Local area wins with stronger environment protections

The NSW Government today announced new measures to strengthen environmental penalties and further empower the Environment Protection Authority with the introduction of the Protection of the Environment Legislation Amendment Bill 2014.

Member for Oatley Mark Coure said the Bill would protect the local community from the actions of a careless few.

“People who think it’s okay to pollute our waterways and bushland areas will now think twice before going about their selfish and illegal activities,” he said.

“This Bill will make the EPA a fearsome enemy of those who don’t take their environmental responsibilities seriously.”

This legislation is the next step in the NSW Government’s efforts to strengthen environmental protections across the state.

“In 2012, the Government acted to improve the independence of the EPA and strengthen reporting requirements and penalties for pollution incidents,” Mr Coure said.

“In 2013, the Government cracked down on illegal dumping and worked to break the business model of illegal waste activities.”

The legislation includes:

· Clearer, stronger and more consistent penalties for offences under the POEO Act to deter contamination and radiation offences;

· Increased penalties for the Contaminated Land Management Act for corporations responsible for contamination who fail to comply with an Environment Protection Agency (EPA) direction. Current maximum: $137,500 Proposed maximum: $1,000,000;

· Power to strengthen the EPA’s arm against companies who flagrantly breach environment protection licence conditions. The EPA will not be required to issue licensees with notice of intention to revoke or suspend a licence. Such notices delayed the EPA’s ability to take action against licensees where there were risks to the community or the environment;

· Increasing the ability of the EPA to prevent and respond to pollution incidents. For example, there will now be a duty to report odour incidents that cause, or have the potential to cause, material harm to the environment; and

· The EPA will be able to require problem waste transporters to install a GPS tracking advice. This will act as a strong deterrent against illegal dumping.