Investing in Our Natural and Cultural Heritage - NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

	Document Index 1999-2000 Ministerial Statements Investing in our Natural and Cultural Heritage Chapter 7

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

The National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) was established under the National Environment Protection council Act 1994. Its main purpose is to make national environment protection measures (NEPMs) that relate to air quality, ambient marine , estuarine and fresh water quality; the protection of amenity in relation to noise; assessment of site contamination; hazardous wastes; the re-use and recycling of used materials; and motor vehicle noise and emissions. The Commonwealth contributes to the operating costs of the NEPC and to the development costs for each NEPM. In 1999-2000 the Commonwealth will provide $1 million as its contribution to the NEPC.

Contact: Environment Australia, Environment Protection Group -- 02 6274 1175

Box 7.1: National Environment Protection Measures

The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) NEPM provides the framework for the development and establishment of the NPI which is an Internet database designed to provide publicly available information on the types and amounts of certain substances being emitted to the air, land and water. State, Territory and Commonwealth Governments are working cooperatively to ensure the effective collection, collation and dissemination of NPI data. Data from the first year (1 July 1998 - 30 June 1999) will be available on the database in February 2000.
The Ambient Air Quality NEPM establishes national ambient air quality standards for six pollutants: sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead, particles, photochemical oxidant (as ozone) and carbon monoxide; and a monitoring and reporting protocol. All jurisdictions (including the Commonwealth) are required to adopt the standards, to monitor against them, and to report annually to the Council and table the report before each House of Parliament within seven sitting days of that House, after the Council has formally adopted the report. The Measure provides a consistent national approach so that standards for air quality are common throughout Australia.
The Movement of Controlled Waste NEPM will achieve a nationally consistent approach to the tracking of controlled wastes when they are moved interstate for recovery or disposal. A similar system, the National Manifest system, previously developed by the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC), was being fully implemented in only two States. This NEPM established a uniform national approach to the tracking of controlled wastes when they are moved between jurisdictions for recovery or final disposal.

National Water Quality Management Strategy

The Commonwealth has maintained its involvement in the development and implementation of the National Water Quality Management Strategy, which aims to achieve sustainable use of the nation's water resources by protecting and enhancing their quality, and at the same time, facilitating economic and social development.

Work on the strategy includes progressing the finalisation of effluent management guidelines for specific industries: dairy sheds and dairy processing plants, intensive piggeries, aqueous wool scouring and tanning, and related industries. Effluent management guidelines for Australian wineries and distilleries were published in 1998. The Commonwealth continues to coordinate the revision of the Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters on behalf of two Commonwealth-State Ministerial Councils, ANZECC and the Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (ARMCANZ). A draft document (for public comment) will be released during 1999. The Commonwealth is also coordinating completion of a number of other important guidelines under the NWQMS. These include guidelines for Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting, biosolids management, reclaimed water, sewerage system overflow, and rural land uses and water quality. The Commonwealth Government is also coordinating a rolling revision of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

Contact: Environment Australia, Environment Protection Group -- 02 6274 1870

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australia -- 02 6272 5685

Noise Pollution

The Government will maintain its focus on noise amelioration in areas around the Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport and the preferred site for the proposed second Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek.

The Commonwealth will spend $69.9 million in 1999-2000 on the Sydney Airport Noise Amelioration package that provides for insulation of noise-affected houses and other public buildings.

Contact: Department of Transport and Regional Services -- 02 6274 7390

Environmental Management at Leased Airports

Commonwealth responsibilities for environmental management at leased Federal airports are set out in the Airports Act 1996 and related Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations. The Government has contracted out to the private sector the statutory roles of the Airport Environment Officer at most of these airports. These officers are responsible for overseeing environmental regulation, clean up and pollution prosecution actions. The Commonwealth is providing $4 million for employment of Airport Environment Officers and Airport Building Controllers in 1999-2000. This will be recovered through charges on airport owners and, where appropriate, users.

The Commonwealth has developed its regulations in accordance with best practice that provides for implementation of environment management systems and the emerging National Environment Protection Measures.

Contact: Department of Transport and Regional Services -- 02 6274 7390

EIS for the Second Sydney Airport

The Government is committed to conducting a thorough and transparent Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process on the proposed second airport site at Badgerys Creek. The EIS is putting before the community and the Government a detailed analysis of the benefits and environmental costs of the three options for the construction of the airport at Badgerys Creek. No decision on the development of the airport will be taken until the EIS process is complete.

The Commonwealth has allocated $283,000 in 1999-2000 for the completion of an independent audit of the EIS process.

Contact: Environment Australia, Environment Protection Group -- 02 6274 1444