The federal government is hopeful of reaching an agreement with the coalition or the Greens to get the overhaul of Australia's environmental protections through parliament before Christmas.
The legislation aims to speed up approvals for some critical infrastructure, housing and energy projects while also improving protections for natural sites.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the coalition was seeking "sensible" changes to the 1500-page bill.
"We want the laws to work for business, industry and of course the environment, which needs protection," she told Sky News on Friday.
Ms Ley threatened to vote against the laws and resume negotiations in 2026 if her changes weren't adopted.
Analysis from law firm Herbert Smith Freehills shows while approval times are beginning to improve, the backlog of renewable energy projects awaiting the green light is continuing to grow.
Of the 89 solar, wind, battery and transmission projects sent for further assessment under federal laws since 2023, just one has been given the go-ahead.
The analysis covers Queensland, NSW and Victoria, but not other states or territories.
Environment and planning partner Kathryn Pacey said it was unclear how Labor's proposed changes, which include the creation of a National Environment Protection Agency, would help tackle the backlog of projects awaiting approval.
In a bid to get projects online faster, business groups are calling for a number of changes to the reforms, including shifting some approval powers from the head of the agency , back to the environment minister of the day.
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry boss Andrew McKellar said he was worried about greenhouse gas reporting requirements.
He also called for the proposed powers of the proposed agency's chief executive to be watered down, and the environment minister to be given the final say instead.
"If not addressed, those elements risk creating a regulatory framework that is even slower and more complex than the present system," he told a parliamentary inquiry into the legislation.
The business group's demands broadly align with the amendments being pushed for by the federal opposition.
Environment Minister Murray Watt is hoping to get the reforms approved during the final sitting week of the parliamentary year, but will need to do a deal with either the Greens or the opposition.
Both parties say they are willing to negotiate but don't see why the laws should be rushed.
Senator Watt previously flagged that he is open to negotiating elements of the legislation with the party that gives him most of what he has already put forward.
The coalition's recommendations closely align with concerns held by the Business Council, which include a clarified definition of the minister's power to reject projects because of their "unacceptable impact".
It is also seeking to amend the powers of the federal Environment Protection Authority, arguing the power to assess and approve projects must remain with the minister.
Proposed penalties of up to $825 million for breaching the laws go too far, the coalition says, and further pathways to streamlined approvals must also be included.
Opposition environment spokeswoman Angie Bell said the amendments put forward reflect concerns raised by business and offer "reasonable solutions".
"We are providing reasonable solutions and actively seeking a way forward that benefits jobs and the environment," she said.
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