The Finocchiaro CLP Government today released the Approvals Fast Track Taskforce report along with the Government's formal response to its final recommendations, delivering on a key election commitment to reduce red tape and make it easier to do business in the Northern Territory.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the report, Saying Yes to Business, led by Chair Mark Garraway and a panel of industry leaders, identified 70 recommended actions to remove barriers for small businesses and drive economic growth across the Territory.
"The message is clear: the Territory is open for business. We are backing businesses to grow, invest and create jobs," Mrs Finocchiaro said.
"Our government has fully accepted 60 of the Taskforce's recommendations and accepted a further 10 in principle, in an aim to cut red tape and reduce approval delays by 50%."
Two of the 70 recommended actions have already been delivered:
System improvements now allow the Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment, rather than the Development Consent Authority, to determine applications to clear native vegetation for horticultural or agricultural purposes on unzoned and certain zoned land, providing clarity and faster approvals for proponents.
A list of pre-approved place names has been created to streamline residential development. These place-specific and theme-based names have recently been applied to new land releases in Holtze.
In addition, the CLP Government has committed to fast-tracking 48 of the 70 recommendations over the next 12 months as part of the first phase of implementation.
Examples of recommendations that are being fast-tracked:
Improve timeliness for payment of invoices for tradies. Expand builders licence renewals for four years. Extend the food business registration renewal period to 36 months. Exempt low-risk electrical works from needing a Certificate of Compliance. Extend renewal periods for RSA certificates from 3 to 5 years. Develop standardised Traffic Management Plans for public events.
"These reforms will streamline processes, improve certainty for investors, and help build a stronger, more diversified economy," Mrs Finocchiaro said.
"As part of our year of action, certainty and security, we continue to be focused on rebuilding the economy and delivering on our promises to Territorians."
Chair of the Approvals Fast Track Taskforce, Mark Garraway, said the release of the report marked an important step forward for the Northern Territory's economy.
"The Territory Government has undertaken its critical first step in turning around the NTs economy. This is about creating certainty and confidence."
The taskforce adopted a measured approach to its reforms by using a risk-based model to lessen regulation burden on predominantly small and medium sized territory businesses.
