Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) notes Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Murray Watt’s comments today regarding the Government’s intention to introduce a broad Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) reform bill in November 2025, and the focus on faster, more transparent approvals that protect the environment.
“Our sector builds the foundations of Australia’s housing, transport, energy and social infrastructure. We support strong environmental outcomes delivered through a reform package that is comprehensive, workable and progressed as a whole,” said Michael Kilgariff, Chief Executive Officer, CCAA.
Mr Kilgariff said CCAA backs clear National Environmental Standards and State/Territory government accreditation to enable a genuine single-desk environmental approvals pathway, reducing duplication and uncertainty.
“This is important to the heavy construction materials industry as clear, measurable Standards and a streamlined, genuine ‘single-desk’ approvals pathway will reduce Federal and State/Territory duplication and delay, giving investors certainty while safeguarding environmental outcomes.
“Bringing forward exposure drafts of the Standards for consultation is a positive step and shows the Government has listened to industry.
“Predictable, statutory approval timelines, practical and least-cost offsets, and an objective and tested definition of ‘no unacceptable impacts’ are essential to ensuring continued investment in Australian quarries.
“CCAA also advocates for written justification for additional information requests during the assessment process, and coordinated, resourced and well-trained State/Territory Government assessment teams.
“The industry recognises a suitable role for the proposed federal Environment Protection Agency focused on compliance, enforcement and assurance, with project approval decisions remaining with elected decision-makers to align with national priorities.
“On regional planning, the proposed ‘go/no-go’ framework must be underpinned by robust environmental data systems, upfront identification and protection of extractive development zones as recognised under state planning regimes, improved information on environmental values, and guidance on managing cumulative impacts.
“CCAA notes the Government’s intention to consult on Standards alongside the bill, with further regulations to follow in 2026.
“We’re ready to provide detailed, evidence-based feedback to help ensure the reforms are effective, implementable and aligned with supply security for essential materials,” Mr Kilgariff said.