The Federal Government has given a glimpse of its “one-stop-shop” for environmental approvals in the Northern Territory.

The Commonwealth has been working on the plan since it and the NT government signed a memorandum of understanding in November.

The agreement is aimed at giving the Territory more power over its environmental assessments, and the ability to approval major projects on the Commonwealth’s behalf.

The deal will remove several layers of environmental approval process between the territory and federal levels.

It gives the NT the right to determine which assessment method is prefers for a project. The agreement encourages the creation of a single assessment, which will then be handed to the federal Environment Minister for approval.

It is exactly the kind of measures many believe will be rolled out across the country, as the Coalition government moves to empower states and territories to explore and exploit their own resources.

Federal Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, said the government is all about making business easier, cutting green tape, easing regulatory burden, but maintaining environmental standards.

“Under this agreement, the Federal Government will retain the power to approve or refuse actions, and to attach conditions to approved projects,” Hunt said.

Northern Territory Minister for Environment Peter Chandler says the new deal is quicker and better way to enhance the processes.

“It is evidence the Northern Territory has matured as a jurisdiction, which is a key theme for this government as we move to drive the development of Northern Australia,” Chandler said.

The draft bilateral agreement is open for public comment until Tuesday 6 May 2014.

The agreement will also be checked before accreditation under national environmental law.

All other states and territories are in some stage of developing their own one-stop shop for environmental assessments and approvals, with several agreements expected in the next 12 months.

More information is available from the Department of the Environment.