VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT VALUES RESOURCE SECTOR

Minister for State Development, PETER RYAN.

THE Victorian Government has a very constructive relationship with the CMPA and fully recognises the important contribution your sector makes to the State.

Victoria needs your products to support the growth of its suburban and regional communities, its infrastructure and its economy, and this Government understands that a healthy extractives industry is in the interests of all.

Investing in infrastructure in a responsible fashion delivers multiple benefits. Better infrastructure boosts productivity by saving time and money. It improves the amenity for Victorians and it provides a direct boost tothe economy through jobs.

This Government has laid out an economically responsible infrastructure plan that I believe delivers on all these objectives.

Of course, another by-product of major infrastructure works is the extra demand it creates for the products that your industry provides.

As well as boosting spending, the Government has put in place a rigorous process to improve infrastructure project delivery and reduce cost pressures.

At the same time the Government has taken steps to improve productivity in the construction sector more generally and reduce high construction costs that can be a significant barrier to infrastructure delivery.

PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY RESPONSE

One of the steps this Government took quickly on coming to power was to launch a Parliamentary inquiry into the barriers to greenfields mineral exploration and project development in Victoria.

This inquiry was carried out by the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee(EDIC).

The final report contained 25 recommendations relating to earth resources regulation and its administration, planning and community engagement. I note that a number of these recommendations relate directly to the extractives sector.

The Coalition Government has since released its response to the report, has accepted all the recommendations, and is now commencing implementation to ensure the sector thrives.

The Government response will streamline processes; establish a new single point of contact for investors in the exploration, mining and extractives industry and work to reduce regulatory burdens faced by the sector.

It will be delivered with $19.2 million in funding announced in the recent Victorian Budget.

Our clear plan will deliver a strong and responsible earth resources industry that makes a big contribution to Victoria’s economy and creates more jobs and investment in rural and regional Victoria.

MINERALS DEVELOPMENT VICTORIA (MDV)

The response will create Minerals Development Victoria (with “minerals” defined very broadly to include energy resources through to extractives), to act as a lead agency for the sector.

The establishment of MDV within the Government’s lead agency for economic development, the Department of State Development, Business and Innovation, allows a contact point for investors and provides a link between investors and the Victorian Government.

This will allow a single entry point for proponents to detail projects and requirements, obtain information on approvals processes and initiate dealings with Government.

MDV will assign a case manager who can step proponents through the approvals process and act as an agent who deals with other agencies on their behalf.

Case managers will also establish, monitor and report on approval time-frames to improve the transparency of timelines and the approvals process.

To improve the approvals process further, Government will also be introducing statutory time-frames for work approvals, we will be reforming the way work plans are set up to be more risk-based and we will introduce a new rehabilitation bond model that will reduce costs in the start up phase of operations.

The Government is aware of the importance of maintaining appropriate access to extractive resources while supporting the ongoing development and best use of Victoria’s land.

Appropriate engagement with the community throughout the development and operational phases of a project is essential to establish and maintain a social license to operate. Again, as part of the MDV model, the Government is building expert capability in community engagement to provide advice and assist with efficient development.

INVESTMENT

Victoria is the perfect blend of economic strength, dynamism, with a lifestyle envied around the world. A talented workforce, a world-class education system, supportive government and superior infrastructure mean Victoria is the perfect place for investment.

Investment facilitation across all sectors is a key priority of the Victorian Government as it builds on the State’s positive business environment and attracts new investment and re-investment opportunities.

Invest Assist in the newly created Office of State Development (OSD) exists to provide specialist advice on the development approvals process, statutory approvals coordination, site location services, advice on infrastructure and utility requirements and advice on the Victorian investment climate.

Invest Assist complements the work of MDV to ensure that all aspects of the supply chain are understood and integrated.

OSD ensures an efficient approach to doing business in Victoria by creating networks both within government and the private sector.

For further information, visit
http://www.invest.vic.gov.au/

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