliance—functions
in the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to be coordinated and
improved to reduce red tape and increase efficiency of procedures. In addition,
the department is progressing an upgrade of its digital systems for
environmental licensing, and the proposed clearing and industry fee increases
will help fund more licensing officers and support improved guidance to
applicants.
(2) Not applicable.