Unlocking Water and Land Access for Stronger Regions

A Liberal-National Government will cut approval delays, bring certainty to Aboriginal heritage consultation and unlock water access, so WA’s resources sector and regions can grow.

Western Australia has some of the richest mineral resources in the world. But red tape, regulatory duplication and slow approvals are putting our competitive advantage at risk. The latest Fraser Institute survey ranks WA third in the world for mineral potential, but just thirteenth for government policy. Major projects can and will go to jurisdictions with faster, more efficient approvals.
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Our plan

• A permanent Aboriginal Knowledge Holder Register. It will give clarity on who holds cultural authority to speak for Country, so Traditional Owners get meaningful engagement and industry gets certainty. That means less confusion, fewer disputes and the right people at the table.
• A Regional Water Access initiative. We’ll use existing powers under the Coordinator General’s Office to bring agencies together, cut through bottlenecks and coordinate water licensing and land access, starting with the Pilbara.
• Lifting Labor’s ban on uranium mining. Uranium projects will be assessed on their merits, subject to appropriate environmental and safety standards.
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Why it matters
Our resources sector supports tens of thousands of jobs, sustains regional communities and funds our hospitals, schools and essential services. Protecting Aboriginal heritage and supporting responsible development are not competing priorities. We can and must do both.

Read more here.

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