DMP continues to meet approvals targets

First quarter report for 2105 shows strong performance on key approval processes.
Date: Thursday, 30 April 2015

March quarter 2015 approvals performance report available now. 

The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has completed another quarter of strong approvals performance.

DMP Executive Director Strategic Projects Julie de Jong said the Approvals Performance Report for the March quarter 2105 showed the majority of key approvals continued to be addressed within targets.

“It is satisfying that the department is consistently finalising in excess of 90 per cent of applications within the target timelines,” Mrs de Jong said.

“This consistent performance provides surety for industry when developing projects as they have the knowledge that the department is assessing applications in a timely manner.

“Particularly pleasing is that 100 per cent of petroleum well applications and 95 per cent of native vegetation clearing permits were processed within the target timeline this quarter.”

While there has been an overall downward trend in Programme of Work applications since 2011, Programme of Work – Prospecting applications have been increasing over the period with a significant increasing trend evident over the last 12 months.

Online lodgement of Programme of Work – Exploration applications was introduced as a pilot program in December 2009.

Online lodgement was initially optional but since 1 July 2012 all Programme of Work – Exploration applications have required lodgement through the online system.

“Online lodgement is available for most of the department’s key mining and petroleum approval processes, reporting requirements, payments, tender submissions and several other customer interactions,” Mrs de Jong said.

“Industry has embraced online lodgement and the department has set a target to have all transactions with customers conducted online by 1 July 2016.”

The full report is available on the DMP website.