Summer Council of Ministers Addresses Reform of Approval Procedures

On Monday, the planned reform of the AVG major procedures was presented to the reform group from the federal government, states, municipalities, and cities at the chancellery. This working group is part of a reform partnership of the local authorities initiated in June, which aims to implement a comprehensive administrative reform in the areas of administration, energy, health, and education by the end of 2026.

Reform of Approval Procedures to Facilitate Economic Projects

The reform of the General Administrative Procedures Act (AVG), which is expected to accelerate major procedures, is to be reviewed this week, said Minister of Economic Affairs Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) at the press foyer after the government meeting. The review of the planned Renewable Expansion Acceleration Act (EABG) is to follow "soon," and in the fall, an amendment to the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (UVP-G) is also to be sent for review.

"Better conditions are needed" and it is about "enabling, not preventing," said Stocker at the "doorstep" before the government meeting - and about improving the competitiveness of industry and the economy. "Many projects do not fail due to a lack of capital or the economy's lack of innovative strength, but due to very long and complex procedures."

More Efficiency for AVG Major Procedures

Therefore, a reform of approval procedures is being initiated, said the chancellor. Stocker referred to the changes in so-called AVG major procedures announced on Monday by a reform group from the federal government, states, municipalities, and cities.

In this area, efficiency is to be increased through an electronic publication platform. All essential procedural steps will be recorded and documented in a clear form for everyone in the future, according to the government. The authority will also be given the opportunity to set a deadline for further submissions by parties. Additionally, the investigation procedure can be closed for individual sub-areas in the future, said Hattmannsdorfer - making it inadmissible to submit further objections. There will also be an end to the eight-week summer break for these procedures in the future.

UVP Procedures to be Accelerated

Furthermore, there should be adaptations to the "central instrument for protecting our environment," the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), said Stocker. Currently, EIA procedures take too long, and there is - also in international comparison - an "overregulated objection procedure that prevents projects." "Only here do parties have such extensive rights, and only here does it lead to projects being delayed or prevented," said the Chancellor.

Hattmannsdorfer explained that there should primarily be procedural simplifications in the third section of EIA procedures, with a "full procedural concentration at the federal level" to be introduced. Hattmannsdorfer also referred to plans to introduce "more contemporary" regulations for citizen initiatives - similar to referendums. "We want to put a stop to citizen initiative tourism," said Hattmannsdorfer, noting that initiatives founded in Vienna would sometimes operate in other countries. It is about acceleration, emphasized the Minister. Currently, EIA procedures take an average of 25 months. "Our goal is to halve that."

Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) promised via a statement that the standards in environmental protection would not suffer: "We are making our procedures future-proof without compromising environmental standards." With the EIA amendment, "we protect the environment, not the obstructers."

Stocker: Location should be secured by reforming approval procedures

Another point is the planned Renewable Expansion Acceleration Act (EABG): The law aims to accelerate procedures for the construction of power plants, storage facilities, lines, and other facilities for the energy transition. "If we want Austria to remain a secure location (...), then we must act now," emphasized Stocker.

In the future, there should be a one-stop-shop for these procedures, explained Hattmannsdorfer. Currently, for example, eight authorities have responsibilities in the approval of a wind farm. "It leads to a central acceleration if there is only one point of contact." There should also be uniform criteria and thresholds for exemption or the type of required approval procedure. In the future, for example, rooftop photovoltaic systems should be exempt, or solar systems in green areas up to a certain size.

Infrastructure Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ) spoke of an "important step." "It's about speed, and speed is currently an advantage," he said regarding the planned introduction of the one-stop-shop - this is "essential." Deregulation State Secretary Josef Schellhorn (NEOS) pointed to the positive effects of the planned reforms: "If we want to make energy cheaper, we need to shorten these approval procedures."

Babler pointed to further measures

Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) added at the "Doorstep" that the measures are aimed at administrative simplification - "for the people in Austria and the economy." He also referred to other planned government projects, such as the planned new Electricity Industry Act (ElWG), which was sent for review at the beginning of July and aims to reduce electricity prices.

Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr - representing NEOS leader and Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, who traveled to the USA - emphasized that the government is working "hard" even in the summer. The "reform partnership" established in June between the federal government, states, municipalities, and cities is a "mandate to continue working over the summer months".

Partial Two-Thirds Majority Needed for Reform of Approval Procedures

For the adoption of the reforms announced on Wednesday, a two-thirds majority in parliament is partially required, and thus the approval of the opposition. While those changes in the AVG, which are to be reviewed this week, can be passed with a simple majority, parts of the UVP-G and EABG matters are of constitutional rank and therefore require two-thirds of the deputies' votes.

WKÖ Expresses Delight

The Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ) expressed delight: "Quick and efficient approval procedures are crucial to revitalize investments and sustainably strengthen the location," said WKÖ Secretary General Jochen Danninger in a statement. Now the implementation must proceed "swiftly".

FPÖ economic spokesperson Barbara Kolm spoke of a "long overdue step". However, not only must the approval procedures be accelerated, but "overregulation must also be addressed". On the wish list of the Blues is, among other things, a "comprehensive location offensive" that also brings "tax reliefs, investment incentives, and, for example, a rollback of excessive environmental regulations".

The Green environmental spokesperson Lukas Hammer said in a statement that apart from announcements, the government would "not deliver much". Nothing new was presented at the summer council of ministers. "ElWG and EABG were both ready for decision over a year ago but were constantly blocked by the ÖVP." However, it is pleasing "if there should finally be movement here, and we are ready for negotiations," said Hammer.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.