Early-stage site work will not require environmental permit

By Daniel Gayne2025-10-27T11:56:00

Source: Shutterstock

Environment minister Emma Hardy announces proposed changes ‘to unleash an era of building’

“Low-risk” activities at the beginning of construction projects will no longer be subject to environmental permits before they can begin, the government has announced.

Currently, contractors must acquire environmental permits before commencing activities such as site investigation works, storage of waste materials and drainage operations. However, these pose “only minimal risk” to the environment, while holding up progress on new development, the government says.

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