Contact us
For support on complex, priority projects including those related to Lead Agency Framework projects, urban development, tourism or green energy projects, please send an enquiry to priority@dwer.wa.gov.au.
A new, streamlined environmental approvals pathway is now available for priority projects, thanks to coordinated efforts across government. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has overhauled the approvals system to boost efficiency and support investment in important projects while continuing to ensure strong environmental protection. The changes include easier access for customers, enhanced inter-agency collaboration and new, specialist units to manage priority projects.
Priority Approvals unit
Our Priority Approvals team will coordinate your project and be your main contact at DWER. We are dedicated to keeping projects on track by identifying potential issues early and resolving them. We guide proponents through every stage of the assessment process including parallel approvals, post-assessment amendments and securing DWER advice. Parallel assessments speed up approvals by enabling progress towards secondary approvals at the same time as Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) assessments. The team works openly and collaboratively with cross-sector partners to provide a streamlined, whole-of-government approach to case management.
Projects supported by Priority Approvals include:
- Government of Western Australia priority, significant and strategic projects under the state’s Lead Agency Framework
- projects that have been considered by the Tourism Investment Coordinating Council
- projects that are part of Treasury’s Housing Supply Unit’s Priority Growth Front areas
- high-profile projects that are deemed to be a priority by the department and Minister.
Unsure whether a project meets the criteria? Find out more by emailing a lead agency or simply email DWER on priority@dwer.wa.gov.au with your pre-approval submission.
Customer experience
We’re making it easier for businesses to get the support they need. Our streamlined approach includes:
- Establish single points of contact for customers and clarify entry points through strong inter-agency collaboration.
- Facilitate whole-of-government advice to navigate cross-agency processes and enable timely decisions.
- Provide access to a dedicated officer ahead of proposal referral or application submission to scope requirements, including technical environmental requirements
- Enable new and innovative approaches to approvals and mitigate risk for proponents
- Clarify roles to strengthen connections between industry and government agencies
Customer experience protocols
At initial contact with a customer, the Priority Approvals team will:
- Act as a single DWER representative to facilitate central coordination and become the sole point of contact for the customer.
- Coordinate and attend initial cross-agency meetings with the customer to provide clear approval pathways.
- Manage the relationship while liaising with experts in other departments to navigate approval complexities, ensuring proponents are well informed about requirements, expectations and timeframes.
Green Energy unit
A specialist team is making it easier for major renewable energy developments to get off the ground in Western Australia. The Green Energy team is working across government to fast-track environmental assessments for green energy projects without compromising our unique biodiversity. The cross-government Green Energy Approvals Initiative is working to reduce wait times for environmental assessments, attract investment and boost job creation in the renewable energy sector. The vision is for Western Australia to become a renewable energy powerhouse is while protecting the environment for future generations.
Green energy project categories include:
- renewable power generation
- renewable hydrogen manufacturing
- lithium mining
- critical minerals processing
- construction, manufacturing or recycling of renewable energy products
- renewable energy storage
- renewable electricity transmission infrastructure.
The Green Energy Proponent Guideline has been developed to clarify key concepts and issues considered by the independent Environmental Protection Authority when assessing green energy proposals.
For general inquiries and feedback to support continuous improvement:
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
Locked Bag 10 Joondalup DC
JOONDALUP WA 6919
Telephone: 08 6364 7000
Email: info@dwer.wa.gov.au
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