Our State Budget 2016-17: Securing our economic future – Restaurants rule as WA red tape blitz takes off

• $1.68 million ‘Flying squad’ launches 90-day projects to open approval bottlenecks
• Guide to streamline restaurant start-ups with 14 pain points to be reformed
• Building, ecotourism and aquaculture next targets of #ShredTheRed campaign

A start-up guide and a red tape reduction action plan will help grow Western Australia’s vibrant restaurant and catering industry, as the State Government launches a ‘flying squad’ to tackle fast reform to support business and job creation.

Announcing the $1.68 million State Budget initiative in the Northbridge entertainment precinct today, Finance Minister Bill Marmion and Small Business Minister Sean L’Estrange said the group would spend 90 days at a time busting bottlenecks in specific approval processes.

“This is the next phase of the #ShredTheRed red tape campaign,” Mr Marmion said. “In collaboration with the private and public sectors, the flying squad will conduct three-month analyses to yield fast, practical reform recommendations.”

Creation of the flying squad is a direct result of a recent trial project to map restaurant approval roadblocks in Perth.

“As a result, 14 recommendations have been made to streamline regulation and speed restaurant start-ups,” Mr L’Estrange said.  “Given this success, the next project is already underway, to simplify and accelerate residential building approvals.”

Treasurer Mike Nahan said it was important as many local industries as possible benefited from red tape reforms driven by the mapping projects.

“This is about continuing our transformation of Perth and the regions, as we drive and diversify WA’s development,” Dr Nahan said.  “We are keen to keep this initiative going, to capitalise on Western Australian expertise.”

Mr Marmion said the next 90-day mapping priorities would be ecotourism and aquaculture.

“Through our red tape reduction web portal, we also welcome reform suggestions as we work to make it easier to establish and run a wide range of successful businesses in WA,” Mr Marmion said.

Fact File

• The Department of Finance’s Economic Reform unit is leading the 90-day projects
• The restaurant study found start-ups usually allow up to nine months for approvals
• For details on project priorities and to submit #ShredTheRed suggestions, visithttp://www.finance.wa.gov.au
• Access the ‘How to Start a Restaurant’ regulatory map athttp://www.finance.wa.gov.au/cms/Economic_Reform/Regulatory_Reform/90_day_projects.aspx