26/7/02
Emergency Services Minister Michelle Roberts today announced new measures to ensure the proposed Emergency Services Levy (ESL) did not affect mining exploration.
Mrs Roberts said the new levy had been developed to provide Western Australians with a fairer, more equitable and transparent system to fund our emergency services.
"The new levy will replace the current complex and hidden system of funding to ensure all our volunteers are provided with the proper resources to protect our communities," she said.
The Minister said the issue of mining tenements and the new levy was raised by the Member for Eyre, Mr John Bowler, who was concerned that levying mining exploration and prospecting leases would be detrimental to greenfield exploration.
"Through FESA, we have consulted with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy, the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies and local governments impacted by the mining and exploration industry," she said.
"We have reached a commonsense solution that will assist the mining industry, the emergency services and the community in general.
"Under the new levy, only petroleum production licences and mining tenements defined as leases will be liable."
Mrs Roberts said the Emergency Services Levy would be applied to:
- mining and mineral leases (including coal and gold mining);
- general purposes leases;
- tailings leases; and
- petroleum production licences.
It would exclude all other tenements defined as licences or permits including:
- exploration licences;
- prospecting licences;
- miscellaneous licences;
- petroleum exploration permits; and
- retention licences.
"Essentially, this decision applies the levy to only those tenements that are involved in mining operations or which may involve future land use," Mrs Roberts said.
"These companies tend to have made considerable investment in the land, with structures and assets to protect."
The Minister said that where these tenements were rated as one property, only the minimum $30 per annum flat rate would apply.
"In comparison, exploration and prospecting licences and permits involve more of a transient use of the land," she said.
"We do not want to place any further costs or obstacles on an industry that is an essential part of WA's economic future, particularly in the regions."
Mrs Roberts said it was also determined that mining tenements liable for the Emergency Services Levy would be charged a minimum fixed rate, regardless of where they were located. This was the same rate that would be applied to rural property owners.
"Today's decisions demonstrate yet another way the Labor Government is listening to the mining industry, and throwing its support behind it," she said.
Minister's office: 9213 6600
