Environment and Energy Minister Reece Whitby says there is no conflict of interest in holding both portfolios, after the government announced change to the environmental approvals process.
Premier Roger Cook will announce a significant overhaul of the state's environmental approvals process today, in response to business delays and uncertainty which have hampered productivity.
Our weekly appointments wrap includes Paul Vogel, Steve Rowe, Grant Bowen, Kaylene Gulich, Robert Kennedy, Rob Cossart, Tym Duncanson, Robert Mosig, Murray Criddle, Paul Catalano, Wayne Scheggia, Gary Morgan, Bob Kucera, Richard Gregson, Jane Chiang, and Joe Lamhut.
Prominent Western Australians, including the late Stan Perron, Peter Botten, John Atkins, and Michael Fitzpatrick have been recognised for their service to the business community at this year's Australia Day Honours.
Local communications and lobbying firm Cannings Purple has boosted its team by signing up former Environmental Protection Authority chairman Paul Vogel and former state Liberal leader Matt Birney.
Paul Vogel has used his last Environmental Protection Authority annual report to highlight concerns about growing traffic congestion and vehicle emissions, as well as support plans that promote greater uptake of cycling and public transport.
A new iron ore mine proposed by BHP Billiton, and revisions to conditions placed on Rio Tinto's Marandoo iron ore project near Tom Price, have been recommended for approval by the environmental watchdog.
The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended strict conditional approval of Doral Mineral Sands' proposed Yoongarillup project near Bussleton.
The state government's proposed $2.2 billion Forrestfield-Airport rail link has been recommended for conditional approval by the Environmental Protection Authority.
The environmental watchdog has recommended a six-week exploration drilling program for iron ore near Perenjori, 350 kilometres north of Perth be conditionally approved.
The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended conditional approval for Flinders Mines to expand the scope of its proposed Pilbara iron ore project.
The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended strict conditional approval of Sinosteel Midwest Corporation's proposal for exploration drilling at its Blue Hills Mungada East hematite project.
The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended that Rutila Resources' proposed 205-kilometre railway and conveyor line in the Pilbara, which will be used to support new iron ore mines, should gain ministerial approval.
The Environmental Protection Authority has given conditional approval to Chevron's fourth train expansion proposal at its Gorgon gas project on Barrow Island.
Perth-based Phoenix Energy's $380 million waste-to-energy facility at the Kwinana Industrial Area has been recommended for conditional approval by the Environmental Protection Authority.
Community interest in the controversial practice of fracking has prompted Western Australia's environmental watchdog to issue advice on how it will assess shale and tight gas proposals.
The Environmental Protection Authority has given conditional approval for Rio Tinto's Koodaideri iron ore project in the Pilbara, but is cautious about the potential spread of asbestos that could result from where the mining giant proposes to construct a rail corridor.
The Environmental Protection Authority has rejected Sinosteel Midwest Corporation's proposal to develop a new mine pit at its Blue Hills Mungada East hematite project due to irreversible environmental consequences.
Debate over which area in the Mid West should become a Class A nature reserve has heated up as the Environmental Protection Authority increases its calls to preserve an area that Karara Mining wants to mine.
Former CSIRO energy group executive Dr Tom Hatton has been appointed to the board of the Environmental Protection Authority, along with Elizabeth Carr, who has been reappointed as deputy administrator.
The Environmental Protection Authority has given conditional approval to Northern Minerals for its Browns Range project, located 160 kilometres south-east of Halls Creek.
A coalition of state and national environmental groups have raised concerns about water contamination and other impacts on Western Australia's largest national park.
The Environmental Protection Authority has denied the City of Armadale's proposal to build a road through high value natural bushland after declaring it environmentally unacceptable.
The Environmental Protection Authority has commenced a new assessment of the proposed LNG gas hub near Broome, as speculation over development of the offshore Browse Basin gas fields increases.
Western Australia's Environmental Protection Authority will assess the Barnett government's proposal to extend its controversial catch-and-kill shark policy for a further three years.
The Environmental Protection Authority has rejected a bid to rezone land in Port Hedland which LandCorp had earmarked for its proposed $152 million Spoilbank Marina development.
Western Australia's fledgling aquaculture industry has been given a boost, with the state environmental watchdog giving its tick to a proposed 2,000-hectare development zone in the Kimberley.
The Environmental Protection Authority has appointed three delegates to assess the environmental impact of the state government's proposed Browse liquefied natural gas precinct.
The granting of planning approval for a $400 million apartment project in Port Hedland has focused attention on environmental issues facing the Pilbara town.
The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended the approval of a silver-lead-zinc mine and processing facility near Kununurra involving China's largest lead producer.
Forge Resources' plan to construct a new six million tonne per year iron ore export facility in the Pilbara has been recommended for approval by the state Environmental Protection Authority.
Iron Ore Holdings' proposal for an innovative port development south-west of Dampier has received conditional approval from the Environmental Protection Authority.
