Companies will be consulted on the conditions recommended for their developments by the Environmental Protection Authority in a bid to improve the proposed condition's rigour and effectiveness in protecting the environment.

Deputy Chairman Chris Whitaker said the EPA had introduced the measure to pick up any technical deficiencies in conditions before a final recommendation was made to the Minister for Environment.

"The EPA assesses the environmental impact of many projects and decides whether to recommend a project could proceed and if so under what conditions in order to protect the environment."

"Projects are increasingly complex and there can sometimes be simple errors of fact, mistakes in interpretation or perceived difficulties with the implementation of a condition. If these are not addressed before the EPA report is finalised, then companies often have to resort to lodging an appeal which can add months before they get a final decision."

Dr Whitaker said the EPA's aim was to achieve a timely and rigorous environmental impact assessment process that delivered enforceable conditions so companies could meet their environmental obligations.

"This new step is not about negotiating the merits or otherwise of environmental conditions. It is solely an opportunity to identify technical deficiencies that would make the condition difficult to implement or enforce."

Dr Whitaker said the outcome of the consultation with companies would be published in the final EPA report to the Minister, which is made public, and the report would still be subject to appeal.

"The consultation period will be five business days to ensure that the EPA's reporting process is not unduly lengthened."

Key Government agencies would be consulted on the proposed conditions at the same time.

EPB 11 is available at www.epa.wa.gov.au.

EPA Media contact: Charlie Maling, 6467 5415, 0400 866 450