The rollout of the Albanese Government’s landmark national environmental laws is continuing at pace, with consultation now open on the next stage of the reforms.
With a significant number of EPBC Act amendments having already commenced, this round of public feedback will help to finalise the landmark reforms that deliver better environmental protections and faster and clearer approvals for all proposals including vital housing, energy and minerals projects.
Consultation papers released today are seeking feedback on reforms for:
- streamlining single project approvals
- enabling landscape approvals
- setting operating rules for the Restoration Contributions Holder
- improving operational approaches to all pathways and increase transparency.
The new National Environmental Standards announced last month were a major step in the reforms, providing clearer, more consistent benchmarks that must be met for decisions made by the new, independent National Environmental Protection Agency.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said public feedback was crucial as the Albanese Government rounds out its reforms to national environmental laws.
“These landmark reforms are helping to protect our environment while driving crucial housing, energy and minerals projects Australia needs,” Minister Watt said.
“I encourage all interested parties to have their say and to help shape the laws that will deliver the best outcomes for industry, the environment and our nation for generations to come.”
Consultation on this new stage of the environmental reforms is now open on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water’s Have Your Say website.
The exposure draft will be released for public consultation later in the consultation period and submissions can be provided via the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s online consultation hub.
This round of public consultation will close at 9pm AEDT on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
