Monday, September 19, 2011

Consultation begins for cost recovery under national environment law

The federal environment department is calling for public comment on potential cost recovery mechanisms under national environment law.

Federal environment minister Tony Burke recently announced major reforms of national environment law, and noted that cost recovery options would be further investigated.

The department has now released a consultation paper outlining options for recovering the costs of regulatory activities and reform under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

“All submissions received will be considered, to help the government make a fully informed choice on cost recovery options to resource the activities delivered by the legislation,” federal environment spokeswoman Vicki Middleton said.

The cost recovery consultation paper will be open for public comment for six weeks until 31 October 2011.

The paper is available at: www.environment.gov.au/epbc/reform, by emailing epbc.costrecovery@environment.gov.au or by calling 1800 423 135.