WA in line for one-stop environment shop

Western Australia has become the third state with an agreement to establish a one-stop shop for environmental approvals and cut out federal hurdles.

The Abbott government has promised to relinquish control over environmentally-significant projects, accrediting states to give them the final say.

It says one-stop shops will remove duplication and improve efficiency, but opponents are concerned the deals will reduce environmental protections.

Queensland and NSW already have draft bilateral agreements in place and federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt revealed the WA draft on Wednesday.

The Department of Environment this week told a Senate estimates committee states had to prove high standards of environmental protection to be accredited.

All states and territories want to sign on to the reforms.

The WA bilateral agreement is open for public opinion until June 27.