Engaging with the
Environment Protection Authority
www.epa.nsw.gov.au
Contents
Introduction
3
Our purpose of engagement
4
5
Inform – snapshot
Our engagement objectives
6
7
Consult – snapshot
Our guiding principles for engagement
8
9
Involve – snapshot
How and when we engage
10
Our stakeholder engagement
11
When we don’t engage and why
16
Find out how you can connect with the EPA
17
Introduction
Our vision
Healthy Environment, Healthy Community, Healthy Business
Healthy ecosystems are the foundation on which healthy communities and healthy economies thrive.
Everyone in NSW shares the responsibility for protecting the environment.
Who we are
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is the state’s primary environmental regulator. We work
with businesses, government, community and environment groups to manage and reduce pollution, waste
and adverse impacts on the environment.
What we do
Our objectives under the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 are to:
•
protect, restore and enhance the quality of the environment in New South Wales, having regard to
the need to maintain ecologically sustainable development
•
reduce the risks to human health and prevent the degradation of the environment.
How we do it
Our decisions, policies and initiatives are underpinned by scientific and technical expertise and seek to
generate positive environmental behaviours and outcomes.
We encourage people to report pollution and environmental harm to the 24/7 Environment Line, 131 555. We
work with other agencies to notify the public, and clean up and restore the environment following pollution
incidents that involve hazardous materials.
We assess applications for environment protection licences and set legally enforceable conditions on
licensees, including pollution prevention and monitoring, implementing best practice operations and
community engagement requirements.
We regulate activities that can impact on the environment and human health, including air emissions,
contaminated sites, hazardous materials, radiation, coal seam gas, noise, waste, pesticides, water quality
and forestry practices.
As an independent statutory authority, we develop and inform environmental programs and policy. We
also work with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment and other key organisations to ensure
environmental issues are considered in major planning assessments.
We are leading business, government and the community in managing and reducing their waste across
NSW through the five-year $465 million Waste Less Recycle More initiative.
We deliver education, awareness and grants programs, and actively inform and consult with communities,
businesses and government to motivate them to make informed decisions that lead to better environmental
outcomes.
We provide financial and technical support to other government agencies and local government to improve
environmental outcomes.
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Our purpose of engagement
Where we are now
The EPA is a credible and effective regulator and our staff are passionate about protecting the environment.
The EPA has undergone several changes since its creation in 1992, but it was our re-establishment as an
independent statutory authority in February 2012 that saw our role clarified and our budget increased.
Since then, we have implemented initiatives and policies to drive innovation, smarter work practices, and
improved communication and engagement within the authority as well as with licensees and the general
community.
As the EPA Strategic Plan 2014–17 states, we are working hard to be an exemplar organisation.
To achieve this we are improving our reputation as a trusted world-class regulator and becoming more
effective in the way we inform and involve community, environment groups, government and industry in
our work.
Where we want to be
The EPA sees a healthy environment as the foundation on which healthy societies and healthy economies thrive.
Our regulatory function is a key aspect to achieving this. Our role in facilitating a shared responsibility for
managing risks to the environment and human health, and influencing environmental behaviour among the
population are equally important.
We are consistently working to improve the timeliness and responsiveness of our communications, especially
during significant or emergency incidents, and we consistently look for opportunities to better inform, consult
and involve all interested parties.
How we will reach our goals
When the EPA engages well with community, environment groups, industry and government, we all work
more effectively to protect the environment. To achieve this we have placed a strong emphasis on developing
our stakeholder engagement capabilities.
We have undertaken a comprehensive stakeholder survey, committed to more direct engagement through
community committees, and developed and improved our communication channels.
Effective engagement is a priority for the EPA and we are committed to developing initiatives and tools that
will allow us to better inform, consult and involve all groups that have an interest in our work.
Inform
Engaging with the EPA
Consult
www.epa.nsw.gov.au
Involve
4
Inform – snapshot
Annually, Environment Line,
131 555, receives more than
12,000 reports of pollution for
which the EPA is the appropriate
regulatory authority. These incidents
include air, water, waste and noise
pollution, hazardous chemicals,
illegal dumping and polluting
from vehicles.
The size and nature of a pollution incident
determines the appropriate communications
response, but may include:
•
Our operations staff provide advice and
consult with emergency services, councils,
other regulatory authorities and businesses
as well as undertaking investigations.
•
The Environment Line team provides
relevant information to callers, put updates
online about incidents and regulatory
approaches, and provides specific advice
where appropriate.
•
Our communications team alerts the
community of potential harm to the
environment and human health through
a variety of channels including Twitter,
media announcements, letterbox drops,
local council information channels,
advertisements and website updates.
•
Our management team inform the office of
the Minister for the Environment and other
high-level contacts.
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Our engagement objectives
The EPA recognises the valuable contribution that members of the community, environment groups, industry
and government make to improve our policy and operational outcomes.
Equally, by ensuring that the information provided back to these groups is timely, transparent and accessible,
we can foster trust and understanding in our work and decision-making processes.
Mutual respect and trust that is built on effective two-way communication can lead to productive relationships
which, in turn, can promote innovative environmental solutions, sound decision-making and improved
environmental performance by everyone in NSW.
The EPA’s engagement objectives
1. Listen to community, environment groups, industry and government and understand their needs and
priorities so we can consider these in our decision-making.
2. Provide timely and relevant information, especially during significant or emergency events where there
is potential for harm to the environment or human health.
3. Provide information, education and support to everyone in NSW so they can make informed decisions
that impact positively on the environment and improve their environmental performance.
4. Develop respectful and productive relationships with community, environment groups, industry and
government to enable us to work effectively together.
5. Improve understanding of our roles and responsibilities among all interested parties and the
general community.
6. Continue to grow our reputation as a respected leader in environmental regulation, and as a trusted
source of scientific and technical expertise.
Engaging with the EPA
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Consult – snapshot
The EPA produces a range of draft
policies, agreements and reports that
call for community, government and
industry input and consultation.
For example, we sought input on risk-based
licensing, integrated forestry operations approvals
and duty-to-report guidelines for contaminated
lands.
We invite feedback from the public via our public
consultation site “Have your say”, our website and
newspaper advertising. We may also encourage
input from specific community, industry, government
and environment group representatives and
individuals through direct correspondence.
Submissions are collected and collated. In
subsequent papers and reports, we outline the
feedback received and how it was considered.
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Our guiding principles for engagement
The following guiding principles underpin all our engagement activities. When you engage with us, you can
expect us to be:
Respectful and inclusive We recognise that individuals and groups have diverse interests and
opinions and want to participate in decisions that affect them. All views
and feedback will be received and acted on respectfully.
Clear and outcome-focused Our objectives for consultation will be clearly stated so that individuals
and groups understand the level of involvement they have in decisionmaking processes. Feedback will be provided on the rationale applied to
decision-making.
Trustworthy and responsive We seek to build relationships through trust and mutual learning. We
will act with integrity and be transparent, responsive and objective in
our communication.
Timely, accurate and
consistent We strive to consistently provide accurate and relevant information and
feedback in a timely fashion.
Promote improvement and
innovation We monitor and evaluate our performance to continuously improve
the way we engage, and we actively look for innovative communication
and engagement solutions.
Approachable and
accessible We pride ourselves on being an approachable organisation and we will
ensure the methods and tools we use for engagement are well-promoted
and easily accessible.
How you can help the engagement process
We will work hard to provide timely and relevant information and build effective working relationships with
you. You can help this process by:
•
being specific about your enquiry or concern and being open and honest when communicating with us
•
being respectful and courteous when engaging with EPA staff
•
understanding that we must assess and prioritise all issues that require follow-up and/or
investigation and respecting this process
•
providing us with useful feedback in a helpful, constructive manner.
Engaging with the EPA
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Involve – snapshot
The EPA works in partnership with
councils and community groups to
influence positive environmental
behaviour, and leads a number of
community consultative and expert
committees on environmental issues.
We regularly hold information forums to assist local
councils and community organisations applying for
grants under the $465.7 million Waste Less Recycle More
initiative, and have developed an education strategy to
improve knowledge and attitudes around waste
and recycling among the NSW population.
We establish consultative and expert committees so
we can work in partnership with community, technical
experts, environment groups, government and industry
to manage environmental issues in local regional communities.
To further strengthen our engagement processes and our
relationships with stakeholders, we undertook the EPA
stakeholder survey in 2013. This was a valuable exercise
and the EPA is committed to undertaking follow-up surveys.
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How and when we engage
Who are the EPA’s stakeholders?
Protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility, which is why the EPA sees all members of the
NSW population as its stakeholders. The following groups, in particular, are key stakeholders because their
activities and the EPA’s work directly impact one another:
•
community
•
environment groups
•
government
•
industry and business
•
Minister for the Environment.
How we engage with our stakeholders
The EPA uses a variety of communication channels to inform, consult and involve all stakeholders:
How we inform
public registers, education and awareness programs, consultative and expert committees, publications, reports, website, Environment Line (131 555), Ask
Environment Line online, EPA Connect newsletter, social media, media releases,
public announcements, correspondence, face-to-face meetings, advertisements,
telephone
How we consult calls for submissions, telephone, consultative and expert committees, face-to-face
meetings, presentations, correspondence and surveys, engagement with government,
parliamentary processes and ministerial meetings
How we involve
consultative and expert committees, formal and informal face-to-face meetings, calls
for submissions and feedback, social media, website, telephone and correspondence.
Engaging with the EPA
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Our stakeholder engagement
Community
Communities can be affected by incidents and issues that pose risks to their environment and human health,
and by the actions of individuals and groups that do not support healthy environmental outcomes.
Communities need timely and relevant information from the EPA and opportunities to engage on the issues,
policies and programs that affect them so they can make decisions and have confidence in the health of their
local environments and the actions of the EPA.
Individuals must also take responsibility for protecting the environment through their own actions
and decisions.
Community organisations that receive financial grants from the EPA for environmental programs need open
and timely communication to ensure efficient service and program delivery.
Inform
Consult
Involve
The EPA informs communities
about environmental matters and
work in their areas including:
Community members
are encouraged to report
pollution and seek further
information through the
Environment Line 131 555.
Community members can join
consultative committees that
the EPA leads, participates
in, or directs licensees to
establish.
They are also invited to raise
concerns with the EPA on
relevant issues and provide
input on specific matters,
programs and policies
managed by the EPA.
They are invited to
communicate with the EPA
on an informal and formal
basis on specific projects
and issues.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
environmental issues
pollution incidents
environment protection
licences
industry and licensee
activities
waste management
education campaigns
policy and legislation
development and change
regulatory activities
EPA’s roles, responsibilities,
policies and programs.
Engaging with the EPA
www.epa.nsw.gov.au
In some instances, community
organisations are accountable
for delivering environmental
services funded by the EPA
(i.e. grants programs).
11
Environment groups
The activities and aims of environment groups are underpinned by a philosophy of protecting and preserving
the environment.
They need timely, relevant and meaningful information from the EPA to inform their activities, campaigns and
decision-making processes, and to have confidence that the EPA is effective in all areas of its work.
Environment groups that receive financial grants from the EPA for environmental programs need open and
timely communication to ensure efficient service and program delivery.
Inform
Consult
Involve
The EPA informs environment
groups about:
Environment groups are
encouraged to report
pollution or seek further
information through the
Environment Line 131 555.
Environment groups can
join or lead consultative
committees, working groups
and meetings for the purpose
of engaging directly with the
EPA on specific issues.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
environmental issues
pollution incidents
environment protection
licences
industry and licensee
activities
waste management
education campaigns
policy and legislation
development and change
regulatory activities
EPA’s roles, responsibilities,
policies and programs.
Engaging with the EPA
They are also invited to
raise concerns with the EPA
on relevant issues, provide
input where appropriate to
inform policy and program
development, and to engage
on specific issues.
www.epa.nsw.gov.au
In some instances,
environment groups
accountable for delivering
environmental services
funded by the EPA
(i.e. grants programs).
12
Government
The EPA’s relationship with state government departments and agencies, and local councils is multi-faceted.
They can simultaneously be partners, co-regulators and licensees.
Government and councils are interested in the impact of the EPA’s policies, regulatory actions, licensing
conditions and programs on their work and their stakeholders.
They need timely, meaningful and relevant information to inform their decisions, ensure their own compliance
and that of licensees who fall under their jurisdiction, and to better communicate any impacts to their
communities or stakeholders.
Government organisations that receive financial grants from the EPA for environmental programs need open
and timely communication to ensure efficient service and program delivery.
Federal, state and local government organisations need timely and relevant advice and information when
considering environmental outcomes in planning assessments and approvals, legislative amendments and
strategic planning matters.
Inform
Consult
Involve
The EPA informs government and
councils about:
Government agencies and
councils are encouraged
to report pollution or seek
further information through the
Environment Line 131 555.
Government agencies and
councils are encouraged to
provide input, ask questions
and raise concerns with the
EPA to ensure a collaborative
and appropriate approach to
co-regulation, policymaking
and service delivery
(i.e. grants programs).
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
environmental issues
pollution incidents
environment protection
licences
industry and licensee
activities
waste management
education campaigns
policy and legislation
development and change
regulatory activities
EPA’s roles,
responsibilities, policies
and programs.
It also provides or sources
specialist technical advice
to local, state and federal
agencies when:
•
•
They are also invited to
raise concerns with the
EPA on relevant regulatory
issues, provide input where
appropriate to inform policy
and program development, and
for the purposes of information
sharing and engaging on
specific issues.
The EPA contributes to
forums for cross-agency
consultation and engagement
(i.e. Interagency Taskforce on
Air Quality in the Hunter).
In some instances,
government groups are
accountable for delivering
environmental services
funded by the EPA
(i.e. grants programs).
The EPA contributes to
forums for cross-agency
consultation and engagement
(i.e. Interagency Taskforce on
Air Quality in the Hunter).
examining proposed and
existing industries where
potential environmental
risks exist
considering policy and/or
legislative development
and amendments.
Engaging with the EPA
www.epa.nsw.gov.au
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Industry and business
Industry and businesses (private and government-owned) have a duty to protect the environment through
their actions and decision-making, and to report pollution incidents.
The EPA licenses, audits, monitors and regulates activities covering air quality, noise, waste, water quality,
forestry, contaminated sites, dangerous goods, hazardous materials, radiation and pesticides, as well as
undertakes activities to promote voluntary compliance.
Industry and businesses need timely, relevant and meaningful information from the EPA so they can address
environmental considerations when making decisions, and better understand their environmental obligations
and responsibilities.
Industries and businesses that receive financial grants from the EPA for environmental programs need open
and timely communication to ensure efficient service and program delivery.
Inform
Consult
Involve
The EPA provides information to
industry and businesses about:
Industry and businesses
are required to report
pollution incidents.
The EPA can direct
licensees to establish
consultative committees to
facilitate engagement with all
interested parties.
•
•
environment protection
licences and specific
licence conditions
regulatory and
compliance
requirements, audits
and legislation.
It also provides informal and
formal advice to promote
voluntary compliance and
behaviours that have positive
environmental outcomes.
Engaging with the EPA
They are encouraged
to ask questions and
raise concerns with the
EPA on licensing and
relevant regulatory and
environmental issues, and
to provide input where
appropriate to inform policy
and program development.
www.epa.nsw.gov.au
The EPA also engages with
industry and businesses to
improve the effectiveness and
relevance of environmental
regulation and on specific
issues relevant to them.
In some instances,
businesses are accountable
for delivering environmental
services funded by the EPA
(i.e. grants programs).
14
Minister for the Environment
The Minister for the Environment is responsible for the EPA.
The Minister’s Office needs timely and relevant information from the EPA to inform environmental regulation
policy and legislative programs, government initiatives and decision-making, and announcements.
It also needs technical and specialist advice and information on emerging and existing environmental issues to
inform decision-making and government response.
Inform
Consult
Involve
The EPA informs the Minister’s
Office about:
The EPA provides technical
and specialist advice to the
Minister for the Environment
to inform legislative, policy
and program planning.
EPA management and staff
interact with the Minister’s
Office for the purposes
of information sharing,
issues management, public
announcements and to
support parliamentary
processes.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
significant pollution
incidents
regulatory action
undertaken by the EPA
emerging and existing
environmental issues
industry and licensee
activities
specific publications and
reports
education campaigns
policy and legislation
development and change.
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When we don’t engage and why
The EPA’s focus on engaging effectively with community, environment groups, business and government is
reflected in four of the six key result areas in the EPA Strategic Plan 2014–17 and in its commitment to the
NSW Government’s broader goals through NSW 2021 – A Plan to Make NSW Number One.
However, we recognise there will be times when it is not appropriate to engage on specific issues. In such
cases, we will clearly outline the reasons to the relevant parties about why our engagement activities are
limited.
Examples of these engagement parameters include, but are not limited to, the following.
•
When investigating environmental incidents, the EPA may seek input from relevant individuals
and groups to inform its work; however, it will not release information or discuss details of the
investigation publicly until the investigation is complete. The EPA will also not publicly discuss
matters before the courts.
•
If an agency other than the EPA is the appropriate regulatory authority, or is tasked with leading the
clean-up, containment and/or investigation of an environmental incident, the EPA will not respond
publicly about the incident on behalf of that agency.
•
When consultation periods have officially closed and the EPA is undertaking the subsequent phases
of its policy or decision-making processes, additional feedback or submissions may not be able
to be considered. The EPA will not release information that could potentially breach Section 319
Disclosure of information of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 or the Privacy
Act 1988.
•
There are times when the EPA may limit or cease engagement with individuals and groups on
specific issues; for example, if behaviour is deemed to be vexatious or malicious, or if harassment
of or threats to EPA staff occurs. The EPA considers such situations carefully before making a
decision to limit or cease engagement, and will clearly outline its reasons to the particular party.
•
Broad consultation is not feasible in some circumstances; for example, when government processes
are confidential, when decisions must be expedited or during specific phases of policy and
program development where only specialist technical or scientific information is relevant. In these
situations, the EPA will clearly outline the reasons why consultation is limited, and if or when broad
engagement will take place.
Engaging with the EPA
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Find out how you can connect with the EPA
Report pollution to the Environment Line 131 555
To report pollution, phone 131 555 (local call cost throughout NSW except from mobile phones),
or (02) 9995 5555 (if calling from outside NSW).
Ask Environment Line
Ask Environment Line (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/askenvironmentlineapp/) provides answers to common
questions about environmental issues and reporting pollution.
Contact us
Contact the EPA (www.epa.nsw.gov.au/contact/index.htm).
Have your say Provide input into draft policies, agreements and reports on the EPA’s public consultation page
(https://engage.environment.nsw.gov.au/EPAconsult/). Provide feedback to the EPA on the EPA feedback
page (www.epa.nsw.gov.au/help/feedback.htm).
Read our news
Visit the EPA media centre (www.epa.nsw.gov.au/epamedia/epamediareleases.htm) for media releases.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter, EPA Connect (www.epa.nsw.gov.au/epaconnect/index.htm).
Search the EPA’s public registers
The EPA is required by law to maintain public registers (www.epa.nsw.gov.au/publicregister/index.htm).
These hold information about specific companies, circumstances or events, such as environmental
protection and regulatory actions.
Your right to information
The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (the GIPA Act) replaced the Freedom of Information
Act 1989 on 1 July 2010. Learn more about obtaining information from the EPA
(www.epa.nsw.gov.au/whoweare/information.htm).
Read the EPA Strategic Plan 2014–17
The EPA Strategic Plan (www.epa.nsw.gov.au/whoweare/strategicplan.htm) clarifies the authority’s role,
recognising our relationship with government, business and the community.
Learn more about the EPA Compliance Policy The EPA Compliance Policy (www.epa.nsw.gov.au/legislation/130251epacompl.htm) explains how the EPA
undertakes activities that achieve compliance and drive improved environmental performance.
Read our Guarantee of Service
The EPA has adopted the guarantee of service (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/whoweare/gos.htm) developed
by the Office of the Environment and Heritage, which provides corporate and other essential services to
the EPA.
Learn how the EPA manages complaints and allegations
The EPA has adopted the policy and approach for managing external complaints and allegations (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/whoweare/complaint.htm) from the Office of the Environment and Heritage.
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© State of NSW and Environment Protection Authority.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the State of NSW are pleased to allow
this material to be reproduced for educational or non-commercial use, in whole or in
part, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are
acknowledged. Specific permission is required for the reproduction of images.
Published by:
NSW Environment Protection Authority
59–61 Goulburn Street, Sydney
PO Box A290
Sydney South NSW 1232
Report pollution and environmental incidents:
Environment Line: 131 555 (NSW only) or [email protected]
See also www.epa.nsw.gov.au/pollution
Phone: +61 2 9995 5000 (switchboard)
Phone: 131 555 (NSW only - environment information and publication requests)
Fax: +61 2 9995 5999
TTY users: phone 133 677, then ask for 131 555
Speak and listen users: phone 1300 555 727, then ask for 131 555
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.epa.nsw.gov.au
ISBN 978 1 74359 928 0
EPA 2015/0162
June 2015
Photo credits:
Pg 5, Community drop-in day at Chaffey Park in Manilla, NSW by S. Smith/EPA.
Pg 7, EPA Chief Environmental Regulator, Mark Gifford, at a public information session at
Hillsdale by Z. Thomas/EPA.
Pg 9, EPA staff with members of the Newcastle Community Consultative Committee on
the Environment by L. Graham/EPA.
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