Recommendation 25

The Government’s Growth Plan commits to accelerating the construction of a large number of critical national infrastructure projects, including by “reducing the burden of environmental assessments”. Given the shortfalls outlined in this report, it is essential that the Growth Strategy does not reduce investment in—or requirements for—proper adaptation planning. In that context, we welcome the Plan’s commitment to producing National Policy Statements for significant sectors, which must include a consideration of adaptation requirements. The Government should also commit to us, in writing, that its planned acceleration of infrastructure investment and approvals will not be to the detriment of improvements to climate adaptation planning and investment.