annualreport - Parliament of New South Wales

N a t i o n a l E n v i r o n m e n t P r o t e c t i o n C o u n c i l

2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

a nnua l r epor t


2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

a nnua l r epor t

Annual Report 2006–07

© Copyright vests in the Commonwealth of Australia and each

Australian State and Territory.

ISBN 1–921173–25–4

This work is copyright. It has been produced by the National Environment

Protection Council (NEPC). Apart from any use as permitted under the

Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without

prior permission from the NEPC. Requests and enquiries concerning

reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Executive Officer,

NEPC Service Corporation, Level 5, 81 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA 5000.

Acknowledgement for photographs to Environment Protection

Authority Victoria; Patrick Logistics; Government of South Australia—

Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure; and Craig Arnold

a n n u a l r e p o r t2 0 0 6 • 2 0 0 7

Foreword

Our environment is increasingly becoming a hot topic for individuals, communities and

governments concerned about climate change, the quality of the air they breathe, the water

they drink and the management of commercial and household waste.

In 2006–07, the Environment Protection and Heritage Council, which incorporates the

National Environment Protection Council, continued its focus on improving the quality

of our urban environment, building on the substantial work already done on air and water

pollution, water recycling (in collaboration with the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council) and

waste management. The Council also devoted considerable resources to climate change issues such as vehicle

emissions and travel demand management and carbon capture and storage guideline development (in

collaboration with the Ministerial Council on Minerals and Petroleum Resources).

The Council also works closely with other Ministerial Councils, including the Primary Industries Ministerial

Council, Australian Transport Council and Council of Australian Governments, on its environment reform agenda.

On the critical issue of water conservation, the Council continues to work with the Natural Resource Management

Ministerial Council on parts of the National Water Initiative to help our water go further without risking human

health or the environment. The Council endorsed phase one of the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling

(‘Managing Health and Environmental Risks’), which covers reuse of treated sewage effluent and grey water,

to encourage water recycling. The development of phase two of the guidelines, which will cover stormwater

reuse, managed aquifer recharge and recycled water for drinking, is underway, and Council has released the

‘Recycled Water for Drinking’ module for consultation. The Council’s work on water quality and recycling has

attracted signif icant international attention. The Council continued its involvement (particularly for the states

and territories) in the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme and the Smart Approved WaterMark Scheme.

Good air quality is vital for our health and that of the environment. The Council is continuing a major review

of the Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM), which is the nation’s major

tool for managing air quality. The review is considering the latest international trends in air quality policy and

monitoring, as well as the most recent information on the health risks posed by air pollution, including risks

to children’s health. The Council has established a National Air Quality Database for data reported under the

Ambient Air Quality NEPM. The database will make air quality data readily available to researchers.

The Council has endorsed a method of prioritising air toxics for possible inclusion in the Air Toxics NEPM

when it is reviewed which will assist states and territories to prioritise actions to address air pollutants of most

concern. The Council is also investigating means by which the results from different monitoring methods in

different jurisdictions can be compared.

While recognising recent improvements in fuel quality and new vehicle emissions standards, the Council

continues to be concerned at the disproportionately high contribution that diesel vehicles make to air pollution.

Accordingly, the Council carried out a review of the Diesel Vehicle Emissions NEPM to ensure it adequately

reflects changes to Australia’s diesel fleet, the availability of new technologies, and the experience gained over

the past f ive years in implementing this NEPM, and is developing a proposal to vary the NEPM to take up

these issues. The Council also commenced work on the emission characteristics of small non-vehicle engines

and on emissions from architectural surface coatings that generate harmful effects.

The Council completed work on and made a variation to the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) NEPM, designed

to improve the effectiveness and breadth of the inventory to include reporting of transfers of NPI substances

in wastes going to f inal destinations. The changes in relation to transfers better align the Australian NPI with

similar overseas registers. In addition, the variation incorporated reporting on greenhouse gas emissions as an

interim measure preparatory to any national reporting scheme established by the Commonwealth.

With a view to making its own operations ‘carbon-neutral’, the Council requested an audit of greenhouse gas

emissions associated with EPHC activities, with a view to reducing emissions and offsetting residual emissions,

to be implemented in 2007–08.

National Environment Protection Council annual report 2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7 iii

The increasing volume of waste is a consequence of modern living and the Council continued the development

of a product stewardship NEPM to allow development of a ‘co-regulatory framework’ for the management

of waste tyres. Following a report by the Productivity Commission, the Council aff irmed that ‘resource

conservation/eff iciency’ is a legitimate objective for national product stewardship action, and will explore

social and environmental costs and benefits.

The Council has strongly encouraged the retail sector and communities to reduce the use of light-weight, single-

use plastic shopping bags which may end up littering our environment. The Council continues to do further

work on regulatory options for the management of plastic bags, releasing a Regulatory Impact Statement for

public consultation.

Following a decision by the Australian Government to have incandescent lamps replaced in Australia by

compact fluorescent lamps, to reduce electricity consumption (and therefore greenhouse gas emissions),

the Council agreed to investigate ‘end-of-life’ management issues for compact fluorescent lamps.

The diversion of industrial wastes to productive uses can benefit industry and the farming community if properly

managed, and the Council endorsed and published Guidance for assessing the beneficial reuse of industrial

residues to land management applications. The Council has f inalised an extensive review of the Assessment

of Site Contamination NEPM, which provides a nationally harmonised approach to assessing the need to

cleanup contaminated sites. The Council initiated a variation to the NEPM, which will take account of the

advances in scientif ic knowledge and technology since the NEPM was f irst made. The Council will work

closely with the National Health and Medical Research Council in developing updated Health Investigation

Levels for site contaminants.

More than 40 000 chemicals are currently in use in Australia and managing the environmental impacts of these

chemicals is a signif icant challenge. The Council is engaging with stakeholders in developing steps towards

a comprehensive and streamlined approach to managing these impacts. The Council endorsed the National

Framework for Chemicals Environmental Management and a Chemicals Action Plan.

With regard to heritage matters, the EPHC will become the umbrella Council for most world heritage areas

in Australia, thus consolidating the current fragmented approach. In addition, the Council will investigate the

establishment and management of National Protected Areas, particularly in relation to adaptation to climate

change, protected area tourism and capacity building for land managers.

The review of the National Environment Protection Council Acts in 2006–07 will lead to a strengthening

of the NEPC system, with regard to the issues it can address and its processes.

I would like to thank all Council members and those working with the Council for their efforts during

2006–07 in furthering the environmental protection agenda.

Malcolm TurnbullChairmanNational Environment Protection Council

National Environment Protection Council annual report 2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7iv

Foreword (continued)

Members of the National Environment Protection Council

2 0 0 6 – 0 7

N E W S O U T H WA L E S

The Hon. (Bob)

Robert Debus MP

Minister for the Environment

(to 20 April 2007)

N E W S O U T H WA L E S

The Hon. Philip Koperberg MP

Minister for Climate Change,

Environment and Water

(from 20 April 2007)

V I C TO R I A

The Hon. John Thwaites MP

Minister for Environment

and Water

Q U E E N S L A N D

The Hon. Desley Boyle MP


(to 17 November 2006)

Q U E E N S L A N D

The Hon.

Lindy Nelson-Carr MP


(from 17 November 2006)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The Hon.

Mark McGowan MLA


(to 28 March 2007)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The Hon.

David Templeman MLA

Minister for the Environment;

Climate Change

(from 28 March 2007)

S O U T H AU S T R A L I A

The Hon. Gail Gago MLC


and Conservation

N O R T H E R N

T E R R I TO RY

Ms Marion Scrymgour MLA

Minister for Natural Resources,

Environment and Heritage

C O M M O N W E A LT H

Senator The Hon. Ian Campbell

Minister for the Environment and Heritage

Chairperson

(to 16 March 2007)

C O M M O N W E A LT H

The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull


and Water Resources

Chairperson

(From 16 March 2007)

TA S M A N I A

The Hon. Paula Wriedt MHA

Minister for Tourism, Arts

and the Environment

AU S T R A L I A N

C A P I TA L T E R R I TO RY

Mr John Hargreaves MLA


and Sustainability

(to 31 May 2007)

AU S T R A L I A N

C A P I TA L T E R R I TO RY

Mr Jon Stanhope MLA

Minister for the Environment,

Water and Climate Change

(from 31 May 2007)

National Environment Protection Council annual report 2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7 v

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Foreword iii

Members of the National Environment Protection Council 2006–07 v

About NEPC 1

Executive Officer’s Report 2

NEPC — Major Activities 3

NEPC Committee — Major Activities 5

NEPC Act Review 6

Relationships with Other Bodies 7

NEPC Service Corporation — Operations Report 8

NEPMs — Activities 15

EPHC Activities 18

Assessment of the Implementation and Effectiveness of NEPMs 22

NEPC Reports on the implementation of NEPMsNational Pollutant Inventory 23Ambient Air Quality 31Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories 37Used Packaging Materials 47Assessment of Site Contamination 53Diesel Vehicle Emissions 59Air Toxics 65

Statement by Auditor 72

Statement by Executive Officer 74

Financial Statements 75

Appendix 1: NEPC Committee — Membership 98

Appendix 2: Project Teams and Working Groups — Membership 100

Appendix 3: Publications (since 1996) 114

Appendix 4: NEPM Development — How NEPMs Are Made 121

Appendix 5: NEPM Development Model — Flow Chart 124

Appendix 6: Implementation and Effectiveness of NEPMs 125

National Pollutant Inventory 127Commonwealth 129New South Wales 135Victoria 138Queensland 142Western Australia 147South Australia 150Tasmania 154Australian Capital Territory 157Northern Territory 159

Ambient Air Quality 161Commonwealth 163New South Wales 165Victoria 172Queensland 180Western Australia 185South Australia 191Tasmania 198Australian Capital Territory 201Northern Territory 203

Contents

National Environment Protection Council annual report 2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7 vii

Contents (continued)

National Environment Protection Council annual report 2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories 207

Commonwealth 209

New South Wales 211

Victoria 214

Queensland 217

Western Australia 219

South Australia 221

Tasmania 223

Australian Capital Territory 225

Northern Territory 227

Used Packaging Materials 229

Commonwealth 231

New South Wales 233

Victoria 238

Queensland 242


South Australia 252

Tasmania 255



Assessment of Site Contamination 267

Commonwealth 269

New South Wales 271

Victoria 273

Queensland 276


South Australia 279

Tasmania 281



Diesel Vehicle Emissions 285

Commonwealth 287

New South Wales 290

Victoria 296

Queensland 299


South Australia 310

Tasmania 314



Air Toxics 317

Commonwealth 319

New South Wales 320

Victoria 323

Queensland 329


South Australia 336

Tasmania 338



Appendix 7: Glossary 342

viii


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About NEPC

The National Environment Protection Council

(NEPC) stems from the Special Premiers’ Conference

held in October 1990, at which the Prime Minister,

Premiers and Chief Ministers agreed to develop an

Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment.

The Agreement came into effect on 1 May 1992.

The Agreement includes provision for the establishment

of a national body with responsibility for making

National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs)

with the objectives of ensuring that:

• the people of Australia enjoy the benefit of

equivalent protection from air, water and soil

pollution and from noise wherever they live

• decisions by businesses are not distorted and

markets are not fragmented by variations

between jurisdictions in relation to the adoption

or implementation of major environment

protection measures.

All participating jurisdictions (i.e. the Commonwealth

and all state and territory governments) have

complementary legislation establishing the National

Environment Protection Council, which is a statutory

body with law-making powers.

Members of the NEPC are ministers, although not

necessarily environment ministers, appointed by the

principal ministers of participating jurisdictions.

The NEPC and the NEPC Committee are assisted and

supported by the NEPC Service Corporation, which

is managed by the NEPC Executive Officer.

The NEPC has two primary functions:

• to make National Environment Protection

Measures (NEPMs)

• to assess and report on their implementation and

effectiveness in participating jurisdictions.

NEPMs are broad framework-setting statutory

instruments defined in the National Environment

Protection Council Act 1994 (Cwlth). They outline

agreed national objectives for protecting or managing

particular aspects of the environment. NEPMs are

similar to Environmental Protection Policies at the

state level. NEPMs may consist of any combination

of environmental protection goals, standards,

protocols and guidelines.

More information about NEPMs, the areas of

environmental protection that they may address,

and the process for developing them are outlined

in Appendices 4 and 5.

Implementation of NEPMs is the responsibility of

each participating jurisdiction, and each minister

on the NEPC reports to the NEPC each year on the

implementation of each NEPM in his/her jurisdiction.

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The NEPC and the EPHC continued to undertake signif icant levels of work in 2006–07 on climate change,

air quality, waste management, the assessment of site contamination, the reporting of emissions of substances

to the environment, chemicals management, and water reuse and recycling.

Following the review of the Service Corporation’s corporate governance structure and procedures in

accordance with the principles laid down in the Uhrig Report in 2005–06, the second review of the National

Environment Protection Council Acts was commissioned and completed in 2006–07. This review concluded

that whilst the NEPC system was working well, improvements could be made in the implementation of NEPMs,

the scope of NEPMs should be broadened to reflect current environmental concerns and issues (not just those

identif ied when the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment was formulated in the early 1990s),

and NEPM development processes and protocols should be reviewed with a view to their enhancement.

I should like to acknowledge the member governments of the the NEPC (i.e. the Commonwealth, the states

and the territories) and the NEPC Committee, as well as those other members and observers on the NEPC

Committee and Environment Protection and Heritage (EPH) Standing Committee for their cooperation in

managing the national environmental protection agenda throughout 2006–07. I should also like to thank

members of the project teams and working groups who ensure that the NEPC/EPHC work program is

implemented and with whom the NEPC Service Corporation staff has much interaction.

The staff of the NEPC Service Corporation has continued to provide highly regarded project management and

support services to the Council, NEPC Committee, EPH Standing Committee and the project teams and working

groups, as well as secretariat services to Council and its principal committees. The staff has ensured the

efficient organisation of meetings as well as the implementation of Council’s work program.

I should also like to acknowledge our many stakeholders for their efforts and input into the NEPC/EPHC work

program over the past year.

Dr Bruce Kennedy

Executive Officer

Executive Officer’s Report

NEPC — Major Activities


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The Environment Protection and Heritage Council

(EPHC) incorporates the National Environment

Protection Council.

As the National Environment Protection Council

is established under statute (the NEPC Acts of the

Commonwealth, states and territories) and has the

ability to make national regulatory instruments

(National Environment Protection Measures), it

retains its distinct status within EPHC. All members

of NEPC are members of EPHC.

The National Environment Protection Council met

twice in 2006–07, as part of the Environment

Protection and Heritage Council.

Major activities undertaken by NEPC and EPHC

in 2006–07 are summarised below.

COUNCIL MEETING — CHRISTCHURCH,

NEW ZEALAND, 2 NOVEMBER 2006

NEPC:

• supported the National Stationary Exhaust Noise

Test Procedures for In-Service Motor Vehicles as

the stationary noise test method in the

Roadworthiness Guidelines referenced in the

Australian Vehicle Standards Rules 1999

• endorsed and released the Report of the Review

of the Assessment of Site Contamination NEPM.

EPHC:

• established priority areas for work on climate change

– vehicle fuel eff iciency

– travel demand strategies

– world heritage listed sites

– climate change public awareness campaigns

– resource eff iciency/life cycle analysis

– ancillary environmental effects of climate

change policies

• continued to strengthen its focus on climate change

considerations within its areas of responsibility

• recommended to the Council of Australian

Governments (COAG) that EPHC and the Australian

Transport Council (through the Land Transport

Environment Committee) develop, in consultation

with industry and other stakeholders, a package

of measures aimed at moving Australia towards

international best practice in vehicle fuel efficiency

• adopted and published Guidance for Assessing the

Beneficial Reuse of Industrial Residues to Land

Management Applications—A National Approach

• released a Regulatory Impact Statement for public

consultation on legislative options for phasing out

plastic bags

• endorsed the National Water Quality Management

Strategy (NWQMS) Australian Guidelines for Water

Recycling—Managing Health and Environmental

Risks—Phase One

• endorsed and released the National Guidelines

for Residential Customers’ Water Accounts 2006

• amended the Water Efficiency Labelling and

Standards (WELS) Determination under the

Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS)

Act 2005

• proposed to COAG that all property-specif ic or

jurisdiction-specif ic World Heritage Ministerial

Councils (with the exception of the Great Barrier

Reef Ministerial Council) be brought under the

umbrella of EPHC.

As part of the work plan for the National Water

Initiative, EPHC agreed to the following in consultation

with the Natural Resource Management Ministerial

Council:

• each jurisdiction prepare a Smart Approved

WaterMark implementation plan to meet its Smart

Approved WaterMark commitments under the

National Water Initiative

• each jurisdiction give preference to Smart

Approved WaterMark endorsed products when

offering rebates and ask the Australian Local

Government Association to request local

governments to do likewise.

The EPHC recognised that the Smart Approved

WaterMark Scheme offers a useful migration path to

the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS)

Scheme, and that the two schemes are improving the

alignment of, and cross support for, their objectives.

COUNCIL MEETING — CAIRNS,

2 JUNE 2007

NEPC:

• noted that further research was required for the

development of the proposed NEPM and Impact

Statement for product stewardship for televisions,

and the exploration of regulatory options for

computers


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• restricted the scope of the proposed Product

Stewardship NEPM to tyres

• accepted the Report on the Review of the Diesel

Vehicle Emissions NEPM, and established a

scoping group to prepare a proposal for the

variation of this NEPM

• authorised the NEPC Committee to carry out

public consultation on the Review Discussion

Paper for the Ambient Air Quality NEPM

• gave notice of its intention to prepare a draft

variation to the Assessment of Site Contamination

NEPM, approved the scope and three-year time-

frame for the proposed variation, and authorised

the NEPC Committee to carry out public

consultation in relation to the proposed variation

• requested the National Medical Health and

Research Council to undertake work on revising

existing and deriving new health-based investigation

levels, including the development of guidance on

the appropriate method for deriving health-based

investigation levels for carcinogens, for input

into the variation of the Assessment of Site

Contamination NEPM

• made the variation to the National Pollutant

Inventory NEPM, which includes reporting of

transfers of substances specif ied in the reporting

list, which are incorporated in waste, as well as

reporting of greenhouse gas emissions as an interim

course of action pending the development of a

Commonwealth sponsored national reporting scheme

• received the Report of the Second Review of the

National Environment Protection Council Acts

(Commonwealth, State and Territory)

• agreed in principle to the Statement of Expectation

for the National Environment Protection Council

Service Corporation.

EPHC:

• noted that COAG has considered the joint Australian

Transport Council and EPHC report on vehicle

fuel eff iciency

• supported the development of nationally consistent

guidelines for the environmental assessment and

regulation of carbon dioxide capture and geological

storage, consistent with the Regulatory Guiding

Principles for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Geological

Storage established by the Ministerial Council on

Mineral and Petroleum Resources

• conducted an audit of EPHC related greenhouse

emissions, in order to develop a strategy to reduce

emissions, and to investigate offsets for the green-

house emissions related to air travel for future

EPHC and EPH Standing Committee meetings

• accepted the National Packaging Covenant

2005–06 Annual Report and noted that a further

102 signatories had signed the Covenant

• agreed to explore options for developing appropriate

tools for analysing the social and environmental

costs and benefits of product stewardship action

• reaffirmed its commitment to the phase-out of

lightweight, single use plastic bags by 1 January

2009, recognising that voluntary approaches would

not achieve a phase-out by that date and that a

nationally consistent mandatory measure would

be desirable

• agreed to investigate the end-of-life management

of compact fluorescent lamps

• agreed to investigate disposal options for waste oil

• released the draft ‘Recycled Water for Drinking’

module of the National Water Quality Management

Strategy (NWQMS) Australian Guidelines for Water


Risks—Phase Two for public consultation

• noted the current National Health and Medical

Research Council Study on Air Quality in and

Around Traffic Tunnels

• signed the Ministerial Agreement on Principles for

Better Environmental Management of Chemicals,

aimed at improving the environmental aspects of

chemicals management systems

• advised other Ministerial Councils of the National

Framework for Chemicals Environmental Manage-

ment and sought their collaboration in progressing

the Chemicals Action Plan for the Environment

• supported the preparation of an Australian World

Heritage Tentative List, in accordance with the

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation

of the World Heritage Convention and the

Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment

• approved the Protected Areas Policy Working

Group’s work plan and nominated the following

three priority policy areas to improve management

of protected areas at a national level

– adapting to climate change

– protected area tourism

– capacity building for Indigenous and private

land managers of protected areas.


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NEPC Committee — Major Activities

The National Environment Protection CouncilCommittee (NEPC Committee) is incorporated withinthe Environment Protection and Heritage StandingCommittee (EPH Standing Committee). As with theNEPC, the NEPC Committee retains its identity andstatutory functions. All members of the NEPC Committeeare members of the EPH Standing Committee.

The NEPC Committee met four times in 2006–07(October, December, April and May) as part of theEPH Standing Committee. Two meetings were face-to-face and two were by teleconference.

The activities of the NEPC Committee and the EPH Standing Committee included the following.

NEPC Committee:

• released the Review of the National EnvironmentProtection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) MeasureDiscussion Paper for public comment

• established an Air Toxics Equivalent Monitoringgroup to develop and provide advice on a proposalfor equivalent monitoring of air toxics under theAir Toxics NEPM

• accepted the Annual Report of the Ambient AirQuality NEPM Peer Review Committee

• established a Project Team to develop a proposalfor the variation of the Assessment of SiteContamination NEPM

• approved, under delegation from Council, a f ive-year lease for accommodation for the NEPC ServiceCorporation in Adelaide

• endorsed, under delegation from Council, the Reportsby the National Environment Protection Council of its overall assessments of the implementationand effectiveness of all NEPMs for the reportingyear ended 30 June 2006

• approved, under delegation from Council, the2005–06 NEPC Annual Report.

EPH Standing Committee:

• endorsed the development of a National TravelDemand Management Strategy and established theVehicle Fuel Efficiency and the Travel DemandManagement Strategy Working Groups

• approved the Air Quality Working Group StrategicDirections and Work Plan 2006–08

• endorsed and published the advisory documentAmbient Air Quality Standards Setting: AnApproach to Health Based Hazard Assessment, as an input to the work of the EPHC StandardsSetting Working Group

• approved the Access Protocol and LicenceAgreement that will govern access to, and use of,data from the National Air Quality Database

• agreed to the development by the Small Engines

Working Party of

– a costs and benefits analysis of regulatory and

non-regulatory approaches to the management

of emissions from petrol lawn mowers and

handheld power equipment

– a draft Memorandum of Understanding with the

Outboard Engine Distributors Association to

improve governance of the Voluntary Emissions

Labelling Scheme

• noted the report Priority Existing Chemical Report

No. 28 Formaldehyde in relation to air toxics

• established a working group to investigate suitable

approaches to the reduction of volatile organic

compounds emissions from architectural surface

coatings

• approved the Waste Working Group revised Work

Plan 2006–08

• approved the release of a preliminary draft Product

Stewardship NEPM, preliminary draft NEPM Impact

Statement, Tyre and Television Agreements and the

draft Tyres Regulatory Impact Statement for targeted

consultation with the tyre and television industries

• released the Consultation Regulatory Impact

Statement on plastic bags

• requested AHMAC, NHMRC and NRM Standing

Committee cooperation in the f inalisation of the

recycled water for drinking component of the

National Water Quality Management Strategy

(NWQMS) Australian Guidelines for Water


Risks—Phase Two

• noted the draft report on The Vulnerability of the

World Heritage Values of Australia’s World Heritage

Properties to Climate Change Impacts and provided

advice on the development of the World Heritage

Tentative List

• noted that COAG endorsed EPHC management

of world heritage issues at the national level and

the abolition of nine World Heritage Ministerial

Councils

• noted that further work will be undertaken to

develop a publication explaining the Australian

three-tier system of statutory heritage listing

• noted the continuing development of the

Comprehensive National Heritage Inventory and

Information Portal under the Cooperative National

Heritage Agenda

• endorsed Project Planning and Budgeting

requirements for the EPHC project teams and

working groups established in the future.

NEPC Act Review

The second review of the NEPC Acts was initiated by

NEPC to give effect to the requirement under section

64 of the National Environment Protection Council

Act 1994 (Cwlth) (mirrored in the NEPC Acts of all

states and territories) for f ive-yearly reviews of the

operation of the Acts and the extent to which the

Acts’ objectives have been achieved. Since the f irst

review of the NEPC Acts in 2001, NEPC has become

incorporated in the Environment Protection and

Heritage Council (EPHC)—a national environment

and heritage policy making body.

While the terms of reference for the second review

remained substantially the same as those for the f irst

review, their emphasis was changed specif ically

to invite the independent reviewer (John Ramsay

Consulting) to consider the scope of the NEPC Acts,

and the ability of the NEPC system to contribute

to the EPHC strategic plan.

The Ramsay Report concludes that the ‘NEPC system

is operating reasonably effectively, given its legislative

and f inancial limitations’. It recognises the benefits

and costs of jurisdictional participation in NEPC

activities and concludes that the core aspects of the

NEPC system are sound. It f inds that NEPMs are

a useful, streamlined, reasonably cost-effective

mechanism to achieve nationally consistent

environmental regulation. Where the review makes

recommendations for change, these are aimed at

updating what is already a robust national system.

Key recommendations in the Ramsay Report include:

• amendment of the Acts to enable a NEPM to be

made on any environmental protection matter as

determined unanimously by NEPC

• improved NEPM implementation by jurisdictions

• NEPM content to include measurable performance

indicators

• refinement of the NEPC Annual Report to better

indentify the national outcomes produced by NEPMs

• further streamlining of the process for making

a minor variation to a NEPM

• a review of NEPC protocols and process

documentation.

At its meeting in June 2007, NEPC received the

Ramsay Report and noted that it would be tabled

in the Parliaments of each participating jurisdiction.

NEPC’s response to the recommendations in the

report will be considered at the f irst Council meeting

in 2007–08.


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Relationships with Other Bodies

NATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL

RESEARCH COUNCIL AND ENHEALTH

COUNCIL

To maintain strengthened relationships with the

health sector at a senior level, an observer from

the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council

attends EPH Standing Committee meetings.

Health sector representation continues on relevant

EPHC/NEPC working groups and project teams

(including joint work on the (air quality) Standards

Setting Working Group). For the development of the

variation to the Assessment of Site Contamination

NEPM, the NHMRC has agreed to lead the development

of Health-based Investigation Levels. The NHMRC

also sponsored a seminar on Management of Air

Quality in and around Tunnels and Busy Roads, which

was developed in conjunction with EPHC and several

environmental protection agencies.

NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMMISSION

The NEPC and the National Transport Commission

(NTC) pursue their common goals through a

Memorandum of Understanding, which establishes

the Land Transport Environment Committee.

The Land Transport Environment Committee (LTEC)

finalised the following proposals for consideration

by the Australian Transport Council and the NEPC:

• the revised national stationary noise test

procedures for in-service vehicles

• managing engine brake noise.

LTEC considered advice to the NEPC and NTC

on the following matters:

• advice to COAG on vehicle fuel eff iciency and

travel demand management

• fuel consumption labelling for light vehicles

(review of Australian Design Rule 81/01)

• the outcomes of the review of the Diesel Vehicle

Emissions NEPM.

LTEC received updates on the following matters:

• strategy development for the rail environment

• the Green Vehicle Guide, sponsored by the

Commonwealth Department of Transport and

Regional Services

• performance based standards for (heavy duty)

vehicles.

The Chair and co-Chair consulted stakeholders on

the development of strategic directions for LTEC, in

particular developing an approach for strategic decision

making in the transport context—this issue will be

pursued by LTEC through 2007–08, with a view to

reporting to both EPHC and NTC.

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Mr Peter Dolan of the South Australian Environment

Protection Authority is the EPHC representative on

the Standards Sector Board for Environment Safety

and Materials. The NEPC and EPHC continued to

liaise with Standards Australia on matters such as air

quality monitoring, the measurement of soil

contamination and plastic bags.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TESTING

AUTHORITIES

The Executive Officer is a member of the Reference

Materials Accreditation Advisory Committee of the

National Association of Testing Authorities.

OTHER AGENCIES

The Executive Officer continues to work with the

Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination

Assessment and Remediation of the Environment

(CRC CARE), based at the University of South

Australia. CRC CARE provides significant opportunities

for research that may assist in providing information

useful for the development of future policy for site

contamination assessment and remediation. The

Executive Officer chairs the CRC CARE Policy

Advisory Committee, which links regulators, industry

and research providers.

A National Air Quality Database has been established

under a three-way Memorandum of Understanding

between the Service Corporation, the Commonwealth

Department of Environment and Water Resources and

the Bureau of Meteorology. The Service Corporation

will oversee the interests of jurisdictions regarding

publications that arise from use of the database.

The Service Corporation held meetings with the Office

of Best Practice Regulation and the Commonwealth

Department of Environment and Water Resources

with a view to developing a common interpretation

of COAG requirements for Impact Statements and

Regulatory Impact Statements (RIS)—agreement

was reached on notif ication between the parties of

impending Impact Statement/RIS development and

on information flows.

The Service Corporation is working with the Primary

Industries Standing Committee in developing and

managing a consultancy for further scientif ic work

on industrial residues to underpin the basis for the

development of specif ic standards and/or guidelines.

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8 National Environment Protection Council annual report 2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

NEPC Service Corporation — Operations Report

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

The NEPC Service Corporation provides project

management and secretariat services to the EPHC

and the EPH Standing Committee in which are

incorporated the NEPC and the NEPC Committee

respectively.

The NEPC Service Corporation depends on the

quality and stability of its team of professional and

administrative people and its funding resources to

ensure that effective and efficient project management

and business services add value to the joint work

program of the NEPC and EPHC.

The following activities were carried out in 2006–07:

• provision of executive and business services

to NEPC, NEPC Committee, EPHC and EPH

Standing Committee

• provision of project management services

to NEPC, NEPC Committee, EPHC and EPH

Standing Committee, as well as to working

groups/project teams.

• provision of support services for

– Ambient Air Quality NEPM—Peer Review

Committee

– Land Transport Environment Committee

(Chair and Secretariat in 2007)

• liaison with

– National Health and Medical Research Council

– enHealth Council

– National Transport Commission

– Standards Australia

• preparation and publication of the 2005–06

NEPC Annual Report

• preparation of preliminary budget estimates

of expenditure and revenue for 2007–08

• management of the EPHC website at

<www.ephc.gov.au>.

OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Risk management and governance

NEPC Audit Committee

The purpose of the NEPC Audit Committee is to

provide advice to the Executive Officer on matters

related to prudential management, governance and

risk management.

Membership of the NEPC Audit Committee comprises:

Mr Mick Bourke—Victoria (Chair)

Ms Anthea Tinney—Commonwealth

Dr Paul Vogel—South Australia

Ms Sally Barnes—New South Wales.

Support for the Audit Committee is provided by the

NEPC Service Corporation.

The NEPC Audit Committee met twice during 2006–07.

Risk management policy and plan

The NEPC Service Corporation has had a Risk

Management Policy and Plan in place for several years

and it is reviewed and refreshed annually. The Plan

clearly identif ies, assesses and responds to potential

risks faced by the NEPC Service Corporation.

The NEPC Service Corporation tabled its updated

Risk Management Plan at the October 2006 NEPC

Audit Committee meeting and, following acceptance,

has now adopted and implemented its updated strategy.

As part of the annual Risk Management Plan review

process, all f inancial policies and procedures were

reviewed and updated during the last quarter of

2006–07.

Review of governance

A review of corporate governance of the NEPC

Service Corporation was carried out in 2005–06

in accordance with the principles espoused in the

Review of the Corporate Governance of Statutory

Authorities and Office Holders (the ‘Uhrig Report’).

The outcomes of the review were encapsulated in

the report entitled Governance Review of Statutory

Authorities—NEPC Service Corporation (the

‘Governance Review’).

The Governance Review found that the current

governance framework for the NEPC Service

Corporation should be endorsed, subject to:

• Council formally introducing Statements of

Expectation and Intent into review and reporting

processes for the NEPC Service Corporation,

containing key performance indicators

• the Statements of Expectation and Intent being

made publicly available through official release

by the NEPC


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• the existing governance relationships between the

(Commonwealth) Minister, the Council, the NEPC

Committee, other councils and committees and the

Executive Officer in relation to the activities and

functions of the Service Corporation being retained.

In particular, the Governance Review confirmed

that it was not appropriate for the NEPC Service

Corporation to be subject to the provisions of the

Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997,

nor subject to full application of the Commonwealth

Authorities and Companies Act 1999.

The NEPC Committee agreed that the conclusions

of the Governance Review should be considered as

‘interim’, pending the outcomes of the second review

of the National Environment Protection Council Acts.

In June 2007, the Council received the Report of the

Second Review of the National Environment Protection

Council Acts (Commonwealth, State and Territories)

developed by Ramsay Consulting (the ‘Ramsay Report’).

The Ramsay Report concluded that the core aspects

of NEPC activity and processes were sound and that

the governance arrangements between the Council,

the NEPC Committee and the NEPC Service

Corporation were working well, enabling each

to fulf il its respective functions. It endorsed the

outcomes of the Governance Review.

Ramsay noted the NEPC model appeared to have

some unique benefits when contrasted with other,

more centralised, standard setting bodies, and also

appeared to be cost effective in its approach to

jurisdictional cooperation, accounting for regional

environmental differences, consultation and engaging

relevant expertise in jurisdictions. It proposed

measures for further determining the cost effectiveness

of the system.

Ramsay made several recommendations: some aimed

at streamlining and improving processes, some aiming

to promote greater uniformity and accountability

in the implementation of NEPMs, and some directed

towards making the NEPC Acts more responsive to

the environmental needs of the present day.

In June 2007, the Council endorsed a signif icant

outcome of the review; that is, the preparation by the

Council of a Statement of Expectation of the NEPC

Service Corporation. In response, the NEPC Service

Corporation will develop a Statement of Intent which

will signify the approach that the NEPC Service

Corporation will adopt to satisfy the expectations

of its major stakeholder, as well as key performance

indicators which it will employ to measure the

attainment of those expectations.

The Ramsay Report provided clear advice on the

NEPC’s future direction and the recommendations

were couched in such a way that readily allowed for

subsequent action. The Council directed the NEPC

Committee to prepare a response for consideration

by the Council at its next meeting scheduled for

early 2008.

Project planning and budgeting for EPHC

working groups

In April 2007, the EPH Standing Committee endorsed

a document prepared by the NEPC Service Corporation,

entitled ‘Project Planning and Budgeting for EPHC

Working Groups’, as a protocol for future EPH Standing

Committee project and working group proposals. This

initiative was designed to bring an enhanced level of

transparency and accountability to the operations of

EPHC project and working groups, equivalent to that

required of NEPC project teams.

Audit report

The Australian National Audit Office has issued an

unqualif ied Audit Report for the 2006–07 Financial

Statements of the NEPC Service Corporation (refer

to page 75 of this report).

Claims against the NEPC Service Corporation

(breaches of duties of skill or care and

statutory duties)

The NEPC Service Corporation has insurance cover

for General Liability, Directors’ and Officers’ Liability.

The policy covers the NEPC Executive Officer and

Service Corporation staff, NEPC Committee members

(who are also covered by their own governments) and

the members of committees established by NEPC

(including Section 33 committees). There were no

claims during the 2006–07 financial year.

Property loss or damage

The office and contents of the NEPC Service

Corporation are insured appropriately for destruction

and loss or damage (e.g. f ire, theft). There were no

claims during the 2006–07 financial year.

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Banking arrangements

During 2006–07, the NEPC Service Corporation

commenced arrangements to move its operational

banking arrangements to Suncorp Metway Ltd.

Commensurate with this arrangement, the opportunity

was also taken to change the Service Corporation’s

corporate credit card facility from Amex to Visa.

These new arrangements will come into operation on

1 July 2007 and the Financial Management Framework

Guideline No. 3.6—Financial Management of Visa

Corporate Credit Cards has been updated accordingly.

NEPC/NEPC Committee expectation inrelation to NEPM development processes and content

The Federal Register of Legislative Instruments

(FRLI) is an Internet-based database which provides

government and public access to legislative instruments.

All legislative instruments—both new and existing—

must be registered with FRLI in order to be enforceable.

In 2006–07, the NEPC Service Corporation, with the

assistance of the Department of the Environment and

Water Resources legal unit, undertook a ‘back-capture’

program to register all NEPMs on FRLI.

The establishment of the FRLI has led to signif icant

changes in the tabling process for NEPMs. Amendments

have been made to the NEPC Service Corporation

NEPM tabling procedures to ensure that they are

compatible with the new process. Further amendments

to the tabling procedures may be made when the

NEPC Service Corporation registers NEPMs directly.

The Report of the Second Review of the National

Environment Protection Council Acts (Commonwealth,

State and Territories) also suggests a review of NEPC

protocols and this will occur through 2007–08.

Information technology

Computer Refresh Program

In April 2007, all the staff desktop computers were

replaced with more advanced units that will enhance

the staff ’s ability to work eff iciently and effectively.

Spam filtering

The NEPC Service Corporation has contracted an

e-mail f iltering service which isolates potential spam

and other ‘offensive’ material before it is delivered

to the NEPC Service Corporation servers. Statistics

show that this service has reduced traff ic through

NEPC Service Corporation servers by over 98%.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY

AND WELFARE

The NEPC Service Corporation occupational

health, safety and welfare (OHS&W) policy and

implementation plan, the Ill and Injured Staff policy

and the Working Alone policy were reviewed and

updated during 2007. OHS&W is a standing item on

staff meeting agendas and OHS&W site inspections

are performed quarterly. During 2006–07, the NEPC

Service Corporation continued its record of never

having an OHS&W claim.

Environmental Management System

The NEPC Service Corporation has an Environmental

Management System in place to enhance the

sustainability of its operations.

Human resource issues

The NEPC Service Corporation has a comprehensive

Human Resource Management Framework,

including Performance Management and Feedback,

Induction, Diversity and Code of Conduct facets.

All staff participate actively in formal performance

management sessions.

NEPC Service Corporation terms and

conditions of employment

The NEPC Service Corporation Terms and Conditions

of Employment 2007–09 were negotiated between

the Executive Officer and the staff. The terms and

conditions commenced on 1 January 2007 and will

remain in force for three years. The terms and

conditions are aligned to some extent with those of

the Australian Government Department of Environment

and Water Resources, as are salary scales.

Industrial relations

No industrial disputes occurred during 2006–07.


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Recruitment and retention

Mr Scott Brooks resigned as Business Manager in

March 2007 and was replaced by Mr Mike Krasowski

in April 2007. Ms Susan Whitehead succeeded

Ms Margaret Frensham in September 2006.

In order to minimise the risk of lost corporate

knowledge through staff turnover, all policies,

procedures and processes are documented and

reviewed annually.

Annual leave strategy

The NEPC Service Corporation Terms and Conditions

of Employment 2007–09 require that all staff members

strive to take their annual leave in such a way that

there is as little annual leave liability at 30 June as

possible. Because this is not always possible, the

approval of the Executive Officer is sought for any

carry-forward, which is to be managed under mutually

agreed leave management plans.

At 30 June 2007, the Acting Executive Officer

approved the carry-over of 32 days of annual leave

for 8 staff. The carry-over will be cleared substantially

by the end of September 2007.

Sick leave

The annual entitlement to paid sick leave for full

time staff is 15 working days per annum. During

2006–07, the sick leave taken by staff decreased from

5.9 to 4.7 days per full time equivalent staff (FTE).

Sick leave levels are not considered an issue for the


Staff training and development

The NEPC Service Corporation is a small organisation,

and recruits staff who already possess the training,

skills and abilities to do the tasks required of them.

Nevertheless, specialist training is undertaken by staff

when appropriate.

In 2006–07, training focused primarily on increasing

skill levels for the Accounting and Finance Officer

and networking opportunities for one of the Project

Managers in the water management area.

Misconduct

There were no formal misconduct issues during the

2006–07 f inancial year.

FUNDING

NEPC Service Corporation—Operations

The Commonwealth, states and territories fund the

operations of the NEPC Service Corporation according

to the agreed funding formula (50% from the

Commonwealth and 50% from states and territories,

on a population basis).

After allowing for a $13 705 reallocation from other

sources, the budget approved by the NEPC for the

operations of the NEPC Service Corporation in

2006–07 was $927 922.

Some contributions by jurisdictions for the 2007–08

financial year were prepaid in 2006–07. These

prepayments are reflected in the Financial Statements

but not in Table (1).

Figure (1) and Table (1) illustrate the allocation

of funding by jurisdictions for the operations of the


Table (1): Funding by Jurisdiction for NEPC

Service Corporation Operations 2006–07

Jurisdiction $

Commonwealth 463 961

New South Wales 156 726

Victoria 114 970

Queensland 87 503

Western Australia 45 468

South Australia 35 911

Tasmania 11 135

Australian Capital Territory 7 609

Northern Territory 4 640

Total 927 922

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NEPC AND EPHC RELATED ACTIVITIES

The 2006–07 budget allocated for NEPC and EPHC

related activities and projects was $565 196. The funds

were distributed between major projects ($548 246)

and EPHC priority projects ($16 950).

In most cases, funding for NEPC and EPHC related

activities is provided by jurisdictions according to the

agreed funding formula.

For NEPM development and variation projects,

contributions by those jurisdictions providing officers

to project teams are adjusted to allow for the in-kind

contributions made by those jurisdictions.

Table (2) and Figure (2) illustrate the distribution

of funding (including in-kind contributions) by

jurisdictions for NEPC and EPHC related activities.

Table (2): Funding by Jurisdiction for NEPC

and EPHC Related Activities 2006–07

Jurisdiction $

Commonwealth 280 916

New South Wales 60 103

Victoria 47 231

Queensland 35 416

Western Australia 98 520

South Australia 25 510

Tasmania 13 471

Australian Capital Territory 2 495

Northern Territory 1 534

Total 565 196

Figure (2): Funding Mix

NEPC and EPHC Related Activities 2006–07

Commonwealth 49.7%

ACT0.3% Qld

6.3%

Vic8.4%

NSW10.6%

NT0.4%

SA4.5%

WA17.4%

Tas2.4%

Commonwealth50%

NT0.8%

Vic12.4%

NSW16.9%

ACT0.5%

SA3.9%

Qld9.4%

Tas1.2%

WA4.9%

Figure (1): Funding Mix

NEPC Service Corporation—Operations 2005–06


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ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND STAFFING

The organisational structure of the NEPC Service Corporation is set out in Figure (3).

Figure (3): NEPC Service Corporation Organisation Chart as at 30 June 2007

Mr Haemish

Middleton

Project Officer

Ms Monina Gilbey

Project Officer

Ms Susan

Whitehead

Admin Officer

Ms Andrea Gill

Admin Officer

Mr Ian Newbery

Project ManagerMs Kerry Scott

Project Manager

Dr Bruce Kennedy

Executive Officer

Mr Mike Krasowski

Business Manager

Ms Bronwyn

Gobbett

Admin Officer

EPHC WEBSITE

The EPHC website at <www.ephc.gov.au>

incorporates information relating to both the NEPC

and the EPHC.

The website continues to be a popular tool for people

looking for information pertaining to NEPC Service

Corporation business. Over 4.6 million hits were

recorded for 2006–07, an increase of nearly 1 million

hits from the previous year (see f igure (4)).

The EPHC website utilises the latest technology

with few graphics to ensure faster turnaround times

in opening webpages and download of documents

in portable document format (PDF).

The EPHC website:

• is compliant with World Wide Web Consortium

standards

• has META data (for reference to documents and

hyper text mark-up language (html) pages) which

are compliant with the Dublin Core specif ications.

0

500 000

1 000 000

1 500 000

2 000 000

2 500 000

3 000 000

3 500 000

4 000 000

4 500 000

5 000 000

1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2004–05 2005–06 2006–072003–042002–03

561 515787 963

1 103 259

1 390 391

2 799 301

4 648 636

3 763 085

2 661 504

2 136 369

Year

Nu

mb

er o

f ‘h

its’

Figure (4): EPHC Website Statistics — ‘Hits’


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It can be seen from Figure (4) that the number of hits

on the EPHC website continues to increase each year.

CONFERENCES

The Executive Officer chaired the following:

• Organising Committee for the Environment

Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ)

International Conference, September 2006,

Adelaide

• CRC CARE Phytotoxicity Workshop, May 2007,

Sydney.

The Executive Officer made presentations at the

following conferences/seminars:

• CRC CARE Research Seminar, Adelaide

• Hazmat 2007 Conference, Sydney

• Waste and Recycle 2006 Conference, Perth

• EIANZ International Conference, Adelaide.

The Executive Officer made presentations to the

following industry bodies:

• Australian Environment Business Network,

Melbourne and Sydney

• Energy Networks Association, Canberra.

15National Environment Protection Council annual report 2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

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AIR QUALITY

Ambient Air Quality NEPM—Review

The NEPM sets national standards and goals for air

quality and provides a nationally consistent framework

for the monitoring and reporting of six criteria

pollutants: nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), carbon

monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particles (as

PM10) and lead (Pb). Criteria air pollutants are those

that are emitted from a variety of sources and are

widely distributed in ambient air in Australian cities.

They are also associated with photochemical smog

and secondary particle haze formation, and with

adverse health effects. The NEPM contains health-

based air quality standards for these pollutants and

an associated goal that sets a maximum number of

exceedances of the standard to be met within ten

years of making the NEPM.

In April 2005, the NEPC commenced the review of

the NEPM with an Issues Scoping Paper that identified

the issues for consideration during the review. The

project plan and second stage review proposal was

endorsed by the NEPC in June 2006 and work

commenced on the second stage of the review. A

Health Advisory Group was formed to assist with the

review of recent research and information on the

health effects of air pollution for the criteria

pollutants, together with a Technical Advisory Group

to advise on the monitoring and reporting issues

raised in the Issues Scoping Paper.

In June 2007, the NEPC released a Discussion Paper

on the policy framework, monitoring and reporting

aspects of the NEPM. Work on a second discussion

paper, focused on the standards, is being developed

for public release early in 2008.

Ambient Air Quality NEPM—Peer ReviewCommittee

The Peer Review Committee was established to assist

in the development and assessment of jurisdictional

monitoring plans for the Ambient Air Quality NEPM.

The Peer Review Committee comprises two nominees

from industry, two from the environment movement,

and one from each jurisdiction. Dr Mike Manton of

Monash University chairs the committee. Executive

support is provided by the NEPC Service Corporation.

Following the approval of monitoring plans for all

jurisdictions, the Peer Review Committee has had

an important role in providing advice on proposed

variations to monitoring plans, on quality assurance

in respect of monitoring and other methods used to

assess air quality, and on the national consistency of

technical reporting under the NEPM. These activities

help to deliver a scientif ically robust, consistent

national database of ambient air quality performance

for the Australian community.

The Peer Review Committee met once during 2006–07.

Activities undertaken by the committee included:

• providing advice to the NEPC Committee on the

national consistency of technical reporting under

the NEPM

• revising Technical Paper No. 4: Screening Procedures

to incorporate updated modelling results from a

CSIRO study on expected levels of nitrogen dioxide

and ozone in regional centres.

• undertaking a comparison of laboratories in each

jurisdiction

• providing advice to the Review of the Ambient Air

Quality NEPM.

All technical papers developed by the Peer Review

Committee are available on the EPHC website.

Diesel Vehicle Emissions NEPM review

During 2006–07, the NEPC undertook a review

of the Diesel Vehicle Emissions NEPM.

The review concluded that:

• the NEPM provides a sound framework for

programs to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles

• activities implemented under the NEPM are

beneficial in reducing diesel vehicle emissions

• there is clear evidence that the NEPM has improved

training and knowledge

• there should be minor amendments to the NEPM

schedules.

The NEPC received the report in June 2007 and

initiated the development of a proposal to vary the

NEPM. The NEPM review report can be obtained

from the EPHC website.


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Tyres Product Stewardship NEPM—Development

In 2005, the NEPC initiated the development of

a Product Stewardship NEPM. This NEPM was to

consist of a generic framework that:

• established guidelines and principles to be applied

by governments in addressing product stewardship

arrangements

• guided the development of product stewardship

agreements for particular product sectors

• included schedules relating to specif ic products

or product sectors.

Schedules for tyres and televisions were anticipated

to be included in the initial NEPM development process.

In June 2007, NEPC resolved to narrow the scope of

the project to a stand-alone NEPM in relation to tyres

and, subsequently, work commenced to convert the

draft generic NEPM and its associated impact statement

into a NEPM and impact statement relevant to the

Tyres Product Stewardship Agreement, which is also

under development in association with the tyre industry

(see page 19). In response to industry requests, the

Tyres Product Stewardship NEPM will be designed as

a regulatory safety net and will set out the obligations

to be required of non-participants in the proposed

industry-sponsored Tyres Product Stewardship Scheme.

In view of the imperative to reduce ‘red tape’ for

small business, the issue of a threshold for application

of the NEPM to small business will be considered.

It is envisaged that NEPM documentation (draft

NEPM and Impact Statement) and agreement

documentation (Tyres Product Stewardship Agreement

and associated Regulatory Impact Statement) will

be released as a package for public consultation

in 2007–08.

SITE CONTAMINATION

Assessment of Site Contamination NEPM—Review

The Assessment of Site Contamination NEPM was

made in 1999 and is the premier guidance document

in Australia for the assessment of land contamination.

It addresses a complex area that is particularly

subject to new developments in scientif ic knowledge

and new technologies.

A review of the NEPM commenced in February 2005

and the NEPC accepted the review report in October

2006. It was clear from the review that the NEPM

delivered benefits to its users. However, the review

demonstrated that the NEPM had potential to better

meet these needs and deliver greater benefits to

jurisdictions and their stakeholders. For example, it was

evident that there were concerns about inappropriate

use of investigation levels as clean-up criteria.

Misuse of these levels result in unwarranted cost

in site remediation.

Many submissions strongly supported revision of

the Ecological Investigation Levels, Health-based

Investigation Levels, Groundwater Investigation

Levels and the provision of additional guidance in

the Schedules for assessment procedures for a range

of substances, risk assessment methods, laboratory

methods, consultant competencies and community

consultation processes.

In addition to the issues raised in relation to the

application of the NEPM, there was support from

stakeholders for national guidance on management

and remediation approaches.

In June 2007, the NEPC initiated the development

of a variation to the NEPM which will address all

27 recommendations made in the review report.

INNOVATIVE POLICY TOOLS AND

INFORMATION

National Pollutant Inventory NEPM—Variation

In June 2007, the NEPC made a variation to the

National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) NEPM. The

variation expands the NPI to include the reporting of

transfers of NPI substances in waste to f inal

destination and introduces the reporting of new

substances, a lower usage threshold for mercury and

compounds, and a change in the release date of

annual data. A proposal to remove the current

exemption for aquaculture facilities to report to the

NPI was not accepted by the NEPC.

NPI NEPM variation documentation was released for

public consultation during 2006–07. In response to

concerns raised, changes were made to the draft

NEPM, particularly in relation to transfers, such that

reporting is now mandatory for those NPI substances


in waste destined for f inal containment or destruction

only. Provision has been made for the reporting, on

a voluntary basis, of NPI substances transferred for

reuse, recycling or reprocessing and this practice will

be encouraged.

The NEPM variation made in June 2007 also includes

provision for the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions

to the NPI as an interim measure, pending the

establishment of national purpose-built greenhouse

gas emissions reporting legislation. The Australian

Government opposed the inclusion of greenhouse

gas reporting in the NPI. The NPI NEPM, as varied,

provides for the withdrawal of greenhouse gas

reporting provisions should a more comprehensive

national scheme of greenhouse gas and energy reporting

come into force.

The variation to the NPI NEPM made by the NEPC

in June 2007 aligns the Australian NPI with

equivalent overseas pollutant and transfers registers

covering major substances of concern for both

emissions and transfers.

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AIR QUALITY

Air Quality Working Group

The Air Quality Working Group reports to the EPH

Standing Committee. Its role is to advise the EPH

Standing Committee (and as directed by the EPHC)

on projects related to the following:

• strategic and emerging air quality issues

• national and joint Australian and New Zealand

air quality research priorities

• collaborative work on air quality projects, such

as the development of inventories, modelling,

monitoring techniques, approaches to monitoring

infrastructure/equipment and options for

addressing emission risks

• developing closer cooperation with sectors and

agencies with an interest in air quality issues,

including those responsible for health, transport,

land use planning and greenhouse policy.

High priority project areas facilitated by the Air

Quality Working Group during 2006–07 include:

• developing an Australian approach to air quality

standard setting

• air pollution and health research studies

• national air quality database.

Air quality standard setting

In the past, standard setting processes in Australia

used a variety of frameworks and methods, each

one with its own merits and disadvantages. The non-

existence of an overall agreed method was reflected

in the considerable debate across the health and

environment sectors about standard setting.

The EPHC established the standard setting working

group to develop an agreed approach to setting

Australian air quality standards. The working

group comprises equal representation of health

and environment sectors and is jointly chaired

by a representative from the EPHC and from the

Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council.

A draft framework has been developed that builds on

the Risk Assessment Task Force Report but extends

beyond risk assessment to take into account health

impacts; social, economic and environmental impacts;

and exposure assessment, together with a review

of international approaches to standard setting.

A workshop involving health and environment

experts from around Australia and overseas was held

in July 2006 to f inalise an agreed approach to health

risk assessment.

During 2006–07, work was undertaken to develop the

exposure assessment component of the risk assessment

framework and it is anticipated that the recommended

approach will be presented to the EPHC in early 2008

for release for public consultation.

Air quality database

During 2005–06, a Memorandum of Agreement was

signed between the then Commonwealth Department

of Environment and Heritage, the Bureau of

Meteorology and the NEPC Service Corporation to

develop and maintain a national database, which will

provide a much more eff icient tool for the storage,

analysis and retrieval of monitoring data.

Access protocols and licence agreements were

finalised in March 2007. Jurisdictions provide data

in a standard format to aid data upload and the Bureau

of Meteorology, which maintains the database,

serviced its f irst data request in May 2007.

Children’s Health and Air Pollution Study

The EPHC, in collaboration with the University of

Queensland and the Woolcock Institute of Medical

Research, is undertaking a three-year study aimed

to determine whether current air quality standards

adequately protect the health of Australian school-

children. Current Australian air quality standards

have been based on overseas data. Such studies have

demonstrated adverse effects, but effects may be

different in Australian populations.

The primary purpose of the study is to obtain

quantitative effect estimates for the association

between air pollutants and adverse health outcomes,

such as increases in respiratory symptoms and

decreases in lung function in school-aged children

across Australia. The pollutants of concern are those

for which standards are set in the Ambient Air

Quality NEPM. The study outcomes will inform

the review of the NEPM.

During 2006–07, more than 1200 children from

selected study sites were tested from the Australian

Capital Territory, Victoria and Queensland. During

2007–08, it is anticipated that children from South

EPHC Activities


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Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales

will also participate in the study. Sites were chosen

for range and variability in air pollution levels and

for proximity to long-term monitoring stations.

Multi-city Mortality and Morbidity Study

A final report of the study was presented by the

investigators in 2005–06. A peer review of the study

was initiated in 2006–07, focusing on the study design,

the soundness and reliability of the statistical methods

used and whether the methods employed have been

applied appropriately.

The peer review was conducted by international

experts (Prof Ross Anderson and Dr Richard Atkinson,

St Georges Hospital London; Dr Lucas Neas, US EPA;

Dr Annette Peters, GSF Germany). All reviewers

provided positive responses to the report and did

not identify any issues with the method used in the

analysis. Most comments focused on interpretation

and presentation of the results. These issues will

be relayed to the researchers to be addressed in the

finalisation of the report for the EPHC.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Waste Working Group

The EPHC Waste Working Group provides a forum

for jurisdictions to develop consensus on waste issues

of national priority where collaborative actions will

result in the best environmental outcomes. Significant

work on the following priority waste issues was

undertaken in 2006–07.

Plastic bags

In June 2006, the EPHC reiterated its view that

lightweight, single-use plastic shopping bags should

be phased out by January 2009. In November 2006,

the Council considered possible regulatory options

for plastic bags (i.e. a ban, a mandatory retailer charge,

an advanced disposal fee and a government levy) and

agreed that a mandatory retailer charge and a ban

should be highlighted as preferred options in a draft

consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS).

The consultation RIS was released for public comment

in January/February 2007. Two hundred and f ifty-one

submissions were received, with opinion divided as

to the preferred option.

In June 2007, the EPHC again reaffirmed its

commitment to phase out plastic shopping bags.

Work has been initiated to obtain jurisdictional

agreement on a preferred regulatory model so that

this can be reflected in the f inal RIS. Following this,

work will then commence on a proposed memorandum

of understanding between states and territories on

implementation of the phase-out. It is envisaged that

this package will be ready for Council consideration

in the f irst half of 2008.

Waste tyres product stewardship

A sector-wide Tyres Product Stewardship Agreement

was approved by most stakeholders at a Tyres

Roundtable meeting in November 2006. While the

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries continues

to oppose the industry-preferred scheme, which

features an advanced recycling fee, the majority

of tyre manufacturers and importers are willing

to be part of the scheme. This coverage is sufficient

to allow a co-regulatory approach to proceed.

During 2006–07, tyre manufacturers and importers

have further developed the operational detail of the

industry scheme and development of a draft

consultation RIS has continued.

As indicated elsewhere in this report, it is envisaged

that documentation for the Tyres Product Stewardship

Agreement (and associated RIS) and NEPM

documentation (draft NEPM and Impact Statement)

will be released as a package for public consultation

early in 2008.

Electrical equipment product stewardship

Through the EPHC waste agenda, the Council has

been pursuing co-regulatory and regulatory product

stewardship approaches in relation to televisions and

computers. EPHC involvement in these issues has

been driven by a desire for national consistency, thus

ensuring market equity and economic eff iciency in

industries that operate in national and international

markets.

Several issues emerged in 2006–07 that impacted

on the direction and focus of this work. Work on

a proposed NEPM to support product stewardship

initiatives by the television industry and the exploration

of regulatory options for computers has been delayed

while further research into the issues takes place.

A recently completed Productivity Commission report

on waste management took the view that product

stewardship should not be used to address resource

conservation issues. However, in June 2007, the

Council concluded that resource conservation/efficiency

is a legitimate objective for national product

stewardship action under the EPHC. Other signif icant

matters now under review include brominated flame

retardants and the implications of these for product

recycling, and the development of appropriate tools

for analysing the social and environmental costs and

benefits of product stewardship action.

National Packaging Covenant

The National Packaging Covenant, established

in 1999, and reviewed and strengthened in 2005,

now includes overarching recycling targets and

key performance indicators. The Used Packaging

Materials NEPM, which provides regulatory

underpinning, was also revised and is enacted

through state and territory legislation.

The National Packaging Covenant Council, which

manages the Covenant, is required to report annually

to the EPHC on progress towards the Covenant’s goals

and targets. The National Packaging Covenant 2005–06

Annual Report reported the following achievements:

• the post-consumer packaging recycling rate has

increased to 56% from an estimated baseline in

2003 of 48%

• 416 organisations have signed up to the revised

Covenant

• 15 national and jurisdictional projects were funded

to a total of $1 339 900.

The EPHC recognises that there is still considerable

work to be done before the Covenant is in a position

to achieve its goals and targets. The Covenant

provides for a mid-term review to be undertaken

by 31 December 2008. In 2006–07, the Council

commenced an investigation into other economic

instruments that are complementary to the objectives

of the Covenant, with a view to developing such

instruments should the mid-term review of the

Covenant show that it is unlikely to deliver

satisfactory outcomes.

WATER QUALITY

Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling—Phase One

There is considerable pressure to increase water

recycling to cope with ongoing drought and increasing

demand for water. The availability of updated national

guidelines on water recycling will greatly contribute

towards better water management.

In October 2003, the EPHC and the Natural Resource

Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC) initiated

the development of national guidelines for water

recycling. The guidelines comprise a risk management

framework and specif ic guidance on managing the

health risks and the environmental risks associated

with the use of recycled water.

Phase one of guideline development has focused on:

• large-scale treated sewage and grey-water to be

used for

– residential garden watering, car washing, toilet

flushing and clothes washing

– irrigation for urban recreational and open space,

and agriculture and horticulture

– fire protection and f ire f ighting systems

– industrial uses, including cooling water

• grey-water treated on-site (including in high rise

apartments and office blocks) to be used for

garden watering, car washing, toilet flushing and

clothes washing.

The new national guidelines represent a signif icant

advance on existing guidelines and, by facilitating

greater flexibility and innovation, are likely to

encourage greater expansion in water recycling over

the longer term. The EPHC, the NRMMC and the

Australian Health Ministers Conference endorsed the

updated guidelines in November 2006. Copies of the

guidelines are available from the EPHC website.

Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling—Phase Two

In June 2006, the EPHC and the NRMMC endorsed

the scope for phase two of national guideline

development. This phase includes sources and end

uses that were identif ied as longer term priorities

at the time of initiation of the development of the

guidelines—stormwater reuse and managed

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In light of emerging community debate regarding

the use of recycled water for drinking, this end use

has also been included in phase two of guideline

development. This module, however, will provide

advice on the scientif ic and technical issues related

to water quality and risk assessment only, and is

not intended to advocate the use of recycled water

for drinking nor to promote particular recycling

applications.

Work on phase two of the guidelines through expert

working groups and consultancies under the direction

of a joint steering committee (for which the

membership includes officers from the EPHC, the

NRMMC, health agencies and the water industry)

continued through 2006–07. A draft of the recycled

water for drinking module was endorsed as a basis

for public consultation by the EPHC, the NRMMC,

the National Health and Medical Research Council

and the Australian Health Protection Committee in

June 2007. Public comment on this module will be

sought in the period July–September 2007.

It is envisaged that drafts of the managed aquifer

recharge and stormwater modules will be available

for public consultation in late 2007, with f inal

endorsement of all three modules by the EPHC, the

NRMMC, the Australian Health Ministers Conference

and the National Health and Medical Research

Council to occur in the f irst half of 2008.

COOPERATIVE NATIONAL HERITAGE

AGENDA

Heritage issues

There were several advances made for World Heritage

and the Cooperative National Heritage Agenda during

2006–07.

The Council agreed to recommend to COAG that

management processes for World Heritage places be

streamlined by the abolition of nine of the ten World

Heritage Ministerial Councils, and for the EPHC to

become the body that manages World Heritage issues

at the national level.

The Council supported the preparation of a

representative, balanced and credible World Heritage

Tentative List by the Commonwealth, and set out

a process (which involves the states and territories)

for its development. A draft report commissioned by

the Commonwealth on the vulnerability of Australian

World Heritage properties to climate change was

circulated to states and territories.

In 2005–06, the Council had identif ied priority World

Heritage and Cooperative National Heritage Agenda

projects. In 2006–07, the Council noted the completion

of one of these projects (‘Consistent Heritage Criteria

and Thresholds’). The Commonwealth is developing

costed options for upgrading the Australian Heritage

Places Inventory, which will advance the proposed

Comprehensive National Heritage Inventory and

Information Portal.

PUBLICATIONS RELEASED IN 2006–07

All publications produced prior to 1 July 2007 are

listed in Appendix 3.


The NEPC is required by the National Environment

Protection Council Act 1994 (section 24) to report

on the overall assessment of the implementation and

effectiveness of NEPMs and to have regard to reports

on NEPM implementation from the Commonwealth,

states and territories.

Assessments by the NEPC of implementation

and effectiveness for the following NEPMs are

provided below:

• National Pollutant Inventory

• Ambient Air Quality

• Movement of Controlled Waste between States

and Territories

• Used Packaging Materials

• Assessment of Site Contamination

• Diesel Vehicle Emissions

• Air Toxics.

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Assessment of the Implementation

and Effectiveness of NEPMs

N E P C R e p o r t o n t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e

National Pollutant Inventory NEPM

2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

‘The National Pollutant Inventorywebsite is meeting the goal of theNEPM by providing accessibleinformation on emissions’

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PART 1 — GENERAL INFORMATION

NEPM details

Title: National Environment Protection

(National Pollutant Inventory) Measure

Made by Council: 27 February 1998

Commencement date: Clauses 1 and 2 of the Measure

commenced on the date of Gazettal 4 March 1998

(advertised in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette

No. S 89, 4 March 1998, p. 1) with the remaining

provisions of the Measure commencing on 1 July 1998.

NEPM goal (or purpose)

The environment protection goals are established

by clause 6 of this Measure as follows:

6. The national environment protection goals

established by this Measure are to assist in

reducing the existing and potential impacts

of emissions of substances and to assist

government, industry and the community in

achieving the desired environmental outcomes

set out in clause 5 by providing a basis for:

(a) the collection of a broad base of information

on emissions of substances on the reporting

list to air, land and water; and

(b) the dissemination of information collected

to all sectors of the community in a useful,

accessible and understandable form.

In summary, the 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 chemicals being emitted to the

air, land and water.

Desired environmental outcomes

The desired environmental outcomes, as set out

in clause 5 of the Measure, are:

(a) the maintenance and improvement of:

(i) ambient air quality; and

(ii) ambient marine, estuarine and fresh

water quality;

(b) the minimisation of environmental impacts

associated with hazardous wastes; and

(c) an expansion in the reuse and recycling

of used materials.

Evaluation criteria

The assessment of the effectiveness of the National

Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory)

Measure is based on the following criteria:

General criteria (specified in the NEPC

Implementation Reporting Protocol)

• progress in implementing the NEPM

• compliance by parties bound by the NEPM with

NEPM protocols and/or other NEPM reporting

requirements

• progress toward achievement of the NEPM goal,

the desired environmental outcomes and any

NEPM standards

• issues arising that reflect on the eff iciency and

simplicity of NEPM administration.

Specific criteria

Longer-term performance indicators relating to the

effectiveness of the National Pollutant Inventory

(NPI) have been listed in some Memoranda of

Understanding (MOU) between the Commonwealth

and the states and territories for the years 2005–09.

They have been included to provide jurisdictions

with a guide to the type of information that could

be reported. Indicators could include:

• number of ‘hits’ on the database

• number of facility reports on the database

• feedback/data from industry (indicating that the

process of emission estimation and reporting from

the NPI has led to increased consideration of waste

minimisation and cleaner production initiatives)

• feedback from users of the database on its usability

and on the relevance of the information for their needs

• total number of reporters in comparison to 2004–05

• range of industry sectors reporting

• number of new reporters

• new industry sectors reporting

• any other indicator identif ied.

Jurisdictions should report on those specif ic criteria

that are appropriate for their responsibilities under

the NPI Measure.


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PART 2 — IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEPM, AND ANY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

This part provides a summary of jurisdictional reports on implementation and the Council’s overall assessment

of the implementation of the NEPM.

Legislative, regulatory and administrative framework


Table 1: Summary of implementation frameworks

Jurisdiction Summary of implementation frameworks

Commonwealth • The NEPM is implemented by administrative arrangements.

New South Wales • The key legislative instrument is the Protection of the Environment

Operations (General) Regulation 1998 under the Protection of the

Environment Operations Act 1997.

Victoria • The key legislative instrument is the Industrial Waste Management Policy

(National Pollutant Inventory) 1998 under the Environment Protection

Act 1970.

Queensland • The NEPM is implemented under the Environmental Protection Act 1994

and the Environmental Protection Regulation 1998.

Western Australia • The key legislative instrument is the Environmental Protection (NEPM–NPI)

Regulation 1998 under the Environmental Protection Act 1986.

South Australia • The NEPM operates as an environment protection policy under the

Environment Protection Act 1993.

Tasmania • The NEPM is a state policy under the State Policies and Projects Act

1993 and is complied with and enforced through the Environmental

Management and Pollution Control Act 1993.

Australian Capital Territory • The key legislative instrument is the Environment Protection Act 1997.

Northern Territory • The NEPM is implemented by the Environment Protection (National

Pollutant Inventory) Objective established under the Waste Management

Pollution Control Act 2003.

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Table 2: Summary of implementation activities

Jurisdiction Summary of implementation activities

Commonwealth • Commonwealth activities focused on:

– participating in the NPI NEPM Variation Project Team and

Implementation Working Group

– progressing recommendations from the NPI review, such as developing

an online reporting system for industry

– improving data quality with revised emission estimation technique

manuals and new calculation tools

– publishing the eighth year (2005–06) facility data and other information

on the NPI website

– improving the NPI website

– promoting the NPI to raise awareness of the NPI program.

New South Wales • New South Wales focused on:

– participating in the NPI NEPM Variation Project Team and the


– improving the data quality of facility reports and encouraging new

reporters by maintaining a high level of support for industry

– finalising the aggregated emissions inventory for the Sydney–

Newcastle–Wollongong airshed

– developing and implementing a new online reporting system.

• There were 757 NPI facility reports received for 2005–06 compared with

778 in the previous reporting year.

Victoria • Victoria continued to provide a centralised electronic reporting support

role for the jurisdictions.

• Victoria focused on:



– conducting industry workshops

– expanding industry participation in the NPI

– contributing to the development of the web-based reporting system for

the NPI.



Queensland • Queensland focused on:



– increasing coverage and improving the quality of industry reporting

and emissions data from other sources

– collecting aggregated emissions data for the Burnett–Mary river

catchments

– developing a local government reporting package

– conducting industry education sessions.




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Western Australia • Western Australia focused on:

– conducting six industry training sessions in Perth, Bunbury, Kalgoorlie

and Eneabba

– updating estimated aggregated emissions for the Perth airshed and the

Swan Canning and Peel–Harvey catchments



– identifying and contacting potential reporting facilities.



South Australia • South Australia focused on:

– providing high quality facility emission data, in accordance with the

requirements of the NEPM and the MOU

– identifying and recruiting new reporters

– providing support to new and existing reporters

– completing a desktop audit on all facility reports

– investigating the proposed changes to the NEPM, including their impact

on South Australian legislation

– participating in the Implementation Working Group.

• NPI data are a key resource used to develop a load-based licensing

fee model.



Tasmania • Tasmania focused on:

– providing one-on-one assistance to industry reporters and identifying

new reporters

– ensuring the accuracy of data and improving the timeliness of returns

– hosting a forum to seek users’ feedback on the current website

– participating in the Implementation Working Group.

• There were 171 NPI facility reports received for 2005-06 compared with


Australian Capital Territory • The Australian Capital Territory focused on:

– conducting an informal education process with facility operators

– participating in the Implementation Working Group

– ensuring the accuracy of reporting data.



Northern Territory • The Northern Territory focused on:

– ensuring the reliability, accuracy and compliance of facility data

– participating in the Implementation Working Group

– identifying future reporters and following up on past reporters who

failed to submit a report.




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Council evaluation and assessment ofjurisdictional implementation activities

Jurisdictions are continuing to enhance the NPI

through:

• improved desktop and auditing procedures

• increased industry and community awareness

and participation through workshops and

education programs

• improved emission estimation techniques

• improved procedures for validating and

verifying data

• increased participation rates for non–reporters,

particularly by targeting specif ic industry sectors

• updated aggregated emissions data for catchments

and airsheds.

Jurisdictions continue to work together through the

Implementation Working Group.

PART 3 — ASSESSMENT OF NEPM

EFFECTIVENESS

Website

In 2006–07, the NPI website had 562 391 new user

sessions compared to 404 676 new user sessions

in the previous year. This is an increase of 39% in

2006–07. The increase in website traff ic indicates

that the NPI website is meeting the goal of the NEPM

by providing accessible information on emissions.

Variation to the NEPM

On 2 June 2007, the NEPC varied the NPI NEPM

to include the following:

• reporting of waste transfers

• interim reporting of greenhouse gas emissions

• changes to publication requirements

• substance and threshold changes.

The draft variation to the NEPM proposed that

aquaculture facilities no longer be exempt from

reporting to the NPI. The NEPC did not remove the

exemption — aquaculture facilities remain exempt

from reporting to the NPI.

Figure 1: NPI website hits

600,000

700,000

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0

2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07

Reporting year

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Emerging issues

The major emerging issue for jurisdictions relates

to the impact the variation to the NPI NEPM will

have on industry and government. The variation is

likely to affect a large number of reporting facilities.

Jurisdictions will require additional resources to

implement the varied NEPM and to assist industry

in understanding the changes, including new

reporting requirements.

Jurisdictions have identif ied that the current

electronic system for reporting is problematic.

It is anticipated that the online tool will simplify

the reporting process.

Some jurisdictions have noted the website would be

more valuable if the aggregated emissions data were

presented in a more relevant and usable format.

Facility reports

The total number of reporting facilities for all

jurisdictions was 3890 compared to 3826 in the

previous year. For some jurisdictions, the number of

facility reports submitted decreased for this reporting

year. Contributing factors include late reports, more

facilities below the threshold, consolidation within

the mining industry, and the drought. The graph

below shows the number of facility reports over the

last seven years.

PART 4 — REPORTING REQUIRED

BY THE NEPM

This annual report relates to activities in the period

2006–07, for which the NPI relates mainly to the

collecting, assessing and publishing of estimated

emissions of pollutants from industrial facilities that

reported for the 2005–06 year. The timing of these

activities is stipulated in the NPI NEPM.

Reporting information is available on the NPI

website at <www.npi.gov.au>.

PART 5 — REPORTING ON

IMPLEMENTATION BY JURISDICTIONS

The Annexes to this report are in Appendix 6:

Annex 1: Commonwealth 129

Annex 2: New South Wales 135

Annex 3: Victoria 138

Annex 4: Queensland 142

Annex 5: Western Australia 147

Annex 6: South Australia 150

Annex 7: Tasmania 154

Annex 8: Australian Capital Territory 157

Annex 9: Northern Territory 159

Figure 2: NPI facility reports received by jurisdictions 1999–2006

NSW

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Vic Qld WA SA Tas ACT NT

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Jurisdiction

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Ambient Air Quality NEPM

2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

‘Monitoring results indicate that the NEPM standards are being metand that air quality in Australia is generally good by internationalstandards.’


NEPM details


(Ambient Air Quality) Measure

Made by Council: 26 June 1998

Commencement date: 8 July 1998


No. GN 27, 8 July 1998, p. 2211)


The goal of the National Environment Protection

(Ambient Air Quality) Measure is set out in clause

6 of the Measure as follows:

6. National environment protection goal

The National Environment Protection Goal

of this Measure is to achieve the National

Environment Protection Standards as assessed

in accordance with the monitoring protocol

(Part 4) within ten years from commencement

to the extent specif ied in Schedule 2 column 5.


The desired environmental outcome of the National

Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure

is set out in clause 5 of the Measure as follows:

5. Desired environmental outcome

The desired environmental outcome of this

Measure is ambient air quality that allows for

the adequate protection of human health and

well-being.

Evaluation criteria


Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality)







requirements



NEPM standards




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Commonwealth • The Commonwealth implements the NEPM administratively; however,

it is not required by the NEPM to undertake monitoring as it does not have

authority over regions with a population of 25 000 or more.

New South Wales • The NEPM is implemented under the Protection of the Environment

Operations Act 1997 and through programs in the NSW government’s

25–year Air Quality Management Plan, Action for Air.

• Amendments to the Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air)

Regulation 2002 came into force in 2006.

Victoria • The key legislative instruments are the State Environment Protection Policy

(Ambient Air Quality) and the State Environment Protection Policy (Air

Quality Management) made under the Environment Protection Act 1970.

Queensland • The NEPM is implemented under the Environmental Protection Act 1994,

the Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 1997 and by programs under

the South–east Queensland Regional Plan 2005–26.

Western Australia • The NEPM is implemented under the National Environment Protection

Council (Western Australia) Act 1996 and by programs under the Perth

Air Quality Management Plan.

• Fuel quality standards are set through the Environmental Protection

(Diesel and Petrol) Regulations 1999.



• Fuel quality standards are set through Environment Protection (Motor

Vehicle Fuels Quality) Policy.

Tasmania • The NEPM is a state policy under the State Policies and Projects Act 1993.

The NEPM standards are also incorporated under the Tasmanian Air

Quality Strategy 2006.

• The Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2004 was made under the

Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994.

• Control of the import, sale and installation of wood heaters is administered

through the Environmental Management and Pollution Control (Distributed

Atmospheric Emissions) Regulations 2007.

Australian Capital Territory • The NEPM is implemented by the Environment Protection Regulation 1997

under the Environment Protection Act 1997.

Northern Territory • The key legislative instruments are the Waste Management and Pollution

Control Act 1998 and the National Environment Protection Council

(Northern Territory) Act 2004.

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Commonwealth • The Commonwealth focused on:

– chairing the Peer Review Committee and participating in the EPHC

Standard Setting Working Group

– funding the Clean Air Research Program, the EPHC Children’s Health

and Air Pollution Study, Stage 2 of the National In-Service Emissions

Program and the Launceston Clean Air Industry Program

– establishing the National Air Quality Database in collaboration with the

Bureau of Meteorology

– commissioning a study into woodheater use which will inform the

development of a revised test method to strengthen woodheater standards

– continuing to tighten fuel quality parameters under the Fuel Quality

Standards Act 2000.


– implementing the Action for Air management plan

– campaign monitoring at a number of regional sites

– trialling a diesel retrofit program and evaluating vapor recovery

– publishing a web-based local government toolkit

– providing councils with a resource kit to assist in educating communities

– finalising the NSW Air Emissions Inventory.

Victoria • Victoria focused on:

– chairing the Ambient Air Quality NEPM review

– participating in the EPHC Standard Setting Working Group and the

EPHC Children’s Health and Air Pollution Study

– reducing pollution from motor vehicle use

– upgrading and maintaining the monitoring network

– monitoring ‘hot-spots’ using the mobile air monitoring laboratory

– continuing programs to reduce woodheater smoke

– drafting a Protocol for Environmental Management for the mining and

extractive industries.


– monitoring six of the ten regions identif ied in its Ambient Air Quality

monitoring plan

– releasing the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program

2007–2026 aimed at reducing transport-related emissions.


– progressing NATA accreditation for NEPM monitoring activities

– monitoring ten-minute sulfur dioxide concentrations

– continuing to implement the Perth Air Quality Management Plan.


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In this reporting year, jurisdictions have:

• improved monitoring capacity, including upgrading

networks

• strengthened legislation and regional air quality

strategies

• continued to work with industry and the

community to reduce hazardous emissions

• implemented a number of programs to reduce

woodsmoke emissions.

This demonstrates that jurisdictions are committed

to achieving the NEPM goals.

This is the second year of reporting under the PM2.5

Equivalence Program that has been implemented by

most jurisdictions. Data collected over a three-year

period will be used to compare monitoring methods

for developing reporting standards.



– installing and developing monitoring stations additional to the

current network

– campaign monitoring in regional centres

– developing a new system to determine licence fees

– maintaining NATA accreditation

– developing The Air Pollution Model

– continuing to support local government in administering the

Burning Policy

– implementing the Port Pirie Lead Implementation Program targeting

a reduction in blood lead levels in children

– reviewing the air monitoring system.


– implementing the Environmental Management and Pollution Control

(Distributed Atmospheric Emissions) Regulations 2007. These

regulations make the emission of excessive smoke from wood heaters,

f ireplaces, hot water and cooking appliances and barbecues an offence

– informing manufacturers, retailers and owners of the new regulations

– implementing the f ive-year Tasmanian Air Quality Strategy, which

includes programs to implement NEPM standards for PM2.5

– continuing to upgrade the Tasmanian Air Quality Monitoring System.

Australian Capital Territory • The Australian Capital Territory focused on:

– reducing woodheater emissions

– continuing PM2.5 monitoring at Monash

– operating the NATA-accredited monitoring network.

Northern Territory • The Northern Territory focused on:

– continuing to monitor particulate matter as part of the three-year

Australian Research Council Bushfire Smoke Project

– reviewing its approach to air quality management and monitoring

– continuing to discuss f ire management.


EFFECTIVENESS

Monitoring results indicate that the NEPM standards

are being met and that air quality in Australia is

generally good by international standards. Bushfires

and dust storms are the major causes for standards

being exceeded. Other causes include increasing

vehicle use and localised industrial sources.

Several jurisdictions have raised concerns about

increasing background ozone levels and possible

increased bushfire activity associated with climate

change and the drought, which will subsequently

affect monitoring standards and outcomes.

Jurisdictional data collected at NEPM monitoring

stations show that the levels of nitrogen dioxide,

carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and lead are

generally below the NEPM standards in all

jurisdictions.

Changes to Australian Design Rules for motor

vehicles have led to a decrease in carbon monoxide

levels in all urban airsheds. Similarly, the phasing out

of lead from petrol has reduced lead in ambient air to

levels that in many cases can no longer be measured.

Reduction in lead levels has resulted in jurisdictions

no longer monitoring lead in urban airsheds not

impacted by signif icant industrial sources.

The NEPC has initiated a review of the Ambient Air

Quality NEPM. The NEPM Review will consider,

among other things, climate change impacts and the

monitoring standards.


BY THE NEPM

Jurisdictions have submitted reports in accordance

with clause 18 of the NEPM. These reports have

been prepared in accordance with the Peer Review

Committee’s Technical Paper No. 8 Annual Reports

for Ambient Air Quality NEPM.

Annual compliance reports have been reviewed for

national consistency and technical rigour by the Peer

Review Committee. The reports provided clear and

valuable information. The Peer Review Committee

reported that:

• the overall quality of the reports for this reporting

year is very high

• the reports generally demonstrate a high degree

of national consistency in the implementation

of the NEPM

• the overall level of data availability is increasing.

More detailed monitoring data are available in

jurisdictional compliance reports which are available

from <www.ephc.gov.au>.












Annex 9: Northern Territory. 203


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Movement of Controlled Waste betweenStates and Territories NEPM

2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

‘The application of the NEPMensures that controlled wastes are transported in a manner thatminimises the potential for adverseimpacts on the environment andhuman health.’


NEPM details


(Movement of Controlled Waste between States

and Territories) Measure



(advertised in the Commonwealth of Australia

Gazette no. GN 27, 8 July 1998, p. 2212)


The desired goal for the National Environment

Protection (Movement of Controlled Waste between

States and Territories) Measure is set out in clause


11. The national environment protection goal

of this Measure is to assist in achieving the

desired environmental outcomes set out in

clause 12 by providing a basis for ensuring

that controlled wastes which are to be moved

between states and territories are properly

identif ied, transported, and otherwise

handled in ways which are consistent with

environmentally sound practices for the

management of these wastes.


The desired environmental outcomes for the National

Environment Protection (Movement of Controlled

Waste between States and Territories) Measure is set

out in clause 12 of the Measure as follows:

12. The desired environmental outcomes of this

Measure are to minimise the potential for

adverse impacts associated with the movement

of controlled waste on the environment and

human health.

Evaluation criteria



Waste between States and Territories) Measure is

based on the following criteria.


Implementation Reporting Protocol):




requirements

• progress towards achievement of the NEPM goal,


NEPM standards



Specific criteria

Clause 13(1) of the NEPM states that:

In order to facilitate reporting on the implementation

and effectiveness of the NEPM, the relevant agency

of each participating state and territory should provide

collated summary information on the:

(i) movement of controlled waste into each

jurisdiction, indicating jurisdiction of origin,

waste code and quantity of waste;

(ii) level of discrepancies (e.g. non-arrival

of a consignment) as a percentage of total

authorised controlled waste movements; and

(iii) benefits arising from the implementation

of the Measure.


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NEPC Report on the implementation of the Movement of

Controlled Waste between States and Territories NEPM


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39






Commonwealth • The NEPM is implemented through administrative arrangements. Relevant

state and territory tracking and reporting systems are used to move

Commonwealth controlled waste.

New South Wales • The key legislative instruments are the Protection of the Environment

Operations Act 1997 and the Protection of the Environment Operations

(Waste) Regulation 2005.

Victoria • The key legislative instruments are the Environment Protection Act 1970,

the Environment Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998, and the

Industrial Waste Management Policy (Movement of Controlled Waste

between States and Territories) 2001.

Queensland • The key legislative instruments are the Environmental Protection Act 1994

and the Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Regulation 2000.

Western Australia • The primary legislative instruments are the Environmental Protection

(Controlled Waste) Regulations 2004.

South Australia • The NEPM operates as an Environment Protection Policy under the

Environment Protection Act 1993 and is implemented through conditions

of licences.

Tasmania • The State Policies and Projects Act 1993 and the Environmental

Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 are the key legislative

instruments.

Australian Capital Territory • The key legislative instruments are the Environment Protection Act 1997

and the Environment Protection Regulations 2005.


Control Act 1998 and the Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Act.



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Commonwealth • Thirteen Commonwealth agencies reported activities under the NEPM.

• Commonwealth agencies affected by the NEPM incorporated its

requirements into their environment management systems and used

contractors that operate under state and territory environmental

licensing systems.


– raising industry awareness of waste tracking requirements

– implementing an online waste tracking system

– undertaking a range of targeted enforcement campaigns to prevent

illegal dumping and unlawful waste transport.

• There were 83 690 tonnes of controlled waste tracked into NSW

in 5 044 movements.

Victoria • Victoria focused on assessing the safety standards of vehicles

transporting waste.

• There were 617 consignment authorisations issued, involving 40 488

tonnes of controlled waste in 3 598 movements.

Queensland • There were 172 consignment authorisations issued, involving 8 784 tonnes

of controlled waste in 843 movements; 10 consignment applications

were refused.

Western Australia • There were 912 tonnes of controlled waste tracked into Western Australia

in 15 movements.

South Australia • There were 5 789 tonnes of controlled waste tracked into South Australia

in 589 movements.

Tasmania • There were 294 tonnes of controlled waste tracked into Tasmania in

23 movements.

Australian Capital Territory • There were 50 consignment authorisations issued, involving 1023 tonnes

of controlled waste in 975 movements.

Northern Territory • The Northern Territory is currently a net exporter of controlled waste

interstate.

• There were 300 tonnes of controlled waste tracked into Northern Territory

in one movement.



Jurisdictions continued to implement and progress

the operation of the NEPM by improving tracking

systems and streamlining administrative processes.

The Implementation Working Group, with membership

from all jurisdictions, remains a valuable forum for

communicating and discussing controlled waste

management issues.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM effectively monitors the movement

of controlled waste and jurisdictions are working

cooperatively to ensure there is an eff icient and

consistent system for tracking controlled waste.

The Implementation Working Group actively

addressed a number of issues raised by industry

and other agencies, such as:

• movement of used tyres is not monitored

• safety concerns about the vehicles transporting

controlled waste.

Industry compliance continues to be high as the

NEPM provides clear guidelines on the transport of

controlled waste across state and territory borders.

Some jurisdictions have implemented an online waste

tracking system which prevents unlicensed transport

as well as the use of out-of-date consignment

authorisations, a major problem in the past.

The waste tracking documentation indicates a

signif icant proportion of waste movements across

jurisdictional boundaries are for reuse, recycling

or energy recovery.

The application of the NEPM ensures that controlled

wastes are transported in a manner that minimises the

potential for adverse impacts on the environment and

human health. It also allows for wastes to be treated

in a proper and satisfactory fashion, thus reducing

stockpiles nationally.


BY THE NEPM

The jurisdictional reports in Part 5 provide information

from each state and territory. The tables below provide

a national summary of the data for quantities of each

waste category transported between states and

territories; the waste classes group the 73 categories

of waste streams and constituents listed in Schedule

A of the NEPM into 15 broader types.


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Tab

le 3

:S

um

mar

y of

tot

al m

ovem

ents

of

con

trol

led

was

te w

ith

in A

ust

rali

a

impo

rts

by s

tate

s an

d te

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s fo

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1 Ju

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– 30

Ju

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2007

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Vic

Qld

WA

SA

Tas

AC

TN

TT

otal

AP

lati

ng &

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0.07

8.80

0.00

0.00

23.6

70.

000.

000.

0032

.54

BA

cids

1031

7.78

587.

7675

.55

0.00

7.44

1.91

0.00

0.00

1099

0.44

CA

lkal

is21

8.62

1449

.42

32.2

20.

009.

870.

000.

000.

0017

10.1

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chem

ical

s51

046.

2022

206.

7114

2.11

33.7

050

22.2

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6.56

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7.50

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chem

ical

s0.

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822.

680.

0016

.11

0.00

0.00

0.00

26.6

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s, r

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s, i

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org

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slu

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3278

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300.

0019

.41

0.00

0.00

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6200

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olve

nts

1539

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3002

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0.00

303.

5013

2.33

19.7

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97.8

9

HP

esti

cide

s48

3.53

191.

6344

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0.40

0.48

0.00

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720.

88

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7697

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3869

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0.00

268.

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0.00

1668

8.73

KP

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scib

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1173

9.18

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000.

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0.00

0.00

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0.04

LIn

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was

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4.00

456.

6870

7.20

43.2

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0.00

644.

260.

0022

57.5

6

NS

oil/

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7.13

5.80

278.

1352

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134.

7553

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0.00

300.

0018

07.5

4

RC

lini

cal

& p

harm

aceu

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l31

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431.

8017

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0084

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0.00

281.

840.

0028

24.5

8

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189.

9823

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0.00

4.00

58.4

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280.

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0027

6.55

Tot

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ton

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690.

2040

488.

3587

84.6

191

2.80

5789

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294.

0710

23.2

030

0.00

1412

82.7

2


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:S

um

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of

con

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605.

600.

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8.15

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0.00

6.00

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1710

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s11

742.

6336

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627.

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5.39

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Tot

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ton

nes

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066.

3057

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0426

499.

8937

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91.9

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57.1

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85.6

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82.7

2

Figure 1: Tonnage of controlled waste moved within Australia 2006–07

NSW

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

90000


Am

oun

t of

was

te (

ton

nes

)


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Imports

Exports

Figure 2: Tonnage of controlled waste moved within Australia 2002–07

2002–030

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07

Am

oun

t of

was

te (

ton

nes

)

Reporting year













Figure 3: Number of movements of controlled waste within Australia 2004–07

2004–050

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

2005–06 2006–07

Am

oun

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was

te (

ton

nes

)

Reporting year


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Note: Information regarding number of movements has been provided only since the 2004–05 reporting year.

46


Used Packaging Materials NEPM

2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

‘Jurisdictions continue to promote andraise awareness of the Covenant, andhave been effective in encouragingcompanies to sign-up to the Covenant.’


NEPM details


(Used Packaging Materials) Measure

Made by Council: 2 July 1999



No. GN 28, 14 July 1999, p. 2114)


The environment protection goal is established by

clause 6 of this Measure as follows:


The goal of the Measure is to reduce

environmental degradation arising from the

disposal of used packaging and conserve virgin

materials through the encouragement of reuse

and recycling of used packaging materials by

supporting and complementing the voluntary

strategies in the National Packaging Covenant.


The desired environmental outcomes from the

combination of the National Packaging Covenant and

the Measure are to optimise resource use and recovery

and encourage the conservation of virgin materials.

Evaluation criteria


Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials)





• compliance by parties bound by the NEPM

with NEPM protocols and/or other NEPM

reporting requirements



NEPM standards



Specific criteria

Criteria for assessment and performance

measurement of implementation of the NEPM are

set out in clause 21(1) of the NEPM which states

that each participating jurisdiction shall provide

to the Council the following information:

a) information gathered from brand owners whose

records under clause 16 have been audited by the

jurisdiction

b) aggregated information received from local

governments under clause 17

c) information gathered through the conduct of surveys

under clause 18

d) information relating to complaints received,

investigations undertaken and prosecutions

mounted pursuant to the Measure

e) a statement of interpretation of the information.

Note: Clause 15(3) states that a common approach

to the interpretation of data gathered pursuant to

these protocols and to the terms used with the data

shall be adopted by participating jurisdictions.

Furthermore, the terms used shall be in accordance

with definitions set out in the NEPM as per

clause 15(4).


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Commonwealth • The NEPM applies to Australia Post (which is a signatory to the National

Packaging Covenant). Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands are the only

territories where the NEPM could apply.

New South Wales • The NEPM is implemented by the Protection of the Environment

Operations (Waste) Regulation 2005.

• Local government reporting is implemented under existing administrative

arrangements.

Victoria • The NEPM is implemented by the Waste Management Policy (Used

Packaging Materials) 2006, under the Environment Protection Act 1970.

Queensland • The NEPM is implemented by the Environmental Protection

Regulation 1998.

Western Australia • The NEPM is implemented by the Environmental Protection (NEPM Used

Packaging Materials) Regulations 2007 under the Environmental Protection

Act 1986.

South Australia • The NEPM is implemented by the Environment Protection (Used Packaging

Materials) Policy 2007, under the Environment Protection Act 1993.

Tasmania • The NEPM is implemented as a state policy under the State Policies and

Projects Act 1993, which has been given effect by issuing Environment

Protection Notices under the Environmental Management and Pollution

Control Act 1994.

Australian Capital Territory • The NEPM is implemented by the Industry Waste Reduction Plan under

the Waste Minimisation Act 2001.

Northern Territory • The NEPM is implemented by the 2007 Re-thinking Waste Disposal

Behaviour and Resource Efficiency Interim Action Plan.




– undertaking a comprehensive hand-over of the administration services

of the Covenant to the new and independent National Packaging

Covenant Secretariat

– providing funding from the Natural Heritage Trust to assist industry

evaluate the full costs and benefits of recycling and to develop a

recycled content database

– participating in the development of the National Packaging Covenant

Council’s annual budget.


– implementing the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste)

Regulation 2005

– informing and educating brand owners on the advantages and benefits

of signing the Covenant and their obligations under the regulation

– following up non-compliant brand owners

– conducting a retail brand owners’ audit in Sydney and Wollongong.

• There were 235 Covenant signatories compared to 181 in the last

reporting year.


– conducting a retail brand owners’ audit


of signing the Covenant.


reporting year.


– conducting a retail brand owners’ audit in Brisbane and Cairns

– undertaking market development initiatives for materials that are

recovered from the kerbside and away-from-home sectors

– applying product stewardship to its whole-of-government operations

– raising awareness of the NEPM through presentations to industry

– implementing projects that support integrated recycling collection and

reprocessing services.


reporting year.


– drafting the Environmental Protection (NEPM-UPM) Regulations 2007


of signing the Covenant

– conducting a retail brand owners’ audit.


reporting year.

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Jurisdictions have made progress towards achieving

the goal of the NEPM.

Jurisdictions continued to contact brand owners to

raise awareness of the National Packaging Covenant.

Retail audits have been undertaken to identify brand

owners who may not be signatories to the Covenant.

Most jurisdictions reported an increase in signatories

to the Covenant. This was due to:

• education of brand owners through direct mailing

• retail audits

• more rigorous enforcement action.


EFFECTIVENESS

Jurisdictional issues

The following concerns have been raised by

jurisdictions:

• contact details and local distributors for some

brands are diff icult to determine

• the enforcement process could be cumbersome and

lengthy and so is rarely invoked

• there are inconsistencies in penalties across

jurisdictions

• whether criminal penalties are appropriate for

non-compliant brand owners.

National Packaging Covenant signatories

Jurisdictions continue to promote and raise awareness

of the Covenant, and have been effective in encouraging

companies to sign-up to the Covenant. The Covenant

continues to provide a more flexible option for potential

signatories. It also encourages companies to address

environmental impacts of product packaging and

associated activities.

Nevertheless, it is diff icult to ascertain the

effectiveness of the NEPM in meeting its goal and

desired environmental outcomes.




– developing the Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials)

Policy 2007


of signing the Covenant

– following up non-compliant brand owners

– conducting a retail brand owners’ audit in Adelaide and Mt Gambier.


reporting year.


– conducting a retail brand owners’ audit

– continuing negotiations with local government on data collection and

their reporting obligations.

• There were 15 Covenant signatories compared to 4 in the last reporting year.

Australian Capital Territory • The Australian Capital Territory focused on ensuring that brand owners

have signed the Covenant either directly or under their parent company.

Northern Territory • Northern Territory focused on implementing the 2007 Re-thinking Waste

Disposal Behaviour and Resource Efficiency Interim Action Plan.

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Decreases in signatories in the last two reporting

years could be attributed to:

• the development of the National Packaging

Covenant Mark II

• the introduction of the small-business threshold

• companies merging or closing operations.

Kerbside recycling

Local governments have continued to collect data on

the composition of kerbside recycling waste streams.

Data collection methods vary between jurisdictions.

This makes it diff icult to provide a meaningful

comparison of data. It is anticipated that the new

reporting format introduced this year should mitigate

this diff iculty.


BY THE NEPM

Clause 17 of the NEPM sets out the information that

jurisdictions are required to report. Information has

been provided by jurisdictions in their individual

reports in Part 5.













Figure 1: National Packaging Covenant signatories 2001–07

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300


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2001–02

2002–03

2003–04

2004–05

2005–06

2006–07


Assessment of Site Contamination NEPM

2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

‘The NEPM guidelines have raisedpublic awareness of site contaminationissues and improved standards for sitecontamination assessments.’


NEPM details


(Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure

Made by Council: 10 December 1999

Commencement date: 22 December 1999


No. GN 51, 22 December 1999, p. 4246)



(Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure is set

out in clause 5 (1) of the Measure as follows:

5.(1) National environment protection goal

The purpose of the Measure is to establish

a nationally consistent approach to the

assessment of site contamination to ensure

sound environmental management practices

by the community which includes regulators,

site assessors, environmental auditors,

landowners, developers and industry.



Environment Protection (Assessment of Site

Contamination) Measure is set out in clause 5 (2)

of the Measure as follows:

5.(2) Desired environmental outcome

The desired environmental outcome for this

Measure is to provide adequate protection

of human health and the environment, where

site contamination has occurred, through the

development of an eff icient and effective

national approach to the assessment of site

contamination.

Evaluation criteria

The assessment of the effectiveness of the

National Environment Protection (Assessment

of Site Contamination) Measure is based on the

following criteria:






requirements



NEPM standards



Specific criteria

No specif ic criteria are set out in the Measure.


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Commonwealth • The NEPM is implemented as guidelines under the National Environment

Protection Council Act 1994.

New South Wales • The NEPM operates under guidelines issued under the Contaminated Land

Management Act 1997.

Victoria • The key legislative instruments for administering the NEPM are:

– the State Environment Protection Policy (Prevention and Management

of Contamination of Land)

– the State Environment Protection Policy (Groundwaters of Victoria)

– the Industrial Waste Management Policy (Prescribed Industrial Waste)

– the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

• The Environmental Audit System (Contaminated Land) provides the

administrative framework for assessing site contamination.

Queensland • The Integrated Planning Act 1997 and the Environment Protection Act

1994 are the key legislative instruments.

• The NEPM is applied through the Guidelines for the Assessment and

Management of Contaminated Land in Queensland, May 1998. All site

investigations and reporting must comply with the NEPM requirements

when statutory decisions are sought from the Environmental Protection

Agency.

Western Australia • The NEPM is implemented through the Contaminated Sites Act 2003

and the Contaminated Sites Regulations 2006 which took effect on

1 December 2006.

South Australia • The Environment Protection Act 1993 is the key legislative instrument.

• The Environment Protection Site Contamination Amendment Bill 2007

was introduced to Parliament.

Tasmania • The NEPM is a state policy under the State Policies and Projects Act 1993.

Australian Capital Territory • The NEPM is implemented by the Contaminated Sites Environment

Protection Policy made under the Environment Protection Act 1997.

Northern Territory • The NEPM is implemented by audits of contaminated sites, the pollution

control provisions of the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act

1998 and, in some cases, the Planning Act 1999.

• An Environment Protection Objective has been drafted for implementation

in 2007–08.








Commonwealth • Relevant Commonwealth agencies implemented various actions to assess

contaminated sites.

• Some agencies are developing programs to identify opportunities for

integration of environmental outcomes and rehabilitation.

• A rehabilitation plan has been developed for disused uranium mine sites

and associated infrastructure.

• A Commonwealth health sector representative participated in the NEPM

Variation Project Team.

New South Wales • NSW focused on:

– participating in the NEPM Variation Project Team

– increasing public access to the NEPM guidelines

– finalising 44 signif icant risk-of-harm assessments

– identifying the need to reduce the risk of contamination from leaking

underground petroleum storage systems.

• Accredited site auditors have issued 274 (179 statutory and 95 non-

statutory) site audit statements.



– administering the environmental audit system

– incorporating the NEPM into statutory instruments and guidelines.



– reviewing 68 site assessment reports for NEPM compliance

– reviewing 502 development applications for contaminated land issues

– determining 82 sites as adequately assessed according to the NEPM

– issuing 218 permits for transport and disposal of contaminated soil

• There were 69 sites placed under statutory audit by third party reviewers.


– chairing the NEPM Variation Project Team

– publishing updated guidelines for implementation of the NEPM

– assessing and classifying 375 sites. The presence of contamination was

confirmed at 100 of these sites. This information has been publicly

released.

South Australia • SA focused on:

– finalising the Environment Protection (Site Contamination) Amendment

Bill 2007

– participating in the NEPM Variation Project Team.


– amending the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994

– developing a procedure for management of underground petroleum

storage systems

– continuing to develop a standard planning schedule.


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The NEPM provides a nationally consistent approach

to the assessment of site contamination and is a useful

reference document. Jurisdictions have reported that

the NEPM guidelines encourage sound environmental

practices and give clear direction when assessing site

contamination. The NEPM guidelines have also

succeeded in raising greater public awareness of site

contamination issues and improved standards for site

contamination assessments.

The increased focus on site contamination has led to

legislative changes within jurisdictions to reinforce

NEPM implementation.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM is the primary guidance document for the

assessment of site contamination in Australia and has

increased consistency between jurisdictions. The NEPC

Service Corporation website statistics show that the

NEPM and the guidelines were the most downloaded

of all NEPC documents. This indicates a high

awareness and use of the NEPM guidelines.

Jurisdictions identif ied a need for guidance on the

assessment of hydrocarbon-affected sites. Further

development is required to broaden the health and

ecological investigation levels for soil and ground-

water. Concern was also raised about the misuse of

these levels, which leads to unwarranted remediation

or underestimation of environmental risk.

In October 2006, the NEPC considered the report on

the review of the NEPM. It was clear from the review

that the NEPM delivered benefits to its users. However,

the review demonstrated that the NEPM had potential

to better meet these needs and deliver greater benefits

to jurisdictions and their stakeholders.

Many submissions received during the review strongly

supported revision of the Ecological Investigation

Levels, Health-based Investigation Levels, Groundwater

Investigation Levels and the provision of additional

guidance in the Schedules for assessment procedures

for a range of substances, risk assessment methods,

laboratory methods, consultant competencies and

community consultation processes. In addition to the

issues raised in relation to the application of the NEPM,

there was support from stakeholders for national

guidance on management and remediation approaches.

In June 2007, the NEPC initiated a variation to the

NEPM which addresses all 27 recommendations

made in the review report. The review report can

be downloaded from <www.ephc.gov.au>.


BY THE NEPM


jurisdictions are required to report. This information

has been provided by jurisdictions in Part 5 of this

report.















Australian Capital Territory • The Australian Capital Territory focused on implementing the NEPM

through the Contaminated Sites Environment Protection Policy.

Northern Territory • The Northern Territory focused on drafting an Environment Protection

Objective and associated guidance.

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Diesel Vehicle Emissions NEPM

2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

‘Jurisdictions are continuing toimprove diesel vehicle emissionsthrough better emissions testing,vocational training and awareness-raising activities.’


NEPM details


(Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure




No. GN 28, 18 July, 2001 p. 2014)



(Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure is set out in

clause 10 of the Measure as follows:


The goal of this Measure is to reduce exhaust

emissions from diesel vehicles, by facilitating

compliance with in-service emissions standards

for diesel vehicles.



Environment Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions)

Measure is set out in clause 11 of the Measure

as follows:



Measure is to reduce pollution from in-service

diesel vehicles.

Evaluation criteria












NEPM standards



Specific criteria

Reporting requirements set out in clause 15 (1) of the

Measure are as follows:

It is intended that each participating jurisdiction

submit a report to the Council on the following

matters:

a) Assessment of the need to take action to

manage emissions from the in–service diesel

fleet, utilising the criteria specif ied in clause 13

b) Description of actions taken.

A brief report of all programs implemented

during the reporting year to manage emissions

from in–service diesel vehicles, including any

programs implemented that are not covered by

the guidelines in Schedule A of this Measure.

This description should take account of:

– the scope of action required to achieve the

goal and the desired environmental outcome

specif ied in this Measure; and

– any action taken and progress made to reduce

emissions from in-service diesel vehicles

prior to the commencement of this Measure

(relevant to the f irst year of reporting).

c) Assessment of the effectiveness of any actions

taken.

Participating jurisdictions must assess their

progress in reducing emissions from in–service

diesel vehicles identif ied as signif icant

contributors to air quality problems.

This assessment should include:

– an estimation of any change in the proportion

of diesel vehicles out of compliance with

in–service emissions standards; and

– an estimation of the reduction in diesel vehicle

emissions to ambient air.


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Commonwealth • The key legislative, regulatory and administrative frameworks are:

– Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000

– Australian Design Rules (ADRs) under the Motor Vehicle Standards

Act 1989

– Alternative Fuels Conversion Program.

New South Wales • The key legislative instruments are the Protection of the Environment

Operations Act 1997 and the Protection of the Environment Operations

(Clean Air) Regulation 2002.

• The NEPM is implemented as part of the NSW government’s 25-year air

quality management plan, Action for Air.

Victoria • The primary legislative tools are the Environment Protection (Vehicle

Emissions) Regulations 2003 under the Environment Protection Act 1970.

Queensland • The NEPM is implemented by the National Environment Protection

Council (Queensland) Act 1994 and through programs under the South

East Queensland Regional Plan 2005–2026.

Western Australia • The NEPM is implemented by the National Environment Protection

Council (Western Australia) Act 1996, the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards)

Rules 2002 and through programs under the Perth Air Quality

Management Plan.



Tasmania • The NEPM is a state policy under the State Policies and Projects Act 1993

and the National Environment Protection Council (Tasmania) Act 1995.

Australian Capital Territory • The key legislative instrument is the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration)

Regulation 2000.

Northern Territory • Vehicle performance standards are enforced under the Motor Vehicles Act

and the Australian Vehicle Standard Rules.






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– administering the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000, the Motor Vehicle

Standards Act 1989 and the Alternative Fuels Conversion Program

– continuing funding support to jurisdictions to develop and implement

diesel in-service emissions testing programs and to establish testing

facilities

– maintaining and managing its diesel fleet

– chairing the review of the Diesel Vehicle Emissions NEPM. The Project

Team has commenced work on a variation proposal.


– continuing to operate the smoky vehicle program

– continuing to test the emissions of vehicles volunteered by private and

government fleet operators

– developing maintenance guidelines for fleet operators

– implementing the Clean Fleet Program

– continuing to deliver training courses with TAFE for proper diesel

vehicle maintenance with expansion of the courses to regional areas

– expanding the trial and commencing the NSW Diesel Retrofit Program.

• There were 527 penalty notices issued to owners of smoky diesel vehicles,

with 9 prosecutions.

• There were 161 warning letters issued to diesel vehicle owners resulting

from public reports.


– continuing the smoky vehicle program

– enhancing diesel emissions testing and training capability

– entering into joint agreements with local governments, focusing on

diesel emissions reduction.


– addressing diesel emissions through a number of programs

– releasing ClimateSmart 2050 – Queensland Climate Change Strategy

2007: A Low Carbon Future which aims to reduce diesel emissions by

encouraging public transport use.

– developing plans to manage transport growth and deliver a sustainable

transport system

– continuing a number of schemes to reduce in-service emissions

– conducting in-service vehicle emissions testing using remote vehicle

sensing technology to inform future policy development.

• There were 1312 diesel vehicles reported to the smoky vehicle program

compared to 1995 in the previous year.




– continuing to implement the CleanRun—Let’s Drive Down Emissions

program

– completing phase 1 of diesel vehicle testing. Phase 2 is scheduled to

commence in the next reporting year

– delivering a series of in-service mechanic training short courses at

Swan TAFE

– further enhancing the smoky vehicle reporting program.

• There were 127 diesel vehicles reported to the smoky vehicle program.


– commissioning a vehicle emission test facility

– developing an enhanced version of the smoky vehicle program

– committing to future use of bio-diesel in the public transport fleet.

Tasmania • Tasmania focused on running a series of training workshops on diesel

engine skill gap training in rural areas through TAFE Tasmania.

Australian Capital Territory • Australian Capital Territory focused on:

– purchasing a number of compressed natural gas–powered vehicles under

the Fleet Efficiency Program

– continuing the smoky vehicle program, supplemented by random

on-road and car park inspections

– supporting the Greenfleet program to offset its vehicle fleet emissions

– incorporating a number of measures into the Road Transport (Vehicle

Registration) Regulation 2000, consistent with NEPM goals.

Northern Territory • Northern Territory focused on the smoky vehicle program, which operates

as part of the vehicle registration and roadworthiness testing procedures.

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Some jurisdictions are integrating the Diesel Vehicle

Emissions NEPM with activities that also aim to

meet their Ambient Air Quality NEPM requirements.

Several jurisdictions continue to revise their air

emissions inventories to better understand the

impacts of diesel vehicle emissions.

Jurisdictions continue to implement the NEPM

through their smoky vehicle programs, which are

well supported by the public. A separate reporting

system for diesel vehicles would provide more

meaningful data on the level of diesel vehicle

emissions.

A number of jurisdictions have upgraded their in-

service vehicle testing and training facilities, which

will increase testing capabilities and improve vehicle

maintenance.


EFFECTIVENESS

The Fuel Quality Standards and Australian Design

Rules have had the greatest effect on reducing

emissions from diesel vehicles. Jurisdictional

programs have complemented this, although the

nature of the initiatives implemented to date limits

the ability to assess the overall effectiveness of

the NEPM.

Commonwealth funding has enabled states and

territories to progress NEPM objectives. Some

TAFE training courses have been expanded to include

the EcoMaintenance Program. Smoky vehicle

programs in states and territories also complement

these activities.


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Jurisdictions are continuing to reduce diesel vehicle

emissions through better emissions testing, vocational

training and awareness-raising activities.

Jurisdictional annual reports to date have not provided

adequate information to allow quantitative assessment

of any emissions improvement. Only some jurisdictions

provide statistical data on diesel vehicle numbers,

smoky vehicle program data and a summary of diesel

vehicle emissions test results. This may be attributed

to the lack of a separate reporting system for diesel

vehicles in some jurisdictions.

The NEPM was reviewed in this reporting year.

Recommendations of the review include:

• revising the current schedules including the Diesel

Vehicle Emission Testing and Repair Programs

• considering a periodic national testing of a sample

of the diesel vehicle fleet, both heavy and light duty,

to assess the trend in the fleet emissions profile

• incorporating formal evaluation techniques into

training programs.


BY THE NEPM


jurisdictions are required to report. This information

has been provided by jurisdictions in their individual

reports in Part 5 of this report.














Air Toxics NEPM

2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

‘Based on monitoring datasubmitted by jurisdictions, air toxicslevels in Australia are low comparedto international standards.’


NEPM details


(Air Toxics) Measure



(advertised in Commonwealth of Australia Special

Gazette No. S 52904, 20 December 2004)



(Air Toxics) Measure is set out in clause 5 of the

Measure as follows:


The national environment protection goal

of this Measure is to improve the information

base regarding ambient air toxics within the

Australian environment in order to facilitate

the development of standards following a

Review of the Measure within eight years

of its making.

Desired environmental outcome


Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measure is set




Measure is to facilitate management of air

toxics in ambient air that will allow for the

equivalent protection of human health and

well-being, by—

(1) providing for the generation of comparable,

reliable information on the levels of toxic

air pollutants (‘air toxics’) at sites where

signif icantly elevated concentrations of one

or more of these air toxics are likely to occur

(‘Stage 1 sites’) and where the potential for

significant population exposure to air toxics

exists (‘Stage 2 sites’).

(2) establishing a consistent approach to the

identif ication of such sites for use by

jurisdictions.

(3) establishing a consistent frame of reference

(‘monitoring investigation levels’) for use

by jurisdictions in assessing the likely

significance of levels of air toxics measured

at Stage 2 sites.

(4) adopting a nationally consistent approach to

monitoring air toxics at a range of locations

(e.g. near major industrial sites, major roads,

areas affected by woodsmoke).

Evaluation criteria


Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measure is

based on the following criteria:






requirements



NEPM standards




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Commonwealth • The NEPM is implemented administratively.

New South Wales • The NEPM is implemented by the Protection of the Environment

Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2002 and Protection of the Environment

Operations (General) Regulation 1998 under the Protection of the

Environment Operations Act 1997.

Victoria • The key legislative instrument is the State Environment Protection Policy

(Air Quality Management).

Queensland • The NEPM is implemented under the Environmental Protection Act 1994,

Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 1997 and programs under the South

East Queensland Regional Plan 2005–2026.

Western Australia • The NEPM is implemented under the National Environment Protection

Council (Western Australia) Act 1996 and by programs in the Perth Air

Quality Management Plan.

South Australia • The NEPM operates as an Environment Protection Policy under the


Tasmania • The NEPM is a state policy under the State Policies and Projects Act 1993

and is given effect under the Environment Management and Pollution

Control Act 1994. Air toxics are also incorporated under the Tasmanian

Air Quality Strategy 2006.

Australian Capital Territory • The NEPM is implemented under the Environment Protection Act 1997.


Control Act 1998 and the National Environment Protection Council







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Commonwealth • The Commonwealth focused on research projects that enhance knowledge

of air toxics and help develop management actions.

New South Wales • New South Wales focused on identifying Stage 1 sites and potential

Stage 2 sites.


– monitoring all five air toxics at a number of sites including a regional site

– achieving NATA accreditation

– completing identif ication of Stage 1 and Stage 2 sites.


– monitoring some air toxics at a number of south-eastern sites

– a desktop analysis to identify sites.


– conducting a follow up baseline-monitoring program for air toxics

– completing the BTEX study and the Background Air Quality

(Air Toxics) Study

– conducting a desktop analysis and commencing monitoring at Stage 2 sites

– commencing a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) Air Emissions

Monitoring Project.


– modelling air toxics for the Adelaide airshed

– reviewing monitoring instrumentation permitted under the NEPM

to monitor air toxics

– working with the National Research Centre for Environmental

Toxicology (EnTox) and the Department of Health on PAH measurements.


– completing a desktop study for the Tamar Valley and Derwent Valley

airsheds, which has identif ied Stage 1 and potential Stage 2 sites

– conducting a study of baseline air quality, which includes monitoring

for some air toxics

– establishing a program, in collaboration with industry and local

government, to monitor PAHs in the next reporting year.

Australian Capital Territory • Australian Capital Territory focused on a desktop analysis to identify

Stage 1 and Stage 2 sites.

Northern Territory • Northern Territory focused on completing a monitoring program

to establish baseline data.


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As required by the NEPM, all jurisdictions commenced

or completed studies to identify Stage 1 and Stage 2

sites. A number of jurisdictions conducted air toxics

monitoring and modelling to support the desktop

analyses and establish baseline data. Some jurisdictions

have undertaken monitoring studies of air toxics to

gather further information, such as epidemiological

effects, monitoring methods and equipment.

Stage 2 sites for formaldehyde were identif ied

in accordance with the method developed by an

inter-jurisdictional working group.

Some jurisdictions raised concerns about the funding

and resources available for monitoring networks and

complying with the NEPM.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM allows for the collection of national data

on the levels of ambient air toxics, which leads to the

development of government programs for abatement

and management. The criteria and guidance set out

in the NEPM enable jurisdictions to assess the

likelihood of signif icant population exposure. Based

on monitoring data submitted by jurisdictions, air

toxics levels in Australia are low compared to

international standards.

Jurisdictions continued to identify and prioritise

Stage 1 and Stage 2 sites, with ongoing monitoring

at some of these sites.

The effectiveness of the NEPM in protecting human

health and well-being will become more evident in

future reporting years.

Mid-term review

The eight-year goal associated with monitoring

investigation levels in the Air Toxics NEPM is to

gather sufficient data nationally to facilitate the

development of national standards. A mid-term

review of the NEPM was scheduled to commence

in 2008 to assess the progress towards achieving

the goal of the NEPM.

Implementation of the NEPM has been delayed as

some jurisdictions have been unable to commence

monitoring of air toxics due to resource constraints.

In April 2007, the NEPC Committee agreed to

postpone the mid-term review of the NEPM for a

twelve-month period to ensure that sufficient data

are collected to inform the review.


BY THE NEPM

Jurisdictions are required to submit a report in

accordance with clause 13 of the NEPM. For the

reporting period ended 31 December 2005, these

reports include the results of desktop analyses

identifying sites and any monitoring that has been

undertaken.













70

2 0 0 6 – 0 7


Financial Statements and Appendicies 1–5

Statement by Auditor

INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT


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Statement by Executive Officer

In my opinion, the attached f inancial statements for the year ended 30 June 2007 are based on properly

maintained f inancial records and give a true and fair view of the matters required by the Finance Minister’s

Orders made under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997.

In my opinion, at the date of this statement, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Corporation will

be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.

This statement is made in accordance with a resolution of the executive officer.

Dr B.P. Kennedy

NEPC Executive Officer

31 August 2007


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Notes 2007 2006$ $

INCOME

Revenue

Contributions from state, territory, federal and other jurisdictions 2A 1 434 809 2 660 372

Interest 2B 141 506 70 955

Other 2C 15 290 11 072

Total revenue 1 591 605 2 742 399

Gains

In-kind contributions 2A 58 308 42 656

Other gains 2D 21 480 -

Total gains 79 788 42 656

TOTAL INCOME 1 671 393 2 785 055

EXPENSES

Employee benefits 4A 727 305 668 963

Suppliers 4B 1 029 713 710 755

Depreciation and amortisation 4C 27 606 19 103

TOTAL EXPENSES 1 784 624 1 398 821

SURPLUS (DEFICIT) (113 231) 1 386 234


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Financial Statements

INCOME STATEMENT—FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007

BALANCE SHEET—AS AT 30 JUNE 2007


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Notes 2007 2006$ $

ASSETS

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents 5A 2 523 005 2 211 264

Receivables 5B 1 075 700 1 139 041

Total financial assets 3 598 705 3 350 305

Non-financial assets

Property, plant and equipment 6C 91 909 69 869

Other non-financial assets 6D 31 413 25 056

Total non-financial assets 123 322 94 925

TOTAL ASSETS 3 722 027 3 445 230

LIABILITIES

Payables

Suppliers 8A 51 543 69 420

Other payables 8B 1 420 886 1 055 098

Total payables 1 472 429 1 124 518

Provisions

Employee provisions 7A 195 694 156 047

Other provisions 7B 23 950 21 480

Total provisions 219 644 177 527

TOTAL LIABILITIES 1 692 073 1 302 045

NET ASSETS 2 029 954 2 143 185

EQUITY

Reserves 16 261 16 261

Retained surplus 2 013 693 2 126 924

TOTAL EQUITY 2 029 954 2 143 185

Current assets 3 630 118 3 375 361

Non-current assets 91 909 69 869

Current liabilities 1 676 737 1 276 947

Non-current liabilities 15 336 25 098

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY—FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007


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1 Adjustments for error consist of:

2006

– $1178 adjustment to amortisation of leasehold improvements

– $420 adjustment to calculation of annual leave provision

– ($8000) adjustment for accrued salary bonus

– ($6000) adjustment for accrued professional fees

– ($3000) adjustment for accrued audit service fees

Accumulated Surplus Asset Revaluation Total EquityReserve

2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006$ $ $ $ $ $

Opening balance

Balance carried forward 2 126 924 756 092 16 261 16 261 2 143 185 772 353

Adjustment for error1 - (15 402) - - - (15 402)

Adjusted opening balance 2 126 924 740 690 16 261 16 261 2 143 185 756 951

Income and expenses

Revaluation of assets - - - - - -

Subtotal income and expenses

recognised directly to equity - - - - - -

Surplus (Deficit) for the period (113 231) 1 386 234 - - (113 231) 1 386 234

Total income and expenses (113 231) 1 386 234 - - (113 231) 1 386 234

Closing balance at 30 June 2 013 693 2 126 924 16 261 16 261 2 029 954 2 143 185


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Notes 2007 2006$ $

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Cash received

Receipts from state, territory, federal and

other jurisdictions 1 984 430 2 413 068

Interest 137 501 60 583

Net GST received from ATO - 84 566

Other 14 969 10 936

Total cash received 2 136 900 2 569 153

Cash used

Net GST paid to ATO (61 863) -

Employees (682 244) (690 497)

Suppliers (1 055 357) (686 204)

Total cash used (1 799 464) (1 376 701)

Net cash from or (used by) operating activities 9A 337 436 1 192 452

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Cash used

Purchase of property, plant and equipment (25 695) (43 914)

Total cash used (25 695) (43 914)

Net cash from or (used by) investing activities (25 695) (43 914)

Net increase or (decrease) in cash held 311 741 1 148 538

Cash at beginning of reporting period 2 211 264 1 062 726

Cash at end of reporting period 5A 2 523 005 2 211 264

CASH FLOW—AS AT 30 JUNE 2007


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SCHEDULE OF COMMITMENTS—AS AT 30 JUNE 2007

2007 2006$ $

BY TYPE

Commitments receivable

GST recoverable on commitments (53 121) -

Total commitments receivable (53 121) -

Other commitments payable

Operating leases[1] 584 330 50 764

Total other commitments 584 330 50 764

Net commitments by type 531 209 50 764

BY MATURITY

GST recoverable on commitments

One year or less (11 098) -

From one to f ive years (42 023) -

Total operating lease commitments (53 121) -

Operating lease commitments

One year or less 122 078 50 764

From one to f ive years 462 252 -

Total operating lease commitments 584 330 50 764

Net commitments by maturity 531 209 50 764

NB: Commitments are GST inclusive where relevant.

[1] Operating leases included are effectively non-cancellable and comprise:

Nature and general description of leasing arrangement

Leases for office accommodation.

Lease payments are subject to periodic increases as set out in the lease schedule. The current lease term

is f ive years.


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NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—FOR THE YEAR

ENDED 30 JUNE 2007

Note 1: Summary of Signif icant Accounting Policies

Note 2: Income

Note 3: Operating Expenses by Project

Note 4: Total Operating Expenses

Note 5: Financial Assets

Note 6: Non-Financial Assets

Note 7: Provisions

Note 8: Payables

Note 9: Cash Flow Reconciliation

Note 10: Financial Instruments

Note 11: Related Party Disclosure

Note 12: Remuneration of Executive Officer

Note 13: Remuneration of Auditors

Note 14: Average Staff ing Levels

Note 15: 2007–08 Budget

Note 16: Superannuation Commitments

Note 17: Contingent Liabilities

1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 Basis of preparation of the financial statements

The f inancial statements are required by clause 1(b) of Schedule 1 to the Commonwealth Authorities and

Companies Act 1997 and are a general-purpose f inancial report.

Economic dependence

The NEPC Service Corporation under the provisions of the National Environment Protection Council Act and the

Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment. The operations of the NEPC Service Corporation are funded

by contributions from the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, which are parties to the Agreement.

SCHEDULE OF CONTINGENCIES—AS AT 30 JUNE 2007

Claims Total

2007 2006 2007 2006$ $ $ $

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Balance from previous period 25 000 - 25 000 -

New - 25 000 - 25 000

Obligations expired (25 000) - (25 000) -

Total contingent liabilities - 25 000 - 25 000

Consistent with the previous f inancial year, there were nil contingent assets as at 30 June 2007.

Details of contingent liabilities are disclosed in Note 17: Contingent Liabilities.


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The continued existence of the National Environment Protection Corporation (NEPC) in its present form and

with its present programs is dependent on government policy and on continuing appropriations by Parliament

for the NEPCs administration and programs.

The f inancial statements and notes have been prepared in accordance with:

• Finance Minister’s Orders (or FMOs, being the Financial Management and Accountability Orders (Financial

Statements for reporting periods ending on or after 1 July 2006)); and

• Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board

that apply for the reporting period.

The financial report has been prepared on an accrual basis and is in accordance with historical cost convention,

except for certain assets at fair value. Except where stated, no allowance is made for the effect of changing

prices on the results or the f inancial position.

The f inancial report is presented in Australian dollars and values are rounded to the nearest dollar unless

otherwise specif ied.

Unless an alternative treatment is specif ically required by an Accounting Standard or the FMOs, assets and

liabilities are recognised in the Balance Sheet when and only when it is probable that future economic benefits

will flow to the Entity and the amounts of the assets or liabilities can be reliably measured. However, assets

and liabilities arising under agreements equally proportionately unperformed are not recognised unless required

by an Accounting Standard. Liabilities and assets that are unrealised are reported in the Schedule of Commitments

and the Schedule of Contingencies (other than unquantif iable contingencies, which are reported at Note 17).

Unless alternative treatment is specif ically required by an Accounting Standard, revenues and expenses are

recognised in the Income Statement when and only when the flow, consumption or loss of economic benefits

has occurred and can be reliably measured.

1.2 Significant accounting judgements and estimates

In the process of applying the accounting policies listed in this note, the Service Corporation has made the

following judgements that have the most significant impact on the amounts recorded in the financial statements:

• The fair value of plant and equipment has been taken to be the market value of similar properties as determined

by an independent valuer.

• No accounting assumptions or estimates have been identif ied that have a signif icant risk of causing

a material adjustment to carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next accounting period.

1.3 Statement of compliance

Australian Accounting Standards require a statement of compliance with International Financial Reporting

Standards (IFRSs) to be made where the f inancial report complies with these standards. Some Australian

equivalents to IFRSs and other Australian Accounting Standards contain requirements specific to not-for-profit

entities that are inconsistent with IFRS requirements. The Service Corporation is a not-for-profit entity and

has applied these requirements, so while this f inancial report complies with Australian Accounting Standards

including Australian Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (AEIFRSs) it cannot make

this statement.

Adoption of new Australian Accounting Standard requirements

No accounting standard has been adopted earlier than the effective date in the current period.

Other effective requirement changes

The following amendments, revised standards or interpretations have become effective but have had no financial

impact or do not apply to the operations of the Service Corporation.


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Amendments:

• 2005–1 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards [AASBs 1, 101, 124]

• 2005–4 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards [AASBs 139, 132, 1, 1023, 1038]

• 2005–5 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards [AASBs 1, 139]

• 2005–6 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards [AASB 3]

• 2005–9 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards [AASB 4, 1023, 139, 132]



Interpretations:

• UIG 4 Determining whether an Arrangement contains a Lease

• UIG 5 Rights to Interests arising from Decommissioning, Restoration and Environmental Rehabilitation

Funds

• UIG 7 Applying the Restatement Approach under AASB 129 Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary

Economies

• UIG 8 Scope of AASB 2

• UIG 9 Reassessment of Embedded Derivatives

UIG 4 and UIG 9 might have impacts in future periods, subject to existing contracts being renegotiated.

Future Australian Accounting Standard requirements

The following new standards, amendments to standards or interpretations have been issued by the Australian

Accounting Standards Board but are effective for future reporting periods. It is estimated that the impact of

adopting these pronouncements when effective will have no material f inancial impact on future reporting

periods.

Financial instrument disclosure

AASB 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January

2007 (the 2007–08 financial year) and amends the disclosure requirements for financial instruments. In general

AASB 7 requires greater disclosure than that presently. Associated with the introduction of AASB 7 a number

of Accounting Standards were amended to reference the new standard or remove the present disclosure

requirements through 2005–10 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards [AASB 132, AASB 101,

AASB 114, AASB 117, AASB 133, AASB 139, AASB 1, AASB 4, AASB 1023 & AASB 1038]. These changes

have no f inancial impact but will effect the disclosure presented in future f inancial reports.

Other

The following standards and interpretations have been issued but are not applicable to the operations of the

Service Corporation:

• AASB 1049 Financial Reporting of General Government Sectors by Governments

• UIG 10 Interim Financial Reporting and Impairment.

1.4 Revenue

Resources received free of charge

Resources received free of charge are recognised as gains when and only when a fair value can be reliably

determined and the services would have been purchased if they had not been donated. Use of those resources

is recognised as an expense.


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Resources received free of charge are recorded as either revenue or gains depending on their nature i.e.

whether they have been generated in the course of the ordinary activities of the Service Corporation.

Other types of revenue

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when:

• the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer;

• the seller retains no managerial involvement nor effective control over the goods;

• the revenue and transaction costs incurred can be reliably measured; and

• it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Service Corporation.

Receivables for goods, which have 30 day terms, are recognised at the nominal amounts due less any provision

for bad and doubtful debts. Collectability of debts is reviewed at balance date. Provisions are made when

collectability of the debt is no longer probable.

Interest revenue is recognised using the effective interest method as set out in AASB 139 Financial Instruments:

Recognition and Measurement.

Revenues from government

Amounts appropriated for Departmental outputs contributions for the year (adjusted for any formal additions

and reductions) are recognised as revenue, except for certain amounts that relate to activities that are reciprocal

in nature, in which case revenue is recognised only when it has been earned.

Contributions receivable are recognised at their nominal amounts.

1.5 Gains

Other resources received free of charge

Resources received free of charge are recognised as gains when and only when a fair value can be reliably

determined and the services would have been purchased if they had not been donated. Use of those resources

is recognised as an expense.

Contributions of assets at no cost of acquisition or for nominal consideration are recognised as gains at their

fair value when the asset qualif ies for recognition, unless received from another Government Authority or

Authority as a consequence of a restructuring of administrative arrangements.

Resources received free of charge are recorded as either revenue or gains depending on their nature.

Sale of assets

Gains from disposal of non-current assets is recognised when control of the asset has passed to the buyer.

1.6 Employee benefits

Liabilities for services rendered by employees are recognised at the reporting date to the extent that they have

not been settled.

Liabilities for ‘short-term employee benefits’ (as defined in AASB 119) and termination benefits due within

twelve months of balance date are measured at their nominal amounts.

The nominal amount is calculated with regard to the rates expected to be paid on settlement of the liability.

All other employee benefit liabilities are measured at the present value of the estimated future cash outflows

to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date.

Leave

The liability for employee benefits includes provision for annual leave and long service leave. No provision

has been made for sick leave as all sick leave is non-vesting and the average sick leave taken in future years

by employees of the Service Corporation is estimated to be less than the annual entitlement for sick leave.

The leave liabilities are calculated on the basis of employees’ remuneration, including the Service Corporation’s

employer superannuation contribution rates to the extent that the leave is likely to be taken during service

rather than paid out on termination.

The estimate of the present value of the long service leave liability takes into account attrition rates and pay

increases through promotion and inflation.

Superannuation

Certain employees of the Service Corporation are members of the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme. The

liability for their superannuation benefits is recognised in the f inancial statements of the Australian

Government and is settled by the Australian Government in due course.

The Service Corporation makes employer contributions to the Australian Government at rates determined

by the actuary to be sufficient to meet the cost of the Government of the superannuation entitlements of the

Service Corporation’s employees.

The Service Corporation also contributed to various complying superannuation schemes for the other employees.

The liability for superannuation recognised as at 30 June represents outstanding contributions for the f inal

fortnight of the year.

1.7 Leases

A distinction is made between f inance leases and operating leases. Finance leases effectively transfer from

lessor to lessee substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of leased non-current assets.

An operating lease is a lease that is not a f inance lease. In operating leases, the lessor effectively retains

substantially all such risks and benefits.

Operating lease payments are expensed on a straight-line basis that is representative of the pattern of benefits

derived from the leased assets.

1.8 Cash

Cash means notes and coins held and any deposits held at call with a bank or f inancial institution. Cash

is recognised at its nominal amount.

1.9 Financial risk management

The Service Corporation’s activities expose it to normal commercial f inancial risk. As a result of the nature

of the Service Corporation’s business and internal and Australian Government policies, dealing with the

management of f inancial risk, the Service Corporation’s exposure to market, credit, liquidity and cash flow

and fair value interest rate risk is considered to be low.

1.10 Investments

Investments are initially measured at their fair value.

After initial recognition, f inancial assets are to be measured at their fair values except for:

(a) loans and receivables which are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method;

(b) held-to-maturity investments which are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method; and


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(c) investments in equity instruments that do not have a quoted market price in an active market and whose

fair value cannot be reliably measured and derivatives that are linked to and must be settled by delivery

of such unquoted equity instruments, which shall be measured at cost.

1.11 Derecognition of financial assets and liabilities

Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the f inancial assets expire

or the asset is transferred to another entity. In the case of a transfer to another entity, it is necessary that the

risks and rewards of ownership are also transferred.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the obligation under the contract is discharged or cancelled or expires.

1.12 Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets are assessed for impairment at each balance date.

Financial assets held at amortised cost

If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred for loans and receivables or held to

maturity investments held at amortised cost, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the

asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the asset’s original

effective interest rate. The carrying amount is reduced by way of an allowance account. The loss is recognised

in the Income Statement.

Financial assets held at cost

If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred on an unquoted equity instrument that

is not carried at fair value because it cannot be reliably measured, or a derivative asset that is linked to and

must be settled by delivery of such an unquoted equity instrument, the amount of the impairment loss is the

difference between the carrying amount of the asset and the present value of the estimated future cash flows

discounted at the current market rate for similar assets.

1.13 Supplier and other payables

Supplier and other payables are recognised at amortised cost. Liabilities are recognised to the extent that the

goods or services have been received (and irrespective of having been invoiced).

1.14 Contingent liabilities and contingent assets

Contingent liabilities and contingent assets are not recognised in the Balance Sheet but are reported in the

relevant schedules and notes. They may arise from uncertainty as to the existence of a liability or asset, or

represent an existing liability or asset in respect of which settlement is not probable or the amount cannot

be reliably measured. Contingent assets are reported when settlement is probable, and contingent liabilities

are recognised when settlement is greater than remote.

1.15 Acquisition of assets

Assets are recorded at cost on acquisition except as stated below. The cost of acquisition includes the fair

value of assets transferred in exchange and liabilities undertaken. Financial assets are initially measured

at their fair value plus transaction costs where appropriate.

Assets acquired at no cost, or for nominal consideration, are initially recognised as assets and revenues at

their fair value at the date of acquisition, unless acquired as a consequence of restructuring of administrative

arrangements. In the latter case, assets are initially recognised as contributions by owners at the amounts

at which they were recognised in the transferor Authority’s accounts immediately prior to the restructuring.


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1.16 Property, plant and equipment

Asset recognition threshold

Purchases of property, plant and equipment are recognised initially at cost in the Statement of Financial

Position, except for purchases costing less than $3000, which are expensed in the year of acquisition (other

than where they form part of a group of similar items which are signif icant in total).

The initial cost of an asset includes an estimate of the cost of dismantling and removing the item and restoring

the site on which it is located. This is particularly relevant to ‘make-good’ provisions in property leases taken

up by the Service Corporation where there exists an obligation to restore the property to its original condition.

These costs are included in the value of Service Corporation’s leasehold improvements with a corresponding

provision for the ‘make-good’ taken up.

Revaluations

Fair value for each class of asset are determined as shown below.

Following initial recognition at cost, property plant and equipment are carried at fair value less accumulated

depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Valuations are conducted with sufficient frequency to ensure

that the carrying amounts of assets do not differ materially from the assets’ fair values as at the reporting date.

The regularity of independent valuations depends upon the volatility of movements in market values for the

relevant assets. The next such valuation is scheduled for 30 June 2008.

Revaluation adjustments are made on a class basis. Any revaluation increment is credited to equity under the

heading of asset revaluation reserve except to the extent that it reverses a previous revaluation decrement of

the same asset class that was previously recognised through surplus and deficit. Revaluation decrements for

a class of assets are recognised directly through surplus and deficit except to the extent that they reverse a

previous revaluation increment for that class.

Any accumulated depreciation as at the revaluation date is eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the

asset and the asset restated to the revalued amount.

Depreciation

Depreciable property plant and equipment assets are written-off to their estimated residual values over their

estimated useful lives to Service Corporation using, in all cases, the straight-line method of depreciation.

Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the estimated useful life

of the improvements or the unexpired period of the lease.

Depreciation rates (useful lives) and methods are reviewed at each reporting date and necessary adjustments

are recognised in the current, or current and future reporting periods, as appropriate. Residual values are

re-estimated for a change in prices only when assets are revalued.

Depreciation rates applying to each class of depreciable asset are based on the following useful lives:


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Asset class: Fair value measured at:

Leasehold improvements Depreciated replacement cost

Office furniture and equipment Market selling price

2007 2006

Office furniture and equipment 3–8 years 3–8 years

Leasehold improvements Lease term Lease term

Impairment

All assets were assessed for impairment at 30 June 2007. Where indications of impairment exist, the asset’s

recoverable amount is estimated and an impairment adjustment made if the asset’s recoverable amount is less

than its carrying amount.

The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. Value

in use is the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from the asset. Where the future

economic benefit of an asset is not primarily dependent on the asset’s ability to generate future cash flows,

and the asset would be replaced if the Service Corporation were deprived of the asset, its value in use is taken

to be its depreciated replacement cost.

No indicators of impairment were found for assets at fair value.

1.17 Taxation

The Service Corporation is exempt from all forms of taxation except fringe benefits tax and the goods and

services tax (GST).

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of GST:

• except where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office; and

• except for receivables and payables.

1.18 In-kind contributions

Each jurisdiction has the option to contribute a portion of its National Environment Protection Measure

(NEPM) budget as an in-kind contribution. This is in the form of the provision of a NEPM project team

member for the NEPC Service Corporation. The amount is calculated per an agreed formula using the median

point of the Commonwealth Executive Level salary range plus 15% on costs, which amounts to $362 per

person per day ($344 in 2006). The income and associated expense are recognised when incurred.

2 REVENUES


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2007 2006

Approp- In-Kind Total Approp- In-Kind Totalriations riations

Commonwealth 735 244 9 632 744 876 1 554 617 10 492 1 565 109

New South Wales 208 229 8 600 216 829 397 875 5 332 403 207

Victoria 152 912 9 288 162 200 268 636 6 192 274 828

Queensland 116 727 6 192 122 919 206 698 5 504 212 502

Western Australia 141 925 2 064 143 989 108 382 7 568 115 950

South Australia 48 693 12 728 61 421 79 069 4 472 83 541

Tasmania 14 802 9 804 24 606 13 131 2 064 15 195

Northern Territory 6 173 - 6 173 12 108 - 12 108

Australian Capital Territory 10 104 - 10 104 19 857 1 032 20 889

Total Contributions 1 434 809 58 308 1 493 117 2 660 372 42 656 2 703 028

2A: Contributions from state, territory and federal jurisdictions

Under the National Environment Protection Council Act, the National Environment Protection Council approves

levels of contributions for each jurisdiction.


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30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Interest 141 506 70 955

141 506 70 955

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Other revenue 15 290 11 072

15 290 11 072

2B—Interest revenue

2C—Other revenue

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Reversal of make-good provision 21 480 –

21 480 –

2D—Other gains


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3 EXPENSES BY PROJECT

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Core Operating 1 008 644 926 100

Ambient Air Quality NEPM—Peer Review Committee 1 403 2 108

Ambient Air Quality NEPM—Scope Review 35 552 10 270

Ambient Air Quality NEPM—Working Group 1 617 1 392

Ambient Air Toxics NEPM Tier 2 – 2 096

Ambient Air Toxics NEPM—Monitoring 332 –

Diesel Vehicle Emissions 11 274 –

Sulfur Dioxide/Ozone Review – 4 328

Mortality and Morbidity Study 2 757 12 219

Review of Site Contamination NEPM 85 800 56 953

Air Quality Standard Setting EPHC 176 5 605

National Packaging Covenant Regulatory Impact Statement II – (284)

National Pollutant Inventory Variation 105 968 96 167

Variation to Used Packaging Materials NEPM – 151

Product Stewardship 60 990 30 211

Waste Tyres 36 261

Industrial Residue – 486

Electronic Scrap 36 521

Waste Working Group 870 519

Plastic Bag Finalisation of Regulatory Impact Statement 11 269 –

RIS Lightweight Plastic Bags – 79 874

Water Sensitive Urban Development (414) 414

Children’s Air Pollution and Health Study 138 533 –

PM2.5 Equivalence Program Working Group 221 435

Water Reuse and Recycling 36 455 69 873

NWG Impact Assessment Report – 75 000

WRG Scoping Group Phase 2 65 286 42

Commonwealth NHT Contribution to Phase 1 88 506 20 520

Nchem 15 564 –

Variation to the Controlled Waste NEPM – 64

NEPC Act Review 93 479 –

EPHC Priority Project—Plastic Bags 36 981

EPHC Priority Projects—Chemicals 20 389 (673)

EPHC Priority Projects—Chemicals Working Group (155) 3 188

Total expenses 1 784 624 1 398 821


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4 EXPENSES

4A—Employee expenses

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Wages and salaries 633 107 614 774

Superannuation 62 030 61 819

Leave and other entitlements 24 862 (15 136)

Other employee benefits 4 179 4 466

Total employee benefits expenses 724 178 665 923

Workers compensation premiums 3 127 3 040

Total employee expenses 727 305 668 963

5 FINANCIAL ASSETS

5A—Cash

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Cash at bank and on hand 623 005 1 261 264

Term deposits 1 900 000 950 000

2 523 005 2 211 264

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Goods from external entities 95 685 91 129

Services from related entities 58 308 42 865

Services from external entities 778 104 489 943

Operating lease rentals 97 616 86 818

Total supplier expenses 1 029 713 710 755

4B—Supplier expenses

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Depreciation of off ice furniture and equipment 22 004 12 953

Amortisation on leasehold improvements 5 602 6 150

Total depreciation and amortisation 27 606 19 103

4C—Depreciation and amortisation

Cash at bank is at call and recognised at its nominal amount. Interest is credited to revenue as it accrues.

There are no interest rates applicable to the f inancial assets and liabilities of the NEPC Service Corporation

other than cash and term deposits. Cash receives interest on the balance at a variable rate. As at 30 June 2007

the applicable rate was 3.30% (4.10% in 2006).

The term deposit is recognised at cost. Interest is accrued as it is earned. The term deposit will mature on

9 July 2007 and earns an effective rate of interest rate of 6.35% on $1 900 000 (5.69% on $950 000 in 2006).

These receivables are recognised at the nominal amounts due less any provision for bad and doubtful debts.

Provisions are made when the collection of debts are judged to be less rather than more likely to be collected.

Management does not consider a provision for doubtful debts necessary as at balance date. Credit terms are

net thirty days.

6 NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS

All revaluations are independent and are conducted in accordance with the revaluation policy stated at Note 1.

In 2004–05, the revaluations were conducted by an independent valuer, A.J. Robertson (AAPI [P&M],

Certif ied Practicing Valuer, MSAA Master).

6A—Analysis of leasehold improvements

Reconciliation of the opening and closing balance of leasehold improvements:


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30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Other receivables 1 063 150 1 131 339

GST receivable 12 550 7 702

Total receivables 1 075 700 1 139 041

All receivables are current assets.

5B—Receivables

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Receivables are aged as follows:

Not overdue 12 550 7 702

Overdue by:

Less than 30 days 248 262 806 826

30 to 60 days 808 750 325 319

60 to 90 days 12 779 –

More than 90 days (6 641) (806)

Total receivables 1 075 700 1 139 041

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

As at 1 July—fair value 26 280 26 280

Accumulated depreciation/amortisation (22 646) (16 496)

Opening net book value 3 634 9 784

Additions 23 950 –

Amortisation expense (5 602) (6 150)

Disposals (21 480) –

Accumulated depreciation adjustment for disposal 21 480 –

As at 30 June 21 982 3 634

Gross book value 28 750 26 280

Less: Accumulated depreciation (6 768) (22 646)

Closing net book value 21 982 3 634


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6B—Analysis of office furniture and equipment

Reconciliation of the opening and closing balance of off ice furniture and equipment:

6C—Property, plant and equipment

6D—Other non-financial assets

7 PROVISIONS

7A—Employee provisions

The classif ication of current includes amounts for which there is not an unconditional right to defer settlement

by one year, hence in the case of employee provisions the above classif ication does not represent the amount

expected to be settled within one year of reporting date. Employee provisions expected to be settled in one

year $85 216 (2006: $52 556), in excess of one year $115 891 (2006: $103 491).

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

As at 1 July—fair value 86 413 42 500

Accumulated depreciation/amortisation (20 178) (7 225)

Opening net book value 66 235 35 275

Additions—by purchase 25 696 43 913

Depreciation expense (22 004) (12 953)

As at 30 June 69 927 66 235

Gross book value 112 109 86 413

Less: Accumulated depreciation (42 182) (20 178)

Closing net book value 69 927 66 235

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Leasehold improvements—fair value 21 982 3 634

Office furniture and equipment—fair value 69 927 66 235

91 909 69 869

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Prepayments 16 592 14 239

Accrued income 14 821 10 817

Total other non-financial assets 31 413 25 056

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Accrued salaries and wages 70 257 45 780

Annual leave 9 546 6 776

Long service leave 115 891 103 491

Aggregate employee benefit liability and related on costs 195 694 156 047

Current 180 358 130 949

Non-current 15 336 25 098

Total employee provisions 195 694 156 047


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7B—Other provisions

The Service Corporation currently has an agreement for the leasing of premises which have provisions

requiring the Agency to restore the premises to their original condition at the conclusion of the lease. The

Service Corporation has made a provision to reflect the present value of this obligation.

8 PAYABLES

8A—Supplier payables

All supplier payables are current.

Creditors and accruals are recognised at their nominal amounts, being the amounts at which the liabilities will

be settled. Settlement varies with the creditors’ terms, which are between 7–30 days.

10B—Other Payables

All other payables are current.

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Make-good provision 23 950 21 480

23 950 21 480

Carrying amount at 1 July 21 480 21 480

Additional provisions made 23 950 -

Amounts reversed (21 480) -

Closing balance at 30 June 23 950 21 480

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Trade creditors 27 332 28 246

Accrued expenses 24 211 41 174

Total supplier payables 51 543 69 420

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Prepaid contributions 1 367 675 944 872

GST payable 53 211 110 226

Total other payables 1 420 886 1 055 098


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9 CASH FLOW RECONCILIATION

9A—Reconciliation of operating surplus to net cash from operating activities

30 June 2007 30 June 2006$ $

Operating surplus/(deficit) (113 231) 1 386 234

Non-cash items

Depreciation and amortisation expense 27 606 19 103

Gain on reversal of make-good provision (21 480) –

Changes in assets and liabilities

(Increase)/decrease in receivables 63 341 (1 071 079)

(Increase)/decrease in other non-financial assets (6 357) (17 059)

Increase/(decrease) in employee provisions 39 647 (21 534)

Increase/(decrease) in suppler payables (17 877) 116 199

Increase/(decrease) in other payables 365 787 780 588

Net cash provided from/(used by) operating activities 337 436 1 192 452


FIN

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FIN

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10B—Fair values of financial assets and liabilities

All f inancial assets and liabilities are disclosed at their fair values.

10C—Credit risk exposures

The Service Corporation’s maximum exposures to credit risk at reporting date in relation to each class

of recognised f inancial assets is the carrying amount of those assets as indicated in the Balance Sheet.

The Service Corporation has no signif icant exposures to any concentrations of credit risk.

All f igures for credit risk referred to do not take into account the value of any collateral or other security.

11 RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURE

Members of the National Environment Protection Council

The Council Members during the year were:

Senator The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull (Chairperson—appointed 16 March 2007)

Senator The Hon. Ian Campbell (Chairperson—ceased 23 January 2007)

The Hon. Philip Koperberg (appointed 20 April 2007)

The Hon. Bob Debus (ceased 24 March 2007)

The Hon. John Thwaites

The Hon. Lindy Nelson-Carr (appointed 17 November 2006)

The Hon. Desley Boyle (ceased 16 November 2006)

The Hon. David Templeman (appointed 28 March 2007)

The Hon. Mark McGowan (ceased 13 December 2006)

The Hon. Gail Gago

Mr John Hargreaves (ceased 31 May 2007)

Mr Jon Stanhope (appointed 31 May 2007)

The Hon. Paula Wriedt

Ms Marion Scrymgour

The Council Members received no remuneration from the NEPC Service Corporation.

There were no related party transactions during the year.

12 REMUNERATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The remuneration of the Executive Officer was within the income band $160 000–$174 999

($160 000–$174 999 in 2006).

The aggregate amount of total remuneration of off icers shown above: $170 350 ($171 617 in 2006).

The above f igure includes performance-based bonus payments for the period July 2006 to June 2007.

Superannuation is provided for the Executive Officer in accordance with the Government Employees

Superannuation Act 1984 (Western Australia). The amount of superannuation contributions totalled $9700

($13 829 in 2006).


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13 REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS

While no amount has been taken up in the f inancial statements of the Service Corporation for 2006–07, the

audit fees for the year ended 30 June 2007 is expected to be $14 500. No other services are provided by the

Auditor-General.

14 AVERAGE STAFFING LEVELS

The average staff ing levels for the Service Corporation during the

year were: 8 8

15 2007–08 BUDGET

The National Environment Protection Council has approved the interim budget for the Service Corporation

2007–08 of $1 039 913 ($996 627 in 2006–07).

16 SUPERANNUATION COMMITMENTS

The National Environment Protection Council contributes to several superannuation funds. Employees have

the option of choosing a fund providing it is a ‘complying superannuation fund’ within the meaning of Part IX

of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth). The contributions are based on percentage of salary. The range

of these percentages has been approved by the Commission in consultation with the Federal Department of

Workplace Relations and Small Business.

Contributions in accordance with the Superannuation (Productivity Benefit) Act 1988 (Cth) are made to the

Australian Government Employees Superannuation Trust under which members are entitled to benefits on

retirement, resignation, death or disability.

The amount of superannuation contributions totalled $65 244 for the year ended 30 June 2007 ($67 606 in 2006).

17 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Schedule of Contingencies in the f inancial statements report a contingent superannuation liability as at

30 June 2006. After further investigation into this complex matter, it is the view of the Service Corporation

that it has complied with its obligations and therefore this contingent liability has been extinguished as of

30 June 2007.

30 June 2007 30 June 2006

Remuneration to the Auditor-General for auditing the f inancial

statements for the reporting period Nil 12 500

Appendix 1: NEPC Committee —Membership

MEMBER

Commonwealth

Mr David Borthwick

Secretary

Department of the Environment and Water Resources

New South Wales

Ms Lisa Corbyn

Director-General

Department of Environment and Climate Change

Victoria

Mr Mick Bourke

Chairman

Environment Protection Authority

Queensland

Mr Terry Wall

Director-General

Environmental Protection Agency

Western Australia

Mr Keiran McNamara

Director-General

Department of Environment and Conservation

South Australia

Dr Paul Vogel

Chief Executive


Tasmania

Mr Warren Jones

General Manager

Environment Division

Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment

Australian Capital Territory

Mr Robert Neil (to 31 May 2007)

A/G Director

Environment Protection and Heritage

Environment and Recreation

Department for Territory and Municipal Services

Mr Hamish McNulty (from 31 May 2007)

Executive Director



ALTERNATE

Ms Anthea Tinney

Deputy Secretary


Ms Sally Barnes

Executive Director

Strategy Communication and Governance


Mr Chris Bell

Director

Water and National Relations


Ms Clare O’Connor

Executive Director (Policy Division)

Environmental Protection Agency

Mr Rob Sippe

Director (Strategic Policy)

Department of Environment and Conservation

Mr Tony Circelli

Director, Regulation and Compliance Division


Mr Robert Neil (from 31 May 2007)

A/G Director

Environment Protection and Heritage




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MEMBER

Northern Territory

Dr David Ritchie

Chief Executive

Department of Natural Resources, Environment and

the Arts

NEPC Service Corporation

Dr Bruce Kennedy

Executive Officer

Observer

Mr John Pritchard

National Policy Coordinator

Australian Local Government Association

ALTERNATE

Ms Lyn Allen

Executive Director Environment and Heritage

Department of Infrastructure, Planning and

Environment


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Appendix 2: Project Teams and Working Groups — Membership

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COUNCIL

Ambient Air Quality NEPM — Review

Chair

Ms Chris Bell Victoria

Review Team

Dr Lyn Denison Victoria

Mr Drew Farrar Western Australia

Mr Bob Hyde Tasmania

Mr Robin Seeley Commonwealth

Dr Vicky Sheppeard NSW Health

Mr Kelvyn Steer South Australia

Project Manager

Ms Kerry Scott NEPC Service Corporation

Project Officer

Mr Haemish Middleton NEPC Service Corporation

Assessment of Site Contamination NEPM — Review

Chair

Mr Derek Carew-Hopkins/

Mr Keiran McNamara Western Australia

Review Team

Mrs Sharon Clark Western Australia

Mr Jack Dempsey Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing

Mr Mike Fanning South Australia

Dr Paul Moritz/

Mr Chris McAuley Victoria

Mr Greg O’Brien Queensland

Mr Elvin Wong New South Wales

Project Manager


Project Officer

Ms Monina Gilbey NEPC Service Corporation

Jurisdictional Reference Network

Ms Kim Barry Queensland

Dr Sara Broomhall/

Mr Ben Stapley Commonwealth

Ms Liz Canning Tasmania

Mrs Sharon Clark Western Australia


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Mr Matthew Hart/

Mr Elvin Wong New South Wales

Mr Mark Heckenberg Australian Capital Territory

Mr Michael Lawton Northern Territory

Ms Jean Meaklin Victoria

Mr Wil van Deur South Australia

Diesel Vehicle Emissions NEPM — Review

Chair

Ms Anthea Tinney /

Ms Lynden Ayliffe Commonwealth

Review Team

Mr Bruce Dowdell NSW Roads and Traffic Authority

Mr James Forrest Western Australia

Mr Kristian Handberg Victoria

Mr Kerry Lack New South Wales

Mr Jon Real Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services

Mr Daniel Sohl-Masters Northern Territory

Mr Michael Ward/

Mr Paul Kesby Commonwealth

Mr Neil Wong National Transport Commission

Project Manager


Project Officer


National Pollutant Inventory NEPM — variation

Chair

Ms Anthea Tinney Commonwealth

Project Team

Mr Geoff Latimer Victoria

Ms Debbie Lawrence/

Ms Sarah Thomas Commonwealth

Ms Lynne Powell Tasmania

Dr Greg Storrier New South Wales

Mr Peter Thorning Queensland

Mr Ross Yarwood Western Australia


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Technical Advisory Panel

Dr John Chapman New South Wales

Dr Peter Glazebrook Rio Tinto Technical Services

Dr Michael Howes Griff ith University

Mr John Hogan formerly EPA Victoria

Dr Peter Nadebaum GHD Pty Ltd

Prof Ian Rae University of Melbourne

Dr Neill Stacey Southern Cross Pharma Pty Ltd

Dr Michael Warne CSIRO Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research

Assoc Prof Chris Winder University of New South Wales


Ms Juanita Croft Northern Territory

Mr Serghei DeBray Australian Capital Territory

Ms Anne Ellson South Australia

Mr Mark Gifford New South Wales

Mr Greg Mueller Western Australia

Ms Louisa Perrin Victoria

Ms Lynne Powell Tasmania

Mr Sean Sullivan Commonwealth

Ms Megan Surawski Queensland

Non-government Organisation Advisory Group

Mr Kelsey Bawden Australian Consumers’ Association

Mr Lee Bell National Environment Consultative Forum

Mr Simon Bennison National Aquaculture Council

Mr Ian Bridge Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand

Mr John Craven National Environment Consultative Forum

Mr John Daley Australian Industry Greenhouse Network

Ms Di Dibley Australian Industry Group

Mr Peter Donlon Water Services Association of Australia

Mr Cormac Farrell Australian Minerals Council

Mr Craig Heidrich Ash Development Association of Australia

Mr Michael Ison Australian Aluminium Council

Mr Peter Johnson Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Mr Tony Kanak Waste Management Association of Australia

Mr John Lawson Australian Council of Recyclers

Mr Mark McCallum Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association

Mr Stuart Ritchie Cement Industry Federation

Mr Carlos Santin Plastics and Chemicals Industry Association

Dr Harry Schaap National Generators Forum

Dr Bro Sheffield-Brotherton National Environment Consultative Forum

Ms Fiona Wain Environment Business Australia


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Project Manager

Mr Ian Newbery NEPC Service Corporation

Project Officer


Product Stewardship NEPM

Chair

Ms Lisa Corbyn New South Wales

Project Team

Dr Paul Bainton/

Mr Michael Bissell/

Ms Shaneen Coulson Commonwealth

Ms Claire Curry/

Ms Sally Lock Victoria

Mr Rob Middlin South Australia

Dr John Ottaway Western Australia

Mr Alex Young/

Ms Sharon Owens New South Wales


Mr Michael Bissell Commonwealth

Ms Nicole Buchanski Queensland

Mr Darryl Cook Tasmania

Mr Serghei DeBray Australian Capital Territory

Mr Nigel Green Northern Territory

Ms Jill Lethlean Western Australia

Mr Wayne Robins Victoria

Mr Tom Whitworth South Australia

Mr Alex Young New South Wales

Project Manager


Project Officer


NEPC Act — Review

Review Steering Committee (EPHSC Strategic Planning Committee)

Chair



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Review Team

Ms Sally Barnes New South Wales

Mr Mick Bourke/

Mr Chris Bell Victoria

Ms Nancy Esler Queensland

Dr Bruce Kennedy NEPC Service Corporation

Support

Ms Mary Harwood Commonwealth


PM2.5 Equivalence Program

Chair


Members

Mr Fred Ardern Victoria


Mr Chris Eiser New South Wales

Dr Michael Groth Tasmania

Mr Robert Kleinfelder Western Australia

Dr Mike Manton Peer Review Committee

Mr Rob Mitchell South Australia

Mr David Power Australian Capital Territory

Mr David Wainwright Queensland

Project Manager


Project Officer


Multi-city and Morbidity Study Steering Committee

Chair

Dr Paul Vogel South Australia

Members



Ms Sue Powell New Zealand Ministry for the Environment

Mrs Stella Whittaker New South Wales

Project Manager



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Peer Review Committee

Chair

Dr Mike Manton Commonwealth

Members

Mr Chris Eiser New South Wales

Mr Adrian Heggie Australian Institute of Petroleum

Dr Nigel Holmes Minerals Council Australia

Mr Bob Joynt Victoria


Dr Graeme Lorimer National Environment Consultative Forum



Mr Paul Purdon Northern Territory

Dr Bro Sheffield–Brotherton National Environment Consultative Forum

Mr Kelvyn Steer/

Dr Bob Hyde Tasmania


Executive Officer


NEPM Implementation Reporting Working Group

Members

Ms Naomi Nicholson Commonwealth

Ms Fiona Rae Victoria

Mr Stephen Quiterio Western Australia

Mr Steven Mudge South Australia

Project Officers


Ms Bronwyn Gobbett/

Ms Susan Whitehead NEPC Service Corporation

Land Transport Environment Committee

Chair

Dr Bruce Kennedy (2007) NEPC Service Corporation

Mr Tim Eaton (2006) National Transport Commission


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Members


Mr Stewart Jones Department of Transport and Regional Services

Ms Judy Oswin Queensland Transport



Mr Les Wielinga Roads and Traffic Authority NSW

Project Officer


NEPC, NHMRC and enHealth Liaison Group

NEPC representatives



Dr Bruce Kennedy (Observer) NEPC Service Corporation


Project Officer


ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND HERITAGE COUNCIL

Working Group members are officers nominated by EPHC member agencies unless indicated otherwise.

Chemicals Working Group

Chair

Ms Lisa Corbyn New South Wales

Members

Dr John Cugley/

Mr David Duncan South Australia

Mr Lee Eeles Commonwealth

Mr Doug Hide Western Australia

Ms Christina Hill/

Mr Barry Warwick Victoria

Dr Faiz Khan Queensland


Dr Jane Mallen-Cooper New South Wales

Ms Elizabeth Moore New South Wales


Dr Barry Reville Commonwealth

Mr Mark Stanborough Tasmania

Project Manager



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Project Officer


Waste Working Group

Chair

Mr Bruce Dawson Victoria

Members

Ms Lynden Ayliffe/

Dr Paul Bainton Commonwealth

Mr Darryl Cook Tasmania

Ms Roz Hall New South Wales

Ms Kylie Hughes/

Ms Tamara O’Shea Queensland

Mr Michael Kerr/

Dr Jill Lethlean Western Australia


Ms Margaret Nicholson/

Mr Robert Webb Australian Capital Territory

Mr Tom Whitworth South Australia

Project Manager


Project Officer


Waste Tyres Subgroup

Chair


Members

Mr Michael Bissell/


Ms Claire Curry/

Ms Sally Lock Victoria

Mr Alex Young/


Diversion of Industrial Residues Subgroup

Chair

Dr Barry Reville Commonwealth


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Members

Ms Claire Curry Victoria

Mr Mark Gorta New South Wales

Mr Steve Hartley New South Wales

Ms Kylie Hughes Queensland

Dr Bruce Kennedy NEPC Service Corporation

Mr Steven Sergi South Australia

Ms Louise Sindall Western Australia

Project Officer


Electrical Equipment Product Stewardship Subgroup

Chair

Ms Roz Hall New South Wales

Members

Mr Paul Bainton/


Ms Claire Curry/

Ms Melinda Barker Victoria

Mr Alex Young/


Plastic Bags RIS Subgroup

Chair


Members

Ms Jennifer Batagol/

Ms Melinda Barker Victoria

Mr Andrew Bray/

Ms Angela Gillman Commonwealth

Ms Jenny Brown New South Wales

Ms Kylie Hughes Queensland

Mr Vaughan Levitzke/

Ms Monica Stasiak South Australia

Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling—Contributors to the guideline development process

Joint Steering Committee

Chair

Mr Peter Sutherland/ New South Wales/



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Members

Ms Jo Beatty Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment


Ms Jan Bowman Victoria Department of Human Services

Prof Don Bursill CRC for Water Quality and Treatment

Dr Helen Cameron Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing

Dr David Cunliffe South Australia Department of Human Services

Dr David Dettrick Northern Territory

Mr Leon English Western Australia Department of Water

Dr Helen Foard/

Ms Anne-Marie Wilson National Water Commission

Dr Greg Jackson Queensland

Mr John Lauder Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services

Dr Karin Leder National Health and Medical Research Council

Mr Peter Marczan/

Mr Mike Sharpin New South Wales

Ms Chris Schweizer Commonwealth

Dr Kaye Power New South Wales Health

Mr Neil Power South Australia Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity

Conservation

Ms Nina Rogers/

Mr Michael Barry Australian Local Government Association

Mr Ross Young Water Services Association of Australia

Risk Management Framework and Integration Working Group (Phase 1)

Chair

Prof Don Bursill CRC for Water Quality and Treatment

Members


Dr Daniel Deere CRC for Water Quality and Treatment


Mr Alec Percival Consumer Health Forum

Prof Brian Priestley Monash University

Mr Peter Scott Melbourne Water


Dr Martha Sinclair Monash University

Environmental Risk Working Group (Phase 1)

Chair


Members

Dr Heather Chapman CRC for Water Quality and Treatment

Dr Ana Deletic Monash University

Mr Peter Dillon CSIRO Land and Water

Mr Ted Gardner Queensland Department of Natural Resources

Mr George Gates New South Wales Department of Infrastructure, Planning and

Natural Resources

Dr Ben Gawne Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre

Ms Kaia Hodge Sydney Water

Dr Rai Kookana CSIRO Land and Water

Dr Anu Kumar CSIRO Land and Water

Prof Sam Lake Monash University

Dr Charles Lewis/

Ms Annie Josline Commonwealth

Ms Therese Manning New South Wales

Mr Russell Martin South Australia Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity

Dr Mike McLaughlin CSIRO Land and Water

Dr Grace Mitchell CSIRO Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology

Dr Hamish Reid Victoria/South East Water Ltd

Dr Stephanie Rinck-Pfeiffer United Water International

Ms Suzie Sarkis Environment Protection Authority, Victoria

Dr Daryl Stevens Australian Rural Research and Innovative Science Pty Ltd

Health Risk Working Group (Phase 1)

Chair


Members

Prof Nick Ashbolt University of New South Wales


Dr Jim Fitzgerald South Australia Department of Human Services

Ms Amelia Savage Victoria Department of Human Services

Dr Melita Stevens Melbourne Water

Dr Simon Toze CSIRO Land and Water

Augmentation of Drinking Water Supplies Working Group (Phase 2)

Chair


Members

Dr Dan Deere CRC Water Quality and Treatment


Dr Jim Fitzgerald South Australia Department of Human Services

Dr Charles Lewis Commonwealth


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Dr Robyn Maddalena/

Mr Ian Marshall Queensland Health

Mr Neil McGuinness Western Australia Department of Health

Dr Kaye Power NSW Department of Health

Prof Brian Priestley Monash University

Ms Suzie Sarkiss Victoria Department of Human Services

Dr Martha Sinclair Monash University


Dr Simon Toze CSIRO Land and Water

Managed Aquifer Recharge Working Group (Phase 2)

Chair

Mr Leon English Western Australia Department of Water

Members

Dr Melissa Bromly Western Australia Department of Water

Mr Wes Douglass Victoria

Mr Peter Newland South Australia

Mr Sanjeev Pandey Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water

Dr Alan Thomas Commonwealth

Mr Nick Turner Western Australia Water Corporation

Stormwater Working Group (Phase 2)

Chair

Mr Mike Sharpin New South Wales

Members

Mr David Duncan South Australia

Mr Ted Gardner Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water

Ms Annie Josline Commonwealth

Dr Grace Mitchell Monash University


Air Quality Working Group

Chair


Members

Dr Greg Ayers CSIRO




Ms Sue Powell New Zealand Ministry for the Environment

Dr Roscoe Taylor National Public Health Partnership/Australian Health Ministers’

Advisory Council

Ms Stella Whittaker New South Wales


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Project Manager


Project Officer


Children’s Health and Air Pollution Study

Chair


Members


Prof Bin Jalaludin University of Sydney

Dr Guy Marks Woolcock Institute

Prof Rod Simpson National Health and Medical Research Council

Prof Gail Williams University of Queensland

Project Manager


Air Quality Standard Setting Working Group

Chair

Mr Chris Bell and Victoria and

Dr Roscoe Taylor AHMAC

Members

Mr Khokan Bagchi/

Mr Robin Seeley Commonwealth

Mr Jack Dempsey Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing


Dr Monika Nitschke South Australia Department of Human Services

Dr Christine Runnion Western Australia

Dr Shannon Rutherford/

Dr David Simon enHealth

Ms Deborah Willcocks National Industrial Chemicals Notif ication and Assessment Scheme

Project Manager


Project Officer



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Air Toxics Equivalence Monitoring Task Group

Chair


Members

Mr Alan Betts New South Wales

Mr Ian Galbally CSIRO

Mr Adrian Heggie Parsons Brinckerhoff



Dr Bro Sheffield-Brotherton National Environment Consultative Forum

Mr Paul Torre Victoria


Project Manager


Project Officer



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All publications are available for downloading from the EPHC website at

<www.ephc.gov.au/php/list_document_types.php>.

NEPC GENERAL

• Report of the review of the National Environment Protection Council Acts (Commonwealth, state and

territory) — June 2007

• Report of the review of the National Environment Protection Council Acts (Commonwealth, state and

territory) — June 2001

• NEPC revised protocol for the development of impact statements — July 2000

• NEPC annual report 2005–06











• Scoping protocol for National Environment Protection Measures — July 1999

• NEPC consultation protocol (revised) (bulletin) — May 1999

• Introducing the National Environment Protection Council (pamphlet) — 1997

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY (OZONE, SO2, CO-OP STUDIES WORKING GROUP REPORTS)

• Review of the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure —Discussion paper — June 2007

• Report on the preliminary work for the review of the ozone standard — October 2005

• Summary of submissions on preliminary work for the ozone standard — October 2005

• Preliminary work on ozone for the review of the Ambient Air Quality NEPM – Issues Paper — May 2005

• Ozone data analysis report — September 2004

• Ozone data analysis additional task report — September 2004

• Priority research areas — June 2004

• Review of the Ambient Air Quality NEPM ozone standard — Ozone Workshop 18 May 2004 — Summary

of outcomes — May 2004

• Time activity study — May 2004

– Data description report

– Study I — September 2002 (summer)

– Study II — February 2003 (winter)

– Summary of findings

• Review of the practicability of a 10 minute standard for sulfur dioxide – Issues paper — March 2004

• Report of the review of the practicability of a 10 minute standard for sulfur dioxide — March 2004

• Summary of submissions received in relation to the review of the practicability of a 10 minute standard

for sulfur dioxide – Issues paper — March 2004

• Air pollution and health: identifying research priorities for policy development — July 2003

Appendix 3: Publications (since 1996)


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• Variation to the Ambient Air Quality NEPM PM2.5 — June 2003

• Summary of submissions received in relation to the draft variation on setting PM2.5 standard in Australia —

June 2003

• Technical paper on monitoring for particles as PM2.5 — June 2003

• Asthma research — A background paper — January 2003

• Report on Air Pollution and Asthma Workshop — January 2003

• Draft variation to the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure for particles as

PM2.5 and associated impact statement — October 2002

• Summary of submissions received in relation to the discussion paper on setting a PM2.5 standard in

Australia — June 2002

• Discussion paper on setting a PM2.5 standard in Australia — February 2002

• Issues paper on the need for a PM2.5 standard in Australia — June 2001

• Issues paper on the need for a PM2.5 standard in Australia — Released to key stakeholders for comment —

May 2001

• Summary of submissions received by the National Environment Protection Council in relation to the issues

paper on the need for a PM2.5 standard in Australia and National Environment Protection Council’s

responses to those submissions — May 2001

• National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure — May 2001

– Technical paper no. 1: checklist for monitoring plans

– Technical paper no. 2: selection of regions

– Technical paper no. 3: monitoring strategy

– Technical paper no. 4: screening procedures

– Technical paper no. 5: data collection and handling

– Technical paper no. 6: meteorological measures

– Technical paper no. 7: accreditation of performance monitoring

– Technical paper no. 8: annual reports for Ambient Air Quality NEPM

– Technical paper no. 9: lead monitoring

– Technical paper no. 10: collection and reporting of TEOM PM10 data

• Report of the Risk Assessment Taskforce — October 2000

• National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality — June 1998

• Revised impact statement for ambient air quality — June 1998

• Summary of submissions received by the National Environment Protection Council in relation to the draft

National Environment Protection Measure and impact statement for ambient air quality and National

Environment Protection Council’s responses to those submissions — June 1998

• Report of the Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure Monitoring Protocol Working

Group — March 1998

• Draft National Environment Protection Measure and impact statement for ambient air quality — Released

for public comment — November 1997

• A review on the existing health data on six air pollutants — May 1997

• Report on the monitoring and reporting protocols for the Ambient Air Quality National Environment

Protection Measure — April 1997

• Report on the air quality management options — April 1997

The EPHC website at <www.ephc.gov.au/prc> has links to jurisdictional monitoring plans of each state,

territory and the Commonwealth located on their websites.


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AMBIENT AIR TOXICS

• Air toxics tier 2 prioritisation methodology — June 2006

• Draft National Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measure and associated impact statement — May 2003

• Towards a National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Toxics) Measure —Discussion paper —

March 2002

• Ambient air toxics issues paper — September 2001

• Information bulletin on the proposed National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Toxics) Measure —

July 2001

NATIONAL POLLUTANT INVENTORY

• Variation to the National Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure 2007 (No. 1) —

June 2007

• National Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure 1998 as varied — June 2007

• Draft addendum to the variation to the NPI NEPM summary of submissions—for the purpose of consultation

on the inclusion of greenhouse gases — May 2007

• Summary of submissions received in relation to the draft variation to the National Environment Protection

(National Pollutant Inventory) Measure and National Environment Protection Council’s responses to those

submissions — April 2007

• Cost analysis of reporting National Pollutant Inventory transfers—Case studies using the amended NPI

NEPM variation — March 2007

• Draft variation to the National Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure — June 2006

• Draft variation to the National Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure – Impact

statement — June 2006

• Analysis of the financial costs of including transfers in the National Pollutant Inventory — May 2006

• Final report to the National Environment Protection Council – Technical Advisory Panel — March 2006

• Report of the review of the National Pollutant Inventory — July 2005

• Report of the review of the National Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure —

December 2001

• National Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure as varied — June 2000


variation to the National Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure and impact statement

and the responses of the National Environment Protection Council to those submissions — May 2000

• Draft variation to the National Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure —

December 1999

• Impact statement for the draft variation to the National Environment Protection (National Pollutant

Inventory) Measure — December 1999

• National Pollutant Inventory Technical Advisory Panel final report to National Environment Protection

Council — January 1999

• National Environment Protection Measure for the National Pollutant Inventory and memorandum of

understanding relating to implementation of the National Pollutant Inventory — February 1998


National Environment Protection Measure and impact statement for the National Pollutant Inventory and

the National Environment Protection Council’s responses to those submissions — February 1998

• Draft National Environment Protection Measure and impact statement for the National Pollutant Inventory

— released for public comment June 1997


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• National Pollutant Inventory Technical Advisory Panel report to the National Environment Protection

Council — May 1997, released for public comment June 1997

MOVEMENT OF CONTROLLED WASTE BETWEEN STATES AND TERRITORIES

• Variation to the National Environment Protection Measure for the movement of controlled waste between

states and territories — December 2004

• National Environment Protection Measure for the movement of controlled waste between states and

territories — June 1998


National Environment Protection Measure and impact statement for the movement of controlled waste

between states and territories — June 1998

• Draft National Environment Protection Measure and impact statement for the movement of controlled waste

between states and territories — January 1998

DIESEL VEHICLE EMISSIONS

• National Environment Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure—Review report — April 2007

• National Environment Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure — June 2001


National Environment Protection Measure and impact statement for diesel vehicle emissions — June 2001

• Draft National Environment Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure and impact statement —

February 2001

• Diesel vehicle emissions National Environment Protection Measure — Discussion paper released to key

stakeholders for comment — November 2000

• Information bulletin on the proposed National Environment Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure

— September 2000

PREPARATORY PROJECT WORK FOR THE PROPOSED NEPM FOR DIESEL VEHICLE

EMISSIONS

• In-service emissions performance: in-service certification correlation studies — April 2001

• In-service emissions pilot study: fault identification and effect of maintenance — April 2001

• In-service emissions performance — Phase 2: vehicle testing — November 2000

• A review of dynamometer correlations, in-service emissions and engine deterioration (CD-ROM) —

March 2000

• The Australian diesel fleet: existing vehicle characteristics and the modelling of transport demand, vehicle

populations and emissions (CD-ROM) — November 1999

• In-service emissions performance — Phase 1: urban drive cycle development (CD-ROM) — March 1999

USED PACKAGING MATERIALS

• Used Packaging Materials NEPM application thresholds — July 2005

• Used Packaging Materials NEPM as varied July 2005 — July 2005

• Variation to the Used Packaging Materials NEPM — July 2005


National Environment Protection Measure and impact statement for used packaging materials and the

National Environment Protection Council’s responses to those submissions — July 2005

• Draft variation to the Used Packaging Materials NEPM – Impact statement — July 2005


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• Summary of submissions received in relation to the draft National Packaging Covenant and regulatory

impact statement — July 2005

• National Packaging Covenant — March 2005

• National Environment Protection Measure for used packaging materials and the National Packaging

Covenant — July 1999


National Environment Protection Measure and impact statement for used packaging materials and the

National Environment Protection Council’s responses to those submissions — May 1999, publicly released

in July 1999

• Draft National Environment Protection Measure and impact statement for used packaging materials —

January 1999

• Used packaging materials National Environment Protection Measure — Discussion paper released to key

stakeholders for comment — June 1998

ASSESSMENT OF SITE CONTAMINATION

• National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure—Review—Review report —

September 2006

• Review of the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure — Summary of

submissions received in relation to the issues paper for the review of the assessment of site contamination

National Environment Protection Measure — April 2006

• Review of the Assessment of Site Contamination NEPM — Discussion paper — April 2006

• Review of the Assessment of Site Contamination NEPM — Issues paper — June 2005

• Proceedings of the Fifth National Workshop on the Assessment of Site Contamination — January 2003

• National Environment Protection Measure for assessment of site contamination 1999 including Schedule B

and the summary of submissions received by the National Environment Protection Council in relation to the

draft National Environment Protection Measure and impact statement for the assessment of site contamination

and the National Environment Protection Council’s response to those submissions — December 1999

• Draft NEPM and impact statement for the assessment of site contamination — March 1999

• Discussion paper: towards a NEPM for the assessment of contaminated sites — July 1998

EPHC — CHEMICALS POLICY

• Principles for better environmental management of chemicals—Ministerial agreement — June 2007

• NChEM discussion paper public consultation—summary of discussion paper submissions — May 2007

• Public round table meeting documents — March 2007

• Public round table meeting documents — May 2007

• Towards environmental sustainability for chemicals management in Australia—NChEM: A national

framework for chemicals management in Australia—discussion paper — July 2006

• National Dioxins Program — Action plan for addressing dioxins in Australia – public consultation —

October 2005

• National Dioxins Program — Action plan for addressing dioxins in Australia – public consultation —

July 2005

• Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the Australian

population: levels in human milk — December 2004

• Final report of the national ChemCollect program — April 2004

• Scoping paper — Towards ecologically sustainable management of chemicals in Australia — June 2003


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EPHC — INTEGRATED NATIONAL HERITAGE POLICY

• Revolving funds for historic heritage: An information paper — April 2005

• Making heritage happen — June 2004

– Incentives and policy tools for conserving our historic heritage

– Incentives and policy tools for conserving our historic heritage — Summary of f indings

• Going places: Issues paper developing natural and cultural heritage tourism in Australia — May 2003

EPHC — WASTE MANAGEMENT

• Consultation regulatory impact statement (RIS)—Investigation of options to reduce the environmental

impact of plastic bags — January 2007

• Guidance for assessing the beneficial reuse of industrial residues to land management applications—

A national approach — November 2006

• Explanatory note: Cost benefit analysis: options for reducing the environmental impact of plastic shopping

bags — September 2006

• Report from ACG: The ANRA proposal on plastic bag management: Supplementary economic analysis to the

EPHC report — June 2006

• Report from ACG: Phasing out lightweight plastic bags; cost and benefits of alternative approaches —

May 2006

• Report from the ANRA: Plastic carry bags — working towards continuous environmental improvement —

Report to Chair EPHC — May 2006

• Report from the ARA: ARA code of practice for the management of plastic bags — Final report —

December 2005

• Development of a national approach — Principles and guidance for assessing the beneficial reuse

of industrial residues to land management applications — September 2005

• Guidelines for management of plastic bag litter at landfill sites — June 2005

• Guidelines for management of plastic bag litter in public places — June 2005

• ARA code of practice for the management of plastic bags—2004 end of year report — March 2005

• Nolan ITU interim report of plastic retail carry bag use — March 2005

• Co-regulatory frameworks for product stewardship — An industry discussion paper — December 2004

• Co-regulatory frameworks for product stewardship — Analysis of submissions to discussion paper —

December 2004

• Industry discussion paper on co-regulatory frameworks for product stewardship — December 2004

• ARA code of practice for the management of plastic bags — Mid-2004 interim progress report — July 2004

• The impacts of degradable plastic bags in Australia — September 2003

• Polychlorinated biphenyls management plan (revised) — April 2003

• National Plastic Bags Working Group report — December 2002

• Nolan ITU report on plastic shopping bags — Analysis on levies and environmental impacts —

December 2002

• National Plastic Shopping Bags Working Group report to the National Packaging Covenant Council —

December 2002

• A national approach to waste tyres — Policy discussion paper — October 2002

• Review of the ANZECC polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) management plan — September 2002


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EPHC — WATER QUALITY

• Australian guidelines for water recycling — Managing health and environmental risks — November 2006

• Australian guidelines for water recycling — Managing health and environmental risks — draft for public

consultation — October 2005

• Keeping tabs on marine debris (brochure) — December 2002


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Appendix 4: NEPM Development — How NEPMs Are Made

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION MEASURES

National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs) are broad framework–setting statutory instruments

defined in NEPC legislation. They outline agreed national objectives for protecting particular aspects of the

environment. NEPMs may consist of any combination of goals, standards, protocols and guidelines.

A two-thirds majority of members is required for the NEPC to make a NEPM. Implementation of NEPMs is

the responsibility of each participating jurisdiction. NEPMs take effect in participating jurisdictions when they

are registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. However, NEPMs are subject to disallowance

by either House of the Commonwealth Parliament.

The NEPC legislation prescribes that NEPMs may relate to any one or more of the following (section 14 (1)):

• ambient air quality

• ambient marine, estuarine and freshwater quality

• the protection of amenity in relation to noise (but only if differences in environmental requirements relating

to noise would have an adverse effect on national markets for goods and services)

• general guidelines for the assessment of site contamination

• environmental impacts associated with hazardous wastes

• the reuse and recycling of used materials.

NEPMs may also relate to motor vehicle noise and emissions and are developed by the NEPC in conjunction

with the National Road Transport Commission, now known as the National Transport Commission (sections

14 (1) (g) and 14 (2)).

In making NEPMs, the NEPC must have regard to the considerations detailed in section 15 of the NEPC

legislation. These considerations include:

• consistency with the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment

• environmental, economic and social impacts

• relevant international agreements

• any regional environmental differences.

IMPACT STATEMENTS

Prior to making a NEPM, the NEPC must prepare a draft of the NEPM and an impact statement (section 17

of the NEPC Act). The impact statement must include the following:

• the desired environmental outcomes

• the reason for the proposed NEPM and the environmental impact of not making the NEPM

• a statement of the alternative methods of achieving the desired environmental outcomes and the reasons why

those alternatives have not been adopted

• an identif ication and assessment of the economic and social impact on the community (including industry)

of making the proposed NEPM

• a statement of the manner in which any regional environmental differences in Australia have been addressed

in the development of the proposed NEPM

• the intended date for making the proposed NEPM

• the timetable (if any) in relation to the proposed NEPM

• the transitional arrangements (if any) in relation to the proposed NEPM.

These impact statement requirements are set out in the legislation. Impact statements are developed in keeping

with the requirements of the Council of Australian Governments as outlined in the Principles and Guidelines

for National Standard Setting and Regulatory Action by Ministerial Councils and Standard Setting Bodies.

The NEPC legislation requires that both the draft NEPM and the impact statement are made available for

public consultation for a period of at least two months. The NEPC must have regard to the impact statement

and submissions received during public consultation in deciding whether to make a NEPM.

NEPM REPORTING AND CONSULTATION ARRANGEMENTS

In the development of each National Environment Protection Measure, a working structure is established as

displayed in the following diagram.

The roles of these groups in NEPM development can be characterised in the following manner.

NEPC:

• initiates the development of the NEPM

• approves the release of the draft NEPM and impact statement for public consultation

• makes the NEPM.

NEPC Committee members:

• appoint a NEPM Project Chair (from NEPC Committee)

• develop the proposal for the NEPM

• appoint project team experts from jurisdictions

• consult in their jurisdiction.


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NEPC Service

Corporation

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Environment/Groups

in Jurisdictions

Project Team

Non-Government

Organisation

Advisory Group

NEPC

Committee

NEPC

Jurisdictional

Reference Network


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Project chairperson:

• provides policy direction for the project team

• oversees the development of the draft NEPM and impact statement

• reports to the NEPC Committee on progress and issues arising during development of the draft NEPM and

the impact statement.

Project team:

• develops draft NEPM and impact statement under the guidance of the Project Chair and Project Manager.

NEPC Service Corporation:

• provides the Project Manager and support structures for NEPM development.

Project Manager:

• is responsible for development of a detailed NEPM proposal

• manages the project (including the project team, f inances and timelines)

• acts as Executive Officer for the Non–government Organisation Advisory Group and the Jurisdictional

Reference Network

• reports to the Project Chair and the NEPC Executive Officer.

Non–government Organisation Advisory Group:

• comprises senior executives from national non–government organisations (conservation, industry and

professional groups)

• is chaired by the Project Chair

• provides policy advice to the NEPC Committee through the Project Chair

• provides feedback to the project team.

Jurisdictional Reference Network:

• comprises one officer from each jurisdiction, who:

– conducts whole-of-government consultation under the direction of the NEPC Committee member for

the jurisdiction

– may organise and/or conduct public consultations in his/her jurisdiction

– provides feedback to the project team on jurisdictional issues

– supplies appropriate data and information to the project team to assist NEPM development.


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Appendix 5: NEPM Development Model – Flow Chart

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N E P C M e m b e r s

A p p e n d i x 6 :

Implementation and Effectiveness of NEPMs

126

R e p o r t s f r o m j u r i s d i c t i o n s o n t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e


2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

National Pollutant Inventory


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Part 1 of each report annex is generic, and so is

presented once here.


NEPM details


(National Pollutant Inventory) Measure

Made by Council: 27 February 1998

Commencement date: Clauses 1 and 2 of the Measure

commenced on the date of Gazettal 4 March 1998


No. S 89, 4 March 1998, p. 1) with the remaining

provisions of the Measure commencing on 1 July 1998.


The environment protection goals are established

by clause 6 of this Measure as follows:

6. The national environment protection goals

established by this Measure are to assist in

reducing the existing and potential impacts

of emissions of substances and to assist

government, industry and the community in

achieving the desired environmental outcomes

set out in clause 5 by providing a basis for:

(a) the collection of a broad base of information

on emissions of substances on the reporting

list to air, land and water; and

(b) the dissemination of information collected

to all sectors of the community in a useful,

accessible and understandable form.

In summary, the 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 chemicals being emitted to the

air, land and water.


The desired environmental outcomes, as set out

in clause 5 of the Measure, are:

(a) the maintenance and improvement of:

(i) ambient air quality; and

(ii) ambient marine, estuarine and fresh

water quality;

(b) the minimisation of environmental impacts

associated with hazardous wastes; and

(c) an expansion in the reuse and recycling

of used materials.

Evaluation criteria


Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory)







requirements



NEPM standards



Specific criteria

Longer-term performance indicators relating to the

effectiveness of the National Pollutant Inventory

(NPI) have been listed in some Memoranda of

Understanding (MOU) between the Commonwealth

and the states and territories for the years 2005–09.

They have been included to provide jurisdictions

with a guide to the type of information that could

be reported. Indicators could include:

• number of ‘hits’ on the database

• number of facility reports on the database

• feedback/data from industry (indicating that the

process of emission estimation and reporting from

the NPI has led to increased consideration of waste

minimisation and cleaner production initiatives)

• feedback from users of the database on its usability

and on the relevance of the information for their needs

• total number of reporters in comparison to 2005–06

• range of industry sectors reporting

• number of new reporters

• new industry sectors reporting

• any other indicator identif ied.

Jurisdictions should report on those specif ic criteria

that are appropriate for their responsibilities under

the NPI Measure.

Commonwealth

Report to the NEPC on the implementation of the National Environment

Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure for the Commonwealth

by the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, Minister for the Environment and

Water Resources for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


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(Refer to page 128)

PART 2 — IMPLEMENTATION OF THENEPM, AND ANY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Legislative, regulatory and administrativeframework

The NEPM is implemented through administrative

arrangements.

Implementation activities

Overview

Commonwealth activities focused on:

• participating in the NEPM variation process

• progressing recommendations from the NPI review,

such as developing an online reporting system

for industry

• improving data quality with revised emission

estimation technique manuals and new

calculation tools

• publishing the eighth year (2005–06) facility

data and other information on the NPI website

• improving the NPI website

• promoting the NPI to raise awareness of the

NPI programme.

Strategic directions

Subsequent to a review of the NPI in 2005,

Commonwealth, state and territory Environment

Ministers agreed to prepare a variation to the NPI

NEPM. In making the variation, the Council agreed

that the NPI should be varied to include transfer of

wastes and greenhouse gas emissions pending the

establishment of a national purpose-built greenhouse

reporting mechanism.

The Australian Government recorded its strong

opposition to the inclusion of greenhouse gas

emissions in the NPI because it considers the NPI

option will provide neither the streamlining nor the

comprehensive data set needed, and that proceeding

with the NPI option would be a waste of valuable

resources when the Australian Government is pursuing

another course of action for emissions reporting which

will be much broader in scope than the NPI.

The variation follows a comprehensive review of the

NPI and a project team comprising representatives

from the Australian Government, New South Wales,

Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and

Tasmania was formed to undertake the process.

The team developed documentation outlining the

proposed changes and released it for public comment

in July 2006.

Following the public consultation period and to

address some of the major concerns that were raised,

some changes were made to the variation, in particular

to transfers whereby reporting is mandatory only for

those NPI substances destined for containment or

destruction. Reporting of the transfer of NPI substances

to a destination for reuse, recycling, reprocessing and

other similar practices is to be voluntary.

The changes under the variation include:

• reporting of transfers of NPI substances in waste

to f inal destination

• reporting of greenhouse gas emissions (proposed

interim measure from 1 July 2008)

• inclusion of new substances to the current list

• lowering the threshold for mercury and compounds

• other matters identif ied in the NPI review report.

Other priorities for the Australian Government

included publishing facility data for the 2005–06

reporting year and progressing recommendations

from the NPI review that relate to operational

issues, including development of a system for

online reporting.

In 2006–07, the Commonwealth focused on

improvements to the systems and processes essential

to the NPI programme. The changes will continue

over the next two years, and include:

• designing and developing an online reporting

system to simplify the process by which industry

reports their emissions to the NPI, as well as

provide improved validation. This, in turn, will

feed into an enhanced jurisdictional database

system allowing for more effective auditing

of emissions data

• reviewing and updating materials provided to

industry to help them estimate emissions from

their facilities. This work includes reviewing

current emission factors, revising emission

estimation technique manuals and developing

calculation tools to make it simpler for industry

to estimate emissions

• redesigning the NPI website to improve the

database search functionality, update substance

fact sheets, and provide additional contextual

data such as pollution control device fact sheets

• developing a series of promotional items for use

in marketing the NPI to a range of target users.

As a basis for the enhancements, the NPI unit has

undertaken consultation with a diverse range of

stakeholders from around Australia, including

industry, industry associations and consultants

to industry, government representatives, students,

teachers, and members of the general public.

Consultation will be ongoing and stakeholders will

continue to be involved, such as through testing

elements of the enhancements.

Implementation

The Commonwealth continues to collect data from

one agency, the Department of Defence. Emission

reports were received for seven administrative facilities.

Strategic linkages with industry associations continue

to improve data quality and streamline reporting.

A consultancy is under development to update the

emission factor for ammonia from poultry farming

activities (for both meat and egg production) to be let

in collaboration with the Australian Chicken Growers’

Council and the Australian Egg Corporation Limited.

The Department of Environment and Water Resources

and Australian Associated Breweries liaised to update

the Beer and Ready-to-Drink emission estimation

technique materials. Similarly, departmental staff

have been liaising with Australian Aluminium Council

with a view to updating the Alumina Refining and

Aluminium Smelting emission estimation techniques

materials.

A consultancy to update the emission factor relating

to paint and ink manufacture was let in collaboration

with the Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation.

Other consultancies that have been let are for the

development of relevant emission factors for

combustion in boilers, combustion in engines, fuel

and organic liquid storage, explosives and wine and

spirits manufacture. Updated NPI reporting materials

will result from these reports.


There were two meetings of the Implementation

Working Group in August 2006 and March 2007,

and one teleconference in December 2006.

The main issues discussed were:

• progress of the NPI NEPM variation and

associated funding

• provision and publication of data for the 2005–06

reporting year

• design and development of the new NPI online

reporting system and improvements to the

NPI website

• review and revision of industry reporting materials

• communication activities, including development

of a marketing strategy to raise awareness of the

NPI, and production of a range of promotional

materials.

Emerging issues

Following agreement to the NPI NEPM variation

on 2 June 2007, the next step is to implement all

of the changes. This means that all changes—with

the exception of transfers and greenhouse gases—

are to be reported immediately. Transfer data are

to be collected and subsequently reported once

the development of industry guidance material

has occurred, and the greenhouse gases change

is proposed to be reported from 1 July 2008 in the

event the development of national purpose-built

legislation on the reporting of greenhouse and

energy data is not activated by this date.

The major changes include specif ically:

• the inclusion of reporting NPI substances in the

transfers of waste


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• the inclusion of reporting greenhouse gas

emissions as an interim measure (proposed from

1 July 2008)

• the inclusion of additional substances on the

current NPI list

• lowering the current threshold for mercury

• changes to publication requirements.

Work will be undertaken to develop industry guidance

materials, database modifications and industry

training. The Commonwealth continues to enhance

the database to provide a nationally consistent and

enduring set of emission data of improving quality,

as well as update industry reporting materials. These

improvements, which were recommended in the NPI

review and agreed to by Environment Ministers, will

streamline reporting and reduce the compliance

burden on industry.

Facility emission reports

Facility emissions data for the 2005–06 reporting

year was published on 31 January 2007. The number

of facilities reporting increased to 3890 compared

to 3826 the previous year.

NPI database and website

Database

Most of the 90 NPI substances are considered in

diffuse emissions to air in airshed studies. However,

only total nitrogen and total phosphorus are

determined in most water catchments.

The boundaries of NPI airsheds are selected by

government agencies. A total of 33 studies were

completed by the end of 2005–06, covering all capital

cities and many urban regions in Australia.


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NPI reporting facilities

98–990

1000Nu

mb

er o

f fa

cili

ties

Reporting year

2000

4000

5000

3000

99–00 00–01 01–02 02–03 03–04 04–05 05–06

Map of Australia showing the locations of NPI reporting facilities for 2005–06,

air sheds and water catchments

The boundaries of water catchments are determined

by the drainage of interconnected river systems,

which sometimes cross state or territory borders.

To date, 32 catchment studies have been completed

for the main urban and rural areas in Australia.

Website

In 2006–07, the NPI website had 562 391 new user

sessions compared to 404 676 new user sessions in

the previous year. This is an increase of 39% in

2006–07.

Amendment of the NPI website is an ongoing task.

In June 2007, a pop-up web survey was undertaken

to identify overall user experience of the NPI website

and how the site might be improved.

Key f indings from the survey include:

• the majority of users were visiting the site for the

first time

• generally, users could be split into two groups

– professionals, who are likely to be repeat users

of the site and who are looking for specif ic

information

– students, teachers and people who use the site

for personal interest and are looking for general

information

• the large majority of users found what they were

looking for and were satisf ied with the site overall

• the least popular aspects of the site were the lack

of detailed content required by those seeking

specif ic information, and the navigation.

Results from this report will inform future

development of the website.

A review of the NPI website identif ied gaps within

the context of the emissions data. In particular, there

is limited information on pollution control devices as

used by industry, and how they contribute to reducing

emissions. A consultancy to develop pollution control

device fact sheets was let to the Air Pollution Control

Equipment Manufacturers Association with the

purpose of describing in plain English how these

devices work and how they are used by industry.

Industry handbooks

In collaboration with industry and industry

associations and state and territory environmental

authorities, changes have been made to NPI industry

reporting materials, including the emission estimation

technique manuals for gold ore processing, cement

manufacture, beer and ready-to-drink alcoholic

beverage manufacturing, beef cattle feedlots, paint

and ink manufacturing and intensive livestock—

pig farming. Updated emission factors have been

included into prototype calculation tools and

will be incorporated into the new NPI online

reporting system.

Education programs

To raise the profile of the NPI in local communities,

a mail-out of the 2004–05 summary report of seventh

year data occurred in December 2006. A bookmark

was also made available as a promotional tool

containing URLs for the NPI website and summary

report. Over 1000 reports and bookmarks were

distributed to branch and school libraries in Victoria,

Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the

Northern Territory. Summary reports were also

distributed at all the forums held to inform the

community and industry about the variation to the

NPI NEPM.

One of the main goals of the NPI is to encourage

facilities to use cleaner production techniques to

reduce substance emissions and decrease waste. The

NPI has been working collaboratively with industry

to develop new case studies on particular facilities

that have implemented cleaner production techniques

and installed pollution control equipment.

Two issues of the NPI Update newsletter were

published during the year. The newsletter informs

the community, industry and government about

NPI issues such as coming events and the progress

of the NPI review. The NPI newsletter is available

electronically and notif ication of its publication

on the web is provided by subscription and by the

Australian Government Department of the

Environment and Water Resources’ weekly

‘Environment News’ e-mail.

A range of promotional materials was produced to

promote the NPI to different users. In May 2007,

these items were distributed at an Eco Expo fair

in Queensland. They were also mailed out to users

who completed the NPI web survey in June 2007.

Implementation summary and evaluation

The Commonwealth continues to work cooperatively

with all jurisdictions to implement the NPI NEPM,


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and improve the online inventory so that reporting

is easier for industry, data accuracy is upgraded and

its use is increased by the community, industry

and government.

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PART 3 — ASSESSMENT OF NEPM EFFECTIVENESS

Participation levels Feedback from the community, Implementation

industry and government activity/effectiveness

PUBLIC

• 562 391 user sessions on

website

INDUSTRY

• 3890 reports for 2005–06

• 3826 reports for 2004–05

• 210 new reporters

• no new sectors reporting

• no confidentiality claims

submitted

• A short reporting form was

developed for feedlots and

piggeries. Industry was grateful

for the development of this

form.

• Industry was happy with the

emission factors for beer and

ready-to-drink alcoholic

beverages, and for gold

processing, and these did not

need to be altered.

• Industry representatives have

been supportive of improving

NPI reporting materials and

emission factors. The NPI has

developed positive working

interactions with these bodies.

• Updated emission factors for

cement, and ammonia for

feedlots and piggeries, in

collaboration with industry

• Responding to industry queries

for assistance with reporting,

received in the public e-mail box

• Regular liaison with industry

through visits to industrial

sites, and consultation with

industry reporters and industry

associations

• Online reporting system,

developed to the testing phase,

will streamline reporting,

improve data quality and

overall costs of compliance

• Evidence from public e-mails

and phone queries indicated

a positive response to the

information provided on the

NPI website and database.

• A web survey indicated that

more than half the website

users are visiting the site

for the f irst time, and have

generally been referred to

the site via a search engine.

• Of all the respondents to the

websurvey, 75% were satisf ied

with the site overall, and 85%

intended to visit the site again.

• Least popular aspects of the

site were the internal search

functionality, lack of detailed

content and navigation.

• Maintenance of the free-call

phone line receiving more than

10 calls a month, in conjunction

with a public e-mail inbox

replying to about 150 e-mails

annually

• Distribution of promotional

materials

• Newsletter distribution

• Web survey of user experience

of the website


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GOVERNMENT

• no desktop audits

• no on-site audits

• no regulatory actions

• National report on the State of

the Environment 2006 includes

NPI data.

• Links have been included

to NPI substances on the

National Industrial Chemicals

Notif ication and Assessment

Scheme (NICNAS) Australian

Inventory of Chemical

Substances.

• Update of NPI substance fact

sheets in line with stakeholder

preferences and current

information

PART 4 — REPORTING REQUIRED BY THE NEPM

Reporting information is available on the National Pollutant Inventory website at <www.npi.gov.au>.


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New South Wales


Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure for New South Wales

by the Hon. Phil Koperberg MP, Minister for Climate Change,

Environment and Water for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


(Refer to page 128)

PART 2 — IMPLEMENTATION OF THE

NEPM, AND ANY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES


The New South Wales (NSW) Department of

Environment and Climate Change (DECC) implements

and enforces the NPI NEPM under the provisions of

the Protection of the Environment Operations (General)

Regulation 1998. The regulation establishes reporting

requirements for industrial facilities in NSW and also

prescribes the offences for which penalty notices may

be issued, which include failure to lodge a report

when due and failure to keep and produce records.


Overview

The NSW government has a strong commitment to

the NPI as part of its strategy to ensure that the

community has access to environmental information.

NSW continued to focus on improving data quality

in order to improve the usefulness of the dataset.

NSW took an active role in the NPI NEPM variation

process to ensure that all stakeholders participated in

the consultation process and the costs and benefits to

industry, government and the community associated

with the broad range of proposed changes were

identif ied and examined.


NSW continues to focus on improving the data quality

of facility reports and encouraging new reporters

by maintaining a high level of support for industry.

DECC and other NSW agencies are using NPI data

to inform their policy and regulatory approaches and

support cleaner production activities.

Implementation

NSW employed two officers to manage and

implement the facility reporting elements of the NPI

and one short-term officer during the peak report

processing period. Data accuracy is improving, with

DECC verif ication procedures resulting in the query

of more than 200 facilities and amendment of data

from 100 facilities.

In November 2006, the NSW facility data were

delivered to the Commonwealth for release on the

NPI database in January 2007. Reminder notices

were sent to 55 facilities concerning late submission

of their reports. Two facilities were issued with

Penalty Infringement Notices for failing to meet

reporting deadlines for the second consecutive year.

The data for the update of the aggregated emissions

inventory for the Sydney-Newcastle-Wollongong

airshed were f inalised and have been loaded to the

Commonwealth test database for release early in

2008. The updated dataset contains emissions data

from a wider range of diffuse sources, which will

provide a far more comprehensive representation

of emissions in the greater metropolitan region.


NSW continues to actively participate in the

Implementation Working Group (IWG) processes,

with DECC officers attending IWG meetings and

teleconferences. Regular contact was maintained

with staff from NPI teams in other jurisdictions in

order to discuss technical, policy and administrative

issues and ensure consistency in implementation.

Emerging issues

NPI reporting processes are well-established in NSW

and industry annually provides robust emissions data.

The variation to the NPI NEPM, particularly the

reporting of transfers and greenhouse gas emissions,

will result in substantial changes to the reporting

requirements for industry and administration role

for DECC.

A signif icant concern for NSW will be the increased

workload for DECC to provide industry managers with

the necessary level of support for them to understand

the new requirements to report transfers.

The NSW government supports the Council’s decision

to include greenhouse gas emissions reporting in the

NPI as an interim measure from 1 July 2008, but is

also committed to working with the Commonwealth

and other states and territories on the proposal to

introduce new national purpose-built legislation and

to implement this new system before 1 July 2008.

DECC officers continue to provide advice towards

the development and implementation of a new online

reporting system which should streamline reporting

for companies that report for multiple facilities and

reduce the data entry load for DECC.


The following is a summary of 2006–07 facility

emissions data:

• 757 NSW facilities reported, down from 778 in the

previous year

• 22 facilities reported for the f irst time

• each facility reported an average of 9.4 substances

• 79 of the 90 substances were reported against

• 394 facilities reported costs at an average of $3730,

up from $3232 per facility in the previous year

• 482 facilities hold environment protection licences.


NSW notes the continuing efforts of the Commonwealth

to improve the presentation of information on the

website. A major concern for NSW is the limited

presentation of aggregated water emissions data,

which means that website users are unable to utilise

the full range of data available.

Industry handbooks

DECC continues to provide ongoing comments on

NPI industry reporting material, such as the review

of emission estimation technique manuals. NSW

facilities are able to use load calculation method

allowed under the load-based licensing scheme to

calculate emissions for equivalent substances under

the NPI. Some facilities have received approval to

use alternative emission estimation techniques based

on site-specif ic data or engineering techniques.

Education programs

NSW continues to provide technical advice and

support, education and information about other aspects

of the NPI program, including advice on accessing

the NPI database, the NSW regulatory requirements

and the purpose of the NPI, to reporters, industry

researchers, local government and students. Industry

groups, local government and non-government

organisations are regularly informed of NPI progress

through DECC correspondence and briefings.


NSW’s eff icient data-entry and verif ication process

resulted in the timely submission of the 2005–06 NPI

industry data before the 30 November deadline. There

is good industry acceptance and compliance with

NPI reporting requirements in NSW. The majority

of reporters are demonstrating a better understanding

of reporting requirements and submitting reports with

improved accuracy. This year, 55 facilities received

notification that their reports did not meet the statutory

timeframes for reporting. Two facilities received

Penalty Infringement Notices for failure to meet

statutory timeframes for the second consecutive year.


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PUBLIC


website

• Anecdotal evidence suggests

that the f inancial sectors are

using NPI data to develop

investment proposals and/or

consider insurance issues.

• Academics and researchers are

using the data for modelling

and/or other studies.

• Some members of the public

are using it to f ind out about

emissions in their area.

• Increased use of NPI data in

the media illustrates the growing

awareness of the dataset

INDUSTRY

• 757 reports for 2005–06



• No new sectors reporting

• No confidentiality claims

submitted

• New reporters benefit from

extensive support provided by

NPI officers.

• Reporters are indicating that

NPI reporting is becoming less

onerous as they have established

systems and processes to

complete their reports.

• Ongoing advice and assistance

provided to industry

GOVERNMENT

• 757 desktop audits


• 2 penalty infringement notices

issued

• NPI emissions data were

used by government agencies

to inform their policy and

regulatory approaches.

• NPI emissions data assist

DECC in assessing impacts

of regulation by catchment,

airshed, industry sector and

substance.

• Internal presentations improve

the awareness of DECC staff

of the value of NPI data





(Refer to page 128)




In the State of Victoria, EPA Victoria (EPA), under

the provisions of the Environment Protection Act 1970,

implements and enforces the National Environmental

Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure

on behalf of the Victorian government through the

Industrial Waste Management Policy (National

Pollutant Inventory) (IWMP NPI). The IWMP NPI

came into operation upon publication in the Victorian

Government Gazette (No. S107) on 6 October 1998.


Overview

The Victorian government has a strong commitment

to the NPI as a means of providing environmental

information to the community and prompting

industry to identify possible areas for environmental

improvement within its operations. This commitment

is reflected in the active participation in the NEPM

variation, initiating a pilot program for the reporting

and public disclosure of greenhouse gases, assisting

industry in understanding NPI reporting method and

raising public awareness about the NPI.


In 2006–07, EPA Victoria concentrated on further

improving the quality of industry emissions data on

the public website, contributing to the development

of the new web-based reporting system by the

Department of the Environment and Water Resources,

and investigating the proposed changes to the NEPM

such as updating the substance list and thresholds,

and the inclusion of greenhouse gases, waste

transfers and new industry sectors.

Implementation

In Victoria, NPI implementation was jointly funded

by the federal and state governments in accordance

with the new Memorandum of Understanding signed

in September 2005 to cover the period of 1 July 2005

to 30 June 2009. The NPI team of three fulltime staff

provided support to reporters and further improved

the accuracy of industry data. At the same time, the

Atmosphere and Noise Unit team carried out the

Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Disclosure Pilot, and

the Air Quality Study team enhanced the aggregated

air emission estimates.

Victoria continued its efforts to expand the number

of industries participating in the NPI program. Work

Safe Victoria’s broiler registry was used to check

whether sites with broilers large enough to trip the

category 2a fuel combustion threshold were reporting.

Since the intensive agriculture sector was identif ied

as having a low participation rate, Victoria together

with other jurisdictions continued discussions with

state and national industry associations and directly

with individual companies to develop alternative

reporting methods and to encourage new reporters.

In 2006–07, six industry workshops were conducted

at EPA offices in Melbourne and regional centres,

with one workshop being cancelled due to a lack of

interest in that region. Overall, 115 people registered

for the sessions, and the response and general feedback

on the sessions were positive and industry reporters

found them to be valuable.

EPA Victoria managed the electronic data transactions

from reporting facilities to the appropriate participating

state and territory agencies. In 2006–07, the National

Reporting Tool (NRT) developed in 2000 remained

the only method of reporting electronically and was

deployed in seven out of eight jurisdictions. The

number of reports received electronically by

participating states and territories increased from

207 reports for 1999–2000 and 2066 for 2005–06 to

2068 for 2006–07. The growing number of electronic

reports resulted in a further improvement in the

Victoria


Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure for Victoria by the

Hon. Gavin Jennings, Minister for Environment and Climate Change for

the reporting year ended 30 June 2007

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quality of data displayed on the NPI website and an

increased eff iciency of environmental agencies and

reporting industries.


In 2006–07, EPA Victoria concentrated predominantly

on the investigation of the proposed changes to the

NEPM and their potential consequences to industry,

governments and community. Furthermore, given its

experience in designing and implementing the NRT

and an online reporting system for prescribed

industrial waste tracking, the NPI team signif icantly

contributed to the development by the Commonwealth

of the web-based reporting system for the NPI.

As in previous years, EPA Victoria actively participated

in other activities of the national Implementation

Working Group, such as attending the two meetings

in Canberra in August 2006 and Adelaide in March

2007, and taking part in the teleconference in

December 2006; initiating discussions related to

reporting by agricultural industry and privacy issues;

sharing technical information; and commenting on

the priority emission estimation techniques manuals.

Emerging issues

Changes to the NPI program, as outlined in the

NEPM variation, are expected to result in substantial

changes to the reporting requirements, government

funding, and industry reporting. The Department of

the Environment and Water Resources has allocated

an additional $37 000 for the initial implementation

of reporting waste transfers, this is equivalent to 25%

of the standard Memorandum of Understanding.

It is anticipated that the new web-based reporting

application, currently in its testing phase, will improve

the accuracy of emission estimates and reporting

efficiency for both industry and governments. At the

same time, a signif icant contribution from the NPI

team is required to ensure that the Commonwealth’s

online reporting system is superior to the currently

used NRT application and that the new system fully

satisf ies the requirements of Victorian reporters

and is compatible with EPA Victoria’s integrated

database systems.


A total of 780 Victorian reports were submitted to the


for the reporting period of 2005–06, up from 762 for

2004–05. In Victoria, there were 43 industrial facilities

submitting their NPI report for the f irst time in

2006–07 (i.e. 43 new industry reporters). At the same

time, some industrial facilities that reported in

previous years dropped from the reporting list

because they either did not trigger the reporting

threshold in 2006–07, were closed down, or failed to

report in time. The agricultural sector (e.g. chicken

farms) experienced the sharpest decline with the

number of reports from chicken farmers plummeting

from 40 in 2005–06 to 25 in 2006–07. Several

farmers mentioned that the Victorian Farmers

Federation discouraged them from reporting to the

NPI. In 2006–07, taking into consideration the severe

drought affecting Victorian farming communities, the

NPI team abstained from putting any additional

pressure on farmers even if they failed to submit their

NPI reports. All NPI reports were individually

assessed and, where omissions, inconsistencies and

errors were identif ied, these were investigated and

corrected by (or in consultation with) reporters.

In Victoria, the NPI reporters for 2006–07 represented

22 major industry sectors, from agriculture and

mining to food and chemical product manufacturing

and the service industry. There was a more even spread

between various industry sectors, thus creating a more

accurate emissions profile for Victoria. The chemical

manufacturing and food processing industry

contributed, respectively, 115 and 127 reports, replacing

basic material wholesaling (i.e. major oil companies’

fuel depots) as the largest reporting industry.

While the number of electronically submitted reports

slightly increased from 591 to 593, their percentage

contribution in comparison with the previous year

dropped from 78% to 76% of all Victorian reports.

This was predominantly because of the companies’

restrictions on the installation and use of third party

software and the threat of computer viruses. Due to

an increase in the number and severity of computer

viruses being circulated via e-mail over the last year,

companies placed heavier restrictions on their incoming

e-mail traff ic, which led to an increase of e-mail

messages with NRT attachments being rejected. An

ever-increasing number of reporters expressed the

need for a nationally consistent web-based reporting

application.

The 345 industrial facilities (out of 780) voluntarily

reported the cost of preparing their NPI submission

for 2006–07. Based on the 44% response rate, the

median cost of reporting was $500, while the average

cost was $2483. In comparison, the median and average

costs of NPI reporting on the shorter, 36-substance

list for 1998–99 was $100 and $3480, respectively.


Through the use of the NRT and established rules

and procedures, EPA Victoria continued to provide

quality control of Victorian and interstate facility

administrative and emission data and contributed to

the improvement in the quality of the information

stored in other jurisdictions’ databases and posted

on the NPI website in January 2007.

EPA Victoria recognises the continuing effort by the


to improve the data presentation on the NPI website

and to enhance the facility data validation tools

available. At the same time, the capability of the public

database for aggregated emissions data remains

limited. While the NPI database keeps multiple

datasets of industry data (i.e. one for each reporting

year), it has just one dataset of aggregated air

emissions from domestic, commercial and transport

sources. As a result, the comparison between the

emission contribution from industry and aggregated

sources for the same reporting year is impossible,

thus making it diff icult to investigate the trends in

emissions from year to year and to quantify any

possible changes in air quality. Furthermore, the

NPI public database cannot currently accommodate

overlapping regions with different spatial resolution;

thus, the NPI website is not capable of displaying

the Victoria-wide airshed inventory.

Industry handbooks

EPA Victoria has continued to provide comments

on updated emission estimation technique manuals

before publication. This is an ongoing process and

there are still a number of emission estimation

technique manuals that require review to improve

their quality and usefulness for reporters.

Education programs

In 2006–07, six industry workshops were scheduled

at EPA offices in Melbourne and regional centres,

with one workshop being cancelled due to a lack of

interest in that region. Overall, 115 people registered

for the sessions.


As in the previous year, EPA’s staff ’s effort resulted

in a smooth electronic submission process of facility

data to the Commonwealth, in the agreed format and

before the due date.

The number of Victorian reporters increased from

762 to 780 for the reporting periods of 2005–06

and 2006–07. The number of reporters is expected

to further increase in the next reporting period of

2007–08 as awareness of the NPI reporting

requirements grows and NPI reporting gradually

becomes an integral part of industry operations.

Victoria contributed to the national program in many

ways, including its active participation in the NEPM

variation.


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PUBLIC


website

INDUSTRY






submitted

• Victorian reports received for

2005–06 numbered 780, an

increase of 1% in comparison

with the previous year.

• A total of 593 Victorian

facilities submitted electronic

reports for 2005–06.

• A total of 1475 interstate

facilities submitted electronic

reports for 2005–06.

• Users of the electronic

reporting system commented

that the NRT improved data

quality on the website.

• EPA held f ive industry

workshops, providing general

NPI information as well as

a detailed demonstration of

the NRT

• Continuous helpdesk support

provided to reporting companies

GOVERNMENT


• 7 on-site audits


• NPI data were used by EPA’s

Atmosphere and Noise unit for

identifying companies emitting

certain substances and for

developing new policies

including the licensing of

Class 3 toxics.

• NPI emissions data were

used in the review of the

Environment Protection

(Scheduled Premises and

Exemptions) Regulations.

• NPI data were utilised by

EPA’s operations staff for

industrial facility assessments.

• Emission data analysed by NPI

team to assist EPA’s Operations

staff in work prioritisation

• Positive feedback was received

from environmental scientists

and students and EPA staff

using the NPI website.

• The NPI website is becoming

an important resource for the

insurance and f inancial sector.

• An active media strategy

developed to provide some

guidance on correctly

interpreting NPI emission data

and to raise public awareness


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(Refer to page 128)




In Queensland, the National Pollutant Inventory

NEPM (NPI NEPM) is implemented under the

Environmental Protection Act 1994. Changes were

made to the Environmental Protection Regulation

1998 (EP Regulation) in September 1999 to include

a new section for statutory implementation of the

NPI. The Regulation provides for penalties of up

to $1500 for non-compliance with a reporting

requirement and/or naming of the non-compliant

party in the NEPC annual report.


Overview

Implementation of the NPI NEPM rests with the

Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse

Sciences and Environmental Reporting Unit (GSERU),

in accordance with the current Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) with the Commonwealth.

The Industry Reporting Team is a sub-group of the

GSERU. The equivalent of four full-time staff were

employed during the period for the purpose of

implementing the NPI NEPM.

Delivering a high level of support to reporting

facilities and improving the coverage of reporting

was an important component to the Queensland’s

implementation activities. The focus was on

improving reporting from industry sectors through:

• updating emission estimation techniques

• improving reporting mechanisms

• hands-on training

• face-to-face meetings.

Improvements to the facility-based reporting were

complemented by an increased focus on delivering

estimates of aggregated emissions from other sources.


The main focus of NPI NEPM implementation in

Queensland is maintaining and improving the coverage

and quality of industry reporting and increasing

the coverage and quality of emissions data from

other sources.

Implementation

Under the current MOU, both Queensland and the

Commonwealth each contribute $150 000 per year

to jointly fund the NPI implementation program in

Queensland. Implementation of the NPI NEPM in

Queensland was carried out in accordance with the

agreed elements of the MOU and the requirements

of the EP Regulation. The Industry Reporting Team,

with support from other members of the GSERU,

implemented the NPI NEPM with a view to closer

integration with environmental performance reporting

activities such as State of the Environment reporting.

The synergies between the two programs result in

more effective and eff icient implementation.

The main implementation activities were the following:

1. Providing support and training for industry

reporters

Training sessions were held in Brisbane and were

attended by 55 attendees representing 44 facilities.

The training covered the following topics:

• general NPI overview

• common errors with NPI reporting

• NEPM variation

• introduction to TANKS (software package

for estimating emissions of volatile organic

compounds from storage tanks)

• introduction to LABS (Landfill Area Based

Spreadsheet) software

Queensland


Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure for Queensland by the

Hon. Andrew McNamara MP, Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change

and Innovation for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


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• introduction to NRT (National Reporting

Tool) software

• compliance issues.

Industry reporters were provided with mainly

telephone and e-mail support to address technical

queries. Individual site visits were made to ten

reporters. These visits included checking

information submitted in 2005–06 reports, tours

of sites and discussion regarding submission of

2006–07 reports.

2. Data receipt, processing, checking and submission

Queensland received 1025 NPI reports for

2005–06, and all facility reports were processed

in accordance with data validation procedures.

These procedures include checks to ensure that

the emissions are commensurate with the size

of the facility, the amount of fuel burned, and the

types of emissions expected from the particular

type of facility. More than 123 facilities were

contacted for further information as part of the

validation process. An additional staff member

was contracted to assist with this time-consuming

process. See ‘facility emission reports’ for

further detail.

3. Promoting the NPI website and data to the

community

The Industry Reporting Team developed a

Queensland-specif ic summary report based

on the 2005–06 facility emission estimates. The

report was circulated throughout Brisbane and

regional areas via local EPA offices.

Support was provided for research, being

conducted by Griff ith University, to establish the

level of knowledge and use of the NPI by members

of the general and pro-environment community

and identify barriers to increased knowledge

and use. This research is also supported by the

Australian Government Department of the

Environment and Water Resources and results

will be available in 2007–08.

4. Aggregated emissions estimations

Aggregated emissions data activities concentrated

on using the NPI method to estimate aggregated

emissions from the Burnett-Mary river

catchments. Estimates have been submitted to

the Commonwealth for publication on the NPI.

5. Investigation into improving guidance materials

The Industry Reporting Team worked with an

external consultant to develop a Local

Government reporting package. The work will

result in improved quality and consistency of

reporting for waste disposal services and sewage

and water treatment processes.

6. Ensuring national consistency in implementation

Queensland actively participated in the

Implementation Working Group for the NPI

to ensure a nationally consistent approach to

implementation. Further details are outlined below.


Queensland was actively involved in NPI activities

and e-mail discussions during the reporting period.

Two Implementation Working Group teleconferences

were held and face-to-face meetings were held in

Canberra in August 2006 and Adelaide in February

2007. Topics Queensland contributed to included:

• reporting from the intensive livestock industry

• communication activities

• electronic emissions estimation tool development

• naming of late reporters

• NPI facility audit preparation

• Queensland NPI facility data summary.

Emerging issues

1. Waste transfers

During the 2008–09 reporting period, waste

transfer reporting will be introduced for facilities

triggering the appropriate thresholds. The Industry

Reporting Team is preparing a state-wide training

program to coincide with the new reporting

requirement to ensure minimal impact on current

reporting facilities.

2. Online reporting

The Commonwealth government is in the process

of developing an online reporting tool for

submitting emission estimates by facilities. The

online tool will simplify the reporting process for

facilities and cut validation time for the Industry

Reporting Team. The Commonwealth has also

developed a set of electronic emission estimation

tools that are compatible with online reporting

and further assist facilities to estimate emissions

and submit reports. The Queensland Industry


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Reporting Team is developing state-wide

training/information sessions to assist facility

managers with implementing the new tools.


Queensland received 1025 NPI reports in 2005–06,

an increase of 5.7% from 2004–05 (966 NPI reports).

To put this in context, nationally 3890 reports were

received in 2005–06, an increase of 1.6% from 2004–05

(3825 NPI reports). Of the 1025 facilites reporting:

• 568 facilities (55%) submitted reports

electronically via the National Reporting Tool

• 242 facilities (23%) reported using a simplif ied

industry specif ic reporting form

• 215 facilities (22%) reported using either the

official paper reporting form or their own version

of the official form.

During 2005–06, 96 new facilities reported, but

37 facilities that reported in 2004–05 did not report.

In accordance with clause 25 of the NPI NEPM and

clause 38T of the Environmental Protection Regulation

1998, facilities that either did not report or reported

late were asked to provide reasons for their non-

compliance. Those that failed to provide a reasonable

excuse for non-compliance were asked to show cause,

by stating the mitigating or aggravating circumstances

or other reasons for their non-compliance, why they

should not be named in this report. Four failed to

provide a reasonable excuse and were informed of the

intention to name them in this report. The names of

these facilities and details of their non-compliance

are outlined below.

1. Fraser Coast Fuel Pty Ltd (Petroleum

Wholesaling), Maryborough Depot, 182 Kent

Street, Maryborough

The report was received 3 months and 11 days

after the due date and no information on

mitigating or aggravating circumstances has been

supplied as a reason for failing to comply with


2. SC & CF Teitzel (Intensive Livestock—Meat

Poultry), 180 Park Ridge Road, Park Ridge

The report was received 2 months after the due

date and no information on mitigating or

aggravating circumstances has been supplied

as a reason for failing to comply with reporting

requirements.

3. Teys Feedlot Pty Ltd (Intensive Livestock—Beef

Cattle), Miamba Feedlot, Condamine Highway,

Condamine

No report has been received to date and no

information on mitigating or aggravating

circumstances has been supplied as a reason for

failing to comply with reporting requirements.

4. R & C Hunt (Intensive Livestock—Meat Poultry),

Lot 1 Mahoney Road, Woodhill

The report was received 1 month and 20 days

after the due date and no information on

mitigating or aggravating circumstances has been

supplied as a reason for failing to comply with


Reporting facilities can voluntarily report the cost

of compiling and submitting their NPI report. This

year, 210 out of 1025 facilities reported their costs;

the average cost being $3285, up from $2734 the

previous year. However, the majority of facilities

(89%) either reported costs of $200 or less or did

not report their costs. Due to the small numbers of

facilities reporting NPI-associated costs, it is difficult

to establish reasons for increases or decreases.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that most of the

facilities that do not report their costs actually have

negligible costs which can be assumed to be in the

category of $200 or less. Under this assumption, the

average cost per facility is $832, with a median of

$200 or less.


The Queensland EPA views the development and

presentation of aggregated emissions data as an

important component of an emissions inventory. For

this reason, the EPA has placed an increased focus

on the collection of aggregated emissions data and

was able to submit estimates of total nitrogen and

total phosphorus emissions to water at a sub-catchment

level for the Burnett River basin. Providing this type

of data allows NPI stakeholders to do comparative

analysis between facility and non-facility emissions

that adds depth to the overall understanding of

pollutant emissions.

While effort has been put into developing aggregated

emissions data, the bulk of the Industry Reporting

Team’s time went to facility-based reporting. Additional

resources would allow the Industry Reporting Team

to raise the priority of aggregated emissions data


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reporting and improve the capacity for the NPI to

meet the NEPM goals.

Industry handbooks

The NPI industry reporting manuals are considered

high quality, compared with similar emissions inventory

programs internationally, and set the standard world-

wide for emission estimation technique guidance

materials. The continual improvement through review

and amendment ensures that Queensland industry has

the most up-to-date emissions estimation techniques

available. The EPA worked with the Commonwealth

government during the reporting period to identify

and prioritise emission estimation technique manuals

that need updating. A number of industry manuals

require updating, including the Combustion in

Boilers, Sewage and Waste Water Treatment and

Sugar Milling manuals. Queensland will work

cooperatively with the Commonwealth to update

these manuals in 2007–08.

Education programs

An industry reporter education session held in

Brisbane was attended by 55 people representing

state-wide reporting facilities.


Queensland implementation activities focused on

compliance with reporting requirements outlined in

the NPI NEPM. Activities were broadly driven by the

collection, validation and communication of point

source (facility) and non-point source (aggregated)

source data. In 2005–06, Queensland collected,

validated and submitted 1025 facility reports and

increased the coverage of aggregated emissions data

by one catchment. The Queensland Industry Reporting

Team completed this work and submitted the validated

reports to the Commonwealth government within the

statutory timeframes. As discussed under the ‘NPI

database and website’ section, aggregated emissions

data are a critical component of a successful emissions

inventory. In order to better meet this need and

realise the full potential of the NPI, more resources

are required.




PUBLIC


website

• Production of summary

reports is important for the

promotion of the NPI to the

public and other stakeholders.

• Members of the public are

using the database to f ind out

about emissions in their area.

• Public information sessions

held at Bundaberg and Cairns

• Media interest continuing to

increase

• Survey results show that a lack

of publicity is a major reason

for the public not accessing the

website

INDUSTRY

• 1025 reports for 2005–06



• 1 new sector reporting (airports)


submitted

• Industry reports satisfaction

with the level of support

provided.

• Brisbane training session

attended by 55 representatives

of 44 facilities


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GOVERNMENT

• 1025 desk-top audits*


• 4 regulatory actions

(see ‘facility emission reports’

section above for further detail)

* Desk-top audits involve validating

emission estimates against type and

amount of fuel used, industrial

process and substance usage.

• Summary reports for specif ic

areas provide information to

EPA District staff for regional

environmental management

strategies.

• NPI emissions data are used

in risk profiling of Environ-

mentally Relevant Activities.

• Air quality monitoring and

modelling staff members are

using NPI data as an input into

regional air quality modelling.

• Area-specif ic summary reports

developed and circulated to

EPA District Managers

• Industry reporting staff visits

with EPA District Managers

to discuss NPI reporting and

potential benefits to regional

environmental management

strategies




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Western Australia


Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure for Western Australia

by the Hon. David Templeman MLA, Minister for the Environment;

Climate Change for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


(Refer to page 128)




In Western Australia, the NPI NEPM is implemented

by the Environment Protection (NEPM–NPI)

Regulations 1998, under the Environmental Protection

Act 1986. For the reporting year ending 30 June 2006,

the Department of Environment and Conservation

(DEC) had responsibility for implementation of the

NPI NEPM.


Overview

Implementation of the NPI NEPM in WA during

2006–07 was carried out by DEC Emissions Inventories

Section, in accordance with the Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) with the Commonwealth.

Priority activities included:

• processing emission data from 639 WA facilities

for the eighth NPI reporting year and providing

these to the Commonwealth for publication on

the Internet

• conducting six industry training sessions in Perth,

Bunbury, Kalgoorlie and Eneabba

• continuing project management of a contract to

update the Perth airshed emissions study

• representation on the NPI NEPM Variation Project

Team and the Jurisdictional Reference Network (JRN)

• project management of Swan Canning and Peel-

Harvey catchment studies to estimate aggregated

emissions of nutrients in the catchments.


The main focus of the Emissions Inventories Section

in 2006–07, in line with the NPI NEPM and MOU,

was on delivering facility emissions data for the

eighth reporting year (2005–06) according to NEPM

key dates and MOU priorities.

Priority areas in 2006–07 included:

• continuing to ensure that WA industry facilities

are well informed about NPI processes and their

obligations to report estimated emissions

• ensuring that data from industry facilities covered

agreed reporting parameters for upload to the Internet

• streamlining data processing for facility reports

• provision of input to the NPI NEPM variation

process.

Future priorities include:

• introduction of NPI NEPM variation changes in WA

• integrating NPI with other corporate systems

(licensing, audit) and strategies (community

awareness, cleaner production, and sustainability).

Implementation

A three-year MOU between the Commonwealth

and WA covers the period July 2006 to June 2009.

Under the MOU, both the Commonwealth and WA

committed to jointly funding the NPI program, with

the Commonwealth and WA each contributing

$150 000 per year.

The Emissions Inventories Section included 2.7 full

time equivalent staff in 2006–07.


WA participated in the activities of the Implementation

Working Group (IWG), providing input to many

technical issues and suggesting improvements to

information available to reporters on the NPI website.

During 2006–07, the IWG met in Canberra and

Adelaide and one teleconference was also held.

Regular contact was maintained with NPI staff in

other jurisdictions to discuss NPI NEPM policy,

technical and administrative issues.


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Emerging issues

Industry may express uncertainty associated with the

introduction of greenhouse gas reporting to the NPI,

given that the move is on an interim basis and is

expected to have an early phase-out. The introduction

of transfers reporting may also result in reporting

concerns and confusion from some industry sectors,

at least until more detailed guidance is published

in NPI reporting materials.

During 2006–07, privacy issues continued to be

raised by intensive livestock sectors, in particular the

publication of information relating to facilities which

were also the places of residence. The issue will

require further consideration in 2007–08.


A total of 639 emission estimation reports from WA

reporting facilities were submitted for the eighth NPI

reporting year (2005–06) for public display on the

NPI Internet site. Facility reports were assessed for

compliance with mandatory data requirements and

for data integrity to identify any signif icant emission

anomalies. Between 30 September 2006 and 31 January

2007, all reporters were contacted for confirmation

and follow-up (if necessary) on technical and

administrative issues.

Potential 2006–07 reporting facilities were identif ied

and contacted by e-mail in December 2006 (calendar

year reporters) and May 2007 (financial year reporters)

to inform them of their reporting obligations. Three

NPI workshops for industry reporters were conducted

in Perth and one in each of Bunbury, Kalgoorlie and

Eneabba in June 2007. Workshops were offered in

other regional centres but insufficient response was

received from reporting industries.

A large number of ‘national’ reporters (companies

with facilities in more than one jurisdiction) and

some local reporters elected to report to the NPI on

a calendar year basis, with reports for calendar year

2006 due by 31 March 2007. The Emissions Inventories

Section received and processed 112 of these reports

by 30 June 2007.

Under an MOU between EPA Victoria and DEC, EPA

Victoria maintained registration details of WA National

Reporting Tool (NRT) reporters in a central data

warehouse, and this continues to be a cost-effective

method to ensure that a large number of reporters’

company information is correct.


WA notes the continuing efforts by the Commonwealth

in 2006–07 to improve the presentation of information

on the NPI website, and to improve data management

processes for transfer and checking of emissions data.

Signif icant progress on the development of an online

reporting system by the Commonwealth is also noted.

Industry handbooks

Eighty-two industry handbooks have been published.

In WA, industries directly associated with 50 of the

handbooks reported to the NPI (not all industry

sectors have facilities in WA).

Education programs

WA conducted six industry training workshops for NPI

reporting, covering the application of the NPI Guide

and handbooks to facilities, as well as electronic

reporting of data. Updated reporting instructions

were provided to the WA industry and consultant

client base in December 2006 and May 2007.


The NPI program in WA in 2006–07 focused on the

agreed elements of the MOU, as well as administering

the NPI NEPM and WA NPI regulations.

The number of facility reports submitted to the

Commonwealth decreased from 656 in the seventh year

to 639 in the eighth year (2005–06). Contributing

factors to the decrease included late reports received

after the publication date, identification of sub-threshold

reports and consolidation within the mining industry.

The Emissions Inventories Section, in conjunction

with other jurisdictions, continued to improve the

processing and assessment of reported information.


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PUBLIC


website

INDUSTRY






submitted

• Diminishing response to

industry workshops and fewer

queries from industry and

consultants indicate growing

familiarity with NPI reporting.

• Industry and consultants are

increasingly using the NPI

database to compare their

performance between years

and with others in the same

industry.

• Six industry workshops

conducted in Perth and

regional centres

• Updated reporting instructions

distributed to all reporters

• Comprehensive feedback on

reports provided to reporters

• NPI–NEPM Variation Project

Team and Jurisdictional

Reference Network

representation

GOVERNMENT



• 65 letters issued to late

reporters

• Full validation checks carried

out as part of report processing,

including checks on sub-

threshold reports received, are

considered to be desktop audits.

• DEC Industry Licensing

personnel correlate reported

emissions with licensing

requirements

• NPI data are being used to

prepare information on air

quality for the Collie region.

• Notif ication of NPI NEPM

variation to community groups


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(Refer to page 128)




In South Australia, the Environment Protection

Authority (EPA) implements the NPI NEPM under

the Environment Protection Act 1993 (SA). Previously,

a NEPM was automatically recognised as a policy under

the Environment Protection Act 1993 (SA). However,

strict penalties were not in place for failure to comply

with the policy. With the variation of the NEPM,

legislative work is required to amend the policy to

include the variation and mandatory provisions.


Overview

• The 2006–07 f inancial year is the ninth year

of NPI NEPM implementation.

• The number of South Australian reporters rose

by 5%, with 403 reports being submitted to the

website for the 2005–06 reporting period.

• The primary strategic direction for 2006–07

was to improve the accuracy of the NPI database

through contacting new reporters and through the

implementation of a Quality Systems approach

for validation procedures.

• South Australia has supported the development

of an online reporting system.

• A summary report for 2005–06 was released on the

EPA website.


In 2006–07, South Australia concentrated on the

following priority areas:

• providing high quality facility emission data, in

accordance with the requirements of the NEPM

and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

• identifying and recruiting new reporters

• providing support to new and existing reporters

• ensuring a desktop audit was completed on all

facility reports

• submitting validated reports to the Australian

Government by 30 November 2006

• supporting the Australian Government and

contributing to its development of the new online

reporting system

• investigating the proposed changes to the NPI

NEPM, including their impact on South Australian

legislation.

Implementation

Implementation of the NPI NEPM was carried out

in accordance with the MOU between the Australian

Government and South Australia. The MOU commits

the Australian Government and South Australia to

jointly fund the NPI program, each contributing

$90 000 per annum.

South Australia employed three full time officers

to implement the NPI program during 2006–07. One

officer focused on diffuse emissions investigation

while the other two focused on point source emissions

or industry reporting. During October and November

2006, an additional staff member assisted with the

validation of the industry reports.

South Australia met the MOU criteria and, in

November 2006, submitted to the Australian Government

403 NPI industry reports with each having undergone

a desktop assessment. These reports were released

on the database in January 2007.


South Australia actively participated in all national

NPI Implementation Working Group (IWG) meetings

held during 2006–07 and hosted the IWG meeting in

Adelaide in March 2007. South Australia was actively

involved in national NPI activities and e-mail

discussions, providing comments, advice and

information on Australian Government documentation

to achieve national consistency on NPI issues.

South Australia


Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure for South Australia

by the Hon. Gail Gago MLC, Minister for Environment and Conservation

for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


South Australia provided signif icant input to the

development of the web-based on-line reporting

system to ensure that the proposed system meets

the requirements of all parties and includes quality

assurance mechanisms.

The Australian Government has initiated a review

of the industry sector reporting manuals and South

Australia has provided input to these reviews where

appropriate.

Emerging issues

During 2006–07, the NPI NEPM has been open for

variation. In June 2007, the National Environment

Protection Council agreed on the variation. South

Australia recognises that there will be an increased

workload to implement these changes.

The NEPM variation also leads to the need for South

Australia to review the legislation and enforcement

options within the state. The current South Australian

environment protection policy requires amendment

to reflect the changes within the NEPM and also to

include mandatory provisions. South Australia has

begun work on the legislation.

Current updated aggregate emissions data are required

for reliable comparison with industry emissions.

However, this is still an area that requires additional

work in South Australia. Work has begun on the water

aggregate emissions. A more detailed air emissions

inventory remains a priority for both the NPI program

and the South Australian EPA.


South Australia submitted a total of 403 industry

emission reports for the 2005–06 reporting period,

an increase of 22 reports (5%) from 2004–05.

Facilities submitted the reports in both paper (34%)

and electronic (66%) formats and the reports were

supplied in the required format to the Australian

Government for release on the NPI database. In

South Australia, 36 new facilities reported, whilst

14 facilities that reported in 2004–05 did not report

in 2005–06.

The increase in reporters was directly related to

South Australia’s priority strategy of identifying and

recruiting new reporters and included effectively

engaging six new wine manufacturers and seven new

beef cattle feedlots. In addition, there were new sites

from current group reporters (companies that report

for multiple sites), previous reporters reporting to the

program and sites increasing production to now be

above the reporting threshold. The following companies

reported to the NPI for the f irst time in 2005–06:

ABB Grain Ltd

Adelaide Airport Ltd

Adelaide Plains Feedlot

Bird in Hand Winery

Capral Aluminium Ltd

Clipsal Aust Pty Ltd

Coolalie Feedlot Pty Ltd

Fleurieu Vintners Pty Ltd

Gary Jones & Alena Crosbie

Gemlake Pty Ltd

Hanson Construction Materials Pty Ltd

Intercast & Forge Pty Ltd

K T Ashby & Sons Pty Ltd

Limerock Holdings Pty Ltd

Lucas Waste Management

Malwa Nominees

Mountadam Vineyards Pty Ltd

Old Penola Pastoral Company

Tinlins Wines Pty Ltd

Tyrrell’s Vineyards Pty Ltd

Unimin Australia Limited

The facilities that did not report in 2005–06 were

five pig farms, three petroleum product wholesalers,

two water supply facilities, and four in other

categories. These facilities were:

SA Water—Port Adelaide Wastewater Treatment

Plant (site closed)

Mobile Refining Aust—Adelaide Refinery (site

closed)

Mitsubishi Motors Aust—MMAL Lonsdale Plant

(site closed)

SA Water—Mannum Summit Dosing Station

(below threshold)

SA Water—Little Para Reservoir (below threshold)

Hardy Wine Co—Remano Winery (below threshold)

Parnell Mogas—Mobil Depot Lock (below threshold)

BP Aust—Air BP Port Pirie (below threshold)

Dermody Petroleum—Tintinara Depot

(below threshold)

Wasleys Investments Pty Ltd

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Abito Pty Ltd—Sheaoak Piggery Unit Trust

Abito Pty Ltd—Sheaoak Piggery Unit Trust

Cooke Plains

Australian Pork Farms APF Murray Bridge Farm

Australian Pork Farms APF Tailem Bend Farm

All reports received for 2006–07 underwent a desktop

audit to ensure the accuracy and validity of the data.

Facilities were contacted regarding any errors or

anomalies identif ied in the reports and necessary

corrections made. The assessment process followed

the standard protocols developed in previous years.


South Australia reported its facility emission data

in November 2006 in accordance with its NPI NEPM

and MOU reporting responsibilities.

South Australia fully supports the efforts by the

Australian Government to both improve the structure

of the website and develop an online reporting system.

South Australia has provided and will continue to

provide input into these projects to ensure that they

meet the user requirements. South Australia recognises

the need for quality assurance protocols to be

included in the online reporting system.

Industry handbooks

South Australia supports the Australian Government’s

review of the industry handbooks and provides input

and comment on the revised manuals and associated

reports when appropriate. South Australia continues

to notify the Australian Government of any errors

identif ied within the industry handbooks.

Education programs

Throughout 2006–07, a number of promotional and

education activities occurred, including:

• contacting all current reporters to remind them

of their reporting requirements

• contacting ‘non-reporters’ to ensure that they were

aware of their NEPM reporting requirements and

offering one-on-one training of new reporters to

assist with NPI reporting

• developing a summary report for 2005–06 data

• developing a newsletter to update current reporters

on the changes to the NPI

• holding an information session on the proposed

changes to the NPI NEPM

• developing a marketing and communication plan,

including a survey to determine knowledge gaps

between potential and actual users of the NPI.

Findings in the summary report for 2005–06

data included:

• NPI data were used by the Air and Noise branch

of the EPA to assist with determining compliance

with the National Environment Protection (Air

Toxics) Measure

• the NPI report submitted by Mitsubishi Motors

showed that the site achieved a 98% reduction

in the emissions of volatile organic compounds

through the installation of a regenerative thermal

oxidiser (RTO)

• anyone could use NPI data to track emissions

in an area of specif ic interest, for example zinc

emissions in the Kilburn, area which were

investigated as part of an EPA audit program

• the distribution of emissions from diffuse sources

varied within an airshed with the majority of solid

fuel burning emissions coming from the major

town centres while motor vehicle emissions were

more widely distributed.

The f indings of the survey in marketing and

communication plan included:

• current users of the NPI were external groups and

internal branches; the wider public were generally

not current NPI users

• signif icant potential existed for growth in the use

of the NPI database

• the website would be more valuable if the data were

presented in a more relevant and usable format.


Data were provided to the Australian Government for

the January 2007 website launch in accordance with

the MOU for 2005–09.

South Australia has continued to address the issue of

data reliability through the ongoing implementation

of a quality assurance system for validation procedures.

South Australia has also focused on ensuring the

validation procedures are included in the development

of the online reporting system.

The NPI data have been referenced in air quality

modelling publications and water quality reports and

continue to be a key resource in the development of

a load-based licensing fee model for South Australia.




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PUBLIC


website

INDUSTRY




• 1 new sector reporting


submitted

• Some facilities again provided

feedback on their diff iculty to

report electronically.

• During the NPI NEPM

variation, industries expressed

concern over the inclusion of

greenhouse gases in the NPI.

• Summary report for 2005–06

placed on the EPA website to

assist with data interpretation

• Newsletter sent to industry

reporters to advise of their

requirements and changes

to the NPI

GOVERNMENT




• The EPA utilised information

obtained from the NPI in

developing, supporting and

assisting various project

activities.

• The marketing and

communication plan survey

of EPA staff assisted in

determining NPI usage

• The website needs to provide

the data in a way that is more

relevant and useful.

• The marketing and

communication plan phone

survey of the public assisted

in determining NPI usage


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(Refer to page 128)




Under Section 12A of the Tasmanian State Policies

and Projects Act 1993, NEPMs are taken to be State

Policies, which have been passed by Parliament. This

enables compliance and enforcement tools available

under the Environmental Management and Pollution

Control Act 1993 to be used to ensure NPI reporting

requirements are met.


Overview

The Tasmanian government has maintained its

commitment to implementation of the NPI NEPM as

it recognises the importance of the NPI in providing

environmental information to the community.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been

signed between the Commonwealth and Tasmanian

governments which extends the NPI NEPM for

another year.


The main focus of the NPI NEPM in Tasmania has

been to ensure all industry sectors that are required

to report are aware of their obligations under the

NEPM. Tasmania also concentrated on ensuring the

industry was aware of the data quality requirements

of the NPI and that these were met.

Implementation

Implementation of the NPI NEPM was carried

out in accordance with the MOU signed with the

Commonwealth. One staff member was responsible

for implementing the NPI NEPM in Tasmania.

Specialist advice was also provided from staff

members from within the Environment Division.

The key focus of the Tasmanian NPI officer was

to ensure the accuracy of data from reporters and to

improve the timeliness of returns. An ongoing issue

regarding implementation of the NPI NEPM is the

difficulties associated with industry using the National

Reporting Tool (NRT). Considerable time is required

to repeatedly assist industry with the tool. With

increasing security associated with incoming e-mails,

the use of the NRT by industry is becoming increasingly

problematic. It is hoped that this will be alleviated

with the introduction of online web based reporting.

Tasmanian facility data were delivered to the

Commonwealth in November 2006 as required under

the MOU.


Tasmania continues to actively participate in the

Implementation Working Group (IWG) with the

Tasmanian NPI officer attending two IWG meetings

and participating in a teleconference. Regular contact

was also maintained with officers from NPI units

in other states and territories.

Emerging issues

The major emerging issue for Tasmania relates to the

impact the variation to the NPI will have on industry

and government. The variation is likely to affect a

large number of reporting facilities in Tasmania and

will require additional resources to assist industry

in understanding the changes and implementing the


Servicing adequate resources to implement the

variation remains a signif icant issue.


One hundred and seventy-one facilities reported for

the period ending 30 June 2006. Of these, 164

facilities were added to the NPI database for delivery

by the NPI website. In Tasmania, 66 of the 90 NPI

Tasmania


Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure for Tasmania by the

Hon. Paula Wriedt MHA, Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment



substances were reported and approximately 90%

of facility returns were provided through the National

Reporting Tool.

Facility reports were subject to validation of

administrative and emissions data before being

submitted to the Commonwealth.


Tasmania notes and supports the efforts of the

Commonwealth to improve presentation and

accessibility of NPI data on the website. Tasmania

hosted a forum, facilitated by the Commonwealth,

to seek users’ views on the current website and

suggest future improvements.

Industry handbooks

Tasmania continues to provide input into the review

of industry emission estimation manuals as these

are updated.

Education programs

Tasmania continues to provide one-on-one assistance

to industry reporters and new industries identif ied

as needing to report.

Promotion of the NPI, and particularly the data

available on the website, has been undertaken to

potential user groups, with the University of

Tasmania a particular focus.


Generally, there is wide acceptance of the NPI at the

industry level. As the NPI process is now relatively

mature, industry has become more aware of its

responsibility to report. The accuracy of emissions

estimates is still an issue but data quality is

generally improving.

The continued high level of returns submitted through

the National Reporting Tool has assisted in improving

the validation process but resourcing of the NPI

continues to be an issue. The introduction of online

web-based reporting together with built-in quality

assurance of data, as part of the submission process,

should lead to further improvements in data accuracy.

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PUBLIC


website

INDUSTRY



• 2 new reporters

• 2 new sectors reporting


submitted

• Industry reporters have

indicated that the process has

become less diff icult due to

established systems to meet


• There is increased demand for

electronic spreadsheet-based

estimation tools as awareness

of these increases.

• Industry is looking forward to

the introduction of web-based

online reporting.

• Liaised with new reporters

• Continued to contact and

inform potential reporters

• There was a noted increase in

use of NPI data, particularly in

locations where new industry

is proposed.

• Media use of NPI continues

to increase.


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GOVERNMENT




• There is a noticeable increase

in government agencies

making use of NPI data.


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(Refer to page 128)




The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has

implemented the provisions of the NEPM through

amendments to the Environment Protection Act 1997.

Responsibility for the implementation of the

NEPM rests with the Department for Territory and

Municipal Services.


Overview

In 2005–06, the ACT completed the eighth year of

NPI NEPM coordination. This consisted of: liaison

with local reporters; collection, storage, auditing and

transfer of data covering emissions to air, land and

water, in conjunction with the Australian Government

Department of the Environment and Water Resources;

and participation in the Implementation Working

Group.


Strategic directions for the ACT program continued

to be guided through consultation with the Department

of the Environment and Water Resources and all

states and the Northern Territory. The focus in the

ACT was to ensure that all facilities that trip threshold

reporting of substances are reporting to the NPI.

Implementation

In 2005–06 financial year, one part-time staff member

was employed to implement the NEPM in the ACT.

Aggregate emission estimates for the Canberra water

catchment (Molonglo and Murrumbidgee rivers) and

the Canberra airshed were completed in 1999.


The ACT was actively involved with the

Implementation Working Group on a range of items,

including discussion on the Draft NPI NEPM

variation, communication strategy, amendments

to emission estimation technique manuals, and

development of the new online reporting system.

Emerging issues

In 2005–06, no signif icant issues emerged while

implementing the NPI NEPM in the ACT.


In the ACT, 21 facilities submitted reports for the

2005–06 f inancial year. With staff changes at some

facilities, the ACT continued to place a focus on

ensuring the accuracy of reported data.


The database and website performed satisfactorily.

Transfer of all appropriate data (facility substance

emission estimates) to the Department of the

Environment and Water Resources occurred by

30 November 2006, to meet ACT’s obligation

under the Memorandum of Understanding.

Industry handbooks

In 2005–06, emission estimate technique manuals

used by the ACT reporters provided the appropriate

information so that that they could meet current

reporting obligations.

Education programs

During 2006–07, the ACT conducted an informal

education process providing one-on-one education

with facility operators. The education process proved

to be eff icient, with reporters understanding their

obligations and providing emission data on schedule.


The Department of the Environment and Water

Resources assisted the ACT to fulf il its obligations



Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure for the Australian

Capital Territory by Jon Stanhope MLA, Minister for the Environment,

Water and Climate Change for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


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PUBLIC


website

INDUSTRY



• no new reporters



submitted

• Industry response indicated

ease of database access

• Industry reporters assisted

to use the NPI website both

on-site and remotely over the

telephone for reporting

purposes

GOVERNMENT

• no desktop audits.

• no on-site audits.

• no regulatory actions.

• Database access, navigation,

information exchange and

download continue to operate

satisfactorily.

• No specif ic new activities

undertaken in 2005–06

• Members of the public

indicated ease of database

access and navigation.

• Public effectively assisted

to view the NPI website and

retrieve related emission

information from ACT

government departments

under the NEPM through notifying national reporting

facilities, while the ACT notif ied local reporters of

their obligations to the NPI.


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(Refer to page 128)




The NPI NEPM program is implemented in the

Northern Territory through an Environmental

Protection Order (EPO) established under the Waste

Management and Pollution Control Act 2003.

Overall responsibility for implementation of the NPI

NEPM rests with the Environment Protection Agency

Program, Department of Natural Resources,

Environment and the Arts.


Overview

A total of 97 facilities reported to the NPI program

in the Northern Territory. The number of reporters of

the NPI program in the Northern Territory increased

by two in 2005–06, compared to the previous year, as

these facilities exceeded reporting thresholds during

the reporting year. The present trend in increased

reporting is expected to continue due to the number

of proposed new facilities commencing operations.

An extension of the Memorandum of Understanding

(MOU) between the Commonwealth and the Northern

Territory governments has been signed. The MOU

effectively extends the NPI program for a further three

years in the Northern Territory from 1 July 2005 to

30 June 2009.


The Northern Territory will continue its focus on

developing a system of auditing data reported under

the NPI NEPM to ensure that the information is

accurate, reliable and compliant with the EPO.

A desktop audit of a major reporter with a follow-up

site audit is planned to be conducted in future.

Implementation

In the 2006–07 year, the NPI officer focused on

coordinating feedback from government and industry

in the Northern Territory as part of the NPI NEPM.

The principle function of the NPI officer has been to

identify potential future reporters and followup on

past reporters who have failed to submit reports in

previous years.


The NPI officer continues to participate in the

activities of the Implementation Working Group.

The NPI officer attended a national meeting and

participated in teleconferences.

Emerging issues

Measures are in place to ensure the accuracy of the

Northern Territory report to the Commonwealth.

The complicated nature of reporting still continues

to be an issue for a few Northern Territory reporters.

Improvements to the eff iciency and user friendliness

of the new online reporting system that will be

available in 2008 are expected to benefit those

reporters who have struggled through the system

in the past.


The Northern Territory contributed a total of 97

industrial facility reports to the NPI for 2005–06.

The data were submitted to the Commonwealth in

both electronic and paper format.

The data were checked for inconsistencies or errors

in spatial information, registered name, registered

site address and large deviations. Most of the changes

in facility reports resulted from either a signif icant

change in activity or refinement of the emission

estimation techniques. No confidentiality claims were

received from reporters in the Northern Territory

during this reporting period.

Northern Territory


Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure for the Northern

Territory by the Hon. Delia Lawrie MLA, Minister for Natural Resources,

Environment and Heritage for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007



The Northern Territory updated its NPI website,

which can be found at:

<www.nt.gov.au/nreta/environment/npi/index.html>.

Industry handbooks

There was an NPI handbook available for all of the

industries reporting in the Northern Territory and

there were no signif icant issues in relation to the

handbooks during the reporting period.

The Australian Government is currently reviewing

and updating materials provided to industries to help

them estimate emissions from their facilities. It is

also updating guidelines used to estimate emissions

from other sources. There are more than 100 materials

currently being considered through this review process.

Education programs

No new education programs were developed this year.


The Northern Territory successfully submitted its

2005–06 data to the Commonwealth in time for the

annual updating of the public website in January 2007.

The Northern Territory government implemented the

NPI NEPM under an EPO that commenced on the

20 November 2003. Despite the legislation making

NPI reporting mandatory in the Northern Territory,

the majority of Northern Territory facilities have

voluntarily submitted NPI reports in previous years.

A communication strategy has been developed to

continue to deliver information about the NPI program.

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PUBLIC


website

INDUSTRY




• 2 new reporters



submitted

• Industries responded positively

to the new NPI online reporting

system, which is to become

operational in 2008.

• Assisted new facilities in

reporting their data

• Liaised and negotiated with

potential new reporters

• NPI online reporting system

to be operational in 2008

• Northern Territory participated

in the national consultation

program to gain feedback on

proposed changes to the NPI

NEPM

• Northern Territory NPI website

updated and relocated since the

last reporting period



GOVERNMENT

• no desktop audits



• Government agencies reported

accessing the NPI to review

emissions data and facilities

within the Northern Territory.

• The NPI profile increased by

making regular contact with

government officers and industry



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Ambient Air Quality




NEPM details


(Ambient Air Quality) Measure




No. GN 27, 8 July 1998, p. 2211)



(Ambient Air Quality) Measure is set out in clause



The National Environment Protection Goal

of this Measure is to achieve the National

Environment Protection Standards as assessed

in accordance with the monitoring protocol

(Part 4) within ten years from commencement

to the extent specif ied in Schedule 2 column 5.



Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure

is set out in clause 5 of the Measure as follows:



Measure is ambient air quality that allows for

the adequate protection of human health and

well-being.

Evaluation criteria


Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality)







requirements



NEPM standards




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Commonwealth


Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure for the Commonwealth by the

Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, Minister for the Environment and Water

Resources for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


(Refer to page 162)




The Commonwealth implements the NEPM

administratively and ensures that its obligations

under the NEPC Act are met.


As the Commonwealth does not have exclusive

legislative powers for any region with a population

of 25 000 or more, there is no need for direct

monitoring action under the NEPM by the

Commonwealth.

During the reporting year, the Commonwealth

undertook a range of implementation activities

comprising those activities that supported NEPM

development and those that directly contributed to

the achievement of the NEPM air quality standards.

NEPM support activities

The Commonwealth’s representative chaired and

supported the Peer Review Committee (PRC).

The Committee reviewed the annual jurisdictional

compliance reports for national consistency and

met during the year to address various technical and

practical issues associated with NEPM monitoring.

The Commonwealth is represented on the Project

Team for the full review of the NEPM which

commenced in April 2005 and is scheduled to

conclude in 2008, and the EPHC Standard Setting

Working Group which is tasked with developing

a nationally agreed method for setting air quality

standards. The Commonwealth also participates

in the EPHC Air Quality Working Group.

To improve access to air quality monitoring data

reported under the NEPM, the Commonwealth

established a national air quality database that will

be operational in late 2007. This new database will

provide improved access to consistent national air

quality data that will inform future decisions on

standard setting and management strategies. The

database is housed in, and managed by, the Bureau

of Meteorology.

Starting in April 2006, the $1.4 million Clean Air

Research Programme consists of 13 high quality

research projects to investigate a wide range of air

quality issues. This three-year programme will be

completed in 2008 and f indings of these projects

will help inform policy and strategies for the effective

management and improvement of air quality.

Activities to achieve standards

The Commonwealth undertook various activities in

2006–07 to assist compliance with NEPM standards,

focusing primarily on motor vehicles, industrial

facilities and wood heaters.

The Australian Government Department of the

Environment and Water Resources administers the

Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000. Standards currently

apply to petrol, diesel, bio-diesel and autogas sold in

Australia. The Department of Transport and Regional

Services is responsible for implementing vehicle

emission standards which are set to tighten progressively

until 2010.


Resources is responsible for monitoring fuel at

outlets including terminals, depots and service

stations to ensure it complies with the standards.

The Department is spending $6.3 million over four

years from 2006–07 to increase fuel quality

compliance inspections. This will help to ensure fuel

quality standards are being met, thereby increasing

consumer confidence. It will also help prevent poor

quality fuel having negative impacts on vehicle

operability and on air quality. In 2006–07, the

Department took over 2100 fuel samples, double

those in the previous year.

The Commonwealth also provided $2.5 million to

the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority to manage the

National In-Service Emissions (NISE 2) testing of

petrol vehicles. This will update the f irst such study,

NISE 1, completed in 1996. A representative sample

of the current petrol vehicle fleet will be tested using

standard certif ication tests and a combined urban

emissions drive cycle. This will generate a more

accurate measure of the level of key pollutants

emitted from cars, 4WDs and light commercial

vehicles as it is based on actual Australian on-road

conditions and driving patterns.

Smoke from wood heaters is a major source of urban

air pollution in some areas in winter. In 2006–07, the

Australian Government Department of the Environment

and Water Resources commissioned a major study

on the way people operate wood heaters in their

own homes. The study will inform the development

of a revised test method to strengthen woodheater

standards in order to reduce woodsmoke emissions.

The study will take place during the 2007 winter

and collect data on woodheater operation across

four Australian states as well as data from a number

of regions in New Zealand.

In 2006–07, the Commonwealth provided grants

to industrial facilities in Launceston, under the

Launceston Clean Air Industry Programme, to assist

them to make technological changes to reduce

pollutant emissions. This three–year, $1 million

programme builds on a previous grant programme

that helped to replace wood heaters with less-

polluting alternatives.


The Commonwealth supports the implementation of

the NEPM with initiatives that are aimed at reducing

the impact of air pollution in urban areas. These

initiatives include:

• monitoring compliance with fuel standards, which

will continue to have a major impact on the amount

of pollutants in vehicle emissions. Studies estimate

reductions of up to 50% for some pollutants over

20 years

• testing a representative sample of Australia’s petrol

vehicle fleet to quantify accurately its contribution

to urban air pollution

• taking a lead role in efforts to improve the

compliance of wood heaters with Australian

emissions standards and their operation

• providing grants totalling $1.4 million for 13 high

quality research projects under the Clean Air

Research Programme.

Further information is available at the Department

of the Environment and Water Resources website:

<www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/airquality>.


EFFECTIVENESS

Standards set by the NEPM provide for shared

objectives to guide air quality management and

monitoring programs across Australia. The six criteria

pollutants targeted by the NEPM have provided the

focus for the Commonwealth’s investment in air

quality management initiatives. As a result of these

and other initiatives, overall urban air quality in

Australia continues to improve.


BY THE NEPM

The Commonwealth’s monitoring plan was approved

as consistent with the NEPM on 29 June 2001. Under

this plan, the Commonwealth is not required to monitor

any area under its jurisdiction.

The monitoring plan for the Commonwealth is

available from

<www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/airquality/

publications/cmp.html>.


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(Refer to page 162)




Implementation of the Ambient Air Quality NEPM

has been coordinated by the New South Wales (NSW)


(DECC) through the NSW Government’s Air Quality

Management Plan Action for Air, with the monitoring

activities carried out by DECC. The Plan was

introduced in 1998 and its latest update was published

in August 2006. The NSW government has reinforced

its commitment to meeting the NEPM in the NSW

State Plan, released in November 2006.

A key aspect of the legislative framework for the

Air Quality Management Plan is the Protection of

the Environment Operations Act 1997 under which

emissions from major sources are controlled. The

Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air)

Regulation 2002 deals with motor vehicles, fuels,

domestic solid fuel heaters and open burning, and

sets the minimum performance level for industrial

emissions. The regulation complements DECC’s

Load-Based Licensing (LBL) scheme, which provides

an incentive for a subset of licensed activities to

reduce the environmental impact of their annual

pollutant load. It protects ambient air quality against

cumulative increases in emissions. In June 2007, the

LBL fee for Sydney’s 60 largest emitters of oxides

of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds was doubled

to provide industry with an economic incentive to cut

summer emissions of the precursors to ozone.

The comprehensive air quality management programs

and strategies put in place by the NSW government are

directed at protecting ambient air quality in accordance

with standards outlined in the NEPM. All public

reporting of air quality by DECC is referenced, where

relevant, against the standards in the Ambient Air

Quality NEPM.


The NSW Ambient Air Quality NEPM Monitoring

Plan details the monitoring that NSW performs to

assess compliance with the Ambient Air Quality

NEPM. The majority of monitoring occurs in the

high population regions of Sydney, Newcastle and

Wollongong. These regions contain over 60% of

the NSW population. Campaign monitoring is also

performed at a number of rural population centres.

The network is designed to characterise general

air quality and frequently will pick up individual

pollutant events. This approach ensures that there

is adequate coverage of the populated areas and of

the broad differences in pollutant distribution within

a region. The choice of stations in each region was

made to optimise both population coverage and

representation of the occurrences of higher pollutant

concentration.

NSW characterises the air quality to which the

general population is exposed in a region by

monitoring all air pollutants of interest at a network

of trend stations. These stations capture the majority

of pollution events that occur from time to time, but

are supplemented by additional permanent upper

bound stations at which selected pollutants only

will be monitored to ensure that all major pollutant

events are captured and reported.

Campaign monitoring will be undertaken in regional

centres. Initial monitoring is occurring at Albury,

Wagga Wagga, Bathurst and Tamworth. Data from

these stations will be used to validate and review

the screening measures applied to the urban centres

outside the Sydney–Wollongong–Newcastle regions.

During 2006, NSW monitored for compliance with

the Ambient Air Quality NEPM for the majority of

pollutants at seven trend stations, selected individual

pollutants at f ive additional permanent upper bound


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New South Wales


Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure for New South Wales by the

Hon. Phil Koperberg MP, Minister for Climate Change, Environment and

Water for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007

stations or performance stations, and selected pollutants

on a campaign basis at a further seven stations in

Sydney, the lower Hunter and provincial cities.

Data collected at these stations are reported in

accordance with Clauses 11, 17 and 18 of the NEPM.

The detailed report for the Ambient Air Quality NEPM

for 2006 has been provided to NEPC. This report

provides detailed information such as methods of

measurement, summary statistical analysis and

descriptions of circumstances that led to exceedences

of NEPM standards.

As required under Clause 12 of the Ambient Air

Quality NEPM, DECC is accredited by the National

Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for the

measurement of all Ambient Air Quality NEPM

parameters.

Activities to achieve standards

In 2006–07, the NSW government continued to

implement a suite of strategies to improve air quality

as part of its Action for Air Management Plan. In

2006, the NEPM standards were included as targets

in the NSW State Plan. Under the State Plan, NSW

developed a new suite of actions to meet the Ambient

Air Quality NEPM standards. These actions aim to

address emissions from industrial, commercial and

domestic sources as well as motor vehicles and fuels.

A number of recent initiatives are described below.

Signif icant amendments to the POEO (Clean Air)

Regulation 2002 came into force in 2006, establishing

a process to systematically review old emission

standards and to replace these with more stringent

limits where appropriate. For example, for new

industries, the regulations halved the standard for

solid particle emissions. In 2006–07, NSW developed

a comprehensive guide to emissions of air pollutants

from activities and plant, which is available on

DECC’s website.

In 2006–07, NSW has continued the diesel retrofit

project with 142 exhaust treatment devices being

fitted to vehicles without impact on the operation of

the vehicles. In 2007, the NSW government announced

the investment of around $4 million over a f ive-year

period to retrofit more than 1300 of older pre-2000

buses to reduce particle emissions by up to 90%. The

government also announced the purchase of 1449

new buses that will either be required to meet the

Euro5 emission standards for diesel heavy vehicles,

or be powered by compressed natural gas.

DECC has evaluated the potential implementation

of Stage 2 Vapour Recovery (VR2) in Sydney with a

12-month equipment trial, including management and

user surveys and an independent economic analysis.

The equipment trial demonstrated that VR2 works

successfully and reliably under Australian conditions.

Consultation with industry and the public is currently

underway.

DECC provides information on its website to help

councils deal with woodsmoke pollution, as well as a

comprehensive resource kit to assist councils develop

and run local community education campaigns to

reduce smoke emissions from wood heaters. DECC

provided further support to local councils by running

a series of woodsmoke management workshops

across NSW in June 2007.

In June 2007, NSW published a web-based Local

Government Air Quality Toolkit. The comprehensive

resources provided in the toolkit will assist off icers

to manage local air quality.

DECC also f inalised the NSW Air Emissions

Inventory, which quantif ies emissions from the f ive

main sources of air pollution (domestic, commercial,

industrial, off-road mobile and on-road mobile).


NSW continues to progress implementation of the

Ambient Air Quality NEPM. Carbon monoxide,

nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide levels all met

the standards and the goals in 2006. NSW no longer

routinely monitors lead as a result of the consistently

low levels being recorded.

Most areas of NSW, including Sydney, met the

NEPM goals for PM10 in 2006. Albury, Kembla

Grange and Wagga Wagga all recorded more PM10

exceedences than the f ive allowed by the standard.

The local conditions associated with the exceedences

are discussed below.

Ozone, in particular, remains a major challenge for

NSW. While a range of strategies have been successfully

introduced to reduce emissions, population growth

and continued growth in motor vehicle ownership

and use continue to place pressure on air quality

in urban areas.


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The majority of stations had levels above the advisory

reporting standard for PM2.5. Reported values are an

interim measure until the outcomes of the three-year

PM2.5 Equivalence Program are known. Hence, any

comparison with the advisory reporting standards

using TEOM data are not strictly in accordance with

the Ambient Air Quality NEPM variation until the

results of the PM2.5 Equivalence Program are assessed

and incorporated into the NEPM.


EFFECTIVENESS

The data presented in Part 4 of this report demonstrates

that NSW achieved compliance with the Ambient Air

Quality NEPM goals for all pollutants except ozone

and particles. Levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen

dioxide and sulfur dioxide continue to be well below

Ambient Air Quality NEPM standards. Monitoring

for lead as a regional pollutant ceased in NSW from

1 January 2005 in response to the continued extremely

low concentrations of lead found in ambient air.

The Albion Park station was relocated in December

2005 to avoid further vandalism. During the f irst

quarter of 2006, there was lower data recovery from

the new Albion Park South station until the station

became fully operational. Instrument failures led to

data availability rates lower than the Ambient Air

Quality NEPM goal for the oxides of nitrogen monitor

at Wollongong and the PM10 monitor at Tamworth.

Sydney, Wollongong and the lower Hunter all met the

PM10 standard. Albury, Kembla Grange and Wagga

Wagga all recorded more PM10 exceedences than

the f ive allowed by the standard. The Kembla Grange

station was significantly affected by bushfires for four

days. The continuing drought conditions experienced

across south-east Australia during 2006 were also

a major influence on particle levels in NSW. The

Bureau of Meteorology reports that 2006 was the

driest year on record for the Murray-Darling basin.

During December 2006 and January 2007, severe

bushfires in Gippsland and the Australian Alps

adversely impacted on air quality in NSW, particularly

in Albury and Wagga Wagga. During December 2006,

there were sixteen days that exceeded the PM10

standard at one or both of these stations. At Albury,

twelve of the fifteen exceedences of the PM10 standard

were attributed to these severe bushfire conditions.

Elevated PM10 levels occur more frequently at Wagga

Wagga than elsewhere in the monitoring network in

NSW. During 2006, the standard was exceeded on

36 days. On 21 of these days, Wagga Wagga was the

only station in NSW to report PM10 levels higher

than the standard. These exceedences were heavily

influenced by the continuing drought conditions and

by agricultural activities such as stubble burning and

broad acre cultivation. DECC, in consultation with

the Department of Primary Industries, is developing

a particle emission reduction strategy for agriculture,

which aims to reduce the impacts of agricultural

activities on particle levels.

All stations in the lower Hunter, Illawarra and

regional NSW met the goal for ozone. In Sydney,

however only two of the eight NEPM stations met the

goal for ozone during 2006. Overall, there were twelve

distinct days where the one-hour ozone standard

was exceeded and thirteen distinct days above the

four-hour standard.

Meeting the Ambient Air Quality NEPM standards

for ozone by 2008 will be a signif icant challenge

for the major urban areas of NSW, given pressures

from a growing population, urban expansion and the

associated increase in motor vehicle use. The particle

(as PM10) goal presents a similar challenge in NSW,

particularly in rural population centres where

agricultural activities and a combination of topography,

climate and relatively high use of solid fuel heaters

produce elevated levels of particles in autumn and

winter. Programs under the government’s air quality

management plan, Action for Air, aim to move NSW

towards the ozone and particle levels of the Ambient

Air Quality NEPM goals.

The Ambient Air Quality NEPM goals provide an

additional impetus for the implementation of strategies

and a benchmark against which programs to manage

the air environment can be assessed.


BY THE NEPM

Data from relevant monitoring stations are presented

in tabular form below to enable an evaluation of

whether the NEPM standards and goal were met at each

monitoring station. The standards, with accompanying

definitions and explanations, appear in Schedule 2 of

the NEPM. For averaging times shorter than one year,


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Station Number of NEPM goal Annual NEPM goal

exceedences compliance average (ppm) compliance

Sydney

Bringelly 0 Met 0.006 Met

Chullora 0 Met 0.014 Met

Liverpool 0 Met 0.013 Met

Macarthur 0 Met 0.011 Met

Richmond 0 Met 0.006 Met

Rozelle 0 Met 0.013 Met

Illawarra

Albion Park South 0 Not demonstrated 0.005 Not demonstrated

Wollongong 0 Not demonstrated 0.009 Not demonstrated

Lower Hunter

Newcastle 0 Met 0.008 Met

Wallsend 0 Met 0.009 Met

Compliance was not demonstrated in the Illawarra region because the data availability criteria were not met at Albion Park South

(due to the relocation of this station) and Wollongong (due to instrument fault).

NO2Nitrogen dioxide(NEPM standard: 1 hour = 0.12ppm, 1 year = 0.03ppm)

Station Number of NEPM goal

exceedences compliance

Sydney

Chullora 0 Met

Liverpool 0 Met

Macarthur 0 Met

Rozelle 0 Met

Illawarra

Wollongong 0 Met

Lower Hunter

Newcastle 0 Met

CO Carbon monoxide(NEPM standard 8 hours = 9.0ppm)

compliance with the NEPM goal is achieved if the

standard for a pollutant is exceeded on no more than

a specif ied number of days in a calendar year (one

day per year for all pollutants except PM10, which

may be exceeded no more than f ive days per year)

and at least 75% of data is captured in each quarter.

The data are presented in greater detail in

<www.environment.nsw.gov.au/air/datareports.htm>.

The monitoring plan for New South Wales is available

from <www.epa.nsw.gov.au/air/nepm/index.htm>.

1 Hour 4 Hours

Station Number of NEPM goal Number of NEPM goal

exceedences compliance exceedences compliance

Sydney

Bringelly 6 Not met 6 Not met

Chullora 1 Met 2 Not met

Liverpool 4 Not met 4 Not met

Macarthur 8 Not met 8 Not met

Oakdale 1 Met 1 Met

Richmond 2 Not met 2 Not met

Rozelle 0 Met 1 Met

St Marys 3 Not met 4 Not met

Illawarra

Albion Park South 0 Not demonstrated 0 Not demonstrated

Kembla Grange 0 Met 1 Met

Wollongong 0 Met 1 Met

Lower Hunter

Newcastle 0 Met 0 Met

Wallsend 0 Met 0 Met

Regional NSW

Bathurst 0 Met 0 Met

Compliance was not demonstrated in the Illawarra region because the data availability criteria were not met at Albion Park South

(due to the relocation of this station).


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O3Ozone(NEPM standard: 1 hour = 0.10ppm, 4 hours = 0.08ppm)


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Pb Lead(NEPM standard 1 year = 0.50μg/m3)

NSW began phasing out ambient lead monitoring for the AAQ NEPM during 2004. All lead monitoring ceased from 1 January 2005.

All regions do not require monitoring on the basis of screening arguments that lead levels are reasonably expected to be consistently

below the AAQ NEPM standard and are assessed as complying with the standard and goal.

1 Hour 1 Day 1 Year

Station Number of NEPM goal Number of NEPM goal Annual NEPM goal

exceedences compliance exceedences compliance average (ppm) compliance

Sydney

Bringelly 0 Met 0 Met 0.000 Met

Chullora 0 Met 0 Met 0.001 Met

Macarthur 0 Met 0 Met 0.001 Met

Richmond 0 Met 0 Met 0.000 Met

Illawarra

Albion Park 0 Not 0 Not 0.001 Not

South demonstrated demonstrated demonstrated

Warrawong 0 Not 0 Not 0.001 Not

demonstrated demonstrated demonstrated

Wollongong 0 Met 0 Met 0.001 Met

Lower Hunter

Newcastle 0 Met 0 Met 0.001 Met

Wallsend 0 Met 0 Met 0.001 Met

The data availability criteria were not met at Albion Park South (due to the relocation of this station) and at Warrawong (due to the

closure of the station).

SO2Sulfur dioxide(NEPM standard: 1 hour = 0.20ppm, 1 day = 0.08ppm, 1 year = 0.02ppm)


PM10Particles as PM10

(NEPM standard 1 day = 50μg/m3)



Sydney

Bringelly 3 Met

Chullora 4 Met

Liverpool 3 Met

Macarthur 4 Met

Oakdale 1 Met

Richmond 3 Met

Rozelle 1 Met

Illawarra

Albion Park South 2 Not demonstrated

Kembla Grange 9 Not Met

Wollongong 5 Met

Lower Hunter

Beresfield 2 Met

Newcastle 1 Met

Regional NSW

Albury 15 Not met

Bathurst 2 Met

Tamworth 0 Not demonstrated

Wagga Wagga 36 Not met

Data are not adjusted for temperature. Compliance was not demonstrated at Tamworth (instrument failure) and Albion Park South

(relocation of Station), as the data availability criteria were not met.

1 Year

Station Number of Annual average

exceedences (µg/m3)

Sydney

Earlwood 3 10.1

Liverpool 3 12.2

Illawarra

Warrawong 0 9.2

Wollongong 2 9.5

Lower Hunter

Beresfield 2 10.0

Wallsend 2 9.6

Continuous TEOM values are reported here as an interim measure until the outcomes of the three-year PM2.5 Equivalence Program have

been formally included in the Principle Measure as outlined in the variation to the AAQ NEPM (2003). Hence, any comparison with the

advisory reporting standards using TEOM data are not strictly in accordance with the AAQ NEPM variation until the results of the

PM2.5 Equivalence Program are assessed and incorporated into the AAQ NEPM.

PM2.5Particles as PM2.5

(NEPM standard 1 day = 25μg/m3, 1 year = 8μg/m3)

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(Refer to page 162)




The State Environment Protection Policy (The Air

Environment) was made in 1981. Following the

making of the Ambient Air Quality NEPM in 1998,

the State Environment Protection Policy (The Air

Environment) was split into two policies - State

environment protection policy (Ambient Air Quality)

(SEPP (AAQ)) and the State environment protection

policy (Air Quality Management) (SEPP (AQM))—

that were made in 1999. SEPP (AAQ) incorporates

the Ambient Air Quality NEPM into a statutory

framework in Victoria. In addition to the standards

and goals in the Ambient Air Quality NEPM, the

SEPP (AAQ) also includes ambient air quality

objectives for visibility reducing particles.

The State Environment Protection Policy (Ambient

Air Quality) (SEPP (AAQ)) and State Environment

Protection Policy (Air Quality Management) (SEPP

(AQM)) provide the statutory framework for the

management of emissions to the air environment in

Victoria. The SEPP (AQM) was revised in 2001 and

provides a modern statutory policy framework to ensure

that the environmental quality objectives of SEPP

(AAQ) (and hence the Ambient Air Quality NEPM)

are met, to drive continuous improvement in air quality;

and to achieve the cleanest air possible having regard

to the social and economic development of Victoria.

It also aims to support Victorian and national

measures to address the enhanced greenhouse effect

and depletion of the ozone layer.

PM10, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen

dioxide and lead are classif ied as Class 1 indicators

in SEPP (AQM). PM2.5 is currently classif ied as a

Class 2 indicator. Emissions of all these pollutants

must be controlled by application of best practice.

In determining what constitutes best practice, the

wastes hierarchy must be taken into consideration

in the management of emissions, with avoidance

being the primary aim. Technology is only one aspect

of the management requirements.

The SEPP (AQM) contains two types of criteria to

assess the potential health risks posed by exposure

to air pollutants:

1. Design criteria—these are modelling tools that

are applied in the design stage of a facility or

expansion of a facility. They are based on either

toxicity or, if more stringent, the odour threshold

of a pollutant. They apply to individual industrial

emissions and are therefore conservative in nature.

2. Intervention levels—these are local air quality

objectives that apply to cumulative sources of

emissions. If exceeded, further investigation of

the cause is required and a neighbourhood

environment improvement plan may be triggered.

The design criteria established in the SEPP (AQM)

for the pollutants covered by the Ambient Air Quality

NEPM are based on toxicity. Design criteria exist

for many of the precursors of ozone formation.

Victoria also has a Waste Management Policy (Solid

Fuel Burning) that requires domestic wood heaters

to comply with Australian Standards for emissions.

This policy aims at reducing emissions of particles

from domestic home heating to assist in the meeting

of the standards for PM10 and PM2.5.

EPA Victoria’s Works Approval and Licensing system

requires industry to demonstrate that the requirements

of SEPP (AQM) are met and that the beneficial uses

of the environment in Victoria are protected. In

assessing this, the impacts on local and regional air

quality are considered.

Victoria


Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure for Victoria by the Hon. Gavin

Jennings, Minister for Environment and Climate Change for the reporting

year ended 30 June 2007


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A number of activities have been undertaken to ensure

that Victoria continues to meet the standards set out

in the Ambient Air Quality NEPM and improves

regional air quality. Performance monitoring stations

operated continuously throughout the year and campaign

monitoring was conducted to fulf il commitments in

Victoria’s monitoring plan.

In addition to the performance monitoring stations

specif ied in the monitoring plan, a mobile air

monitoring station commenced operation in October

2006 at Warrnambool and will continue for a period

of twelve months.

Campaign monitoring continued at:

• Moorooduc where ozone was monitored until

May 2006

• Ballarat, where ozone, PM10, CO and NO2 were

monitored until July 2006

• Mildura, where PM10 was monitored until

June 2006.

PM2.5 has been monitored by the reference method

(on a one day in three basis) at two stations

(Alphington and Footscray). Victoria also participates

in the PM2.5 Equivalence Program, with TEOM

monitors co-located with reference samplers at

Alphington and Footscray. Initial analysis of the

data has commenced.

The implementation activities undertaken in 2006–07

are in accordance with expected progress in fulf illing

commitments in Victoria’s monitoring plan. To monitor

compliance with the standards, EPA will:

• continue to employ the available resources to

best meet the requirements outlined in the

monitoring plan

• progress towards implementing its commitments

to monitoring in regional Victoria.

A program to upgrade the monitoring network

continued during 2006–07 with major refurbishments

to all monitoring stations in Victoria’s monitoring

network completed by mid 2007.

EPA has continued monitoring of PM10 at a roadside

site in Carlton (an inner city suburb) as an additional

component of monitoring being conducted as part of

the implementation of the Air Toxics NEPM.

EPA Victoria also continued its programs aimed at

reducing the impact of domestic wood heating on air

quality. This included:

• conducting workshops for local government to

raise awareness of woodsmoke issues and actions

that can be taken to reduce these impacts

• continued auditing of retailers selling wood

heaters, to ensure heaters complied with the

requirements of the Waste Management Policy

(Solid Fuel Heating)

• running media campaigns on woodheating tips

with ‘Anti-Smoke Sam’, in particular reducing

woodheater smoke and improving air quality

• publishing updated community information bulletins

about wood heaters, open f ires and air quality

• coordinating an industry survey on the trial

certif ication arrangements for manufacturers

of wood heaters in Australia.

Programs to reduce pollution arising from the use

of motor vehicles continued to be a focus. Many

of the actions were also related to the implementation

of the diesel NEPM and included:

• contracting Kangan–Batman Institute of Technology

for the supply of Training for Diesel Mechanics

on the maintenance of heavy vehicles as related

to emissions performance (part of diesel NEPM

implementation)

• commissioning a test training facility for diesel

mechanics at Kangan–Batman Institute of

Technology (part of diesel NEPM implementation)

• entering into contracts for in-service emissions

testing station for diesel vehicles, through Vipac

Engineers and Scientists (part of diesel NEPM)

• working with local government to implement

programs that will lead to reductions in diesel

emissions (part of diesel NEPM implementation).

EPA Victoria continued its smoky vehicle programs

with 7068 public reports received in the 2006–07

financial year. EPA also operates a smoky vehicle

enforcement program where EPA or police officers

can report vehicles identified as continuously emitting

smoke for longer than ten seconds. The fines issued for

operating a smoky vehicle are $500 for an individual

and $1000 for a company. In 2006–07, 849 warning

letters were issued under this program.


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Victoria continues to participate in the Land Transport

Environment Committee and the Fuel Standards

Consultative Committee.

Mining and extractive industries can be a signif icant

source of particles in urban and regional centres in

Victoria. As part of the implementation of the SEPP

(AQM), a Protocol for Environmental Management

(PEM) was developed to establish an assessment and

management framework, including the need for

ongoing monitoring and reactive management plans,

for these industries in Victoria. The requirements of

the PEM will ensure that emissions from the

industries will be managed in accordance with SEPP

(AQM) requirements. The PEM, once f inalised, will

be an incorporated document under the SEPP (AQM).

Victoria is chairing the review of the Ambient Air

Quality NEPM that commenced in 2005. As an input

to the review, Victoria continues to co-chair (with

AHMAC) the EPHC Standard Setting Working Group

that is tasked with developing a nationally agreed

method to setting air quality standards. This work

is a critical input to the review of the NEPM. Victoria

is also on the project management committee for the

EPHC Air Pollution and Children’s Health Study that

is an important input to the review of the Ambient

Air Quality NEPM.


The Victorian government is strongly committed

to improving air quality in Victoria. SEPP (AQM)

provides a framework for the management of sources

of emissions, including emissions from diffuse sources

as well as industrial emissions. It emphasises the

importance of avoiding the generation of emissions

in the f irst place, and requires all generators of

emissions of wastes to air to apply best practice

to the management of those emissions.

The SEPP (AQM) implementation program has

involved working with a wide variety of generators

of emissions of wastes to air to minimise their

emissions, and therefore plays a signif icant role

in achieving the desired environmental outcomes.

Activities undertaken as part of this program have

been directed particularly at motor vehicles,

industry, and domestic wood heating.

The activities undertaken through the monitoring

program will also assist in evaluating the effectiveness

of the implementation of SEPP (AQM).

Satisfactory progress has been made on the

implementation of Victoria’s monitoring plan.

Victoria’s monitoring results for 2006 indicated that:

• the goal of the Ambient Air Quality NEPM,

to achieve by 2008 the standards to the extent

specif ied, was met for CO, NO2 and SO2 at all

monitoring stations where there was sufficient

data capture to assess compliance

• PM10 exceeded the standard and goal at all

monitoring stations in the Port Phillip region, mainly

due to the impacts of bushfires that burned for an

extended period. Windblown dust also accounted

for a number of exceedances

• PM10 also exceeded the standard on thirteen days

in Mildura. On the majority of these days the cause

of the exceedances was windblown dust. Smoke

from fires accounted for most of the remaining

exceedances

• PM10 also exceeded the standard on three days

in Warrnambool. Smoke from fires accounted for

the remaining exceedances

• the 24-hour advisory reporting standard for

particles (as PM2.5) was exceeded at the two

stations in the Port Phillip region—six days at

Alphington and two days at Footscray. The annual

reporting standard was also exceeded at Alphington

• both the one-hour and four-hour ozone standards

were exceeded at all stations except Moorooduc.

Most exceedances were associated with bushfire

events and days of elevated particles. The ozone

standards were also exceeded at the Latrobe Valley

sites on days when bushfire smoke was present

• the high data capture rates required to demonstrate

compliance with the Ambient Air Quality NEPM

goals were achieved in all stations that operated

continuously throughout the year.

Victoria has an ongoing program to increase data

capture through improvements to systems and

instrument upgrades.

EPA is continuing its program of campaign monitoring

in regional Victoria.

Victoria continues to work closely with the Peer Review

Committee to ensure that Victoria’s monitoring and

reporting procedures are consistent with other states

and territories.


EFFECTIVENESS

In an international context, Melbourne’s air quality

(compared to similar urban centres) remains relatively

good. There has been little change in air quality over

the past decade despite increasing pressures such as

population growth.

In 2006, the goal of the Ambient Air Quality NEPM,

to achieve by 2008 the standards to the extent specified,

was met for CO, NO2 and SO2 at all monitoring

stations where there was sufficient data capture

to assess compliance. Exceedances of the particle

(both PM10 and PM2.5) and ozone standards were

observed at most stations and were associated with

bushfire smoke.

The major impact on Victoria’s air quality in 2006

came from the bushfires experienced in January and

December. These f ires led to an atypically high

number of days when the particle standards were not

met and an increase in the number of exceedences

of the ozone standards.

Windblown dust and accumulation of combustion

particles in calm, highly stable air also resulted in

some additional days when the particle standards

were not met. At other times, Victoria’s air was

generally clean.

EPA performed monitoring in accordance with

Victoria’s monitoring plan, Ambient Air Quality

NEPM technical papers and EPA’s NATA

accreditation.

Throughout 2006, EPA continued a program of station

upgrades. Selected stations were taken off-line for

periods of two to four weeks to enable the upgrades,

resulting in unavoidable data losses. Seven stations

were upgraded, which generally prevented achieving

the data capture rates required to demonstrate

compliance with the Ambient Air Quality NEPM

goal at these stations. In addition, the central business

district monitoring station at RMIT University

(RMIT) was closed due to resumption of the site

by the landlord.

The data capture targets were achieved at all stations

that operated for the full year. Where stations operated

for less than the full twelve months, data capture for

the period they did operate was consistent with the

targets. While reduced data capture limited the

number of stations at which compliance could be

demonstrated for each pollutant, information available

from such reduced monitoring periods was generally

consistent with that reported above.


BY THE NEPM



whether the NEPM standards and goal were met

at each monitoring station. The standards, with

accompanying definitions and explanations, appear

in Schedule 2 of the NEPM. For averaging times

shorter than one year, compliance with the NEPM

goal is achieved if the standard for a pollutant is

exceeded on no more than a specif ied number of days

in a calendar year (one day per year for all pollutants

except PM10, which may be exceeded no more than

five days per year) and at least 75% of data is

captured in each quarter.

The data are presented in greater detail in EPA

Publication 1137, Air Monitoring Report 2006—

Compliance with the National Environment Protection

(Ambient Air Quality) Measure, available from

<www.epa.vic.gov.au>.

The monitoring plan for Victoria is available from

<www.epa.vic.gov.au>. It is EPA Publication 763,

Ambient Air Quality NEPM Monitoring Plan Victoria.


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1 Hour 1 Year



Port Phillip

Alphingtona 0 Not demonstrated 0.012 Not demonstrated

Brighton 0 Met 0.009 Met

Footscraya 0 Not demonstrated 0.011 Not demonstrated

Geelong South 0 Met 0.007 Met

Point Cooka 0 Not demonstrated 0.005 Not demonstrated

RMIT (CBD)b 0 Not demonstrated 0.017 Not demonstrated

Latrobe Valley

Moea 0 Not demonstrated 0.007 Not demonstrated

Traralgon 0 Met 0.007 Met

Ballaratc 0 Not demonstrated 0.005 Not demonstrated

a Reduced data capture due to station upgrade.

b Monitoring ceased at RMIT in October.

c Campaign monitoring ceased at Ballarat in August.

Regions that do not require monitoring on the basis of screening arguments that pollutant levels are reasonably expected to be

consistently below the relevant AAQ NEPM standard: Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Warrnambool, Wodonga, Mildura.




Port Phillip

Alphingtona 0 Not demonstrated

Geelong South 0 Met

Richmond 0 Met

RMIT (CBD)b 0 Not demonstrated

Ballaratc 0 Not demonstrated




Regions that do not require monitoring on the basis that screening shows pollutant levels are reasonably expected to be consistently

below the relevant AAQ NEPM standard: Latrobe Valley, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Warrnambool, Wodonga, Mildura.



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1 Hour 4 Hours



Port Phillip

Alphingtona 3 Not met 3 Not met

Brighton 1 Met 3 Not met

Dandenong 1 Met 1 Met

Footscraya 1 Not demonstrated 3 Not met

Geelong South 2 Not met 2 Not met

Melton 1 Met 3 Not met

Moorooducb 0 Not demonstrated 0 Not demonstrated

Mooroolbark 1 Met 2 Not met

Point Cooka 1 Not demonstrated 1 Not demonstrated

Point Henry 1 Met 1 Met

Latrobe Valley

Moea 1 Not demonstrated 3 Not met

Traralgon 3 Not met 2 Not met

Ballaratc 0 Not demonstrated 0 Not demonstrated

Warrnamboold 0 Not demonstrated 0 Not demonstrated


b Campaign monitoring ceased at Moorooduc in May.


d Campaign monitoring commenced at Warrnambool in October.

Region for which screening has not been completed: Ballarat.


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Pb Lead

Victoria ceased monitoring lead in Melbourne at the end of 2004. All regions do not require monitoring on the basis of screening arguments

that pollutant levels are reasonably expected to be consistently below the relevant NEPM standard and are assessed as complying with the

standard and goal.

1 Hour 1 Day 1 Year


exceedences compliance exceedences compliance average compliance

(ppm)

Port Phillip

Alphingtona 0 Not 0 Not 0.001 Not


Altona Northa 0 Not 0 Not 0.001 Not


Geelong South 0 Met 0 Met 0.001 Met

RMIT (CBD)b 0 Not 0 Not 0.001 Not


Latrobe Valley

Moea 0 Not 0 Not 0.002 Not


Traralgon 0 Met 0 Met 0.003 Met



Regions that do not require monitoring on the basis of screening arguments that pollutant levels are reasonably expected to be consistently

below the relevant AAQ NEPM standard: Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Warrnambool, Wodonga, Mildura.



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Port Phillip

Alphingtona 8 Not met

Brighton 6 Not met

Dandenong 12 Not met

Footscraya 11 Not met

Geelong South 17 Not met

Mooroolbark 17 Not met

Richmond 9 Not met

RMIT (CBD)b, f 2 Not demonstrated

Latrobe Valley

Moea 15 Not met

Traralgon 8 Not met

Ballaratc 0 Not demonstrated

Mildurad 13 Not met

Warrnamboole 3 Not demonstrated

Monitoring was by TEOM unless indicated otherwise.



c Campaign monitoring ceased at Ballarat in July.

d Campaign monitoring ceased at Mildura in June.

e Campaign monitoring commenced at Warrnambool in October.

f At RMIT, one exceedence recorded by high volume sampler but not by TEOM has been included.

Screening has not been completed for any region, and regions not shown are assessed as ‘not demonstrated’.

1 Day 1 Year

Station Number of exceedences Annual average (µg/m3)

Port Phillip

Alphingtona 6 9.3

Footscrayb 3 7.4

Monitoring by reference method (one-day-in-three).


b Reduced data capture due to station upgrade and operational diff iculties.


(NEPM advisory reporting standard 1 day = 25μg/m3, 1 year = 8μg/m3)


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Queensland


Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure for Queensland by the Hon.

Andrew McNamara MP, Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and

Innovation for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


(Refer to page 162)




In Queensland, the Ambient Air Quality NEPM is

implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) under the Environmental Protection Act 1994

and the Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 1997.

A special agreement Act, the Mount Isa Mines Limited

Agreement Act 1985, sets operational performance

criteria for sulfur dioxide levels in Mount Isa, which

are different to those contained in the Ambient Air

Quality NEPM.

With respect to regional management of air quality

in south-east Queensland, the Queensland government

released the South East Queensland Regional Plan in

June 2005 to provide a sustainable growth manage-

ment strategy for south-east Queensland to the year

2026. The plan notes that air is a vital natural asset

that plays a key role in ensuring the health of the

community, protecting the environment and fostering

economic development. A key policy principle it

contains is managing urban settlement and the use

of transport, industry, energy and natural resources

to minimise adverse impacts on the atmosphere.

Key features of the plan include:

• developing an urban form that minimises the

demand for transport by ensuring that residents

have easy access by walking or cycling to

employment, retail centres, government services,

medical facilities and leisure opportunities

• improving transport eff iciency by improving

facilities for public transport, cycling and walking,

and by upgrading the road network

• encouraging the use of more eff icient and lower-

emitting modes of transport through education,

information, and economic incentives.

The regional plan is supported by the South East

Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program

2007–2026, which was released by the Queensland

government in May 2007. The infrastructure plan

identifies specific projects to improve the availability,

eff iciency and effectiveness of public transport,

cycling and walking facilities; and to reduce traff ic

congestion. When completed, these projects will

increase the number of trips taken by public transport,

cycling and walking; and reduce motor vehicle

emissions by eliminating congestion and stop-start

traff ic conditions. Taken collectively, these projects

will signif icantly reduce transport-related air

emissions in south-east Queensland.

The Queensland Ambient Air Quality Monitoring

Plan (the Monitoring Plan) details how Queensland

proposed to monitor air quality for the purpose of the

NEPM as required under part 4 (10) of the NEPM.

The Monitoring Plan is prepared by the Queensland

EPA and approved by a national Peer Review

Committee, reporting to the National Environment

Protection Council Committee, that is tasked with

reviewing jurisdictions’ monitoring plans.


During the reporting period, monitoring was

conducted in six of the ten regions identif ied in the

Monitoring Plan. Of the nineteen sites nominated

in the monitoring plan, thirteen were operational

in 2006–07. Commitments under the NEPM PM2.5

Equivalency Program and other resource constraints

have delayed implementation of the schedule outlined

in the monitoring plan in four regional centres.

An ozone monitoring campaign was concluded in

Gladstone in May 2006 following f ive years of data

collection. Maximum ozone concentrations were less

than the screening limit of 75% of the relevant Ambient


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Air Quality NEPM standards (NEPM Technical Paper

No. 4) over this period. The need for ozone monitoring

will be reconsidered should a signif icant increase in

industrial activity occur in the Gladstone region.


The NEPM has provided the mechanism for a staged

expansion of the EPA’s ambient air monitoring

network throughout Queensland. Queensland remains

committed to implementing the actions contained

in its Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Plan, despite

delays in establishing monitoring in some regional

centres. Monitoring of pollutants other than particulate

matter may not be necessary in smaller population

centres on the basis of results recorded at centres with

greater population and emission sources.

The results of Queensland’s monitoring for the

reporting period indicates that, with the exception

of sulphur dioxide in Mount Isa, compliance with

the NEPM goal—to achieve the NEPM standards by

2008—was met for all pollutants at all monitoring

stations where data were sufficient to assess

compliance.

Collection of PM2.5 (f ine particle) data at three

sites in south-east Queensland, using Tapered-

Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM)

equipment, continued in 2006. A reference PM2.5

sampler was operated in conjunction with the PM2.5

TEOM instrument at two of these sites (Rocklea

and Springwood) in line with obligations under the

PM2.5 Equivalence Program.


EFFECTIVENESS

During 2006–07, with the exception of sulfur dioxide

in Mount Isa, pollutant levels complied with the NEPM

goals in all regions where monitoring was undertaken.

While no ozone exceedences were recorded in the

2006–07 reporting period, rapidly growing population,

urban expansion and associated increases in motor

vehicle use in south-east Queensland could present

challenges to future compliance with the NEPM

ozone standard. While bushfire and hazard-reduction

burning emissions are presently implicated in the

majority of previous ozone exceedences, there have

been occasions in recent years when industrial,

commercial and domestic emissions, combined with

conducive meteorological conditions, have resulted

in exceedences of the ozone standards.

While industry in Mount Isa has significantly reduced

emissions of sulfur dioxide in recent years (through

capture and conversion to sulfuric acid), compliance

with the one-hour NEPM sulfur dioxide standard is

unlikely to be achieved under the current ambient

limits specif ied under the special agreement Act.

The results of PM10 monitoring comply with the 2008

goal. However, potential future exceedences of NEPM

standards may occur on occasions when urban and

industrial emissions are added to signif icant natural

events such as bushfires and dust storms. Vegetation

management through controlled burning is another

cause of occasional PM10 exceedences in several

Queensland regions.

To date, the only previous exceedences of the PM2.5

24-hour advisory reporting standard have been the

result of bushfire smoke. Although levels of PM2.5

in south-east Queensland complied with the annual

advisory reporting standard during the reporting

period, compliance in the longer term may be

increasingly diff icult to achieve due to increasing

motor vehicle use and other sources of f ine particles.

The South East Queensland Regional Plan 2005–2026

provides a sustainable growth management strategy

for the south-east Queensland region to the year

2026. Under the plan, urban settlement and the use

of transport, industry, energy and natural resources

will be managed to minimise adverse impacts on

air quality.

Signif icant investment in public transport

infrastructure under the South East Queensland

Infrastructure Plan and Program 2007–2026 will

support the management of future air quality

impacts from rising motor vehicle use.


BY THE NEPM









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1 Hour 1 Year



South-east Queensland

North Coast sub-region

Mountain Creek 0 Met 0.005 Met

Brisbane sub-region

Deception Bay 0 Met 0.008 Met

Rocklea 0 Met 0.011 Met

Springwood1 0 Not demonstrated 0.009 Not demonstrated

Ipswich sub-region

Flinders View 0 Met 0.012 Met

Toowoomba

North Toowoomba 0 Met 0.005 Met

Gladstone

South Gladstone 0 Met 0.003 Met

Townsville

Pimlico 0 Met 0.006 Met

1 ‘Not demonstrated’ due to insufficient data.





Woolloongabba 0 Met

Toowoomba

North Toowoomba 0 Met






five days per year) and at least 75% of data is captured

in each quarter.

The data are presented in greater detail in the EPA

publication Queensland 2006 Air Monitoring Report,

available from the EPA website at

<www.epa.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/

air/air_quality_monitoring/air_quality_reports>.

The monitoring plan for Queensland is available from

the EPA website at

<www.epa.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/

air/air_quality_monitoring/national_measures/

ambient_air_quality_plan_for_queensland/>.


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1 Hour 4 Hours





Mountain Creek 0 Met 0 Met

Brisbane sub-region

Deception Bay 0 Met 0 Met

Rocklea 0 Met 0 Met

Springwood1 0 Not demonstrated 0 Not demonstrated

Ipswich sub-region

Flinders View 0 Met 0 Met

Toowoomba

North Toowoomba 0 Met 0 Met

Gladstone

Targinie2 0 Not demonstrated 0 Not demonstrated

Townsville

Pimlico 0 Met 0 Met


2 Campaign monitoring ceased at Targinie in May 2006.


1 Hour 1 Day 1 Year



(ppm)

South-east

Queensland

Brisbane sub-region

Springwood 0 Not 0 Not 0.000 Not


Ipswich sub-region

Flinders View 0 Met 0 Met 0.001 Met

Gladstone

South Gladstone 0 Met 0 Met 0.003 Met

Townsville

Pimlico 0 Met 0 Met 0.000 Met

Stuart1 0 Not 0 Not 0.000 Not


Mount Isa

Menzies 42 Not met 0 Met 0.005 Met




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Mountain Creek 0 Met

Brisbane sub-region

Rocklea 0 Met

Springwood 0 Met

Ipswich sub-region

Flinders View 0 Met

Toowoomba

North Toowoomba 1 Met

Gladstone

South Gladstone 1 Met

Mackay

West Mackay 1 Met

Townsville

Pimlico1 2 Not demonstrated




1 Day 1 Year




Brisbane sub-region

Rocklea1 0 5.4

Rocklea2 0 4.2

Springwood1 1 5.3

Springwood2 1 4.9

Toowoomba

North Toowoomba2 0 4.1

1 Monitoring by reference method (1 in 3 days).

2 Monitoring by TEOM instrumentation in accordance with Technical Paper on

Monitoring for Particles as PM2.5.

Pb Lead(NEPM standard 1 year = 50μg/m3)

Peak lead levels in 2001 and 2002 in south-east Queensland were less than 10% of the NEPM standard. It can be concluded that lead

levels in south-east Queensland (and by comparison all other Queensland regions except Mount Isa) comply with the NEPM standard

and goal, and monitoring of lead is not required (PRC Technical Paper No. 9)


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(Refer to page 162)




The Ambient Air Quality NEPM has been made

under the National Environment Protection Council

(Western Australia) Act 1996 and the corresponding

legislation in other jurisdictions and the Commonwealth.

No additional legislation is necessary to enable the

NEPM in Western Australia. The Department of

Environment and Conservation (DEC) is proceeding

with plans to meet the requirements of the NEPM

with respect to monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

A preliminary draft Environmental Protection Policy

(EPP) for state-wide air quality (State Air EPP)

has been drafted. However, since initiating the

development of the State Air EPP there has been a

general shift from the use of EPPs for non-coercive

environmental policy positions to mechanisms such

as State Environmental Policies (SEPs), a more

flexible non-statutory policy instrument. The DEC

is currently revising the work draft to date into a

SEP framework. This policy has been expanded to

incorporate the Air Toxics NEPM and will provide

the opportunity for stakeholder consultation.

The EPP, which controls industrial emissions of

sulfur dioxide and total suspended particulates in the

Kwinana area, sets ambient ‘standards’ and ‘limits’

which are defined differently from those of the NEPM.

However, it has been determined that control of

sulfur dioxide emissions to comply with this policy

is an effective means of ensuring compliance with

the NEPM beyond the industrial buffer area.

The existing EPP for control of sulfur dioxide in

Goldfields residential areas (Kalgoorlie and other

areas) was reviewed and amended in 2003. Sulfur

dioxide pollution has reduced dramatically in the

Kalgoorlie region over the last twelve years and it is

expected that compliance with the NEPM goals for

sulfur dioxide and other pollutants will be achieved

well within the ten-year period of the goals.


Implementation activities may be viewed in two

categories:

• those activities related to implementing the

monitoring and reporting protocol of the NEPM,

plus other activities associated with the ‘Future

Actions’ listed in the NEPM Impact Statement

• those activities within Western Australia (including

regulatory activities outlined above) designed to

ensure that the air quality is in compliance with

the NEPM goal for each of the six pollutants

within the specif ied ten–year period.

In the f irst category, Western Australia has:

• made a signif icant contribution to the activities

of the Peer Review Committee, notably in the

development of strategy papers and methods

designed to provide consistency in NEPM

monitoring and reporting across jurisdictions

• continued with work to obtain NATA accreditation

of NEPM monitoring activities

• maintained monitoring of PM2.5 and ten–minute

sulfur dioxide concentrations to facilitate the review

and/or development of NEPM standards for these

pollutants

• made a signif icant contribution to the activities

of the Project Teams for NEPM variations to

include PM2.5, and the SO2/O3 review.

In the second category, Western Australia has:

• continued to implement the Perth Air Quality

Management Plan (AQMP). The Perth AQMP is a

30–year plan aimed at improving Perth’s air quality

for future generations. Implementation of a number

of priority actions within the Perth AQMP has

commenced in addition to a number of ongoing

programs

Western Australia


Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure for Western Australia by the

Hon. David Templeman MLA, Minister for the Environment; Climate

Change for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


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• continued to provide improved community access

to air quality monitoring data via the Air Quality

web page <airquality.environment.wa.gov.au>

• maintained stringent automotive fuel quality

standards through the Environmental Protection

(Diesel and Petrol) Regulations 1999.


The Department of Environment and Conservation

has instituted a number of actions to implement the

NEPM. Of note is the commencement of a number

of priority actions within the AQMP for Perth.


EFFECTIVENESS

Air quality management initiatives in Western

Australia over the past decade have placed the state

in a favourable position for achieving compliance

with the NEPM goals in most circumstances. Sulfur

dioxide and lead have been effectively controlled by

regulatory means. However, the potential exists for

sulfur dioxide concentrations in the Kalgoorlie

region to exceed the NEPM standard.

Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide concentrations

comply with the NEPM standards by comfortable

margins, even in the Perth Central Business District,

due to clean fuel quality standards, national vehicle

emissions standards and control of other sources.

Ozone and PM10 remain pollutants of concern in the

Perth region and are the focus of attention within the

AQMP, particularly the management of domestic PM10

sources. In other regions, PM10 is the pollutant of

most significance with respect to the NEPM standards.

The relative importance, in terms of health effects,

of PM10 from combustion processes compared to

PM10 from crustal material (dust) is an issue which

warrants further investigation at a national level.


BY THE NEPM














Western Australia has not commenced monitoring and

reporting under the NEPM in complete accordance

with the approved Monitoring Plan as work towards

achieving National Association of Testing Authorities

(NATA) accreditation is still progressing. Nevertheless,

a review of relevant air quality monitoring undertaken

in 2006 has determined that compliance with the

NEPM goal was met at all NEPM monitoring sites.

The data are presented in greater detail in the 2006

Western Australia Air Monitoring Report and 2006

Western Australia Air Monitoring Report

(Supplementary). Both of these reports will be made

available at <airquality.environment.wa.gov.au>.

A description of the exposed population represented

by each performance monitoring station is contained

in Appendix B of the Western Australian Monitoring

Plan, which is available from

<airquality.environment.wa.gov.au>.

In the tables that follow, Perth region monitoring

stations are referred to by a location descriptor (e.g.

North Metro, CBD) to assist readers who are not

familiar with Perth suburbs or outlying locality names.

A table showing the relationship between location

descriptors and monitoring station locations and

names appears after the data tables below.

Statement of the progress made towardsachieving the goal.

The goal as defined in clause 6 of the NEPM was

achieved for all criteria pollutants at all NEPM

monitoring stations during 2006.


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1 Hour 4 Hours



Perth

North East Metro 0 Met 0 Met

Outer North Coast 0 Met 0 Met

South Coast 0 Met 0 Met

Outer East Rural 0 Met 0 Met

South East Metro 0 Met 0 Met

Inner West Coast 0 Met 0 Met



Perth

North East Metro 0 Met

North Metro 0 Met

CBD 0 Met

South East Metro 0 Met


1 Hour 1 Year



Perth

North East Metro 0 Met 0.007 Met

North Metro 0 Met 0.007 Met

Outer North Coast 0 Met 0.004 Met

CBD 0 Met 0.016 Met

South Coast 0 Met 0.006 Met

South (A) 0 Met 0.005 Met

Outer East Rural 0 Met 0.002 Met

South East Metro 0 Met 0.008 Met

Inner West Coast 0 Met 0.005 Met




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1 Hour 1 Day 1 Year



(ppm)

Perth

South Coast 0 Met 0 Met 0.001 Met

South 0 Met 0 Met 0.001 Met

South (A) 0 Met 0 Met 0.001 Met

South East Metro 0 Met 0 Met 0.001 Met


Pb Lead

Western Australia has ceased monitoring for lead. Lead monitoring ceased on 31 December 2001 following the introduction of unleaded

petrol and the consequent sustained measurements at analytical limits of detection well below the standard.





Perth

North East Metro (T) 1 Met

North Metro (T) 1 Met

South East Metro (T) 0 Met

Southwest

Bunbury (T) 3 Met

Albany 0 Met

Northwest

Geraldton 4 Met


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1 Year


exceedences of (µg/m3)

daily standard

Perth

North East Metro 1 8.1

North Metro 2 8.2

Outer North Coast 1 7.8

South East Metro 1 8.7

South-west

Bunbury 8 8.7

Station Date Time Pollutant Averaging Concentration

period

Geraldton 22 January 2006 N/A PM10 24 hours 57.1 μg/m3

Bunbury 24 January 2006 N/A PM2.5 24 hours 31.2 μg/m3

Bunbury 29 March 2006 N/A PM10 24 hours 50.5 μg/m3

Bunbury 10 May 2006 N/A PM2.5 24 hours 39.6 μg/m3


Bunbury 12 May 2006 N/A PM2.5 24 hours 43 μg/m3


North East Metro 7 June 2006 N/A PM2.5 24 hours 34 μg/m3

North Metro 7 June 2006 N/A PM2.5 24 hours 33.4 μg/m3

Bunbury 16 June 2006 N/A PM10 24 hours 50.7 μg/m3

Bunbury 16 June 2006 N/A PM2.5 24 hours 39.9 μg/m3




North Metro 18 June 2006 N/A PM2.5 24 hours 26.8 μg/m3


South East Metro 18 June 2006 N/A PM2.5 24 hours 30.5 μg/m3

Outer North Coast 19 June 2006 N/A PM2.5 24 hours 63.9 μg/m3

List of Exceedences


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Location descriptor Station location Location descriptor Station location

North East Metro Caversham Outer East Rural Rolling Green

North Metro Duncraig South Coast Rockingham

CBD Queens Building Inner West Coast Swanbourne

Outer North Coast Quinns Rocks South Wattleup

South East Metro South Lake South (A) Hope Valley

Relationship between location descriptors and monitoring station locations/names


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(Refer to page 162)




Section 4 of the transitional provisions in the

Environment Protection (Miscellaneous) Amendment

Act 2005, Schedule 1, enables the continued operation

of the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air

Quality) Measure (NEPM), as an Environment

Protection Policy. The PM2.5 Variation to the NEPM

also operated as part of this policy from the day on

which it was made.

Administration of the NEPM is undertaken by the

South Australian Environment Protection Authority

(SA EPA), and to ensure the obligations under the

NEPM are met, the SA EPA operates the Ambient

Air Monitoring Network (the Network).


Implementation status

During 2006–07, the EPA has conducted a range of

activities aimed at fulf illing commitments made in

South Australia’s air monitoring plan and addressing

its obligations through the Ambient Air Quality

NEPM. This includes:

• installation of a city site at Grenfell Street in

September 2006 to monitor CO. This site is a

replacement for the Hindley Street station which

was closed in June 2005

• completion of campaign monitoring for O3, NO2,

SO2 at Whyalla, Nicolson Avenue

• continuation of the development of monitoring

stations in order to meet the monitoring requirements

specif ied in the plan. The stations yet to be

developed include:

– North-east Adelaide (PM10 and SO2)

– Southern wineries (O3, NO2, PM10, SO2)

– Barossa/Angaston (O3, NO2, PM10, SO2)

– Riverland (O3, NO2, PM10, SO2)

In May 2003, the Ambient Air Quality NEPM was

varied to include particles less than 2.5 micrometres

in diameter (PM2.5). In accordance with this variation,

the SA EPA has continued to monitor PM2.5 at its

Netley station using the reference method on a one-

in-three-day basis. This is in addition to monitoring

PM2.5 by Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance

(TEOM) as part of the PM2.5 equivalence program.

Operational activities

The Environment Protection Act provides for licensed

activities to undertake Environment Improvement

Programs to reduce their environmental impact. The

SA EPA routinely applies these provisions to industrial

sources that contribute signif icantly to regional scale

air pollution and thereby influence the achievement

of the NEPM.

The SA EPA is developing a new system to determine

licence fees, in order to better reflect the EPA’s

regulatory effort and extend the incentives to reduce

pollutant emissions. The new fee structure will include

a pollutant load-based component, where fees will

be based on the amount and type of pollutants

discharged to the environment.

The SA EPA continues to provide high quality data

through maintaining and developing its NATA

accreditation. The SA EPA has continued its

participation in the activities of the Air NEPM Peer

Review Committee (PRC), whose expertise assists in

clarif ication of technical aspects of implementation

of the NEPM. This participation includes interlaboratory

comparisons of standard gas cylinders, which helps

to ensure a consistency of data accuracy and

precision between jurisdictions.

The SA EPA has begun the process of providing its

ongoing and historic datasets to The National Air

Quality Database. This database was formed through

South Australia


Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure for South Australia by the Hon.

Gail Gago MLC, Minister for Environment and Conservation for the

reporting year ended 30 June 2007


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a Memorandum of Understanding between the

Bureau of Meteorology, NEPC Service Corporation

and the then Commonwealth Department of the

Environment and Heritage, and aims to support

EPHC/NEPC work on national air quality issues.

South Australia has continued to support the EPHC/

NEPC process by contributing to committees at all

levels including the current review of the Ambient

Air Quality NEPM. It is planned that this support

will continue throughout the review of the NEPM

and extend to supporting the outcomes of the review.

The EPA continues to develop atmospheric modelling

for use as a management tool through The Air

Pollution Model (TAPM) and by developing a

predictive model with the Bureau of Meteorology

and CSIRO. The SA EPA is currently investigating

the role of biogenic emissions in the formation of

photochemical oxidants across the Adelaide airshed.

In addition, preliminary investigations are being

made into the formation and distribution of nitrogen

dioxide and photochemical oxidants over a number

of summer periods within Adelaide.


South Australia continues to enjoy some of the best

ambient air quality in the country. The SA EPA

continues to support and work with the community

and industry to develop strategies to help reduce

pollution from point sources and diffuse pollution

from human activities.

The SA EPA is to review the Environment Protection

(Air Quality) Policy (the Air Policy) and Environment

Protection (Burning) Policy (the Burning Policy) in

2007–08, the two specif ic sets of legislation dealing

with emission of air pollution from specif ic sources.

South Australia has continued to provide technical

support to local government to administer the

Burning Policy and to resolve complaints relating

to domestic solid fuel heaters. The SA EPA, in 2005,

released a draft Code of Practice for Environmentally

Responsible Wood Heater Use to enable all sectors to

deal with woodheater issues. The draft Code was well

received. However, the SA EPA is now investigating

alternative strategies to better deal with solid fuel

heaters and domestic wood burning activities, including

a range of possible mechanisms to improve smoke

emissions and performance standards for wood heaters

sold in the state.

Potential effects of fuel formulations on motor

vehicle emissions were addressed through South

Australia’s Environment Protection (Motor Vehicle

Fuels Quality) Policy (the Fuels Policy). SA EPA also

continues to work with the Department of Transport,

Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI), the state agency

responsible for administration of in-service vehicle

legislation in the Road Traffic Act. Work began on

developing a framework for implementation of

‘Smoky Vehicles’ legislation, and DTEI has established

a Test and Repair Demonstration Program in South

Australia.

The Diesel NEPM Test and Repair Demonstration

Program commenced in October 2006. This will

provide information to assist in formulating

strategies to reduce emissions from in-service diesel

vehicles, which will include environmental, economic,

social and equity considerations.

The State continued its promotion of alternative

vehicle fuels to improve urban air quality, in

particular bio-diesel. DTEI has made a commitment

to use bio-diesel in its Public Transport fleet. From

the beginning of 2005, a signif icant proportion of the

bus fleet and all trains commenced operating on a 5%

bio-diesel blend (B5). In 2006, 5% bio-diesel (B5) is

being used in all diesel powered metropolitan buses

(comprising approximately 75% of the total bus fleet,

with the remaining 25% already running on compressed

natural gas) and in all diesel trains. Other bio-diesel

blends (B20, B50 and B100) are still being evaluated

and several buses are in regular operation running on

B20. Increasing the bio-diesel blend for the bus and

train fleet as a whole to B20 is currently being

investigated.

The SA government is currently procuring a range

of new public transport buses. The use of technologies

other than diesel powered vehicles has been highly

valued in the assessment of the tender submissions.

Dust monitoring at Whyalla

The SA EPA has made its real-time PM10 monitoring

data available to the steelworks at Whyalla. This will

help the company to monitor its activities and to be

better able to control significant emissions. To improve

the available information, the SA EPA has recently

upgraded its monitoring capability to continuous

PM10 monitors at Whyalla.


Lead at Port Pirie

Reducing child lead exposure at Port Pirie continues

to be a key environmental health initiative for South

Australia. The state government continues to facilitate

the Port Pirie Lead Implementation Program (PPLIP)

in concert with the local Council and the current lead

smelter operators (Zinifex).

Through the PPLIP, the state government has expended

$60 million in Port Pirie over the past 20 years in a

range of investigations into exposure pathways and

sources, ambient and source measurements and

speciation, house and streetscape dust reduction,

community and workforce education, and blood lead

monitoring. Ambient lead in air levels measured at

Frank Green Park in the city’s primary residential

area continue to comply with the NEPM standard but,

as the NHMRC guideline for blood lead in children

is still exceeded, intense efforts into smelter lead

emissions and exposure reduction will continue.

In concert with the PPLIP, an ambitious program was

launched in February 2006 with the goal of ensuring

that at least 95% of children aged 0–4 years residing

in Port Pirie have blood lead levels below 10ug/dL

by the end of 2010. Known as ‘Ten by 10’, the

program involves a collaborative approach between

the smelter operators, SA Department of Health,

SA EPA, and the Port Pirie Regional Council. The

smelter operators have committed $56 million to the

achievement of the Ten by 10 goal. This includes

commitments to major infrastructure and operational

improvements to the smelter site aimed at reducing

fugitive lead emissions, combined with support for

a range of community-based activities to reduce

lead uptake by children.

Results of ambient air monitoring conducted by the

SA EPA indicate that lead in air levels has reduced

over the past twelve months. This observation is

supported by ambient monitoring undertaken by the

smelter operators within the township. The SA EPA

is currently negotiating a ten-year licence with the

company, which will bind the operators to a renewed

lead reduction Environment Improvement Program

linked with requirements to achieve and maintain

(as a minimum) the NEPM standard for ambient lead

in air at the two EPA air monitoring sites specif ied

in the licence.

Sulphur dioxide at Port Pirie

The Port Pirie lead smelter is the primary contributor

to ambient sulphur dioxide in Port Pirie. The

company has proposed to undertake an exposure

level assessment project with the aim of better

understanding the short and longer term exposure

of individuals to SO2 levels. This is proposed to take

into account meteorological, seasonal and temporal

variables in combination with site emission data. The

SA EPA is supportive of this approach as a f irst step

towards reducing the potential impacts of exposure.

Domestic wood smoke emissions

In 2006, the SA EPA developed a two-year behaviour

change pilot program, in partnership with the Adelaide

Hills Council, that encourages households to engage

in eff icient woodheater practices to minimise wood-

smoke. As part of this project, the SA EPA monitors

particulates as well as encouraging residents to take

up a ‘SmokeWatch Challenge’, in which they commit

to undertaking four key eff icient woodheater

practices throughout winter in order to reduce

woodsmoke pollution.

Review of air quality monitoring

The SA EPA has undertaken a review of its entire

air monitoring system, which will address all

aspects of the organisation’s air monitoring stations

and quality system. The review will provide an

opportunity to assess the current status of the NEPM

and focus monitoring efforts. The review will be used

to determine future directions for air monitoring in

South Australia.


EFFECTIVENESS

The Ambient Air Quality NEPM has been effective

in providing a legislative framework to monitor

general community exposure to the criteria pollutants

in Adelaide and some regional centres. It has also

stimulated investigations into localised exposure

from particular emission sources and enhanced the

review of the approach taken to manage regional

air quality.

The NEPM reinforces the need to supply high quality

data in a timely manner and thereby ensure that air

quality management decisions are based on sound

science. South Australia has found that this can be

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undertaken with confidence only in-house, by

appropriately qualif ied staff with practical experience

in operating an extensive network of instruments on

a long-term basis.

For the 2006 reporting year, comparison of monitoring

data to the standards and goals of the Ambient Air

Quality NEPM revealed that:

• the standard and goal were met for CO at the

Elizabeth station but not demonstrated at the

Tandanya station

• for NO2, the standards and goals were met at all

stations but not demonstrated at Elizabeth, Christie

Downs and Whyalla Nicolson Avenue

• for O3, the standards were exceeded on one occasion

at the Netley station but the goal was met. The

standards and goals were met at all other stations

but not demonstrated at the Christie Downs and

Whyalla, Nicolson Avenue stations due to the sites

commencing or being shut down.

• for SO2, the one-hour standard and goal were not

met at Port Pirie, Oliver Street. All other stations

met the standard and goal for SO2 except Whyalla,

Nicolson Avenue where compliance was not

demonstrated. This was due to closure of the site

after completion of campaign monitoring

• for PM10 in the Adelaide region, the standard

was exceeded:

– on two occasions at the Kensington station

– on four occasions at the Elizabeth station

– on two occasions at the Christie Downs station

– on eleven occasions at the Netley station

• for the Spencer region, the standard was not met:

– on two occasions at Whyalla, Civic Park

– on thirteen occasions at Port Pirie, Oliver Street

• the goal was not met at:

– Netley

– Port Pirie, Oliver Street

• for Pb, the annual standard and goal were met

at both stations at Port Pirie

• for PM2.5, the advisory reporting standard was

exceeded at Netley, the one station where monitoring

was conducted

• where compliance with the standards and the

2008 goal could not be demonstrated through

low data capture, it is expected that compliance

with the relevant standard would have otherwise

been achieved.

Continuation of a core network of long-term

monitoring sites in the Adelaide region will assist

in development and verif ication of a regional air

dispersion model that can be used for strategic

planning purposes and for advance public notification

of likely air quality on a daily basis. The former will

help to ensure that the NEPM goal and any future

goals are adequately considered in long-term regional

scale planning decisions for the Adelaide region.

The latter will promote awareness of the issue in the

community and help drive behavioural change that

will contribute to achieving the NEPM goal.

Circumstances which led to exceedences

Exceedences of the PM10 standard occurred on a

number of occasions throughout the state. This was

often associated with dry days, coupled with strong

northerly winds. Bushfires occurring both within

SA and interstate also contributed to the total

particle levels.

One exceedence each of the one-hour and four-hour

ozone standards were recorded in metropolitan

Adelaide. These exceedences were associated with

a warm day and smoke from bushfires in Victoria.

Other elevated levels of ozone were also recorded

on warm sunny days, coupled with visible bushfire

smoke transported from both interstate and

intrastate f ires.

Exceedences of the SO2 standard and goal

occurred at Port Pirie. These exceedences were due

to emissions from a major lead and zinc smelter

located within the region, coupled with suitable

meteorological conditions.


BY THE NEPM


in tabular form below to enable an evaluation of whether

the NEPM standards and goal were met at each

monitoring station. The standards, with accompanying

definitions and explanations, appear in Schedule 2

of the NEPM. For averaging times shorter than one

year, compliance with the NEPM goal is achieved if

the standard for a pollutant is exceeded on no more

than a specif ied number of days in a calendar year

(one day per year for all pollutants except PM10, which

may be exceeded no more than f ive days per year)

and at least 75% of data is captured in each quarter.


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Adelaide

ADL01—Tandanya 0 Not demonstrated

ELI01—Elizabeth Downs 0 Met

1 Hour 1 Year



Adelaide

ELI01—Elizabeth Downs 0 Not demonstrated 0.004 Not demonstrated

NOR01—Northfield,

Folland Avenue 0 Met 0.006 Met

NET01—Netley 0 Met 0.009 Met

KEN01—Kensington 0 Met 0.005 Met

Gardens

CHD01—Christie Downs 0 Not demonstrated 0.006 Not demonstrated

Spencer

WHY02—Whyalla, 0 Not demonstrated 0.002 Not demonstrated

Nicolson Avenue


The data are presented in greater detail in

<www.ephc.gov.au/nepms/air/juris_mon_reports_

05.html>.


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1 Hour 4 Hours



Adelaide

ELI01—Elizabeth Downs 0 Met 0 Met

NOR01—Northfield,

Folland Avenue 0 Met 0 Met

NET01—Netley 1 Met 1 Met

KEN01—Kensington

Gardens 0 Met 0 Met

CHD01—Christie Downs 0 Not demonstrated 0 Not demonstrated

Spencer

WHY02—Whyalla,

Nicolson Avenue 0 Not demonstrated 0 Not demonstrated


1 Hour 1 Day 1 Year



(ppm)

Adelaide

NOR01—Northfield, 0 Met 0 Met 0.000 Met

Folland Avenue

Spencer

PTP01—Pt Pirie,

Oliver Street 33 Not met 0 Met 0.007 Met

WHY02—Whyalla,

Nicolson Avenue 0 Not 0 Not 0.001 Not



Pb Lead(NEPM standard 1 year = 0.50μg/m3)

Station Annual NEPM goal

average (µg/m3) compliance

Spencer

PTP05—Pt Pirie, Frank Green Park 0.16 Met

PTP01—Pt Pirie, Oliver Street 0.49 Met


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Adelaide

ELI01—Elizabeth Downs 4 Met

KEN01—Kensington Gardens 2 Met

NET01—Netley 11 Not met

CHD01—Christie Downs 2 Not demonstrated

Spencer

WHY05—Whyalla, Civic Park 2 Not demonstrated

PTP01—Pt Pirie, Oliver Street 13 Not met



1 Year



Adelaide

NET01—Netley 0 8


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Tasmania


Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure for Tasmania by the Hon. Paula

Wriedt MHA, Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment for the



(Refer to page 162)




The Tasmanian Ambient Air Quality NEPM process

is implemented primarily through the Environment

Division of the Department of Tourism, Arts and the

Environment (DTAE), the enabling legislation is the

Environmental Management and Pollution Control

Act 1994 (EMPC Act).

National Environment Protection Measures are

adopted as state policies under the State Policies

and Projects Act 1993.


The EMPC Act provides for the development of

Environment Protection Policies (EPPs) for various

aspects of environmental management within its

purview. The EPP (Air Quality), which came into

force in June 2005, includes specif ic reference to

meeting the requirements of the Ambient Air Quality

NEPM through regulation of industry and management

of diffuse sources and planned burning activities.

The policy is available on the DTAE website at:

<www.environment.tas.gov.au>.

As required by the EPP (Air Quality), Tasmania’s

Air Quality Strategy was published in June 2006.

The f ive-year strategy assesses compliance with the

Ambient Air Quality NEPM standards in Tasmania

and specif ies strategies for achieving compliance

where standards are not being met. The strategy

addresses the management of air quality in Tasmania

and includes programs to further reduce domestic and

industrial emissions of respirable particles in critical

regions of the state. It also embraces national programs

to develop standards for PM2.5 and air toxics; the

diesel emissions NEPM; national fuel and vehicle

standards; and other programs such as the National

Woodheater Action Plan and the National Firewood

Code of Practice.

A primary air quality issue for Tasmania is domestic

woodsmoke. The Environment Division has developed

the Environmental Management and Pollution Control

(Distributed Atmospheric Emissions) Regulations

2007 to control the import, sale and installation of

wood heaters, prohibiting those that do not meet the

current Australian Standard, AS4013. The regulations

make the emission of excessive smoke from wood

heaters, f ireplaces, hot water and cooking appliances

and barbecues an offence. With certain exceptions,

backyard burning on allotments of less than 2000

square metres is prohibited. Three workshops for

local government off icers were conducted by the

Environment Division in April 2007. These focused

on how the regulations will function and the role

the officers will take as agents of the regulatory

body. The Division has also printed and distributed

pamphlets explaining the regulations to wood heater

manufacturers, retailers and owners. Copies of these

pamphlets are also available from the DTAE website.

It is anticipated that the new regulations will be

gazetted in August 2007.

The Tasmanian government has provided funding of

$816 000 for the period 2004–08 to develop an air

monitoring capability for PM2.5 particles, as required

by the amendment to the Ambient Air Quality NEPM

(May 2003), and upgrade existing PM10 monitoring.

The new system which includes PM10 and PM2.5

monitoring has been operating at Ti Tree Bend

monitoring station in Launceston since August 2005

and at the new station at New Town in Hobart since

May 2006. The New Town station was established

as a result of increasing evidence that the original

station at Prince of Wales Bay was not representative

of population exposure in greater Hobart.

Commissioning of a similarly equipped air quality

monitoring station at Devonport has been postponed


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due to lack of personnel resources. It is anticipated

that the station will be commissioned in late 2007.


At the present time DTAE doesn’t comply with the

requirement for NATA accreditation under clause 12

of the Ambient Air Quality NEPM. Since October

2006, the Environment Division of DTAE has

completely revised and upgraded the Air Monitoring

Quality System to comply with the requirements of

ISO:17025, as part of its commitment to achieving

NATA accreditation for the Ambient Air Monitoring

Program. A preliminary external audit of the program

by an accredited NATA inspector is scheduled for

July 2007.

The Environment Division has further developed the

Tasmanian Air Quality Database to be compatible

with the national database. The facility continues to

provide weekly air quality reports to a range of clients,

including councils, community organisations, local

physicians and the media. At the present time, the

validated monitoring data are published monthly

on the DTAE website. It is hoped that near real-time

continuously monitored air quality parameters will

be published on the DTAE website in 2008.

The Environment Division is cognisant of the

importance of developing its air quality dispersion

modelling capabilities. A project is currently being

developed to implement a state-wide domestic

heating survey together with a comprehensive review

and collation of stack-test emission results for industry

throughout the state. The information collected will

be used to improve the predictive capability of

dispersion modelling undertaken by the Division and

may facilitate the inclusion of some Tasmanian cities

in the Australian Air Quality Forecasting System

administered by the Bureau of Meteorology.

A pilot air monitoring education program recommenced

in May 2006. The program, using nephelometers

installed in schools in Greater Hobart, is designed

to support the main performance and trend station

at New Town. A consultant has been contracted to

work with teachers to develop teaching and learning

materials on air quality issues, using the data collected

from each of the schools. The materials developed

will be incorporated into the school curricula and

will be made available for other schools to implement.


EFFECTIVENESS

The Ambient Air Quality NEPM has been very

effective in Tasmania. It has contributed to changing

the culture of the community towards improved air

quality in populated areas. It has played an influential

role in driving programs aimed at reducing woodsmoke

pollution during winter, especially in Launceston. As

a result, there has been a marked reduction in the

number of wood heaters in Launceston.

The NEPM has also been a driver of improvements in

the quality of monitoring and reporting of air quality

data in Tasmania.

Of the six exceedences of the 50 μg/m3 24-hour

average PM10 standard recorded at Launceston in

2006, three were attributed to winter woodsmoke and

three to smoke from widespread bushfires in Tasmania

and Victoria. The number of exceedences recorded

in 2006 continues the downward trend in exceedences

observed since 1997. There were 36 exceedences of

the 25 μg/m3 24-hour advisory reporting standard for

PM2.5 recorded at Launceston in 2006. A reduction

in the number of exceedences of the PM2.5 advisory

reporting standard will be a major objective for the

management of air quality in the Launceston airshed

in the coming years.

For Hobart in 2006, there were no exceedences of the

24-hour PM10 standard of 50 μg/m3. The 24–hour

PM2.5 concentration exceeded the 25 μg/m3 advisory

reporting standard on two days. The annual average

PM2.5 concentration was 7.2 μg/m3, compared with

the annual average advisory reporting standard

of 8 μg/m3. However, compliance with the NEPM

standards could not be demonstrated as data were

collected for fewer than 272 days (75%) of the year,

due to relocation of the Hobart monitoring station.


BY THE NEPM










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Launceston

Ti Tree Bend 6 Not met

Hobart

Prince of Wales Bay 0 Not demonstrated

New Town 0 Not demonstrated

(August–

December 2006)



1 Year



LauncestonTi Tree Bend 36 10.4

Hobart

Prince of Wales Bay No data

New Town 2 7.2

(June and

December 2006)

Devonport Not measured Not measured




five days per year) and at least 75% of data is captured

in each quarter.

The data are presented in greater detail in Report

Against the National Environment Protection

Measure for Ambient Air Quality for 2006 by

Tasmania in June 2007.

The above-mentioned report and the Ambient Air

Quality NEPM Monitoring Plan for Tasmania are

available from <www.environment.tas.gov.au>.


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(Refer to page 162)




The administrative frameworks for implementation

of the Ambient Air Quality NEPM are in place in the

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) .


The ACT’s ambient air monitoring program is

conducted in accordance with its approved monitoring

plan. In accordance with the NEPM Protocol, the ACT

requires only one performance monitoring station.

This is located in the southern Canberra suburb

of Monash. It is intended that this will remain

a permanent monitoring and trend site.

Health Protection Services (HPS), ACT Health,

operate the ACT government’s ambient air monitoring

network. In accordance with clause 12 of the NEPM,

HPS are National Association of Testing Authorities

(NATA) accredited.

Consistent with the 2003 NEPM variation, the ACT

continues to monitor PM2.5 at Monash.

The ACT continues to participate in the Peer Review

Committee.


The ACT has fully implemented the Ambient Air

Quality NEPM.


EFFECTIVENESS

Data presented in Part 4 demonstrate that the ACT

is fully compliant with the NEPM goal for gaseous

pollutants. However, as in previous years, data obtained

from implementing the NEPM continue to show that

the ACT has a winter particle pollution problem due

to woodheater emissions. This is clearly demonstrated

by continued PM2.5 monitoring, which shows a

signif icant increase in particle levels during the

colder months of the year.

During 2006, a total of four PM10 exceedences were

recorded. However, the PM10 monitoring instrument

was off-line from 28 May until 25 July due to

extensive vandalism, the time span covering a large

proportion of the wood heating season. All the

exceedences occurred from mid November to mid

December and were due to large bushfires in New

South Wales and Victoria.

The ACT will continue to use the NEPM to guide

air management strategies, in particular those aimed

at reducing woodheater emissions.


BY THE NEPM














The data are presented in greater detail in the annual

monitoring report to the NEPC for the reporting year

ended 30 June 2006.



Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure for the Australian Capital

Territory by Jon Stanhope MLA, Minister for the Environment, Water

and Climate Change for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


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Canberra

Monash 4 Not demonstrated*

* Due to less than 75% data in Q2 and Q3.



1 Day 1 Year

Station Number of Annual mean

exceedences concentration (µg/m3)

Canberra

Monash* 20 7.9

* All PM2.5 data have been invalidated due to a failure to meet f ilter conditioning criteria.

1 Hour 4 Hours



Canberra

Monash 0 Met 0 Met

1 Hour 1 Year



Canberra

Monash 0 Met 0.018 Met





Canberra

Monash 0 Met



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(Refer to page 162)




The Environment Protection Agency Program in the


the Arts is responsible for the implementation of the

Ambient Air Quality NEPM in the Northern Territory

through the provisions of the Waste Management and

Pollution Control Act 1998 and the National

Environment Protection Council (Northern Territory)

Act 2004.

The Northern Territory’s ambient air monitoring

program is undertaken in accordance with the approved

monitoring plan. The administrative frameworks for

implementation of the NEPM are in place.


The primary air pollutant of concern in the Northern

Territory is particulate matter from landscape f ires.

Performance monitoring of particulate matter (PM10

and PM2.5) commenced in the Darwin region in

April 2004.

The National Environmental Protection Protocol

requires the Northern Territory to have two NEPM

performance monitoring stations—one in the Darwin

region and the other in Alice Springs. A monitoring

station operated throughout the reporting period at

Casuarina, Darwin, for particulate matter. Monitoring

has not been undertaken at Alice Springs. However,

the need for monitoring in the region is being

considered as one component of a review of current

and projected monitoring requirements and the

Northern Territory government’s approach to the

management of air quality in the Northern Territory.

The Department of Natural Resources, Environment

and the Arts is continuing to discuss f ire management

in the Darwin region with the Northern Territory

Bushfires Council, as controlled burning regimes

and uncontrolled burning can affect the resultant

emissions of airborne pollutants.


Monitoring has been undertaken for particulate

matter throughout the reporting period. The Northern

Territory is unable, however, to demonstrate that the

relevant goal for PM10 has been met, due to technical

diff iculties encountered with Tapered Element

Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) sampling through

the period, resulting in a smaller than anticipated

dataset. These issues with data availability have since

been resolved.

While the paucity of data from the TEOM means that

compliance cannot be demonstrated, the timing of the

problems with data collection did not coincide with

the ‘dry season’, historically the period of highest

particulate levels due to bushfires. This point, combined

with more complete data obtained from Partisol

Dichotomous sampling, suggests that it is unlikely

that there were any exceedences of the PM10 standard

during the period.

Based on data obtained through Partisol Dichotomous

sampling at Casuarina, the PM2.5 reporting level was

exceeded f ive times: once in the early dry season

(30 June 2006—likely to be associated with the

release of f ireworks to celebrate Territory Day), and

four times in the late dry season, coinciding with

bushfires in the region.

Activities continue to focus on further characterising

and addressing the primary air pollutant of concern

in the Northern Territory—particulate matter from

landscape f ires. Arrangements for monitoring of

particulate matter contributed to broader studies

assessing the impacts of f ires on landscape condition

and public health. The studies undertaken as part of

Northern Territory


Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure for the Northern Territory by

the Hon. Delia Lawrie MLA, Minister for Natural Resources, Environment

and Heritage for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007

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the Australian Research Council’s Bushfire Smoke

project have provided information on processes

generating the particulate matter affecting the Darwin

region and established the capacity to monitor air

quality and develop policy to manage particulate

pollution. The Bushfire Smoke project has also

increased collaboration between researchers and

government agencies to raise the profile of air quality

effects on human health. Collaboration with the

Bureau of Meteorology has provided a historical and

regional perspective to bushfire smoke in the Darwin

region and opportunities to consider the development

of forecasting and other services that might benefit

the community.

The Bushfire Smoke project will be an important

contribution towards the Northern Territory

government’s current review of its approach to air

quality monitoring requirements and management

response.

Although other pollutants covered by the NEPM are

currently not considered to be of concern in relation

to the national ambient air quality standards, the

increasing focus on Darwin as a major regional

centre and the resulting increases in development

mean that the Northern Territory’s monitoring status

and compliance with these standards will need to

be routinely reviewed. Subject to the f indings of the

review noted above, the Monitoring Plan for the

Northern Territory may require amendment to reflect

development in the region, including signif icant

industrial developments. Consideration will also need

to be given to Alice Springs, which has reached the

population threshold for a monitoring station.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM has provided a useful framework to

develop air quality monitoring programs within the

Northern Territory, with air quality monitoring now

undertaken as a partnership arrangement between

Charles Darwin University, the Northern Territory

government and Darwin City Council. Particulate

matter from landscape f ires has been identif ied as

the principal pollutant of concern in the Darwin

region and monitoring of PM10 and PM2.5 continues

to be undertaken.

Although the Territory meets the standards for all

other pollutants of concern, the NEPM processes

have enabled benchmarks for pollutants to be

established as a reference in future ambient air

quality reviews for the region.


BY THE NEPM














The data are presented in greater detail in the Annual

Compliance Report for the Northern Territory 2006,

available at

<www.nt.gov.au/nreta/environment/air/index>.

The monitoring plan for the Northern Territory

is available at

<www.nt.gov.au/nreta/environment/air/pdf/

monitoringplan.pdf>.




Darwin (Casuarina) 0* Not demonstrated#

* No exceedences were recorded by TEOM and Partisol sampling.

# Performance not demonstrated as less than 75% of data was captured using TEOM sampling in any one quarter, due to technical

problems. From the data that were collected, predominantly during the dry season, and consideration of data supplied by Partisol

sampling, it is considered likely that the goal would have been met.



1 Year



Darwin (Casuarina) 5* 7.3

* Partisol Dichotomous Sampler.




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206


Movement of Controlled Waste betweenStates and Territories NEPM

2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories

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NEPM details


(Movement of Controlled Waste between States

and Territories) Measure



(advertised in the Commonwealth of Australia

Gazette no. GN 27, 8 July 1998, p. 2212)


The desired goal for the National Environment

Protection (Movement of Controlled Waste between

States and Territories) Measure is set out in clause


11. The national environment protection goal

of this Measure is to assist in achieving the

desired environmental outcomes set out in

clause 12 by providing a basis for ensuring

that controlled wastes which are to be moved

between states and territories are properly

identif ied, transported, and otherwise

handled in ways which are consistent with

environmentally sound practices for the

management of these wastes.


The desired environmental outcomes for the National


Waste between States and Territories) Measure is set


12. The desired environmental outcomes of this

Measure are to minimise the potential for

adverse impacts associated with the movement

of controlled waste on the environment and

human health.

Evaluation criteria



Waste between States and Territories) Measure is

based on the following criteria.


Implementation Reporting Protocol):




requirements

• progress towards achievement of the NEPM goal,


NEPM standards



Specific criteria

Clause 13(1) of the NEPM states that:

In order to facilitate reporting on the implementation

and effectiveness of the NEPM, the relevant agency

of each participating state and territory should provide

collated summary information on the:

(i) movement of controlled waste into each

jurisdiction, indicating jurisdiction of origin,

waste code and quantity of waste;

(ii) level of discrepancies (e.g. non-arrival

of a consignment) as a percentage of total

authorised controlled waste movements; and

(iii) benefits arising from the implementation

of the Measure.

Commonwealth


Protection (Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories)

Measure for the Commonwealth by the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP,

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources for the reporting year

ended 30 June 2007

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(Refer to page 208)




The Commonwealth implements the NEPM by using

State and Territory tracking and reporting systems.

Through its involvement in the Implementation Working

Group (IWG), the Commonwealth is working with the

states and territories to continue to implement the

NEPM in a consistent approach. Members of the IWG

communicate regularly through e-mail and meetings.


The Commonwealth provides advice to the IWG,

drawing where relevant, on the expertise of the

Hazardous Waste Technical Group which is established

under the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports

and Imports) Act 1989 (Cwlth), to advise on technical

matters relating to the definition and management

of hazardous wastes. The Commonwealth also uses

the IWG to raise issues in relation to the operation

of the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and

Imports) Act 1989 (Cwlth) and its associated

compliance functions.

Thirteen Commonwealth agencies reported on the

NEPM. They were the Australian Broadcasting

Corporation, Australian Film Commission, Australian

National University, Centrelink, Department of

Defence, Department of the Environment and Water

Resources (Australian Antarctic Division), Department

of Finance and Administration (Finance), Department

of Transport and Regional Services (including Airport

Planning and Regulation Branch, Australian Transport

Safety Bureau and Territories Branch), Geoscience

Australia, Royal Australian Mint, Commonwealth

Scientif ic and Industrial Research Organisation

(CSIRO), Telstra Corporation Ltd and Therapeutic

Goods Administration Group of Regulators including

the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and the

National Industrial Chemicals Notif ication and

Assessment Scheme. Six of the reporting agencies

indicated that they had incorporated, or they were

about to incorporate, activities under the NEPM in

their environmental management systems, waste

management tracking systems or occupational health

and safety requirements. Some of these agencies also

reported that they were actively incorporating audits

of their systems and those of waste management

contractors. Three agencies relied on their contractor,

or the management of the facility (for which they had

oversight under legislation), to comply with the NEPM.

One of the agencies reported that it was about to

implement a new Environmental Management Policy

that will include a review of the management of

chemical waste. One of these agencies also performed

an annual audit to provide information to management

on the level of wastes on site and its compliance with

its waste strategies. Four of the agencies indicated

the NEPM did not apply to their activities.

Some of the agencies minimise the production of

waste. Of the reporting agencies, one indicated that

it had designated environmental safety officers to

provide advice on waste disposal and NEPM. One

agency indicated that it had developed a database

to assist staff with specif ic information relating to

NEPM requirements. Another agency was using a

risk management database to record activities that

resulted in a movement of controlled waste, with

links to licences and receipts. Another agency

reported that it ensured transparency of the movements

by publishing the details of such movements on its

website. Most other agencies reported similarly on

one or more of these points as well as undertaking

relevant training.


The IWG is focused on resolving practical aspects of

the implementation of the NEPM. The Commonwealth

contributes to this work because of the similar issues


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that are faced in implementing the Hazardous Waste

(Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989,

particularly in the area of compliance and enforcement.

Relevant Commonwealth agencies generally report

that they are liaising closely with appropriate state

government authorities and/or with waste contractors

to ensure that the requirements of the NEPM are met.

However, one agency notes that for national interest

and administrative eff iciency reasons it is unable

to comply with state and territory legislation that

implements the NEPM. Instead, this agency tries

to achieve the same environmental outcomes by

incorporating comparable waste management

requirements into its environmental management

system. Another agency suggested that for the

movement of its wastes into Australia, a ‘single

classif ication and approval’ system be developed

that would incorporate the requirements for the

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and

other obligations under international treaties.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM generally operates efficiently and provides

an effective framework for implementation across the

states and territories. Significantly, no Commonwealth

agency reporting on the NEPM indicated any

problems in meeting the requirements of the NEPM.

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New South Wales



Measure for New South Wales by the Hon. Phil Koperberg MP, Minister

for Climate Change, Environment and Water for the reporting year ended

30 June 2007


(Refer to page 208)




The Protection of the Environment Operations Act

1997 (NSW) provides the legislative framework for

the implementation of the NEPM, which is given

effect through the Protection of the Environment

Operations (Waste) Regulation 2005 (the Regulation).

The Regulation requires a consignment authorisation

be obtained before any controlled waste is transported

in New South Wales and that a transport certif icate

accompany the waste during transit. The Regulation

also provides for the recognition of waste transporter

licences issued in other participating states and

territories where these correspond to, or are similar

to, New South Wales issued environment protection

licences for waste transport.

Note that the Environment Protection Authority

(EPA), which administers the Regulation, is now part

of the Department of Environment and Climate

Change (DECC).


New South Wales has continued programs to raise

awareness of waste tracking requirements within

industry, including giving presentations at industry-

run training programs and liaising with industry

associations. Major waste facilities have reported an

increased awareness amongst waste generators about

their obligations to correctly characterise their waste

and to ensure waste is transported to facilities that

can lawfully receive that waste.

Implementation of online waste tracking has

continued and most movements of controlled waste

into New South Wales are now tracked using an

internet-based system.


The NEPM has been implemented in New South

Wales since October 1999. The benefits in eff iciency

and transparency gained from the introduction of a

streamlined regulatory framework and online waste

tracking in 2005–06 have been consolidated in 2006–07.


EFFECTIVENESS

The goal of the NEPM is to minimise the potential

for adverse impacts associated with the movement

of controlled waste on the environment and human

health. New South Wales monitors compliance and

exchanges information with other jurisdictions to

achieve the goal of the NEPM. The NEPM has

continued to prove an effective tool in achieving

its goal.

A total of 83 690 tonnes of controlled waste in 5044

movements was reported in this period as having

been transported into New South Wales (Tables 1

and 3). This is marginally down from 85 011 tonnes

and 5100 movements in 2005–06.

Reductions in the amount of controlled waste

transported into New South Wales were recorded for

clinical waste (80%), mostly due to a new medical

waste treatment facility opening in Victoria, pesticides

(50%) and inorganic chemicals (16%). These reductions

have been largely offset by increases in most other

waste categories, including putrescible/organic waste

(84%), oil (47%) and acids (22%). Resource recovery

and landfill disposal continued to be the most common

end for controlled waste transported into NSW.

New South Wales continued to monitor compliance

with the NEPM in 2006–07. There has been improved

compliance with the introduction of online waste

tracking. The biggest improvements were for waste

movements from Queensland and the Australian Capital

Territory where uptake of online waste tracking was

fastest (Table 2). The online waste tracking system

prevents the use of out-of-date consignment

authorisations, a major problem in the past, and

helps prevent transport by unlicensed transporters

by identifying such transporters before they leave

the consignor’s premises.

New South Wales undertakes a range of targeted

enforcement campaigns aimed at preventing illegal

dumping and unlawful waste transport, covering

wastes originating from within New South Wales and

interstate. Campaigns included aerial surveillance

to identify potential illegal dump sites, co-ordinated

vehicle inspection programs at waste facilities

and Roads and Traffic Authority heavy vehicle

checking stations and an intensive inspection program

of facilities performing waste immobilisations,

a signif icant proportion of which involves the

immobilisation of waste sourced from interstate.


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Table 1: Quantity of controlled waste into New South Wales for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007

Tonnes per waste category by state/territory

Code Description Vic Qld WA SA Tas ACT NT Total

(tonnes)

A Plating & Heat

Treatment 0.07 0.07

B Acids 10316.89 0.89 10317.78

C Alkalis 44.54 15.04 159.04 218.62

D Inorganic chemicals 33450.22 14131.58 45.12 3076.35 342.93 51046.20

E Reactive chemicals 0.04 0.04

F Paints, resins, inks

organic sludges 1099.68 846.16 174.00 68.84 2188.69

G Organic solvents 532.32 654.54 46.58 273.85 32.35 1539.64

H Pesticides 483.06 0.47 483.53

J Oils 3919.76 199.58 103.70 529.15 4752.20

K Putrescible/organic

waste 2381.97 7536.49 1820.72 11739.18

L Industrial washwater

M Organic chemicals 230.76 119.68 43.10 0.46 394.00

N Soil/sludge 54.46 318.55 0.16 133.96 507.13

R Clinical

& pharmaceutical 146.89 14.12 152.15 313.16

T Misc. 34.50 155.48 189.98

State Totals (tonnes) 52211.99 24303.76 220.58 465.93 3076.35 3252.55 159.04 83690.20

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Table 2: Discrepancies in movements of controlled waste into New South Wales for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007

Percentage of total movements

Discrepancy Type Vic Qld WA SA Tas ACT NT

Consignment non-arrival

Transport without authorisation 1.5 1.9 0.9

Non-matching documentation 0.6 0.2 0.1

Waste data 3.2 0.6 4.0

Table 3: Number of movements of controlled waste into New South Wales for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007


2438 1328 25 94 154 1000 5



(Refer to page 208)




The key legislative instruments consist of the

Environment Protection Act 1970 and the Environment

Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998. The

implementation statute that formally adopts the

NEPM is the Industrial Waste Management Policy

(Movement of Controlled Waste between States and

Territories) 2001.


Victoria takes an active and constructive approach to

improving the effectiveness of the Measure, including

through working to promote waste reduction measures,

and assessing approvals to ensure that the movement

is for destruction or re-use/recycling. The necessity

to assess the safety standards of vehicles transporting

waste across state borders was another priority

identif ied and implemented by EPA Victoria over the

current reporting period

Since 1997, Victoria has been actively involved in

tracking cross border movements of wastes. The

database administrated by Victorian EPA enables

comparable data on controlled waste. Victoria

continued to meet its obligations under the Agreement,

submitting copies of the consignment applications

to all interstate agencies for comment.

The NEPM has been successfully implemented

in Victoria.


NEPM complementary legislation stipulated in each

jurisdiction and the ongoing consultation process

between jurisdictions helped in coordinating effort

to reduce unauthorised shipments. The NEPM brings

national consistency to the management of issues,

referrals and investigations.


EFFECTIVENESS

In 2006–07, Victoria experienced increases in the

number of new consignment applicants. For the

2006–07 reporting period, 617 approvals were issued.

This is an increase of 97 approvals from the previous

reporting year.

Table 1 presents summary movements into Victoria.

The total amount of controlled waste coming into

Victoria, in 2006–07, was 40 488 tonnes, with

inorganic chemicals accounting for 54% of this

f igure. The total amount of controlled waste in

2006–07 was 11% above the level in 2005–06

(36 354 tonnes). This steady increase could be

attributed to the increased focus on energy from

waste programs, along with improved level of

awareness and compliance of the NEPM requirements.

Waste streams, which exhibit high calorif ic values,

accounted for 36% of the total tonnage carried into

Victorian facilities with waste oil steady at 19%.

The organic chemicals waste stream (Category M)

was predominantly polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),

and there had been a marked reduction in PCBs

(47%) between 2006–07 and 2005–06. This decrease

reversed the trend of last two years, and it is anticipated

may be due to the gradual depletion of waste PCB

contaminated materials.

With the exception of used tyres, the number of

unauthorised shipments arrived in Victoria during

2006–07 was below that of the previous year. This

decline reflects the effectiveness of consultation

between jurisdictions.

The NEPM has assisted in identifying unaccounted

shipments, fluctuations in recorded movements and

waste and management issues. The NEPM also

assisted in ensuring that controlled wastes transported

Victoria



Measure for Victoria by the Hon. Gavin Jennings, Minister for Environment

and Climate Change for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007

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into Victoria are appropriately classif ied and handled

in accordance with the key legislative instruments

and Waste Management Policies.

Table 1: Quantity of controlled waste into Victoria for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007


Code Description NSW Qld WA SA Tas ACT NT Total

(tonnes)

A Plating & Heat

Treatment 8.00 0.80 8.80

B Acids 406.65 0.60 178.15 2.36 587.76

C Alkalis 1449.42 1449.42

D Inorganic chemicals 10147.23 73.62 2811.97 8101.60 632.64 23.33 416.32 22206.71

E Reactive chemicals 7.64 0.15 0.03 7.82


organic sludges 2243.48 844.25 34.30 153.63 2.53 3278.19


H Pesticides 94.83 44.22 15.00 37.27 0.31 191.63

J Oils 6033.22 958.09 16.00 10.35 679.43 7697.09


waste 369.05 369.05

L Industrial washwater 749.10 22.00 771.10

M Organic chemicals 323.18 7.70 76.80 49.00 456.68

N Soil/sludge 5.50 0.30 5.80

R Clinical

& pharmaceutical 233.17 50.78 14.21 133.64 431.80

T Misc. 0.16 15.80 0.87 6.99 23.82


Table 2: Discrepancies in movements of controlled waste into Victoria for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007


Discrepancy Type NSW Qld WA SA Tas ACT NT

Consignment non-arrival 2.6 2.1 3.6 2.31 11.56 - -

Transport without authorisation 0.14 0.42 0.42 1.23 1.25 5.3 6.25

Non-matching documentation 2.21 2.52 6.09 6.96 1.56 5.33 -

Waste data - - - - - - -

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Table 3: Number of movements of controlled waste into Victoria for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007

NSW Qld WA SA Tas ACT NT

2124 236 164 647 320 75 32


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(Refer to page 208)




The Queensland Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) is responsible for the administration of the

Controlled Waste NEPM in Queensland. The NEPM

is implemented under the Environmental Protection

Act 1994 (EP Act), principally through the

Environmental Protection (Waste Management)

Regulation 2000.

As per the NEPM, the regulation includes provisions

for the tracking of controlled waste and requirements

for the prior approval of consignments of controlled

waste into Queensland. Legislative requirements

for the licensing of controlled waste transporters

are included in the EP Act and the Environmental

Protection Regulation 1998. Administration of the

NEPM is integrated with intrastate tracking and

regulated waste licensing and compliance processes

in Queensland.


During 2006–07, the Queensland EPA issued 172

consignment authorisations, compared with 164

during 2005–06 and 177 in 2004–05. All consignment

authorisation decisions were made within the

required timeframes.

Ten consignment applications were refused during

the period. All refused applications were on the

basis that the proposed receiving facility was not

appropriately licensed to receive the waste. Three

applications were refused in 2005–06 and 11 were

refused in 2004–05. The Queensland EPA consulted

with the applicant and the jurisdiction of origin

when a decision to refuse was made.

The Queensland EPA provided comments within the

required timeframes on 78 consignment applications

made to other jurisdictions for controlled waste

proposed to be moved from Queensland, compared

with 81 in 2005–06 and 94 in 2004–05. A total of

843 movements were tracked into Queensland in

2006–07, compared with 1252 movements in 2005–06

and 643 in 2004–05. There were fewer movements of

clinical and putrescibles/organic wastes in 2006–07

than in 2005–06.

Inter-jurisdictional consultation continued to be an

important aspect of the NEPM. The Queensland EPA

continued to participate actively in the Implementation

Working Group.


The Queensland EPA has continued to administer

the NEPM to help ensure that controlled wastes are

appropriately managed. The prior approval process

through consignment authorisations has helped ensure

that controlled wastes are consigned to appropriately

licensed facilities.

Table 1 provides a summary of movements into

Queensland. The total amount of controlled waste

brought into Queensland during the reporting year

was 8784 tonnes. This is approximately half of the

waste for previous year (17 958 tonnes). This reduction

was due to increased treatment capacity in the states

of origin.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM is continuing to provide an effective

monitoring framework for inter-jurisdictional

movement of controlled waste. Jurisdictional

cooperation on the administration of the NEPM

continues to help ensure an eff icient and effective

system for the protection of the environment from

environmentally hazardous wastes.

Queensland



Measure for Queensland by the Hon. Andrew McNamara MP, Minister for

Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation for the reporting year

ended 30 June 2007


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Table 2: Number of movements of controlled waste into Queensland for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007

NSW Vic WA SA Tas ACT NT

577 255 2 4 2 0 3

The prior notif ication system for movements

of consignment authorisation is proving effective

in identifying potential non-compliant movements

before the movements occur.

No discrepancies were reported for the period of 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007.

Table 1: Quantity of controlled waste into Queensland for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007


Code Description NSW Vic WA SA Tas ACT NT Total

(tonnes)

A Plating & Heat

Treatment

B Acids 75.30 0.25 75.55

C Alkalis 32.22 32.22




organic sludges 714.30 714.30

G Organic solvents

H Pesticides 14.75 30.10 44.85

J Oils 3869.05 3869.05


waste 1205.17 1205.17


M Organic chemicals 543.76 117.70 3.20 37.61 0.13 4.80 707.20

N Soil/sludge 271.88 6.05 0.20 278.13

R Clinical

& pharmaceutical 324.97 1388.38 1713.35

T Misc.



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(Refer to page 208)




The Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste)

Regulations 2004 provide for the licensing of the

transport of controlled wastes and the provision of

permits detailing what waste is carried by whom and

where it is taken. This is the mechanism by which

implementation of the Controlled Waste NEPM has

been achieved in Western Australia. The Environmental

Regulation Division of the Department of Environment

and Conservation (DEC) has carriage of this function.

The web-based interactive tracking system

implemented by the Department in early 2004

to coincide with the gazettal of the regulations is

proving to be a valuable tool in tighter enforcement

of the regulations in addition to providing accurate

information on volumes and categories of controlled

wastes transported intra-state. However the tracking

system is not suitable at present for the tracking of

interstate transport of controlled wastes. This is not

a serious problem as the volumes moving into Western

Australia are relatively low, are readily tracked and

approvals are entered in a simple Excel spreadsheet.

The Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste)

Regulations 2004 are being reviewed and some changes

may be made, so as to improve the administration

of the Controlled Waste NEPM in Western Australia.


Through the Controlled Waste Regulations the NEPM

has been implemented state-wide in Western Australia.

There is no evidence to suggest that there has been

less than full compliance with NEPM requirements

for the year ending June 2007.

Regular contact has been maintained with other

jurisdictions and the required administrative protocols

have been followed with all movements of controlled

waste across the Western Australia border. Some

possible non compliance has been observed, however

through this inter-jurisdictional contact, these cases

have been resolved and found to be compliant

transactions.


It is believed that implementation of the NEPM

in association with the Environmental Protection

(Controlled Waste) Regulations 2004, has achieved

the stated environmental outcome to minimise the

potential for adverse impacts on the environment

and human health associated with the movement of

controlled waste across the Western Australia borders.


EFFECTIVENESS

Whilst there have been a limited number of

movements of controlled waste across the Western

Australia borders, f ifteen movements in 2006–07

as compared with thirty-four in 2005–06, the

NEPM is effective in that:

• the environmental outcomes have been met.

Whilst there are no known instances of waste

coming into Western Australia untracked or being

disposed of inappropriately there is general

increased diligence by this jurisdiction in

scrutinising waste transport

• there are clear data available on the known movements

• the waste industry, especially the transport sector

has clear guidelines on the transport of controlled

wastes across state and territory borders. These

are consistent between states and territories, the

same codes are used and similar forms are used.

The willingness of the waste industry to comply

with the NEPM requirements indicates that it

appreciates this uniformity.

Western Australia



Measure for Western Australia by the Hon. David Templeman MLA,

Minister for the Environment; Climate Change for the reporting year

ended 30 June 2007


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Table 2: Number of movements of controlled waste into Western Australia for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007

NSW Vic Qld SA Tas ACT NT

4 5 0 1 0 0 5

Table 1: Quantity of controlled waste into Western Australia for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007


Code Description NSW Vic Qld SA Tas ACT NT Total

(tonnes)

A Plating & Heat

Treatment

B Acids

C Alkalis

D Inorganic chemicals 13.00 20.70 33.70

E Reactive chemicals


organic sludges

G Organic solvents 300.00 3.50 303.50

H Pesticides 0.40 0.40

J Oils


waste


M Organic chemicals 40.00 3.20 43.20

N Soil/sludge 28.00 400.00 100.00 528.00

R Clinical

& pharmaceutical

T Misc. 4.00 4.00




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(Refer to page 208)




The Environment Protection Authority undertakes the

administration of the NEPM. The NEPM operates as

an Environment Protection Policy in South Australia

pursuant to provisions of the Environment Protection

Act (the Act). It is implemented through conditions

attached to relevant licensees. The recognition of

licences to transport waste issued in other jurisdictions

is implemented by means of a regulation under the Act.


The NEPM is now fully implemented in South

Australia. Waste producers, transporters and

operators of waste facilities are required to:

• make use of the Waste Transport Certif icate

• where necessary apply for consignment

authorisations prior to consigning, transporting

or receiving controlled waste.

Information received from Waste Certificates is entered

into the EPA’s database that enables reconciliation

of waste transported against waste received and

summaries of waste types and amounts managed

in accordance with the NEPM.


Examination of information received on the Waste

Transport Certif icates has enabled compliance

measures to be taken regarding persons not licensed

or not appropriately licensed to transport or receive

controlled wastes. This NEPM has assisted in ensuring

that controlled wastes are properly transported and

managed at facilities and minimises the risk of these

activities, which accords with the goal of the NEPM.

Communication between South Australia and other

jurisdictions has been regular, frequent and open, and

has assisted in understanding the issues relating to the

inter-jurisdictional management of controlled wastes.


EFFECTIVENESS

The continued implementation of the NEPM has

provided greater opportunities for consultation and

communication with other jurisdictions. This has

contributed to the waste management industry’s

understanding of the clear requirements for the

transportation of waste into and out of South Australia.

It has enabled the Environment Protection Authority

to ensure that controlled wastes entering South Australia

are transported and treated in a fashion that minimises

the potential for adverse impacts on the environment

or human health. It has also allowed for controlled

wastes to be transported to other jurisdictions for

treatment in a proper and satisfactory fashion, reducing

stockpiles in South Australia.

South Australia



Measure for South Australia by the Hon. Gail Gago MLC, Minister for

Environment and Conservation for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


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Table 2: Discrepancies in movements of controlled waste into South Australia for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007


Discrepancy Type NSW Vic Qld WA Tas ACT NT

Consignment non-arrival 41 43 75 32 60 0 39

Transport without authorisation 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

Non-matching documentation 83 65 100 97 23 0 75

Waste data 11 9 0 23 0 0 3

Table 3: Number of movements of controlled waste into South Australia for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007

NSW Vic Qld WA Tas ACT NT

236 82 1 37 48 0 183

Table 1: Quantity of controlled waste into South Australia for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007


Code Description NSW Vic Qld WA Tas ACT NT Total

(tonnes)

A Plating & Heat

Treatment 18.84 4.83 23.67

B Acids 5.60 1.84 7.44

C Alkalis 6.00 3.87 9.87




organic sludges 18.00 1.41 19.41


H Pesticides 0.48 0.48

J Oils 133.70 134.39 268.09


waste


M Organic chemicals 11.00 1.22 12.22

N Soil/sludge 0.01 127.29 7.45 134.75

R Clinical

& pharmaceutical 4.00 80.43 84.43

T Misc. 10.54 47.93 58.47

State Totals (tonnes) 1504.00 2738.66 2.40 269.14 993.28 282.01 5789.49


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(Refer to page 208)




In Tasmania the NEPM is a State Policy under the

State Policies and Projects Act 1993. The key legislative

instrument for implementation of the NEPM is the


Act 1994. By the end of 2007, Controlled Waste

Tracking Regulations will be in force to further

strengthen the regulatory framework for the NEPM.

The Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment

(DTAE) is the responsible Agency for the purposes

of implementation of the NEPM.


The NEPM is now fully implemented in Tasmania.

It is delivered primarily through specific requirements

on waste transport companies by issuing Waste

Transport Business-Environment Protection Notices

under the Environmental Management and Pollution

Control Act 1994. New transport regulations will

be in place by the end of 2007 and will introduce

a tracking system analogous to the NEPM, by the

employ of waste transport certif icates. Tasmania

regularly consults with the other jurisdictions on

NEPM matters such as issuing Consignment

Authorisations and appropriateness of treatment/

disposal facilities. Tasmania continues to participate

in all implementation aspects of the NEPM including

exchange of relevant information, through active

membership in the Implementation Working Group

which has met face to face during the reporting period.

Issues raised by industry, waste transport companies

and other Agencies continue to be satisfactorily

resolved through this forum.


Compliance of the NEPM requirements by waste

producers, transport companies and receiving facilities

has been good and there have been no discrepancies

over the reporting period. This reflects a high level

of awareness by the industry of their requirements

under the NEPM. The Environment Division continues

to assist waste producers and transport companies in

identifying controlled wastes to ensure appropriate

handling and disposal. Tasmania consults on a regular

basis with other jurisdictions to ensure compliance

and exchange of key information about controlled

waste movements.


EFFECTIVENESS

A significant impetus in achieving the NEPM goal has

been on-going consultation between waste producers,

transporters and DTAE on controlled waste matters.

A reduction in risks of adverse impacts associated

with transport of controlled waste on the environment

and human health has been achieved through improved

waste management and tracking. There have been

additional consultations between jurisdictions (with

Victoria in particular) in relation to the appropriateness

of issuing consignment authorisations. This reporting

period has seen a further decrease in amounts of

controlled wastes being imported into Tasmania.

However, the state still relies on access to appropriate

facilities of neighbour states for various classes of

controlled wastes.

There is a high level of awareness and compliance

with the NEPM requirements in Tasmania as evidenced

by more accurate waste tracking documentation being

received by the Environment Division.

Tasmania



Measure for Tasmania by the Hon. Paula Wriedt MHA, Minister for Tourism,

Arts and the Environment for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


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Table 2: Number of movements of controlled waste into Tasmania for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007

NSW Vic Qld WA SA ACT NT

1 7 15

Table 1: Quantity of controlled waste into Tasmania for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007


Code Description NSW Vic Qld WA SA ACT* NT Total

(tonnes)

A Plating & Heat

Treatment

B Acids 1.91 1.91

C Alkalis

D Inorganic chemicals 21.00 154.97 0.59 176.56



organic sludges

G Organic solvents 19.75 19.75

H Pesticides

J Oils 5.20 5.20


waste 36.64 36.64


M Organic chemicals

N Soil/sludge 53.74 53.74

R Clinical

& pharmaceutical

T Misc. 0.28 0.28

State Totals (tonnes) 21.00 154.97 118.10 294.07


* Includes the Australian Antarctic Territory


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(Refer to page 208)




The Australian Capital Territory Environment

Protection, Department of Territory and Municipal

Services, is responsible for the administration of

the NEPM through the Environment Protection Act

1997 (the Act) and Division 7.2 (Transport of

Controlled Waste) of the Environment Protection

Regulations 2005.


The NEPM has been fully implemented in the

Australian Capital Territory. The Environment

Protection and Heritage Unit continued to work

with industry during 2006–07 to ensure eff icient

implementation of the NEPM.

The NEPM documents (which include an

explanation of producer, transporter and waste

facility responsibilities and instructions on how to

complete a waste transport certif icate) produced by

the Environment Protection Unit continued to be of

great benefit to stakeholders in ensuring compliance

with their statutory requirements.

All parties bound by the NEPM have complied with

the NEPM’s protocols and information reporting

requirements. Regular contact has been maintained

with other jurisdictions to ensure cooperative

administration of the NEPM.

The Environment Protection Unit continued to

participate in the Implementation Working Group

for the NEPM.


The Australian Capital Territory has continued to

administer the NEPM to ensure that the goal of the

NEPM is achieved. The NEPM has been fully

operational in the Australian Capital Territory since

March 2000 and no major issues have been identif ied

with its operation. To the end of the reporting period

a total of f ifty consignment authorisations have been

issued, this number includes the renewal of ongoing

consignment numbers.

A large number of movements have continued

into the Australian Capital Territory from most

jurisdictions for the treatment of polychlorinated

biphenyl contaminated oil treatment by the ESI

(Energy Services Invironmental) facility.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM continues to provide an effective means

of tracking hazardous waste between jurisdictions,

and minimising environmental risk from interstate

transportation of controlled waste.




Measure for the Australian Capital Territory by Jon Stanhope MLA,

Minister for the Environment, Water and Climate Change for the reporting



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Table 2: Number of movements of controlled waste into the Australian Capital Territory for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007

NSW Vic Qld WA SA Tas NT

967 3 5

Table 1: Quantity of controlled waste into the Australian Capital Territory for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007


Code Description NSW Vic Qld WA SA Tas NT Total

(tonnes)

A Plating & Heat

Treatment

B Acids

C Alkalis

D Inorganic chemicals



organic sludges

G Organic solvents

H Pesticides

J Oils 71.80 25.30 97.10


waste


M Organic chemicals 522.08 5.68 116.50 644.26

N Soil/sludge

R Clinical

& pharmaceutical 281.84 281.84

T Misc.

State Totals (tonnes) 875.72 5.68 141.80 1023.20



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(Refer to page 208)




The Waste Management and Pollution Control Act

1998 (the Act) provides the legislative basis to

regulate and administer the NEPM. The Environment

Protection Agency (EPA) Program of the Department

Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts

currently administers the Northern Territory’s

obligations through licensing of scheduled activities

that involve the movement of controlled wastes

across state/territory boundaries and the issuing and

receipt of Waste Transport Certif icates. This level

of involvement is commensurate with the terms of the

agreement between states and territories on matters

relating to the implementation of the NEPM. The

level of environmental safeguard is further bolstered

within the Northern Territory by the Northern Territory

Worksafe administration of the Dangerous Goods

(Road and Rail Transport) Act.


The Northern Territory is currently meeting its

obligations under the NEPM requirements and

complying with NEPM protocols. The Northern

Territory is administering tracking requirements via

the f ive docket Waste Transport Certif icates currently

adopted by all other signatories to the Agreement

with the exception of New South Wales. The level

of sophistication in tracking movements is fairly

rudimentary, and the Northern Territory is of the

opinion that any increase in the technology afforded

to tracking should be carried out at a national level

and made available to all states and territories in

order to maintain continuity and consistency in the

approach to tracking.

Activities involving the transfer of controlled wastes

across state and territory boundaries are scheduled

under the Act and are licensed in accordance with the

NEPM protocols.

There was one movement of controlled waste into

the Northern Territory in the reporting period. No

discrepancies have been recorded.


The Northern Territory considers that current tenor

in which the NEPM is being implemented is sufficient

to meet the obligations under the agreement. It has,

however, been considered that should the Northern

Territory experience a marked increase in controlled

waste movements and/or has become the focus for

movements into the Northern Territory, further

consideration as to the development of an Environmental

Protection Objective under section 22 of the Act may

be necessary.


EFFECTIVENESS

Currently the Territory is a net exporter of controlled

wastes interstate. Licensing for the movement of

controlled waste interstate and general reporting

obligations under the Act have not indicated any

inconsistencies in meeting NEPM goals and desired

environmental outcomes.

Tracking of controlled wastes through the current

docket system does give rise to some inconsistency

in the receipt of treatment/disposal documentation.

This has on occasion been alleviated by contacting

reciprocal officers in other jurisdictions. The Northern

Territory is aware of steps in other jurisdictions to

implement electronic tracking and supports the move

to speed up and improve the transfer of information

on waste movements and to reduce the administrative

burden to both the public and private sectors. The

Northern Territory is, however, unable to support the

cost of developing its own electronic tracking system

due in part to the relatively small volume of controlled

Northern Territory



Measure for the Northern Territory by the Hon. Delia Lawrie MLA,

Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage for the


waste moved interstate, the small number of licensed

entities from which revenue could be derived in

support of such a move and the complexities of

trying to legislate for intrastate waste movements.


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Table 3: Number of movements of controlled waste into the Northern Territory for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007

NSW Vic Qld WA SA Tas ACT

1

Table 1: Quantity of controlled waste into the Northern Territory for the period

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007


Code Description NSW Vic Qld WA SA Tas ACT Total

(tonnes)

A Plating & Heat

Treatment

B Acids

C Alkalis

D Inorganic chemicals



organic sludges

G Organic solvents

H Pesticides

J Oils


waste


M Organic chemicals

N Soil/sludge 300.00 300.00

R Clinical

& pharmaceutical

T Misc.





2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7


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NEPM details


(Used Packaging Materials) Measure

Made by Council: 2 July 1999



No. GN 28, 14 July 1999, p. 2114)


The environment protection goal is established by

clause 6 of this Measure as follows:


The goal of the Measure is to reduce

environmental degradation arising from the

disposal of used packaging and conserve virgin

materials through the encouragement of reuse

and recycling of used packaging materials by

supporting and complementing the voluntary

strategies in the National Packaging Covenant.


The desired environmental outcomes from the

combination of the National Packaging Covenant and

the Measure are to optimise resource use and recovery

and encourage the conservation of virgin materials.

Evaluation criteria












NEPM standards



Specific criteria

Criteria for assessment and performance

measurement of implementation of the NEPM are

set out in clause 21(1) of the NEPM which states

that each participating jurisdiction shall provide

to the Council the following information:

a) information gathered from brand owners whose

records under clause 16 have been audited by the

jurisdiction

b) aggregated information received from local

governments under clause 17

c) information gathered through the conduct of surveys

under clause 18

d) information relating to complaints received,

investigations undertaken and prosecutions

mounted pursuant to the Measure

e) a statement of interpretation of the information.

Note: Clause 15(3) states that a common approach

to the interpretation of data gathered pursuant to

these protocols and to the terms used with the data

shall be adopted by participating jurisdictions.

Furthermore, the terms used shall be in accordance

with definitions set out in the NEPM as per

clause 15(4).

Commonwealth


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Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure for the Commonwealth




(Refer to page 230)




The Australian Government’s implementing

legislation would only apply to brand owner

companies with over 50% Government ownership,

and to its jurisdictional territories. Australia Post is

the only company that would be considered a brand

owner under the definition of the Used Packaging

Materials NEPM. Christmas and Cocos Keeling

Islands are the only territories where the NEPM

could be applied.


The Australian Government is a signatory to the

National Packaging Covenant (Covenant) and

encourages Covenant activities across all agencies,

including Australia Post. The Australian Government

also engaged consultants to develop a methodology

to determine the tonnage of packaging recycled by

each agency.

The Australian Government undertook a

comprehensive hand-over of the administration

services to the new and independent Covenant

Secretariat established in Melbourne.

The Australian Government, as a member of the

Covenant Council Funding Steering Committee,

participates in developing the Covenant’s annual budget

for Covenant Council’s endorsement. The Australian

Government provided a quarter of the funds required

for administration and communication activities.

The Australian Government also provided funds from

the Natural Heritage Trust to assist industry evaluate

the full costs and benefits of recycling and to develop

a recycled content database.


The NEPM implementing instruments are now in place

in all participating jurisdictions with enforcement

actions underway.


EFFECTIVENESS

Although the implementation of the NEPM has been

slow, the clarification and finalisation of the Covenant’s

compliance procedures has also taken considerable

time. This delay has hampered effectual implementation

of the NEPM across Australia. However, even given

this settling-in period, the continued growth in Covenant

signatory numbers throughout this year indicates that

the NEPM enforcement action has been relatively

successful.

At the end of June 2007, there were a total of 507

compliant Covenant signatories. This comprised 431

re-signed and 114 new (f irst-time) signatories. Of

these signatories, 364 were brand owners, the focus

of NEPM implementation. During the year, six brand

owners were formally deemed non-compliant with

their Covenant obligations and referred to the

jurisdictions for follow up under the NEPM.


BY THE NEPM

The NEPM requires the Commonwealth to annually

provide information on the progress of the Covenant

to the National Environment Protection Council

(NEPC). The information is to be provided by the

Covenant Council regarding:

• membership of the Covenant expressed as both the

number of signatories and the proportion of consumer

packaging used in Australia represented by those

signatories

• the number of action plans lodged with the

Covenant Council


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• recovery and utilisation rates reported by Covenant

signatories in accordance with their Action Plans

under the Covenant, by material type

• a statement of interpretation of the information.

The report from the National Packaging Covenant

Council providing this information will be available

on the National Packaging Covenant webpage

<www.packagingcovenant.org.au>.


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New South Wales


Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure for New South Wales by

the Hon. Phil Koperberg MP, Minister for Climate Change, Environment

and Water for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


(Refer to page 230)




The Used Packaging Materials NEPM supports the

National Packaging Covenant (Covenant) by providing

a regulatory safety net to deal with ‘free riders’, that

is, those who must join the Covenant but do not or

those who have joined but do not perform their

obligations. The NEPM was given legal effect through

Part 5B of the Protection of the Environment Operations

(Waste) Regulation (the regulation), which commenced

on 1 September 2006.

Where the regulation applies to a brand owner, the

brand owner is required to take back the packaging

of its products (or an equivalent amount of similar

material) and re-use or recycle the packaging; advise

consumers on how their products’ packaging may be

recycled; provide a range of data and report against

key performance indicators; develop an action plan

and submit annual reports. Under the regulation,

‘brand owners’ include owners or licensees of trade

marks, franchisees, importers, packaging suppliers and

retailers who provide plastic bags to their customers.

The regulation does not apply to brand owners that

have an annual turnover of less than $5 million or

those brand owners who are part of an industry

arrangement that produce equivalent outcomes to

the Covenant. Non-compliance with the requirements

of the regulation carries f ines of up to $11 000 for

an individual and $22 000 for a corporation and

daily f ines for continuing offences. The regulation

is administered by the Department of Environment

and Climate Change (DECC).

The NEPM also obliges local government to report

certain data. Reporting by local government under

the NEPM has been implemented under existing

administrative arrangements through which local

governments provide information to DECC on kerbside

recycling activities. Standard NEPM monitoring

and evaluation processes are in place in New South

Wales, including annual brand owner surveys, local

government kerbside collection surveys and the

submission to the NEPC of ongoing progress reports.


During the reporting period, New South Wales

supported the Covenant Council by sending letters

to businesses referred by the Covenant Council

Secretariat. These letters informed the addressees

of the regulation that applies to companies that are

brand owners, which have an annual turnover of more

than $5 million and which are not signatories to the

Covenant or an equivalent arrangement. The letters

also provided information on the Covenant and how

to join the Covenant. The implementation of the

regulation is initially based on a discussion about

product stewardship and options for demonstrating

this, but where businesses failed to respond or

persistently failed to join the Covenant, statutory

notices were issued. These statutory notices required

addressees to provide action plans under the regulation.

Between 1 September 2006 and 30 June 2007, DECC

wrote to 154 businesses. These included former

signatories who had not re-joined the new Covenant,

non-signatories who were referred by the Covenant

Council Secretariat for failing to respond to requests

to join the Covenant and signatories to the Covenant

who had failed to meet their obligations.


As at 30 June 2007, 70 of the 154 businesses targeted

either joined the Covenant or met their obligations

under the Covenant. Of these 70 businesses, 12 joined

the Covenant or met their obligations after statutory

notices were issued under the regulation. Of the 154

businesses targeted, 39 were deemed to be exempt from

the regulation either because their annual turnover


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fell under the small business threshold of $5 million

or because they were not brand owners. As at 30 June

2007, responses to letters were outstanding from

another 45 of the 154 businesses that were targeted

in the reporting year. Reminder letters will be sent

to these businesses and those who persist in not

responding will receive statutory notices under the

Protection of the Environment Operations Act

requiring them to provide the information requested

in the original letters.


EFFECTIVENESS

At the end of June 2007, New South Wales had a total

of 235 signatories compared to 181 at the end of June

2006. Although this number is lower than the 269

signatories at the end of June 2005, more companies

are now exempted under the $5 million small business

turnover threshold compared to the situation under

the previous Covenant.


BY THE NEPM

In accordance with clause 21 of the NEPM the

following is provided:

(a) Nil (no brand owner was subject to record-

keeping obligations under the regulation).

(b) See Part 5 below.

(c) From September-November 2006, DECC

undertook surveys of packaged consumer goods

in a variety of retail outlets across Sydney and

Wollongong to identify from a sample of packaged

goods, a list of non-signatories to the National

Packaging Covenant. This is a requirement under

clause 21(1)(c) and clause 18 of the NEPM

in order to identify ‘free riders’ who are not

signatories to the Covenant.

Brand owner details from 2199 packaged products

were recorded. From the sample, a total of 756

brands (34%) were identif ied as non-signatories

to the National Packaging Covenant. Of the

non-signatory brands, contact information for 410

(54%) brands is known. The Covenant Council

Secretariat has written to all these non-signatories

and those that did not respond have been referred

to jurisdictions, including New South Wales, for

action. Foreign and imported products comprised

the majority of the remaining non-signatory

brands. Contact details and local distributors for

these brands continue to be diff icult to determine,

making it impossible to pursue these non-signatory

brands under the regulation.

(d) No complaint was received in relation to specif ic

businesses.

PART 5 — LOCAL GOVERNMENT DATA

FROM: NSW

Year (Reporting Period): 1/7/2006 — 30/6/2007

Total number of Councils reporting: 152

Percentage of total Councils: 100%

Total Residential population: 6 826 841

Container types and collection frequencies for

all containers provided for kerbside collection

by number of Councils (e.g. crate/split bin/bag):

119 Councils provide a Kerbside Recycling Service

112 Councils have one bin system only

7 Councils have a multiple bin system

Container Material Frequency Total

type type collected of service No. of

in container councils

Bag Commingled Weekly 2

Bag Commingled Fortnightly 2

Crate Commingled 1 x Weekly 10

Crate Paper/ 1 x Weekly 4

Cardboard

and Containers

alternating

weeks

Crate Commingled 2 x Weekly 6

Crate Commingled Fortnightly 2

Crate Commingled Monthly 1

MGB 55L Commingled Weekly 1

MGB 55L Commingled Fortnightly 1

MGB 55L Commingled Monthly 1



MGB 120L Paper/ Weekly 6

x 2 Cardboard (alternating

and weeks)

Containers




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MGB 240L Split Weekly 4

(waste/recycling)

MGB 240L Split Fortnightly 1

(waste/recycling)

MGB 240L Split Fortnightly 7

(paper/containers)

Other type of recycling services (e.g. Drop Off)

by number of Councils:

Drop Off Service only 23

No Service 10

Total Number of premises/households:

Residential 2 533 294 premises

Non-Residential 13 622 premises

Number of Households/premises serviced by

recycling collections

Kerbside: Drop Off only

(Optional):

Residential 2 386 355 premises 177 761 premises

Non-

Residential 6 605 premises 7 212 premises

Average premises fee charged by Council for

Recycling Services

Residential $ 58.94

Non-Residential $ 62.07

Annual per premise cost to council to provide

a Recycling Service

Residential $ N/A

Non-Residential $ N/A

Proportion of household/premises with access

to a recycling service 94.2%

Average Participation rate: 87%


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Table 1: Amounts of Materials Collected at the Kerbside, Sent for Secondary Use/Energy

Recovery and Contamination (waste) disposed of to landfill

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007

Code Material Type Residential Residential Residential

Kerbside Kerbside Kerbside

recycling recycling sold or recycling residual

collected sent for secondary waste fraction

use including (contaminants)

energy recovery disposed of

to landfill

(in tonnes) (in tonnes) (in tonnes)

Packaging Paper

A04 Cardboard 142 078 130 781 11 297

A06 LPB 3 853 3 607 246

Total Packaging Paper 145 931 134 388 11 543

Other paper (non-packaging paper)

A01/A02 Paper - Newspaper and

Magazines 95 975 87 752 8 224

A05 Paper - Mixed 116 670 110 673 5 997

A081 Paper - White Office 60 495 54 967 5 528

Total all other non-packaging paper 273 140 253 391 19 749

TOTAL PAPER PRODUCTS 419 071 387 779 31 292

D0121 Glass White 12 438 11 482 956

D0122 Glass Green 10 387 9 653 734

D0123 Glass Brown 11 780 10 812 968

D012 Glass Mixed 140 986 127 597 13 389

TOTAL GLASS CONTAINERS 175 590 159 543 16 047

E01 PET 11 458 10 296 1 164

E02 HDPE 10 135 9 072 1 062

E03 PVC 222 210 12

E07 Plastic Other 2 744 2 423 321

E099 Plastic Mixed 15 895 14 159 1 737

TOTAL PLASTICS 40 455 36 160 4 295

G01 Al cans 4 181 3 768 413

F01 Steel cans 16 560 15 066 1 495

OVERALL TOTAL 655 858 602 316 53 543

XX00 Glass f ines 4 599 3 611 988

XX00 Scrap Metal 1 016 970 46


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Table 2: Amounts of Materials Collected at Drop Off, Sent for Secondary Use/Energy,

Recovery and Contamination Disposed of to Landfill

1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007

Code Material Type Residential Drop Residential Drop Residential Drop

Off recycling Off recycling Off recycling

collected sold or sent for residual waste

secondary use fraction

including energy (contaminants)

recovery disposed of

to landfill


Packaging Paper

A04 Cardboard 16 395 15 521 874

A06 LPB 138 138 0

Total Packaging Paper 16 533 15 660 874

Other paper (non-packaging paper)

A01/A02 Paper - Newspaper and

Magazines 2 947 2 924 23

A05 Paper - Mixed 160 159 1

A081 Paper - White Office 104 94 10

Total all other non-packaging paper 3 211 3 177 34

TOTAL PAPER PRODUCTS 19 744 18 836 908

D0121 Glass White 528 474 54

D0122 Glass Green 432 374 59

D0123 Glass Brown 852 771 81

D012 Glass Mixed 7 538 7 347 191

TOTAL GLASS CONTAINERS 9 350 8 966 384

E01 PET 400 358 41

E02 HDPE 307 294 13

E03 PVC 12 12 0

E07 Plastic Other 56 50 6

E099 Plastic Mixed 572 571 1

TOTAL PLASTICS 1 346 1 285 62

G01 Al cans 741 733 8

F01 Steel cans 4 455 4 418 37

OVERALL TOTAL 35 637 34 238 1 398

H04 Vehicle batteries 521 520 1

F02 White goods, Scrap Ferrous

Metal 26 142 25 975 167

XX00 Other Non-ferrous scrap 173 173 0

XX00 Other Oil 173 173 0

XX00 Other Other 1 889 1 889 0


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(Refer to page 230)




The Used Packaging Materials NEPM is implemented

in Victoria through statutory policy, Waste Management

Policy (Used Packaging Materials) 2006 (the Policy).

The Policy was gazetted and commenced on 28 March

2006 under the Environment Protection Act 1970.

The primary purpose of the Policy is to establish

a statutory basis for ensuring that signatories to the

National Packaging Covenant (the Covenant) are not

competitively disadvantaged in the marketplace by

fulf illing their commitments under the Covenant.


Victoria commenced implementation of the Policy by

targeting over 60 signatories to the previous Covenant

who had not re-signed. Two draft Pollution Abatement

Notices were sent to brand owners that did not respond

to initial correspondence. As a result, all brand

owners either re-signed the Covenant or demonstrated

an exemption under the $5 million threshold.

As per clause 18 of the NEPM, a survey was conducted

of packaged products to identify brand owners that

were not signatories to the Covenant. The survey was

conducted as per a nationally agreed methodology

which identif ied over 10 000 products in total.

Approximately 350 of the non-signatories identif ied

are registered in Victoria. Victoria wrote to these

brand owners informing them of their obligations

under the Policy and the options open to them.


Victoria continued to commit to rigorous NEPM

enforcement during the reporting period. This

resulted in additional 28 Victorian signatories,

indicating that the NEPM is generally effective at

encouraging sign-up to the more flexible Covenant

arrangements.

The brand owner survey has identif ied an additional

350 Victorian non-signatories to which the NEPM

may apply. Victoria is in the process of contacting

each of these companies.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM has been applied successfully in Victoria

over the reporting period. The use of direct mail

techniques to contact potential signatories has been

effective for encouraging companies to sign. During

the 2006–07 reporting period, 28 Victorian companies

have signed as a direct result of NEPM enforcement

activities bringing the Victorian total to 160.


BY THE NEPM

The following information is provided in compliance

with clause 21(1) of the NEPM:

(a) No audits of brand owner records have been

necessary.

(b) Victoria conducted a survey of over 2000 packaged

products to identify brand owners that are not

signatories to the Covenant. The survey was

conducted as per a nationally agreed methodology

which in total identif ied over 10 000 products.

Approximately 350 brand owners were identif ied

as being registered in Victoria and not signatories

to the Covenant.

(c) Victoria received a complaint from a brand owner

claiming that the NEPM had not been applied to

their competitors. The competitors were informed

of their options and obligations under the Policy

and signed the Covenant. No prosecutions have

been necessary.

Victoria


Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure for Victoria by the Hon.

Gavin Jennings, Minister for Environment and Climate Change for the




FROM: Victoria











120L Co-mingled weekly 6

120L Co-mingled fortnightly 1

240L Containers only fortnightly 1

240L Containers fortnightly 1

& crate (240L) and

paper (crate)

240L Co-mingled fortnightly 66

240L Co-mingled monthly 1

Crate Containers weekly 2

& tied (crate) and

bundle paper (tied

bundle)


by number of Councils: Drop off at transfer stations

and resource recovery facilities.


Residential 2 094 791 premises




Kerbside: Drop Off

(Optional):

Residential 1 995 499 premises 596 786 premises

Non-



Recycling Services

Residential $ 49.14



a Recycling Service

Residential $ 34.90



to a recycling service 95%


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Notes

Number of households/premises serviced by recycling collections:

The ‘Drop Off ’ totals for residential (596 786) and non-residential (77 970) premises include a number of premises that also have access

to a kerbside recycling service. There is no consistent interpretation or recording of this data by Councils.

This explains why the total number of residential premises serviced by kerbside and drop-off is greater than the total number of

residential premises.

The number of premises serviced by kerbside is the more reliable f igure.

Fees and costs to Councils for recycling services:

The fees, particularly for non-residential premises, have proven difficult for Councils to calculate. This is why the figure for non-residential

premises is zero.

The cost to Council per premise is the most reliable and meaningful f igure.

The table containing the amounts of materials dropped off:

As this is the f irst year of this data being collected (i.e. Councils are unfamiliar with what is needed/ reported) gross tonnages for each

of the materials collected, sent on or disposed to landfill are the only f igures we have confidence in. Councils are highly unlikely to

separate packaging from non-packaging (particularly for paper) before sending it on to be recycled so this is likely to continue.


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1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007







to landfill


Packaging Paper

A04 Cardboard 79 339 70 434 8 905

A06 Liquid paper board 3 040 2 733 308

Total packaging paper 82 379 73 167 9 213

Other paper (non-packaging)

A081 Paper – white off ice 5 306 4 806 500

A01 Paper - Newspaper/magazines see below see below see below

A05 Paper mixed 264 804 240 216 24 589

Total all other non-packaging paper 270 110 245 022 25 089


D0121 Glass White 65 020 57 485 7 535

D0122 Glass Green 34 065 30 771 3 294

D0123 Glass Brown 41 241 37 476 3 766

D0999 Glass Mixed


E01 PET 20 836 17 951 2 885

E02 HDPE (clear/opaque/coloured) 16 035 13 807 2 228

E03 PVC 581 498 83

E07 Plastic Other 9 600 7 747 1 853

E099 Plastic Mixed

TOTAL PLASTICS 47 052 40 003 7 049

G01 Aluminium (cans) 5 651 5 393 258

F01 Steel (cans, tins etc) 16 804 15 332 1 473

TOTAL 562 322 504 649 57 677


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Table 2: Amounts of Materials Dropped Off, Sent for Secondary Use/Energy


1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007







to landfill


Packaging Paper

A04 Cardboard 8 866

A06 Liquid paper board 25

Total packaging paper 8 891


A081 Paper – white off ice 945

A01 Paper - Newspaper/magazines see below

A05 Paper mixed 2 312

Total all other non-packaging paper 3 257

TOTAL PAPER PRODUCTS 12 148 11933 215

D0121 Glass White 978

D0122 Glass Green 756

D0123 Glass Brown 832

D0999 Glass Mixed

TOTAL GLASS CONTAINERS 2 566 2518 49

E01 PET 238

E02 HDPE (clear/opaque/coloured) 196

E03 PVC 30

E07 Plastic Other 248

E099 Plastic Mixed

TOTAL PLASTICS 712 700 12

G01 Aluminium (cans) 241 237 4

F01 Steel (cans, tins etc) 9 379 9 122 257

TOTAL 25 047 24 510 537

brea

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a

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(Refer to page 230)




In Queensland, the Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) is responsible for implementing the NEPM under

Part 3B of the Environmental Protection Regulation

1998 (EP Regulation). Further amendments resulting

from the strengthened National Packaging Covenant

(the Covenant) were incorporated into the EP

Regulation in December 2005, with further statutory

changes to occur by the end of August 2007. Under

the EP Regulation, local governments undertaking

kerbside recycling services are required to provide

to the EPA a report on recycling in their jurisdiction.


The Queensland Government has been very active

in enforcing Part 3B of the EP Regulation. Since

last year’s report, twenty-six companies have received

letters regarding their obligations under the EP

Regulation. Of those companies contacted, two proved

that they were exempt (below the small business

threshold of $5 million gross turnover), and f ifteen

were issued with Compliance Notices. Of the original

number, twenty-one companies are now signatories

to the Covenant, mainly due to the Queensland

Government’s enforcement program. Further action

is planned with three companies. It is worthwhile

to note that the majority of the companies contacted

were large, national companies, whose head office

was generally located interstate.

The Queensland Government will continue to work

with the National Packaging Covenant Secretariat

to ensure that Queensland companies, who have not

responded to the Secretariat’s initial invitations to

join the Covenant, either comply with the EP Regulation

or subsequently join the Covenant.

The EPA undertook brand owner audits of products

in retail stores in Brisbane and Cairns. The purpose

of the audit was to identify brand owners whose

products are represented in the waste stream but are

not signatories to the National Packaging Covenant.

The audit identif ied 455 brand owners that were not

signatories from over 1800 products surveyed. The

list of non-signatories was forwarded to the Covenant

Secretariat for follow-up.


The Queensland Government’s progress towards

achievement of the NEPM goal includes:

• facilitating product stewardship through enforcement

of legislation to implement the NEPM in Queensland

• undertaking market development initiatives for

materials that are recovered from the kerbside and

away-from-home sectors. Considerable attention is

being given to the recovery of glass as commodity

prices and recycling levels are currently low.

Cairns Water is proposing a demonstration glass

crushing plant to explore alternative uses for glass

(see below)

• applying product stewardship to its whole-of-

government operations

• raising awareness of the NEPM through presentations

to industry (e.g. a presentation was given by the

EPA to the Queensland Branch of the Confectionery

Manufacturers Association of Australia)

• implementing projects that support integrated

recycling collection and reprocessing services.

A number of key projects were initiated and/or

completed throughout the reporting year. These

include:

Central Queensland Local Government Association

(CQLGA) Regional Integrated Recycling Study—

The f irst stage of the project by CQLGA, with

National Packaging Covenant funding, was completed

in May 2007. The project involved waste auditing

of commercial premises followed by a gap analysis

study, and culminated in a resource recovery action

Queensland


Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure for Queensland by the




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plan. The gap analysis identif ied over 40 000 tonnes

of packaging material that could be potentially

recovered. The study also suggested progressive

targets that CQLGA may wish to establish and

progress through the action plan. Funding for Stage

2 will be sought in the f irst quarter of the 2007–08

reporting period.

Queensland Used Glass Study—This study was

coordinated by the EPA and undertaken by A Prince

Consulting. The study reinforced the signif icant

challenges for effective glass recycling in Queensland

including:

• the increased amount of glass f ines due to

current mechanical collection, compaction rates

in-transit and reprocessing methods for domestic

sourced glass

• the lack of technology in Queensland to deal with

fines less than 60mm

• the relatively low commodity price for glass

• the low cost of landfilling glass f ines in South-east

Queensland.

In response to some of the f indings of the used glass

study, the Queensland EPA is promoting alternative

uses for glass through: a demonstration crushing

plant in Cairns; working with industry to maximise

glass sorting and beneficiation; and reviewing the

Queensland Waste Management Strategy.

Cairns Water Glass Crushing Demonstration Plant—

The purpose of this demonstration project undertaken

by Cairns Water, is to provide alternative markets for

used glass rather than attempt unsustainable transport

of glass back to Brisbane for conversion into glass

containers. Following crushing and screening, the

glass f ines will be used by Cairns Water as drainage

and f ill material in Council’s construction activities

and as f ilter media in treatment plants. The project

is due to commence early in 2008 and last for

approximately six months.

Public Place Recycling (PPR) Trials in Toowoomba

and Port Douglas—These projects involved the trial

of PPR systems in central business districts and parks

by the Toowoomba City Council and Port Douglas

Shire Council. The trials, completed in early 2007,

showed signif icant volumes of non-glass packaging

could be recovered from these locations.

Shopping Centre Recycling Trials—This project,

coordinated by the Packaging Stewardship Forum,

involved conducting recycling audit trials across three

Lend Lease shopping centres in Queensland, one in New

South Wales and one in Victoria. The project showed

that signif icant recovery (up to 18% of the total

waste stream) was achieved after bins were installed

and the public made aware of recycling opportunities.

Public Event Recycling—The EPA is progressively

providing infrastructure including recycling bin caps,

banners and signs to interested local governments to

maximise recycling at public events. Currently, three

local governments have received infrastructure after

signing partnership agreements with EPA, and eight

other local governments have been sent draft

agreements. These agreements refer to committing

to use infrastructure at public events. It is envisaged

that the total amount of available infrastructure will

be taken up by local government by the end of 2007.

All participating local councils have an ongoing

reporting responsibility to gauge project performance.

National Public Place Recycling (PPR) systems

evaluation—This national project, led by Queensland

EPA, to consider the triple-bottom-line assessment

of PPR systems in Australia, was completed in June

2007. The consultant who undertook the study has

provided a comprehensive report on PPR systems,

along with a decision support tool that will give local

councils information to assist in determining whether

to implement PPR systems.

Warraber Island Resource Recovery Demonstration

project—Warrraber Island is in the Torres Strait.

Established via agreements between the Commonwealth

Department of Environment and Water Resources, the

Torres Strait Regional Authority and the EPA, the

Warraber Island Resource Recovery Demonstration,

this project is underway. The EPA is working with the

Torres Strait Regional Authority to engage a consultant

to undertake auditing and community engagement

as preliminary work prior to the construction and

installation of resource recovery facilities for

packaging. The project is expected to be completed

in the f irst half of 2008.


EFFECTIVENESS

Queensland has continued to encourage brand owner

participation in the Covenant this year, complemented

by the more rigorous NEPM enforcement action.

Under the strengthened Covenant there are now


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48 signatories, an increase of ten signatories over

the previous year.

Notwithstanding the increase in signatories, the

Queensland EPA has some concerns regarding the

effectiveness of the NEPM, specif ically regarding:

• the process for taking enforcement action, which

is cumbersome and lengthy

• the inconsistency in the way penalties are set

across jurisdictions for companies who do not

manage their packaging responsibly, and the low

amount set for Queensland penalties

• the application of criminal penalties for non-

compliant brand owners. Criminal penalties to brand

owners who are irresponsible with their packaging,

is now inappropriate when civil remedies and

penalties are the favoured consequence in various

states and territories for irresponsible practices

which waste resources but do not readily cause

environmental harm.

The Covenant is due to be reviewed in 2008, and the

EPA will advocate that these issues be considered

through this process.


BY THE NEPM


with Clause 21(1) of the NEPM:

1. No audits of brand owner records have been

necessary due to brand owners either joining the

Covenant or demonstrating exemption from the

NEPM. Prior to joining the Covenant, fourteen

companies were issued with Compliance Notices

under the Regulation.

2. See Part 5 below (the percentage of total Councils

reporting this year is lower than last year since

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Councils were

not included previously. It is expected that with

personal follow up another 12 or so Councils will

provide data next year).

3. A brand owner survey of over 1800 products

was undertaken in Brisbane and Cairns

(see details above).

4. No complaints were received in relation to

specif ic businesses.

5. No prosecutions were undertaken during the year.


FROM: Queensland











240 litre Commingled Fortnightly 29

bins recyclate

240 litre General waste Weekly 9

split bins and commingled

recyclate

Bags 1 - Bag Paper Fortnightly 8

& Cardboard,

1 bag containers


by number of Councils: 90


Residential 1470000 premises

Non-Residential 0 premises



Kerbside: Drop Off

(Optional):

Residential 1 337 700 premises 1 408 260 premises

Non-

Residential 0 premises 0 premises


Recycling Services

Residential $ 35.00



a Recycling Service

Residential Unknown

Non-Residential Unknown





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1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007







to landfill


Packaging Paper

A04 Cardboard 18 000 17 866 134

A06 Liquid paper board

Total packaging paper 18 000


A081 Paper – white off ice

A01 Paper - Newspaper/magazines

A05 Paper mixed 129 532 126 692 2 840



D0121 Glass White

D0122 Glass Green

D0123 Glass Brown

D0999 Glass Mixed


E01 PET 3 850

E02 HDPE (clear/opaque) 3 629

E03 PVC

E07 Plastic Other

E099 Plastic Mixed 4 902

TOTAL PLASTICS 12 381 12 276 105

G01 Aluminium (cans) 2 471 2 406 65

F01 Steel (cans, tins etc) 5 992 5 964 28

Unsegregated recyclables 18 593 18 593

TOTAL 270 555 242 257 28 298

The f igures are supplied by councils having a kerbside collection, and may include some materials which were dropped off.

Unsegregated recyclables are mixed recyclables that are unable to be distinguished by material type. Due to the timing of the data

collection and requirements for this report, the figures in this table are based on data which has not been validated. Updated f igures,

based on validated data, will be available from the EPA in February 2008.


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1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007







to landfill


Packaging Paper

A04 Cardboard


Total packaging paper 1 194 745 449




A05 Paper mixed

Total all other non-packaging paper 1 779 806 973


D0121 Glass White

D0122 Glass Green

D0123 Glass Brown

D0999 Glass Mixed


E01 PET

E02 HDPE (clear/opaque)

E03 PVC

E07 Plastic Other

E099 Plastic Mixed



F01 Steel (cans, tins etc) 424 112 312

TOTAL 6 473 3 070 3 403

These f igures are supplied by councils who indicated that they do not have any kerbside collection.

Due to the timing of the data collection and requirements for this report, the f igures in this table are based on data which has not been

validated. Updated f igures, based on validated data, will be available from the EPA in February 2008.


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(Refer to page 230)




The NEPM is implemented in Western Australia

through the Environmental Protection (NEPM-UPM)

Regulations 2007 (the Regulations), under the

Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Regulations

were gazetted on 27 April 2007.


State responsibilities under the NEPM are administered

in Western Australia (WA) by the Department of

Environment and Conservation (DEC).

Compliance guidelines, outlining the implementation

policy for NEPM enforcement activities under the

Environmental Protection (NEPM-UPM) Regulations

2007 (the Regulations), were being drafted during

2006–07. It is anticipated that the Guideline will

be completed in early 2008.

During 2006–07 DEC did not approach any brand

owners in regard to their compliance under the NEPM

and the associated Regulations. This was due to the

Regulations not becoming gazetted until 27 April

2007 and the ongoing preparation of the compliance

guidelines that are yet to be completed.

DEC continued to contact brand owners of packaging

products and in 2006–07 conducted three information

seminars that provided details about the National

Packaging Covenant, project funding opportunities

and how the Regulations proposed to implement the

NEPM in WA. WA based brand owners and local

governments were the target of the seminars with

invitations sent to over 400 entities, approximately

66 people attended the seminars.

DEC conducted a random survey (as required under

clause 18 of the NEPM) of over 2000 brand owner

products that were sold across the retail sector. The

survey was used to identify non-signatories to the

Covenant and create a short list of brand owners to

approach under the NEPM.


In Western Australia there were a total of 14 brand

owners signed up to the National Packaging Covenant

during 2006–07. This is an increase in the number

of WA based signatories from the previous

reporting period.


EFFECTIVENESS

Western Australia has made progress on achieving

the NEPM goal with general brand owner awareness

of the NEPM increasing and the number of WA based

brand owner signatories to the Covenant increasing

from the previous reporting year. DEC has also

established a short list of brand owners to whom the

NEPM and Regulations may be applicable. However,

the Regulations underpinning the implementation of

the NEPM in WA were gazetted late in the reporting

period and this hindered the implementation of

compliance activities under the NEPM in WA.


BY THE NEPM


with clause 21(1):

(a) no Western Australian companies have been

required to provide records for auditing or have

been prosecuted

(b) part 5 of this report provides the required local

government data, including recycling collected

at kerbside (table 1) and collected at drop-off

facilities (table 2)

Western Australia


Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure for Western Australia by

the Hon. David Templeman MLA, Minister for the Environment; Climate



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(c) an audit to identify free riding brand owners

represented in the packaged products sold by

retailers was undertaken in August 2006–over

2000 products were surveyed with the brand

owner details provided to the National Packaging

Covenant Secretariat for follow up

(d) no investigations or prosecutions have been

mounted pursuant to this NEPM


FROM: Western Australia






by number of Councils: Number of Councils with

Drop Off = 78


Residential 868 530 premises

Non-Residential 0 premises



Kerbside: Drop Off

(Optional):


Non-

Residential 0 premises 0 premises


Recycling Services

Residential $ 53.41



a Recycling Service

Residential $ 71.05

Non-Residential $ n/a





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Container types and collection frequencies for all containers provided for kerbside collection by number

of Councils (e.g. crate/split bin/bag):

Container type Material type collected in container Frequency Total

of service No. of

councils

120 & 240 & 60 MGB Glass, HDPE, Mixed Plastic, Al Cans, weekly 1

120/240 MGB Cardboard, LPB, ONP, Glass, PET, Al Cans, Steel Cans fortnightly 1

240 MGB Cardboard, Glass, Mixed Plastic, Al Cans, fortnightly 1

240 MGB Cardboard, LPB, Glass, PET, HDPE, Al Cans, Steel Cans fortnightly 1

240 MGB Cardboard, LPB, ONP, Glass, PET, HDPE, fortnightly 1

240 MGB Cardboard, LPB, ONP, Glass, PET, HDPE, Al Cans, Steel Cans fortnightly 6

240 MGB Cardboard, LPB, ONP, Glass, PET, HDPE, Mixed Plastic, fortnightly 12

Al Cans, Steel Cans

240 MGB Cardboard, LPB, ONP, Mixed Paper Glass, PET, HDPE, fortnightly 5

Mixed Plastic, Al Cans, Steel Cans

240 MGB Cardboard, ONP, Glass, PET, HDPE, Al Cans, Steel Cans fortnightly 8

240 MGB Cardboard, ONP, Glass, PET, HDPE, Mixed Plastic, Al Cans, fortnightly 1

Steel Cans

240 MGB Cardboard, ONP, Mixed Paper Glass, PET, HDPE, Mixed fortnightly 6

Plastic, Al Cans, Steel Cans

240 MGB Glass, Mixed Plastic, Al Cans, Steel Cans fortnightly 1

240 MGB LPB, Glass, Mixed Plastic, Al Cans, Steel Cans fortnightly 1

240 MGB Mixed Paper Glass, PET, Steel Cans fortnightly 1

240 MGB Cardboard, ONP, Glass, Mixed Plastic, Al Cans, weekly 1

240 MGB Cardboard, ONP, Mixed Paper Glass, PET, HDPE, Mixed weekly 1

Plastic, Al Cans, Steel Cans

240/120/60 MGB LPB, ONP, Glass, PET, HDPE, Al Cans, Steel Cans fortnightly 1

50 Crate Cardboard, LPB, ONP, Glass, PET, HDPE, Mixed Plastic, weekly 1

Al Cans, Steel Cans

50Lx2 Crate Cardboard, LPB, ONP, Glass, PET, HDPE, Al Cans, Steel Cans weekly 1

60 Crate Cardboard, LPB, ONP, Glass, PET, HDPE, Al Cans, Steel Cans weekly 1

BAG Cardboard, ONP, Glass, PET, HDPE, Al Cans, monthly 1

BAG Cardboard, ONP, Glass, PET, HDPE, Al Cans, on demand 1

BAG Glass, Al Cans, fortnightly 1

BAG ONP, Glass, PET, Al Cans, Steel Cans fortnightly 1

none - stacked on verge Cardboard, Mixed Paper Glass, Al Cans, Steel Cans fortnightly 1

none - stacked on verge ONP, Al Cans, monthly 1

single bin (mixed Cardboard, LPB, ONP, Mixed Paper Glass, PET, HDPE, weekly 1

garbage and recycling Mixed Plastic, Al Cans, Steel Cans

going to dirty MRF)


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1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007







to landfill


Packaging Paper

A04 Cardboard 17 219





A01 Paper - Newspaper/magazines 77 218




D0121 Glass White 19

D0122 Glass Green 7

D0123 Glass Brown 20

D0999 Glass Mixed 17 517


E01 PET 1 881

E02 HDPE (clear/opaque) 2 098

E03 PVC 0

E07 Plastic Other 0

E099 Plastic Mixed 921

TOTAL PLASTICS 4 900 0 0

G01 Aluminium (cans) 1 690

F01 Steel (cans, tins etc) 2 673

TOTAL 149 959 0 0


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1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007







to landfill


Packaging Paper

A04 Cardboard 5 036





A01 Paper - Newspaper/magazines 10 850




D0121 Glass White 0

D0122 Glass Green 0

D0123 Glass Brown 0



E01 PET 229

E02 HDPE (clear/opaque) 232

E03 PVC 0

E07 Plastic Other 371



G01 Aluminium (cans) 267

F01 Steel (cans, tins etc) 674

TOTAL 33 769 0 0


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(Refer to page 230)




The National Environment Protection (Used

Packaging Materials) Measure (NEPM) continues to

be implemented in South Australia through a statutory

Policy. Cabinet approved the remake of the NEPM as

an Environment Protection Policy pursuant to section

29 of the Environment Protection Act 1993. The


Policy 2007 was gazetted on 1 March, 2007.


The EPA continues to contact brand owners of

packaging products. Brand owners who potentially

are signif icant contributors to the waste stream are

advised that they need to make a choice: sign the

National Packaging Covenant (Covenant) or comply

with the requirements of the Environment Protection

(Used Packaging Materials) Policy 2007.

A retail brand owner’s audit, to identify those

companies that may be signif icant contributors to

the waste stream, was undertaken in November and

December 2006. The audits were undertaken in

Adelaide and Mount Gambier and all companies,

which were identif ied as non-signatories to the

National Packaging Covenant, were referred to the

Covenant secretariat for their follow-up.

All companies referred to EPA by the Covenant

secretariat during this report period have been

contacted about their obligations. No enforcement

action has been required as in each case companies

have either signed the Covenant or demonstrated that

they are exempt because they are under the threshold

level of $5 million company turnover in Australia.


South Australian brand owners have been advised

of their obligations to either join the Covenant or

comply with the requirements of the Environment

Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Policy 2007.

The EPA continues to contact businesses that have

been identif ied as a potential brand owner.

Other factors in contributing to the effectiveness of

the NEPM, and therefore the number of signatories to

the Covenant, have been the number of presentations

made by the EPA at industry events and in other fora

and the activities of the South Australian Jurisdictional

Project Group.

As at 30 June 2007, South Australia had 34 signatories

to the National Packaging Covenant.


EFFECTIVENESS

South Australia continues to implement this measure

within the current SA legislative framework. South

Australia has continued to promote and support the

implementation of the Covenant, and has been

represented on national and jurisdictional bodies.

South Australia has also promoted the Covenant

through the South Australian Jurisdictional Projects

Group and regularly taking part in industry and public

seminars to advise brand owners of their obligations

should they choose not to join the Covenant.


BY THE NEPM


with clause 21(1):

(a) All brand owners contacted in South Australia

have elected to join the Covenant rather than

be subject to the Environment Protection (Used

Packaging Materials) Policy 2007. The EPA

continues to follow up on brand owners that

may contribute to the waste stream.

(b) See part 5 of this report.

South Australia


Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure for South Australia by the

Hon. Gail Gago MLC, Minister for Environment and Conservation for the



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(c) An audit to identify brand owners represented in

the kerbside recycling collection system and the

kerbside waste stream (as required under clause

18 of the NEPM) was undertaken in November

and December 2006.

The Covenant Council secretariat referred many

companies to EPA concerning their failure to join

the Covenant. EPA has followed up on all referrals

and the companies concerned have either elected

to join the Covenant or have been deemed to be

exempt from the legislation (under the threshold

limit of $5 million company turnover). There have

been no prosecutions.


FROM: South Australia






by number of Councils: 12






Kerbside: Drop Off

(Optional):


Non-



Recycling Services

Residential $ 40.97

Non-residential $ 35.08


a Recycling Service

Residential $ 40.97







Container type Material type collected in container Frequency Total No.

of service of councils

MGB 140 litre cardboard, liquid paper board, mixed paper, newspaper/ fortnightly 2

magazines, mixed glass, mixed plastics, aliminium and steel.





MGB 240 split cardboard, liquid paper board, mixed paper, newspaper/ weekly 4


48 litre crate cardboard, liquid paper board, mixed paper, newspaper/ fortnightly 2


60 litre crate cardboard, liquid paper board, mixed paper, newspaper/ fortnightly 5


Bag cardboard, liquid paper board, mixed paper, newspaper/ fortnightly 3

magazines, mixed glass, mixed plastics, aliminium and steel. and monthly


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Table 1: Amounts of materials collected at the kerbside, sent for secondary use/energy

recovery and contamination (waste) disposed of to landfill

1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007







to landfill


Packaging Paper

A04 Cardboard 28 655.25

A06 Liquid paper board 1 512.71

Total packaging paper 30 167.96 25 342.76 4 925.19


A081 Paper – white off ice 82.5

A01 Paper - Newspaper/magazines 10 872.26

A05 Paper mixed 58 325.45

Total all other non-packaging paper 69 280.21 57 888.17 10 692.03

TOTAL PAPER PRODUCTS 99 448.17 83 230.93 15 617.22

D0121 Glass White 223.89

D0122 Glass Green 180.5

D0123 Glass Brown 612.45

D0999 Glass Mixed 11 701.25 10 390.37 1 967.71

TOTAL GLASS CONTAINERS 12 718.09 10 390.37 1 967.71

E01 PET 1 751.24 1 506.7 244.54

E02 HDPE (clear/opaque) 2 504.21 2 116.97 375.94

E03 PVC 117.89 100.64 17.25

E07 Plastic Other 325.59 277.93 52.66

E099 Plastic Mixed 998.65 828.71 169.94

TOTAL PLASTICS 5 697.58 4 830.95 860.33

G01 Aluminium (cans) 804.24 804.24 120.45

F01 Steel (cans, tins etc) 7 863.58 7 863.58 845.28

TOTAL 12 6531.66 107 120.07 19 410.99


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(Refer to page 230)




The NEPM is a State policy under the State Policies

and Projects Act 1993.

State Policies can be given effect by issuing

Environment Protection Notices issued under the


Act 1994 (EMPC Act). The obligations on brand

owners can be implemented through conditions

and requirements set out in such notices.

A draft Environment Protection Notice to enforce the

NEPM has been reviewed by the Solicitor-General

and is ready to be issued, if required.

Obligations on local government authorities in terms

of data collection and reporting are being pursued

through informal agreements negotiated between

the State Government and local government at two

levels—regional bodies and bilateral agreements.

Regional strategies are in place for the Southern Waste

Strategy Authority member councils and Northern

Tasmania Development member councils, both of

whom are signatories to the National Packaging

Covenant. The Cradle Coast Authority is developing

its strategy. These three regional bodies cover all

of the state.

The Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment

is the nominated body for the purposes of the NEPM.


The Tasmanian Government has been working on

a cooperative basis with the National Packaging

Covenant Council to ensure signatories are meeting

the commitments given in their Action Plans.

The focus during the reporting period has been on

identifying and contacting Tasmanian brandowners

with a turnover of greater $5 million. Tasmania also

conducted brandowner surveys at a major shopping

centre. Nineteen companies have been contacted.

During the reporting period there has been no need

to issue Environment Protection Notices to enforce

the NEPM in Tasmania.


The NEPM’s purpose is to act as an incentive to join

the Covenant, and provide a regulatory safety net and

it has achieved this purpose in Tasmania.

The NEPM is a complementary instrument for the

National Packaging Covenant and its effectiveness

must be viewed in this context. There has been a slow

uptake by Local Government of the opportunities

presented by the Covenant, due in part to delays in

finalising regional waste management strategies.


EFFECTIVENESS

It is diff icult to ascertain the NEPM effectiveness in

respect of meeting either the NEPM goal or desired

environmental outcomes. Negotiations with companies

that fall within the NEPM threshold to become

signatories to the Covenant were virtually completed

during the reporting period and the NEPM has provided

a strong incentive for them to join the Covenant.

Tasmania has f ifteen company signatories.


BY THE NEPM

This report meets the NEPM reporting requirements.

Twenty of the 29 councils in Tasmania responded to

the ‘Annual Report by Local Government Authorities’.

Fourteen of these councils were able to provide

figures on the tonnes of materials collected through

their kerbside recycling service. It is only possible to

report on the limited data provided as submitted in

Tasmania


Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure for Tasmania by the Hon.

Paula Wriedt MHA, Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment for



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Part 5, however it is worthwhile noting that virtually

all Councils reporting collect all the materials listed

in Table 1. In total 25 councils within Tasmania provide

a kerbside recycling service. A Waste Data Working

Group has been working on systems to improve data

collection and reporting in Tasmania.

Please note where a zero (0) appears in the information

below this means there is insufficient data available.


FROM: Tasmania




Total Residential population: 444 133


by number of Councils: Other recycling service



Non-residential 27 429 premises



Kerbside: Drop Off

(Optional):

Residential 153 301 premises 0 premises

Non-

residential 1329 premises 0 premises


Recycling Services

Residential $ 330.00



a Recycling Service

Residential $ 0.00




Average Participation rate: 76.5%





Crate Mixed paper (including ONP), cardboard: Paper products Generally 14

in crate systems are tied and bundled next to the crate weekly

Glass green, glass white, glass brown, PET, HDPE—clear

and coloured, PVC, aluminium, steel cans.

MGB x 240 As above with paper products in the MGB Fortnightly 1

MGB x 140 As above Weekly 2

MGB x 140 As above Weekly 1

Bag Only containers Weekly 1


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Table 1: amounts of materials collected at the kerbside, sent for secondary use/energy


1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007







to landfill


Packaging Paper

A04 Cardboard






A05 Paper mixed



D0121 Glass White

D0122 Glass Green

D0123 Glass Brown

D0999 Glass Mixed


E01 PET 548


E03 PVC 71

E07 Plastic Other


TOTAL PLASTICS 1 082 0 0



TOTAL 16 112 0 0

No data available on amount of materials dropped off, sent for secondary use/energy recovery and contamination (waste) disposed

of to landfill.


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(Refer to page 230)




The Department for Territory and Municipal Services

(TAMS) has responsibility for the implementation

and administration of the NEPM in the Australian

Capital Territory.

Under the Waste Minimisation Act 2001 (ACT)

an Industry Waste Reduction Plan (IWRP) has been

developed to implement the NEPM requirements

in the Australian Capital Territory.


Australian Capital Territory brand owners of packaging

have been advised of their obligation to either join

the National Packaging Covenant or comply with the

requirements of the NEPM. Australian Capital Territory

brand owners that choose not to join the voluntary

National Packaging Covenant are regulated by the

IWRP developed under the Waste Minimisation Act

2001 (ACT).


Brand owners of packaging within the Australian

Capital Territory have signed the voluntary National

Packaging Covenant, either directly or under their

parent company. Therefore, the Australian Capital

Territory does not expect to have to regulate any

brand owners.


EFFECTIVENESS

The IWRP ensures that brand owners who refuse to

take up their responsibilities to reduce waste from

packaging will not f ind a safe haven in the Australian

Capital Territory.


BY THE NEPM

The Australian Capital Territory incorporates both

state and local government and therefore local council

reporting is not required.


FROM: The Australian Capital Territory



Percentage of total Councils: n/a



by number of Councils: Drop-off recycling facilities

in regional centres and transfer stations.



Non-residential 0 premises



Kerbside: Drop Off

(Optional):


Non-



Recycling Services

Residential $ 0

Non-residential $ 0


a Recycling Service

Residential $ 0

Non-residential $ n/a






Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure for the Australian




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140L mobile bins Garbage from single household dwellings Weekly 1

240L mobile bins Co-mingled recyclables from single household dwellings Fortnightly 1

1.5, 3.0 and Garbage from residential multi-unit dwellings Weekly

4.5 cubic or Twice 1

metre hoppers per week

1 000L hoppers Co-mingled recyclables from residential multi-unit dwellings Weekly or 1

Fortnightly


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1 July 2006 — 30 June 2007


Kerbside* Kerbside* Kerbside*





to landfill


Packaging Paper

A04 Cardboard 8 085

A06 Liquid paper board **

Liquid paper board 8 085






TOTAL PAPER PRODUCTS 23 867

D0121 Glass White

D0122 Glass Green

D0123 Glass Brown


TOTAL GLASS CONTAINERS 9 600

E01 PET 380


E03 PVC

E07 Plastic Other


TOTAL PLASTICS 1 037



TOTAL 35 264 3 978

Note

* Figures are for kerbside and drop-off combined: Due to the method of collection the Australian Capital Territory does not have data

that make a distinction between the two sources.

** In mixed paper


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(Refer to page 230)




The Northern Territory Government is not a signatory

to the National Packaging Covenant as it considers

that the revised Covenant remains unlikely to deliver

cost effective outcomes relevant to the unique

demographic position of the Territory.

The Northern Territory is implementing the NEPM

through the ‘2007 Re-thinking Waste Disposal

Behaviour and Resource Efficiency Interim Action

Plan’ (Re-thinking Waste) rather than as a signatory

to the Covenant. Re-thinking Waste is a non-legislative

approach designed to achieve the goals of the NEPM

in a manner considered more appropriate to the

Northern Territory, in particular dealing with litter

and litter behaviour in remote areas which are the

issues of major concern in the Northern Territory.

Re-thinking Waste is a collaboration between the

Northern Territory Government, led by the


the Arts (DNRETA), and the Packaging Stewardship

Forum (PSF). Implementation is supported by the

NT Government’s EnvironmeNT Grants program.

There are no known major brand owners based in the

Northern Territory who are likely to have responsibilities

under the NEPM. In the event that Northern Territory

based brand owners with obligations under the NEPM

were found to be non-complying, there is provision

under the Waste Management and Pollution Control

Act to apply an Environmental Protection Objective

to ensure the NEPM can be applied legislatively in

the Northern Territory.


In the past the NEPM has been addressed through the

Litter Abatement and Resource Recovery Strategy

(LARRS). This Strategy provided funding to community

groups and individuals to promote local action and

improvement on litter and recycling issues. LARRS

expired in 2006 and a review during the same year

found that the NEPM goal would be better achieved

through addressing it in a more strategic manner. The

new approach—Re-thinking Waste—was approved by

the Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and

Heritage on 2 October 2006. A Memorandum of

Understanding between the Department of Natural

Resources, Environment and the Arts and the Packaging

Stewardship Forum (PSF) was agreed on 17 April

2007. More information about Re-thinking Waste

can be found at

<www.nt.gov.au/nreta/environment/waste/index.html>.

Re-thinking Waste involves f inding opportunities to

integrate resource recovery and litter management

with regional development and capacity building and

represents an initial step in developing a longer-term

waste management framework for the Northern

Territory. It aims to engage all relevant stakeholders

in the pursuit of a collaborative, efficient and effective

approach while building on achievements under LARRS.

Re-thinking Waste uses funding support from the

EnvironmeNT Grants program and PSF to target action

and investment in the following key priority areas:

• education projects:

– building better community education resources

– Re-thinking Waste in schools education projects.

• regional/Industry development projects:

– local government capacity building/regional

development projects

– industry partnerships to promote engagement

in product stewardship and waste minimisation/

resource eff iciency projects.

Northern Territory


Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure for the Northern Territory

by the Hon. Delia Lawrie MLA, Minister for Natural Resources,



• re-thinking waste governance projects:

– meeting the Northern Territory’s obligations

under the National Environmental Protection

Measure (Used Packaging Materials)

– follow up on outstanding actions in LARRS.

The Re-thinking Waste category was included in the

2007–08 round of the EnvironmeNT Grants program,

with grant funding available to both schools and

organisations. The Re-thinking Waste category was

well received with 16 applications being funded. In

addition to the $173 960 provided by the PSF (of a

total commitment of $200 000), the Northern

Territory Government provided $134 961 specif ically

for projects focusing on the re-use and recycling of

used packaging materials.

These projects aim to:

• explore Northern Territory-based glass recycling

opportunities

• recycle aluminium cans in regional and remote

communities

• provide project management funding to implement

the Re-thinking Waste projects

• develop factsheets and web content specif ically

for waste minimisation and resource recovery

• develop a container deposit scheme in a remote

community

• explore possible plastic remanufacturing plants

to be based in the Northern Territory

• school based educational resource recovery and

re-use projects.

Further information on these projects under the

EnvironmeNT Grants program is available on the

DNRETA website at

<www.nt.gov.au/nreta/environment/grants/index.html>.


The Northern Territory’s approach to meeting the

NEPM goal has changed in the past twelve months

with the development of the Re-thinking Waste Action

Plan. Implementation of Re-thinking Waste has

commenced through partnership funding provided

by PSF and the Northern Territory Government.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the initiatives in

meeting the NEPM goal is not possible until projects

are well underway or have been delivered. It has already

been seen however that the new approach under

Re-thinking Waste has gained a signif icant level

of support across the NT Government and with

external stakeholders.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM is a relatively less effective mechanism

in the Northern Territory as the major contributors

to the waste stream are brand-owners not based in the

territory. Brand-owners who are Covenant signatories

are able to meet their national targets more cost

effectively in other more populous jurisdictions where

well established recycling infrastructure and high

volumes of waste are available.

Due to the small dispersed population and distance

to markets, kerbside recycling is only f inancially

viable in the major population centre of Darwin

and its satellite city Palmerston. Recycling activities

in other areas face signif icant barriers and costs

and may be both environmentally and economically

unviable. The NEPM does provide a useful mechanism

for obtaining data on kerbside recycling where it

does exist.

The Northern Territory is committed to the NEPM

Goal and Desired Environmental Outcomes. A change

in strategic approach to achieving these has perhaps

hindered on-ground action throughout 2006–07, but

has set the agenda for what is expected to be a more

effective approach over coming years.


BY THE NEPM

There have been no brand-owners identif ied in the

Northern Territory who would have obligations under

the NEPM. No reporting has been required under

clause 16 of the NEPM. No supporting data surveys

were conducted in 2006–07 under clause 18 of

the NEPM.

Of the 63 local government bodies in the Northern

Territory only six have populations greater than 3000.

Only two provide kerbside recycling services and are

required to provide reports. These two councils are

satellite cities and combined they service approximately

46% of the Northern Territory population. Other

communities that provide limited recycling services

either deliver unsorted materials to the Materials

Recovery Facility or sell (aluminium) directly

to industry.

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FROM: Northern Territory











240L Co-mingled Fortnightly 2

wheelie bin


by number of Councils: Public/commercial

recycling drop off centre and salvage shop used

by one Council. Public recycling drop off centre

at waste transfer station used by one Council.

Please note: Average premises fee charged by

Councils for recycling services reported below

represents the average annual fee per premises

for all kerbside waste and recycling collection.



Non-residential 0 premises



Kerbside: Drop Off

(Optional):


Non-



Recycling Services

Residential $ 217.00



a Recycling Service

Residential $ 71.72




Average Participation rate: 75.15%

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6National Environment Protection Council annual report 2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7264

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1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007







to landfill


Packaging Paper

A04 Cardboard 998 348 650


Total packaging paper 998 348 650




A05 Paper mixed 1 692 753 939



D0121 Glass White

D0122 Glass Green

D0123 Glass Brown

D0999 Glass Mixed 1 759 914 845


E01 PET 96 61 35

E02 HDPE (clear/opaque) 81 49 32

E03 PVC

E07 Plastic Other

E099 Plastic Mixed




TOTAL 4 794 2 233 2 561


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Table 2: Amounts of materials dropped off, sent for secondary use/energy


1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007







to landfill


Packaging Paper

A04 Cardboard 221 181.6 39.4


Total packaging paper 221 181.6 39.4




A05 Paper mixed

Total all other non-packaging paper 0 0 0

TOTAL PAPER PRODUCTS 221 181.6 39.4

D0121 Glass White

D0122 Glass Green

D0123 Glass Brown

D0999 Glass Mixed 21 20.5 0.5

TOTAL GLASS CONTAINERS 21 20.5 0.5

E01 PET

E02 HDPE (clear/opaque)

E03 PVC

E07 Plastic Other

E099 Plastic Mixed 28 23.8 4.2

TOTAL PLASTICS 28 23.8 4.2

G01 Aluminium (cans)


TOTAL 942 897.9 44.1




2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

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Assessment of Site Contamination





NEPM details


(Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure




No. GN 51, 22 December 1999, p. 4246)



(Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure is set

out in clause 5 (1) of the Measure as follows:

5.(1) National environment protection goal

The purpose of the Measure is to establish

a nationally consistent approach to the

assessment of site contamination to ensure

sound environmental management practices

by the community which includes regulators,

site assessors, environmental auditors,

landowners, developers and industry.



Environment Protection (Assessment of Site

Contamination) Measure is set out in clause 5 (2)

of the Measure as follows:

5.(2) Desired environmental outcome

The desired environmental outcome for this

Measure is to provide adequate protection

of human health and the environment, where

site contamination has occurred, through the

development of an eff icient and effective

national approach to the assessment of site

contamination.

Evaluation criteria

The assessment of the effectiveness of the

National Environment Protection (Assessment

of Site Contamination) Measure is based on the

following criteria:






requirements



NEPM standards



Specific criteria

No specif ic criteria are set out in the Measure.


(Refer to page 268)




The Commonwealth implements the Assessment

of Site Contamination NEPM as guidelines under the

National Environment Protection Council Act 1994.

The NEPM is subject to review five years from

the date of commencement. The review period

commenced in February 2005, with an issues paper

and a discussion paper released for comment.

Submissions from a wide range of stakeholders

strongly supported a variation to the NEPM and a

review report was prepared based on these comments.

In November 2006, the National Environment

Protection Council (NEPC) accepted the review

report, and directed the NEPC Committee to prepare

a detailed proposal to initiate a variation to the

NEPM, based on the review recommendations. The

review report contained 27 recommendations and

identif ied the areas for high priority attention as:

• the development of an agreed national approach

to deriving Ecological Investigation Levels

• a revision of existing Health-based Investigation

Levels

• a revision and expansion of information in the

NEPM relating to the investigation and assessment

of asbestos

• a follow up review of worldwide models and f ield

methods for the assessment of volatiles

• the development of interim national screening

levels for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons.

The proposal also addressed relevant items raised

in the Banks Report (Rethinking Regulation: Report

of the Taskforce on Reducing Regulatory Burden

on Business, 2006).

At its meeting on 2 June 2007, the NEPC agreed to

initiate this variation process, which will ensure that

the NEPM remains the premier methodology for the

assessment of site contamination in Australia.


Commonwealth agencies have incorporated the

requirements of the NEPM into their organisational

activities. Agencies have in place a variety of

implementing activities including Environmental

Management Systems, national environment

assessment processes, environmental management

practices, contaminated site registers or environmental

risk assessments, which ensure ongoing management

of land contamination issues. For example, the

Department of Finance and Administration has

established an Environment, Heritage and

Sustainability team within Finance’s Property and

Construction Division. The team has recently been

established and now works across Property and

Construction Division activities to identify

opportunities for integration of environmental

outcomes including contaminated land management

requirements. In another example, the Director of

National Parks is implementing a program of

rehabilitation of a number of small, disused uranium

mine sites and associated infrastructure that were

operational between 1956 and 1964, and which now

lie within the Gunlom Aboriginal Land Trust area

in Kakadu National Park. A rehabilitation plan has

been developed for the disused uranium mine sites

and associated infrastructure, and funding has been

provided by the Federal Government for its

implementation between mid–2006 and mid–2010.


The Commonwealth agencies approach to the

application of the NEPM is one of delivering a

consistent methodology for the assessment of

contaminated sites across Australia. The activities

undertaken by Commonwealth agencies ensure that

resources are available to reduce potential sources


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Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure for the Commonwealth




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of contamination, identify contaminated sites, and

monitor already identif ied sites. Staff awareness

and training programs play an important part in the

ongoing monitoring and reporting of identif ied sites.

Such programs aim to ensure adequate management

of these areas to reduce the potential for future

contamination.


EFFECTIVENESS

Agencies are implementing and achieving the desired

outcomes of the NEPM and have noted that the

NEPM’s principles have provided a consistent

national methodology in the assessment and detection

of contaminated sites.

In identifying areas for improvement, the Department

of Finance and Administration has observed that there

is still some confusion within industry regarding the

role of investigation levels relative to remediation

standards, and has suggested that this could be

communicated more clearly within the NEPM and

reinforced by annual training sessions. The Australian

Antarctic Division (AAD) noted that some of the

investigation levels set for mainland Australia may not

be appropriate for use in the Antarctic because even

very low levels of contamination may be ecologically

signif icant. The AAD is continuing to undertake

research to evaluate the appropriateness and

applicability of the guideline levels for the Antarctic

and sub-Antarctic.


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(Refer to page 268)




The National Environment Protection (Assessment

of Site Contamination) Measure (the NEPM) provides

a policy framework, a recommended process for

assessing site contamination, and guidelines dealing

with salient aspects of the assessment process. Adoption

of the NEPM in New South Wales has been achieved

within the existing legislative framework.

Section 105 of the Contaminated Land Management

Act 1997 (CLM Act) allows the New South Wales


(DECC) to make or approve guidelines for purposes

connected with the objects of the Act. The components

of the NEPM have been approved by DECC as

guidelines under section 105 of the CLM Act. These

Guidelines must be taken into consideration when

DECC is making a decision on whether a site poses

a signif icant risk of harm according to section 9 of

the CLM Act and when an accredited contaminated

site auditor is conducting a site audit. Guidelines

made or approved in this manner must also be publicly

available for inspection or purchase.

(Note that the Environment Protection Authority

(EPA), which administers the CLM Act, is now part

of the Department of Environment and Climate

Change (DECC)).


Written advice outlining the approved NEPM

guidelines, and those guidelines which it supersedes,

has been communicated to consultants, accredited

auditors, local government, other State government

bodies, peak environment groups, peak industry

groups and peak organisations of councils in New South

Wales. The list of all guidelines made or approved

under section 105 of the CLM Act is available to the

public on the DECC’s web site to help increase public

accessibility to the guidelines. Measures to ensure

relevant stakeholders are informed of the NEPM

are ongoing.

As noted above, section 105 of the CLM Act requires

the NEPM to be taken into consideration by DECC

when making a decision on whether a contaminated

site requires regulation under the CLM Act and when

conducting performance reviews of accredited

contaminated site auditors. DECC verif ies that site

audits and site audit statements have been undertaken

with due regard to the NEPM.

The NEPM guidelines are generally applied

by environmental consultancies in undertaking

contaminated site investigation under the

planning process.

New South Wales is proposing to progress amendments

to the CLM Act during the coming f inancial year

which aim to improve the flexibility of the regulatory

process, strengthen the application of the ‘polluter

pays’ principle and replace the term ‘signif icant risk

of harm’ as a trigger for the regulatory process with

a set of clearer more objective triggers. In addition

to this NSW is proposing a regulation which will

mandate a preventative approach to minimising the

risk of soil and groundwater contamination from

leaking underground petroleum storage systems.


New South Wales has fulf illed all its obligations

under the Assessment of Site Contamination NEPM

to date. There is substantial stakeholder compliance

with the recommended assessment processes because

the requirements are integrated into pre-existing

regulatory framework.

Since its approval as a guideline under s105 of the

CLM Act, the NEPM has been taken into account

New South Wales


Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure for New South

Wales by the Hon. Phil Koperberg MP, Minister for Climate Change,

Environment and Water for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


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by DECC, site auditors and consultants when assessing

the risks posed by contaminated sites. During the year

ending 30 June 2007, DECC finalised 44 signif icant

risk of harm assessments under section 9 of the

CLM Act, and approved site auditors have issued

approximately 274 site audit statements (179 statutory

and 95 non-statutory).

There are no legislative requirements for the application

of the NEPM to the redevelopment of contaminated

sites under land-use planning legislation. As the

DECC is not routinely advised by Councils of

redevelopment projects managed through local

planning processes, no state-wide data is available

on the number of contaminated site assessments

where the NEPM guidelines have been applied.


EFFECTIVENESS

As New South Wales policies and guidelines were

already in accord with the standards established under

the 1992 Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for

the Assessment and Management of Contaminated

Sites which form the basis of the NEPM, the effect

of the NEPM in New South Wales is to reinforce and

formalise best practice.

The NEPM leads to increased consistency between

jurisdictions, which has been advantageous for

interactions between DECC and equivalent agencies

in other states, territories and the Commonwealth.

This process has benefits for all involved parties,

as issues relating to assessment of land contamination

are consistently managed.


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(Refer to page 268)


NEPM AND ANY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES


A key objective within Victoria is to ensure that the

National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site

Contamination) Measure is implemented in a manner

that complements and builds upon existing systems.

Since 1990, the assessment of site contamination

in Victoria has largely been undertaken under the

administrative framework of the Environmental Audit

System (Contaminated Land), or at least under the

same guidance issued for the audit system. The audit

system was established under provisions of the

Environment Protection Act 1970 (Part IXD). This

Audit System was pioneered in Victoria, and has since

been adopted by other jurisdictions. It has provided

a robust platform for assessing site contamination to

ensure protection for human health and the environment.

Prior to development of the NEPM, site assessment

was based primarily on a combination of national

guidelines developed by the Australian and New

Zealand Environment and Conservation Council

(ANZECC), the National Environmental Health

Forum (NEHF), and some international guidelines

(principally from the Netherlands), plus a variety

of policies and guidelines issued by the Environment

Protection Authority (EPA).

In particular, the audit system adopted State

environment protection policies (SEPPs) as they

became available. SEPPs are key instruments made

under the Environment Protection Act 1970, setting

out the policy framework to protect environmental

quality. They identify the beneficial uses of the

environment, establishing environmental quality

objectives and indicators and setting out an attainment

program for meeting these objectives.

The SEPP (Prevention and Management of

Contamination of Land) (SEPP (PMCL)) was declared

by Governor in Council in Victoria in June 2002.

The SEPP (PMCL):

• integrates the various elements of EPA Victoria’s

existing systems for preventing, assessing and

managing contaminated sites in one single,

consistent statutory instrument

• clearly specif ies the beneficial uses of land to be

protected, and establishes indicators and objectives

to determine the level of environmental risk, and

appropriate investigation levels, to protect specif ic

beneficial uses. The SEPP (PMCL) adopts the

investigation levels in the NEPM guidelines as the

key objectives for land quality

• sets out requirements for consideration of site

contamination in land use planning, managing

activities which can cause contamination, and the

auditing of contaminated land.

Other statutory instruments of relevance to the

assessment and management of site contamination

include:

• the State Environment Protection Policy

(Groundwaters of Victoria), which sets out the

beneficial uses of groundwater to be protected,

the indicators and objectives to use in determining

whether these uses are protected, and an attainment

program. While the SEPP (Groundwaters of

Victoria) was declared before the Assessment

of Site Contamination NEPM was f inalised,

it is generally consistent with the provisions

of Schedule B(6) of the NEPM.

• the Industrial Waste Management Policy

(Prescribed Industrial Waste), which requires that

the waste hierarchy be applied in the avoidance

and management of prescribed industrial waste,

including contaminated soils. This approach is

generally consistent with clause 6(16) of the policy

framework (Part 4 of the NEPM).

Victoria


Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure for Victoria by

the Hon. Gavin Jennings, Minister for Environment and Climate Change



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The Planning and Environment Act 1987, its

associated Minister’s Direction No.1, and the

Victorian Planning Provisions reflect clause 6(5)

of the policy framework (Part 4 of the NEPM).


The Victorian government recognises that the

management and protection of the environment

is an important part of protecting public health and

wellbeing and of contributing to f inancial surety in

property development, as well as the inherent values

associated with the environment. Accordingly, the

government has strongly committed to ensuring that

planning processes, including the consideration of

development proposals, incorporate a full assessment

of public health and environmental issues and risks.

This commitment is reflected in the NEPM

implementation activities in Victoria during the

assessment year.

Victoria has continued with a number of processes

to implement the Assessment of Site Contamination

NEPM, mainly under the EPA. These activities

include:

• adopting elements of the NEPM through the statutory

instrument of the SEPP (PMCL)

• referencing the NEPM in the Environmental

Auditors (Contaminated Land) Guidelines for the

Issue of Certif icates and Statements. These guide-

lines formalise advice to environmental auditors

that they should refer to the NEPM for guidance on

various elements of site assessment and auditing,

including sampling and analysis of soil and

groundwater in contaminated sites, and assessing

the data against health and ecological investigation

levels. The content of the guidelines is reviewed

and revised regularly as new circumstances arise

• the auditor guidelines and other related policy and

advisory documents are supported by a range of

seminars and workshops (including twice-yearly

Environmental Auditor meetings) aimed at

ensuring auditors and other stakeholders are aware

of the requirements, and especially are updated on

recent developments

• appointing environmental auditors in accordance

with Part IXD of the Environment Protection Act

1970 and EPA Environmental Auditor Guidelines

for Appointment and Conduct issued in 2002

and revised most recently in August 2006. The

guidelines reflect the principles in Schedule B(10)

of the NEPM, Competencies and acceptance of

environmental auditors and related professionals.

The NEPM policy framework identif ies an important

role for planning authorities in ensuring that a site,

which is potentially contaminated and is being

considered for a change in land use, is suitable for its

intended future use. The Victorian Planning Provisions

have mechanisms to trigger environmental audits in

such circumstances and these are further clarif ied

in the SEPP (PMCL). Controls are continuing to be

developed to ensure that any conditions on the use

of a site—as stipulated as a result of an environmental

audit—are met (e.g. through inclusion in planning

permit conditions) and that contaminated site

information is readily available through the planning

process. A General Practice Note—Potentially

Contaminated Land was approved by the Planning

Minister and published in June 2005. This practice

note is assisting planning authorities to more fully

incorporate relevant site contamination issues in

planning decisions. EPA and the Department of

Sustainability and the Environment (DSE) provide

joint workshops for planners and others on

implementation of the Practice Note.

Victoria now provides information through the EPA

website identifying those sites that have been through

the contaminated land Environmental Audit process,

to ensure that information relating to audited

contaminated sites is readily available to the community.

These actions are consistent with the NEPM and the

Victorian Government’s commitment to incorporate

environmental issues into planning considerations.


Victoria has a well-established process for the

management of contaminated sites including the

environmental auditing system. Therefore, successful

implementation of the NEPM required only minor

changes to Victoria’s existing framework. In the

seven years that the NEPM has been in operation,

substantial progress has been made in incorporating

the NEPM into statutory instruments and guidelines,

particularly through the declaration of the SEPP

(PMCL) thereby giving effect to elements of the

NEPM within Victoria.


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EPA Victoria has published guidelines for

environmental auditors requiring that they refer

to the NEPM as a key reference document when

assessing site contamination. EPA Victoria also

contributes to education, guidance and improvements

in site assessment falling outside the audit framework

(e.g. through workshops attended by assessment and

remediation consultants, land developers, local

government planners). The EPA is considering other

means by which to provide further guidance on non-

audit site assessment.

Victoria continues to be a leader in the area

of contaminated site assessment, including the

environmental audit system. Inclusion of aspects

of the NEPM guidelines within Victoria’s statutory

framework has provided a more consolidated and

comprehensive body of guidance for the assessment

of contaminated sites.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM reinforces an existing framework for the

management of contaminated sites in Victoria by

providing consistent consolidated guidance on the

assessment of site contamination. Some improvements

in the consistency of site assessment have resulted

from use of the NEPM. Further improvements in

consistency are the object of ongoing developments.

The NEPM is well supported by environmental

auditors and others in the site assessment industry,

with comments indicating that it is a comprehensive

source of guidance.

It is still the case that the NEPM is being implemented

with a bias toward the assessment of health effects,

e.g. contaminant concentrations are compared to the

health based investigation levels (HILs) without due

consideration of the ecological investigation levels

(EILs). EPA Victoria continues to remind

environmental auditors and site assessor of the need

to properly assess both health and ecological impacts

in accordance with the NEPM. The greater level of

guidance provided in relation to the assessment of

health risk (compared to ecological risk) and the

more comprehensive listing of health investigation

levels (compared to ecological investigation levels)

appears to have contributed to the observed bias in

site assessment practice. However, there is a growing

awareness of the need for assessment of ecological

health risk. This presents one possible area of attention

for the review of the NEPM.

In addition, the NEPM could be more effective

if it was expanded to contain more guidance on some

of the volatile contaminants that are commonly

encountered on many sites, particularly former service

station sites, many of which are being redeveloped

as a result of the rationalisations in the oil industry.

Victoria is represented on the project team undertaking

the review of the NEPM.


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The NEPM is incorporated into the Queensland

Government’s administration of contaminated land

through EPA guidelines and site specif ic conditions

on statutory approvals relating to site contamination

under the provisions of the Environmental Protection

Act 1994 (EP Act) and the Integrated Planning Act

1997 (IP Act).

The EP Act requires the establishment, operation and

maintenance of registers about contaminated and

potentially contaminated land - the Environmental

Management Register and the Contaminated Land

Register (EMR/CLR). The EMR/CLR can be searched

on a fee-per-lot basis with the aim of providing public

information on site contamination in accordance with

the policy framework in Section 6 (6) of the NEPM.

The EMR lists: sites that have been used for

potentially contaminating activities that warrant

further investigation should a change of land use be

proposed; and sites that have been assessed as having

residual contamination but may be safely managed

under the conditions of a Site Management Plan (SMP)

for a specif ied land use. The CLR lists sites that

involve serious environmental harm where regulatory

action is required to address any human health or

environmental risks.

The Queensland EPA establishes technical guidelines

for the assessment and management of contaminated

land that must be used by private sector environmental

professionals undertaking work on contaminated

land. In all cases, assessment work involving statutory

decisions under the EP Act must be conducted

according to the Schedules in the NEPM.

In keeping with the policy framework under Section

6 (5) of the NEPM, development applications for

EMR/CLR listed sites and other potentially

contaminated sites must be referred through local

governments to the EPA under IP Act Regulations.

The EPA has a concurrence role for these

developments. Relevant conditions are set by the EPA

prior to development to ensure assessment issues are

addressed in accordance with the NEPM and land is

made suitable for its intended use from a

contamination perspective. This link to planning

legislation provides a process to capture sites of

potential concern at redevelopment stage usually to

more sensitive land use where contamination may

involve human health and environmental risk.


The EPA is the central administering authority for

contaminated land in Queensland. However, local

government is the assessment manager for the majority

of developments including direction of applications

that involve contamination issues to the EPA. Local

government also notif ies the EPA of land with

potential contamination for listing on the EMR.

The following relevant performance information

is applicable to the reporting period 2006–07.

• 68 site assessment reports were reviewed for NEPM

compliance prior to statutory decisions regarding

EMR/CLR status of the subject land. Of these

assessments, additional information was sought

from the submitters in 64 cases.

• 502 development applications were reviewed for

contaminated land issues. Further contaminated

site assessment information for NEPM requirements

was sought from development applicants in

127 cases.

• 82 sites were finalised as being adequately assessed

according to the NEPM and decontaminated and

removed from the EMR. A further 83 Site

Management Plans were issued for development or

use of a site including those that were assessed and

Queensland


Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure for Queensland

by the Hon. Andrew McNamara MP, Minister for Sustainability, Climate

Change and Innovation for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


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partially decontaminated with management of

residual contamination for restricted land uses

• 218 permits were issued for the transport and

disposal of contaminated soil in accordance with

Section 6 (4) of the NEPM.

• 69 sites were placed under audit by Third Party

Reviewers appointed under the EPA’s Operational

Policy for Third Party Reviewers. The Third Party

Reviewers ensure private sector practitioners comply

with the NEPM and Queensland’s regulatory

requirements for site contamination.

• 12 Third Party Reviewers, appointed by the EPA,

are currently practicing in Queensland subject to

EPA’s requirements including 5 auditors accredited

in NSW and Victoria. In the reporting period, an

additional Third Party Reviewer was appointed

in Queensland in accordance with the NEPM

guideline Schedule B10.


The NEPM has been adopted as a central reference

document for the assessment of site contamination

in Queensland, supported by Queensland’s guidelines

on contaminated land. Its use is well established in

contaminated land practices, leading to effective and

practical site and development outcomes.

The use of the NEPM by contaminated land

practitioners is mandated by the EPA through the

provisions of the EP and IP Acts, and by Third Party

Reviewers in auditing site assessment work. All

applications to the EPA for statutory decisions about

site contamination and altering the status of land on

the EMR/CLR must demonstrate compliance with

the NEPM. The EPA seeks additional information

to clarify compliance issues relating to the NEPM

when necessary prior to altering the EMR/CLR

status of land.


EFFECTIVENESS

The current NEPM continues to be an effective

technical basis for site assessment for contaminated

site professionals operating in Queensland. Statutory

approval conditions for a development require NEPM

adherence. The quality control procedures applied

by the EPA in internal reviews of assessment reports

involve a review of the practitioner’s adherence to the

NEPM. Additional information is requested from

practitioners where there is poor reporting and

inconsistency with the NEPM.

Queensland-appointed Third Party Reviewers assess

compliance of the assessment work of practitioners

against the NEPM. Acceptance of accredited auditors

from other Australian jurisdictions helps to ensure

assessments in Queensland are undertaken on a

nationally consistent basis. In the reporting period,

a total of 165 land parcels were either removed from

the EMR/CLR or made ‘fit for use’ through the approval

of statutory Site Management Plans. The use of the

NEPM played a major role in achieving these outcomes.

In the assessment process, some diff iculties are

evident in the misuse by some contaminated land

professionals of the health and ecological

investigation levels listed in Schedule B(1) of the

NEPM – Guideline on the Investigation Levels for

Soil and Groundwater. This leads to unwarranted

remediation or underestimation of environmental

risk. There are also concerns regarding the use of

appropriate soil criteria for petroleum hydrocarbons

and volatile organic compounds. These and other

issues of concern have been identif ied in the current

review of the NEPM. Proposals to revise and upgrade

the health and investigation levels should improve

the NEPM’s effectiveness in the future.


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(Refer to page 268)




The Contaminated Sites Act 2003 (CS Act) and the

associated Contaminated Sites Regulations 2006

came into effect on 1 December 2006. The CS Act

was drafted in accordance with the principles of the

NEPM. The CS Act contains provisions for the making

of guidelines, based on elements of the NEPM.

During the f irst six months of commencement

of the CS Act, the Department of Environment and

Conservation (DEC) received around 1000 new

reports of known or suspected contaminated sites.

More than 375 of these sites have been assessed by

DEC Officers and classif ied under the CS Act. Soil

and groundwater investigations have confirmed the

presence of contamination at around 100 of these

sites, which have been listed on the publicly-available

database on DEC’s website.


To assist compliance with the CS Act and principles

of the NEPM, DEC has developed the Contaminated

Sites Management Series which includes 14

‘administrative’ and ‘technical’ guidelines. The

administrative guidelines provide guidance on the

provisions and operation of the CS Act. The technical

guidelines reference the NEPM and relevant Australian

Standards. These guidelines are taken into account

by DEC when making decisions on the investigation,

clean up and risk assessment of sites.

In preparation for implementation of the Act, during

the latter half of 2006 DEC published final or updated

versions of the following guidelines: Community

Consultation, Contaminated Sites Auditors: Guidelines

for Accreditation, Conduct and Reporting, Disclosure

Statements, Reporting of Known or Suspected

Contaminated Sites, Site Classif ication Scheme and

The Use of Risk Assessment in Contaminated Site

Assessment and Management: Guidance on the

Overall Approach. The Contaminated Sites Auditor

Guideline incorporates the principles of Schedule

B(10) of the NEPM.


Western Australia has used the methodology

established under the NEPM to prepare and implement

a successful regulatory and administrative framework

for the assessment and management of contaminated

sites in WA. Commencement of the Contaminated

Sites Act 2003 on 1 December 2006 was a major

milestone for WA in the implementation of the NEPM.


EFFECTIVENESS

The Contaminated Sites Act 2003, Contaminated

Sites Regulations 2006 and the Contaminated Sites

Management Series enforce the principles of the

NEPM in terms of site investigation and management

in WA. Although the NEPM only covers the investigation

of sites, its principles in terms of sampling and risk

assessment are also able to be utilised for validation

sampling and monitoring as part of the management

of sites. The effectiveness of the NEPM will be

enhanced following its current revision which will

bring the NEPM up-to-date with contemporary

technology and assessment methods. Inclusion of the

principles of site management and remediation of the

NEPM will go someway to providing a nationally-

consistent framework for site management.


Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure for Western

Australia by the Hon. David Templeman MLA, Minister for the Environment;



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The NEPM operates to a limited extent as an

environment protection policy under the Environment

Protection Act 1993 (the Act). The Act currently does

not specif ically address site contamination, which

limits implementation of the NEPM to achieve the

purpose and desired environmental outcomes.

To address this, the State Government on 1 May

2007 introduced a Bill into the SA Parliament, titled

the Environment Protection (Site Contamination)

Amendment Bill 2007. At the end of the reporting

period, the Bill was still before the Parliament.

This Bill is an important step in the process of

managing site contamination in South Australia. Site

contamination is a matter of international and national

concern that has emerged as a major environmental

and land use planning issue in South Australia over

the past decade, following a number of cases in the

late 1980s and 1990s when development occurred

on land where site contamination was subsequently

found to exist.

Site contamination, as defined in the Bill, exists when

chemicals have been added to land above background

levels through an activity resulting in an actual or

potential impact on human health or the environment,

in particular on water. These past activities include

industrial, commercial or agricultural practices.

While the contaminants deposited may not have an

immediate effect on the existing industrial use of the

land, a change of land use to, for example, residential,

requires any potential site contamination to be

identif ied, assessed and managed to ensure the land

is suitable for its intended purpose.

The proposed amendments to the Environment

Protection Act will provide the EPA with the power

to order the person responsible for causing site

contamination to assess and, if necessary, remediate

the property to ensure that there is appropriate

protection for human or environmental health.

The Bill is at the forefront of international best

practice in the management of site contamination in

a number of ways. It takes a risk-based approach to

site remediation; that is, the response to managing

a site is based on an evaluation of the degree of the

risk presented by the contaminant, which is linked

to the land use of that site.

The Bill uses experts external to the government for

site contamination management, that is, assessment

and remediation through a system of accredited

auditors. Independent auditors have been accredited

under that site contamination legislation in Victoria

and New South Wales for a number of years and will

also be accredited under the new Western Australian

legislation.

The Bill is also innovative in that it allows the liability

and responsibility for the assessment and remediation

of a contaminated site to be assigned to the person

who caused the contamination. This is consistent

with the ‘polluter pays’ principle established under

the Australian and New Zealand Environmental and

Conservation Council (ANZECC) and agreed to by

all governments in 1994. Importantly, the Bill allows

full or partial liability to be transferred from one

person to another, through the purchase or transfer of

land, where there is a genuine arm’s length transaction.

The Bill also allows for voluntary proposals that

enable a person to avoid being served with an order.

The South Australian EPA continues to provide

guidance and advice in regard to site contamination,

particularly the NEPM, to planning authorities,

environmental consultants, environmental auditors,

industry and the community.


Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure for South

Australia by the Hon. Gail Gago MLC, Minister for Environment and

Conservation for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007

South Australia


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The principles of the NEPM have been introduced,

where appropriate, into licence conditions, guidelines

and advice issued by the EPA.


Implementation of the NEPM is progressing, but is

limited due to the legislative framework currently in

place in South Australia.


EFFECTIVENESS

The progressive implementation of the NEPM should

be instrumental in achieving the NEPM purpose and

desired environmental outcomes. However, in South

Australia, this desired outcome will be improved with

the passage of an enhanced legislative framework for

managing site contamination.


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Under Section 12A of the State Policies and Projects

Act 1993, NEPMs are taken to be state policies

immediately after they are made by the National

Environment Protection Council. When NEPMs

become State Policies, they come within the provisions

of Section 13 of the State Policies and Projects Act

1993, including the obligation (Section 13(3)) for the

Resource Planning and Development Commission to

amend planning schemes to remove any inconsistencies

with the State Policy. Section 13 (1) of the State

Policies and Projects Act 1993 provides that the state

policy prevails in the event of any inconsistency.

Implementation of the NEPM within planning

schemes is progressing, with a number of councils

revising the structure and content of their planning

schemes over the past few years to incorporate the

need to trigger site assessments in the planning

process. A standard planning schedule is under

development that will aim to improve the uptake

of such requirements within planning schemes.


The management and regulation of contaminated

sites is administered by the Department of Tourism,

Arts and Environment (DTAE) and by Local

Government. The NEPM has been adopted by DTAE

as a set of guidelines that should be complied with

when conducting site contamination assessments.

Any site assessment conducted where the proponent

requires DTAE’s endorsement, or site ‘sign-off ’,

must be in compliance with the NEPM. When the

Director of Environmental Management requires

site assessment works in an Environment Protection

Notice issued under the Environmental Management

and Pollution Control Act 1994, compliance with the

NEPM is a mandatory condition.

DTAE is currently developing amendments to the


Act 1994, which will ensure that notices can be served

to require investigation, remediation and management

of sites, that landholders notify government of

contamination and will provide for an independent

review system for consultants reports. These provisions

will further advance the management of contaminated

sites and achievement of the NEPM goal. It is

anticipated that these amendments will be tabled

in Parliament in September 2007.

The DTAE is also currently developing a procedure

for management of underground petroleum storage

systems aimed at preventing site contamination or

identifying it as early as possible. Reference to the

NEPM assessment guidelines will be an integral

part of this procedure.


Tasmania continues to progress the implementation

of the NEPM through the development of a standard

planning schedule, amendments to the Environmental

Management and Pollution Control Act 1994,

development of a procedure for preventing environmental

harm on sites with underground petroleum storage

systems and by incorporating reference to it in all

guidelines produced.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM has provided highly useful guidance

to professional practitioners in the f ield of site

contamination assessment. However, there are ongoing

concerns for those involved in review of site reports

that the basics of site assessment, in particular data

presentation, are not being followed by all practitioners.

The review of the NEPM should increase its

effectiveness in this regard and ensure it takes account

of recent developments in the f ield.

Tasmania


Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure for Tasmania

by the Hon. Paula Wriedt MHA, Minister for Tourism, Arts and the

Environment for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


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In the Australian Capital Territory Environment

Protection, Department of Territory and Municipal

Services has the responsibility for the implementation

and administration of the National Environment

Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure.

The provisions of the NEPM were achieved through

amendments to the Environment Protection Act 1997

which came into effect on 18 March 2000.


The Assessment of Site Contamination NEPM has been

fully implemented in the Australian Capital Territory.

The Contaminated Sites Environment Protection

Policy (EPP), made under the Environment Protection

Act 1997, was f inalised in November 2000 and is the

primary policy document for the assessment and

management of contaminated land in the Australian

Capital Territory. The EPP references the NEPM as

a key resource for assessing contaminated land in the

Australian Capital Territory.


Environment Protection actively promotes the

guidelines contained in NEPM as the primary

reference tools to be used by environmental consultant’s

and contaminated land auditor’s when performing

contaminated land assessments in the Australian

Capital Territory. This has led to a consistent approach

to site assessment across the Australian Capital Territory

and ensures the Australian Capital Territory contributes

to a nationally-consistent approach to the assessment

of site contamination.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM continues to prove a valuable resource

tool for the assessment of site contamination in the

Australian Capital Territory. The implementation of

the recommendations of the NEPM review can only

add to the effectiveness of the NEPM into the future.



Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure for the Australian




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The Northern Territory Government has drafted

an Environment Protection Objective (EPO) under

section 22 of the Waste Management and Pollution

Control Act 1998. The associated guidance material

on contaminated site assessment has been developed

but is not yet f inalised. It is anticipated that the EPO

will be completed and promulgated in 2007–08.


The NEPM has been implemented in the Northern

Territory via administrative processes pending the

finalisation of the EPO. The Development Consent

Authority (DCA) can issue conditioned permits that

require the development proponent to undertake formal

site assessment with the engagement of a Victorian

or New South Wales accredited site contamination

auditor. This occurs at sites where preliminary

contamination assessment undertaken by credible

environmental consultants has established that

investigation thresholds have been exceeded for

contaminants of concern. In the Northern Territory,

the auditor thus engaged also oversights the develop-

ment and implementation of a Remedial Action Plan

to render the land f it for purpose. An auditor’s

Statement of Environmental Audit for any particular

site then provides government with the necessary

guidance to place on title a caution notice or

administrative note that gives effect to the auditor’s

recommendations. The proponent cannot proceed

with any development unless the DCA is satisf ied

that its conditions have been met. The DCA relies

on advice from the Environment Protection Agency

(EPA) Program of the Department of Natural

Resources, Environment and the Arts for such matters.


Notwithstanding the delay in f inalising the EPO,

processes and policies are in place to ensure that

contamination assessment is conducted in a systematic

and thorough way consistent with the NEPM goals.

Engagement of accredited auditors to oversight the

work has ensured that bringing land in the Northern

Territory to a f it for purpose state is consistent with

national best practice environmental management.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM has allowed for a ‘level playing f ield’ for

site contamination assessment and remediation to

be established in the Northern Territory. The NEPM

review conducted over 2005–06 has been thorough

with priority recommendations now being implemented

at a national level. The review identif ied some key

areas for improvement and the Northern Territory

is strongly supportive of those recommendations.

Of particular importance to the Northern Territory

will be the reworking of the 1992 ANZECC guidance

material to assist in providing transparency to the

process and ensuring that sensible environmental

outcomes are achieved.

Northern Territory


Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure for the Northern

Territory by the Hon. Delia Lawrie MLA, Minister for Natural Resources,


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Diesel Vehicle Emissions




NEPM details


(Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure




No. GN 28, 18 July, 2001 p. 2014)



(Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure is set out in

clause 10 of the Measure as follows:


The goal of this Measure is to reduce exhaust

emissions from diesel vehicles, by facilitating

compliance with in-service emissions standards

for diesel vehicles.




Measure is set out in clause 11 of the Measure

as follows:



Measure is to reduce pollution from in-service

diesel vehicles.

Evaluation criteria












NEPM standards



Specific criteria

Reporting requirements set out in clause 15 (1) of the

Measure are as follows:

It is intended that each participating jurisdiction

submit a report to the Council on the following

matters:

a) Assessment of the need to take action to

manage emissions from the in–service diesel

fleet, utilising the criteria specif ied in clause 13

b) Description of actions taken.

A brief report of all programs implemented

during the reporting year to manage emissions

from in–service diesel vehicles, including any

programs implemented that are not covered by

the guidelines in Schedule A of this Measure.

This description should take account of:

- the scope of action required to achieve the

goal and the desired environmental outcome

specif ied in this Measure; and

- any action taken and progress made to reduce

emissions from in-service diesel vehicles

prior to the commencement of this Measure

(relevant to the f irst year of reporting).

c) Assessment of the effectiveness of any actions

taken.

Participating jurisdictions must assess their

progress in reducing emissions from in–service

diesel vehicles identif ied as signif icant

contributors to air quality problems.

This assessment should include:

- an estimation of any change in the proportion

of diesel vehicles out of compliance with

in–service emissions standards; and

- an estimation of the reduction in diesel vehicle

emissions to ambient air.


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The NEPM is supported by the following

Commonwealth legislative, regulatory and

administrative framework:

• assistance to states to develop in-service emission

testing facilities and inspection programs for petrol

and diesel vehicles

• Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000

• Australian Design Rules (ADRs) under the Motor

Vehicle Standards Act 1989

• Alternative Fuels Conversion Program

• incentives and fuel tax credits arrangements.

The desired environmental outcome of this NEPM

is to reduce pollution from in-service diesel vehicles.

This outcome complements the emissions improve-

ments arising from Commonwealth legislation such

as the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 and the

Motor Vehicles Standards Act 1989.

The objects of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000

are to:

(a) regulate the quality of fuel supplied in Australia

in order to:

• reduce the level of pollutants and emissions

arising from the use of fuel that may cause

environmental and health problems

• facilitate the adoption of better engine and

emission control technology

• allow the more effective operation of engines,

and

(b) ensure that, where appropriate, information about

fuel is provided when the fuel is supplied.


Resources administers the Fuel Quality Standards

Act 2000. This Act sets a national fuel quality

standard for diesel, petrol, biodiesel and for LPG.

The development of standards for other fuels such

as ethanol is under consideration.

The diesel fuel quality standard has direct

implications for the improvement of diesel vehicle

operations and emissions. The quality of diesel is

continually improving to meet tighter vehicle emission

standards. For example, the amount of sulphur

permissible in Australian automotive diesel was

reduced to 500mg/kg on 31 December 2002 and was

then further reduced to 50mg/kg on 1 January 2006.

Permissible sulphur levels will further decrease to

10mg/kg on 1 January 2009.

Incentives were introduced by the government in

2003 to capture early environmental benefits of

cleaner fuels. The incentive to refiners and importers

helps to offset the higher costs of producing cleaner

fuels and to bring forward supplies in advance of the

mandated dates. A second phase of incentives to

encourage the early supply of 10mg/kg sulphur diesel

came into effect on 1 January 2007, two years before

the mandated date for this fuel.

Australian Design Rules (ADRs) under the Motor

Vehicle Standards Act 1989 set out design standards

for vehicle safety and emissions. They are developed

through a consultative process involving government,

industry and employee and consumer representatives.

The ADRs are harmonised to a considerable extent

with the international vehicle standards developed

by the United Nations. New ADRs will signif icantly

reduce emissions of diesel particulates and other

pollutants. Euro 4 standards for heavy diesel vehicles

will be fully implemented by 1 January 2008 and

Euro 5 standards by 1 January 2011. Euro 4 standards

for light duty diesel vehicles were fully implemented

on 1 January 2007. The Department of Transport and

Regional Services administers the Motor Vehicle

Standards Act 1989 and all ADRs.

Commonwealth


Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure for the Commonwealth by

the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, Minister for the Environment and Water

Resources for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007

The Alternative Fuels Conversion Program (AFCP)

commenced in January 2000 and is scheduled to operate

until 2008. In recent times, the AFCP has been directed

at supporting commercial fleet operators to trial

selected alternatively fuelled (LPG and natural gas)

and hybrid diesel/electric engines in order to assess

the greenhouse and air quality performance, as well

as the commercial viability of these engine systems

in heavy vehicles and to demonstrate their feasibility

to the wider transport industry.

Under the new Fuel Tax Act 2006, which has applied

from 1 July 2006, businesses wishing to seek a fuel

tax credit for the use of diesel fuel in a heavy road

vehicle must satisfy one of four environmental

criteria to be eligible for the credit.

One of these criteria is passing the Australian

Transport Council's in-service emission standard for

diesel vehicles (also known as the ‘DT80’ test) and,

if that test is performed by a suitably equipped test

facility, fuel used in the vehicle is eligible for the

fuel tax credit. The DT80 was developed as part of

this NEPM.


The Commonwealth has undertaken a number of

activities during the reporting year that have contributed

to the NEPM goal of reducing exhaust emissions

from diesel vehicles. The key initiative has been the

continued assistance provided to six jurisdictions

to develop in-service emission testing facilities and

inspection programs for petrol and diesel vehicles.

During the year, the Commonwealth funded projects

in Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia.

Over $21 million in funding has been provided under

this program.

Other actions by the Commonwealth that will

signif icantly help the management of diesel vehicle

emissions are:

• Euro 4 emission standards, which were fully

implemented from January 2007, and apply to

all new light diesel vehicles in Australia. Euro 4

standards are the most stringent United Nations

standards applicable to light diesels which are

currently in place;

• new Euro 4 and Euro 5 emission standards for

heavy diesel vehicles, which were f inalised in late

2006. These standards, which will come into effect

in 2008 and 2011 respectively, will deliver

signif icant reductions in harmful emissions from

heavy vehicles and align Australia with international

standards; and

• the permissible level of sulphur in diesel has

continued at 50 mg/kg. Incentives to bring forward

supplies of 10 mg/kg sulphur diesel in advance of

the mandated date, of 1 January 2009, were available

throughout the second half of the reporting year.

A key area of attention for the Commonwealth under

the Diesel NEPM is its vehicle fleet. The profile of

the fleet indicates that the vehicles tend to be relatively

new and well maintained. A summary profile of the

Commonwealth’s diesel fleet follows:

• there are approximately 9000 diesel vehicles

operated by Commonwealth agencies

• over 95% of the diesel fleet was manufactured

in or after 1995, the year that ADR 70 (which set

limits on emissions of CO, HC, NOx and particulates

from diesel vehicles) was introduced

• approximately 80% of the Commonwealth's diesel

fleet is less than f ive years old

• half of the diesel vehicles in the Commonwealth

fleet operate predominantly in rural areas.

All Commonwealth agencies operating diesel

vehicles report that their vehicles are serviced

according to the manufacturer's specif ications at

specif ied frequencies, thus minimising emissions

through regular maintenance. Agencies also report

a variety of actions undertaken to reduce emissions

from diesel vehicles, including:

• regular change over to new models to facilitate

the ordered upgrade of fleets with newer and more

efficient vehicles

• ensuring vehicle selection is optimised to suit work

conditions and applications

• driver training.

The Commonwealth chaired the review of the Diesel

NEPM, which was f inalised in April 2007, and

commenced work on a proposal to vary the NEPM

for NEPC consideration.


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The Commonwealth is making strong progress

towards reducing emissions from in-service diesel

vehicles through:

• administration of the Fuel Quality Standards Act

2000, the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 and

the Alternative Fuels Conversion Program

• provision of funding support to jurisdictions to

develop and implement diesel in-service emissions

testing programs and to establish testing facilities

• proper maintenance and management of its

diesel fleet.


EFFECTIVENESS

The Commonwealth considers the NEPM to be

beneficial in reducing emissions from diesel vehicles

across Australia and a useful component of the broader

framework to manage emissions.

While the Commonwealth has no airshed

responsibilities in regard to Diesel NEPM goals,

considerable progress has been made towards achieving

these goals through other initiatives including

Australian Design Rules, fuel quality standards, and

incentives to bring forward supplies of lower sulphur

diesel fuel.

As highlighted in the review of the NEPM a

signif icant amount of experience has been gained

in its implementation to date. Furthermore, since the

introduction of the NEPM, fuel quality has improved

and new vehicles are required to meet more stringent

emissions limits, both of which impact on in-service

emissions.

Updating the NEPM, improving techniques for

evaluation of implementation activities and further

work on emissions testing and standards, as

recommended in the review, would assist in

ensuring the continued relevance and effectiveness

of the NEPM.


(Refer to page 286)




In New South Wales, the National Environment

Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure (Diesel

NEPM) is implemented under the framework of the

New South Wales Government’s 25-year air quality

management plan, Action for Air. The comprehensive

range of programs and strategies contained in Action

for Air and the Action for Air Updates, of 2002 and

2006, include strategies directed at protecting air

quality through controls on motor vehicle emissions.

The Protection of the Environment Operations Act

1997 (NSW) and, under the Act, the Protection of

the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation

2002 (NSW) (the regulation), provide the regulatory

framework for action to address emissions from the

in-service diesel fleet. The Regulation underpins the

smoky vehicle program, a key element of Diesel NEPM

implementation in New South Wales. Specif ically,

the regulation prohibits excessive visible smoke

emissions from vehicles and tampering with emission

control equipment. Warnings, fines, inspection notices

and defective vehicle notices can be issued to owners

of excessively smoky vehicles reported under the smoky

vehicle program, and repair of vehicles is sometimes

required. In some serious cases, and for some repeat

offenders, prosecutions are launched by the Department

of Environment and Climate Change (DECC).

The in-service diesel vehicle emission standards

established in NRTC/NTC regulations provide the

benchmark against which the emissions performance

of diesel vehicles are assessed. In this way, the in-

service standards play an important role in program

development.


Air quality is a major environmental issue for some

parts of , particularly in Sydney and the Greater

Metropolitan Region (GMR). This area is comprised

of Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong and contains

approximately 70% of the State's population. Local

topography is particularly important in this region

as the location of human settlements in natural basins

makes them vulnerable to poor air quality under

certain weather conditions.

Motor vehicles emissions estimates

On-road mobile sources contribute approximately

71% oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 12% particles

(PM10) emissions from all anthropogenic sources in

the Sydney region. Although in 2006 diesel vehicles

made up approximately 9.7% of the on-road mobile

fleet, they contributed disproportionately to air

pollution from on-road mobile sources. Diesel vehicles

contribute approximately 32% NOx and 61% PM10

emissions from on-road mobile sources in the Sydney

Region. (Source: DECC (2007), Air Emissions Inventory

for the Greater Metropolitan Region in NSW, Criteria

Pollutant Emissions for all Sectors: Results, Department

of Environment and Climate Change, Sydney, NSW

2000, Australia. (In press)).

Emissions from diesel vehicles are predicted to fall

from 2005 to 2010 with the introduction of more

stringent Euro 3 and 4 diesel vehicle emissions standards

and the progressive reduction of sulphur in diesel

(i.e. 50ppm from 2006 and then 10ppm from 2009).

Diesel vehicle fleet profile

Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) registration data

shows that the proportion of diesel vehicles in the

fleet continues to grow and constituted 10.2% of the

fleet at 30 June 2007, up from 9.7% in 2006 and 9.34%

in 2005 (see table 1 below). Light commercial vehicles

(LCVs) constitute the largest sector of the diesel fleet

at 52%. Off-road passenger vehicles account for 17.7%

of the diesel fleet. Together, these categories account

for 69.7% of the total diesel fleet in NSW.

New South Wales


Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure for New South Wales by the

Hon. Phil Koperberg MP, Minister for Climate Change, Environment and

Water for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007


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RTA registration data indicate that the number of diesel

vehicles registered in New South Wales increased.

Between June 2006 and June 2007, the overall number

of diesel vehicles increased by 26 054 or 6.5%. Light

commercial vehicles accounted for 40.2% of the

increases. Information gathered to f ill knowledge

gaps prior to the development of the Diesel NEPM

(NEPC Preparatory Project 1—Diesel Fleet

Characteristics) indicated that the proportion of the

total Australian fleet constituted by diesel vehicles

was likely to increase from 8.3% in 1995 to 15%

by 2015.

Diesel Vehicles (%)

NSW Passenger Off-road Light Heavy Prime Small Buses Total

June 2006 Vehicles Passenger Commercial Trucks Movers Buses

Vehicles Vehicles

Diesels in Total

NSW Fleet 0.4 1.8 5.3 1.8 0.4 0.3 0.3 10.2

Diesel Vehicles

in Diesel Fleet 3.6 17.7 52 17.5 3.7 2.8 2.6 100

Source: RTA registration data June 2007

Table 1: Diesel vehicles by category as proportion of total fleet and diesel fleet

Vehicle type No. of diesel vehicles Change Percentage Proportion Proportion

March 2006 June 2007 change (%) of total of total

decrease (%) increase (%)

Passenger Vehicles 9 545 15 473 5 928 62.1 - 22.7

Off-Road Passenger Vehicles 67 006 75 020 8 014 12.0 - 30.8

Light Commercial Vehicles 210 199 220 669 10 470 5.0 - 40.2

Heavy Trucks 73 452 74 066 614 0.8 - 2.3

Prime Movers 15 627 15 747 120 0.8 - 0.5

Small Buses 11 034 11 717 683 6.2 - 12.6

Buses 11 045 11 270 225 2.0 - 0.9

Total 397 908 423 962 26 054 6.5 100 100

Source: RTA registration data June 2007

Table 2: Change in diesel vehicles by category

Registration data show that, in 2007, 35.4% of the

diesel fleet in NSW in all categories was manufactured

prior to 1996. Tighter emissions standards for new

vehicles for NOx and particles were introduced in

1996 under Australian Design Rule 70 (ADR70).

Stricter emissions standards have been introduced for

vehicles manufactured from 2002 under ADR80.00,

and from 2007 under ADR80.01.

Projected increase in vehicle kilometres

travelled

Both the number of diesel vehicles and the vehicle

kilometres travelled (VKT) of diesel vehicles are

increasing. The number of vehicles in the fleet

complying with ADR70 or better is gradually

increasing. However, a number of older vehicles

are still in service with their contribution to VKT

remaining signif icant.

The VKT forecast from the Department of Planning’s

Transport Data Centre, that was used in DECC

modelling, estimates an average increase to overall

diesel vehicle VKT in the GMR of 0.91% per annum

from 2001 to 2026.

Ambient air quality monitoring

NSW’s Air Quality Monitoring Program is currently

the largest in Australia, with a comprehensive

monitoring network operated by DECC. Sydney’s air

has been monitored for a range of pollutants since

the 1960s. Current reporting on ambient air quality

levels is referenced against the National Environment

Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (Air NEPM).

Air quality monitoring data collected during 2006

demonstrate that New South Wales achieved

compliance with the Air NEPM goals for carbon

monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and lead,

with their levels being well below the relevant Air

NEPM standards.

Compliance with the goals for photochemical smog

was shown in all regions except Sydney in 2006 and

this is fully detailed in the NSW report in the Air

NEPM implementation. While Sydney complied with

the Air NEPM for particles (as PM10) in 2006, the

Illawarra Region and the rural towns of Wagga Wagga

and Albury did not. This highlights the diff iculty of

compliance with the PM10 standard and goal due to

the impact of bushfires and, in some rural population

centres, due to a combination of drought, agricultural

practices and a relatively high use of solid fuel

heaters which produces elevated levels of particles

in autumn and winter.

DEC's smoky vehicle program

In New South Wales, it is an offence for a vehicle

to emit visible smoke continuously for more than ten

seconds. An Enforcement Officer (who has undertaken

training and been officially designated to enforce the

relevant legislation) may report an observation that

results in the owner of a smoky vehicle being issued

with a penalty notice. In 2006–07, 527 penalty notices

were issued to owners of diesel vehicles.

Prosecutions may also occur, usually where a person

issued with a penalty notice decides to have the matter

dealt with in court, or where a smoky vehicle has

previously been observed by an authorised officer on

a number of occasions. In 2006–07, there were nine

prosecutions, all involving diesel vehicles.

In addition, the public may report smoky vehicles via

the DECC’s Pollution Line or DECC website. As a

result of public reports the DECC may issue warning

letters to the registered owners of these vehicles. In

2006–07, 161 warning letters were issued to diesel

vehicle owners.

Annual statistics

Table 3 shows a breakdown of the percentage of smoky

diesel vehicles observed by authorised officers and

the percentage of diesel vehicle owners that received

fines or warning letters as a proportion of the

total fleet.

Data from the seven years indicate that smoky diesel

vehicles are more likely to receive f ines—with about

90% of all f ines related to excessive emissions from

diesel vehicles. Owners of petrol vehicles, which are

most often reported by members of the public, are

more likely to receive warning letters.

Testing infrastructure

RTA has procured diesel vehicle exhaust emissions

testing equipment with Diesel NEPM funding. The

equipment includes:

• heavy duty dynamometer—in combination with

a laboratory grade analysis unit, provides for

emissions testing research.

• lightweight dynamometer—in combination with an

analysis unit, provides for mobile emissions testing.

• testing van—contains the analysis equipment allowing

for on-site emissions analysis in combination with

the dynamometers.

• briefcase analyser—will provide a more compact

and affordable emission test system.

Research has enabled previously expensive and lengthy

diesel emission testing conducted in laboratories to

become more accessible. Simplifying the test has

allowed the RTA to take emission testing to fleet

depots and conduct tests in very short times. The

Briefcase Analyser has been trialled and a number

of modifications and improvements were identif ied.

This has resulted in an improved ‘briefcase unit’ that

has been simplif ied and is easier to use. This unit

is currently in the f inal stages of evaluation. It is

anticipated that the new ‘briefcase unit’ will provide

a more compact and affordable emission testing

system that will offer accurate and reliable data and

will allow fleet operators to purchase their own units.

This testing infrastructure will allow the RTA to

conduct vehicle emissions audits for the Clean Fleet

Program, investigate new emissions management


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technologies and promote the use of cleaner vehicles

and technologies.

RTA audited maintenance (clean fleet) program

Following a successful trial, the Clean Fleet Audited

Maintenance Program was launched by the Minister

for Roads in June 2006 – as part of the air quality

improvements for the M5 East Tunnel in Sydney.

The program continues to encourage diesel operators

to reduce diesel vehicle emissions. Participants must

meet four standards which were developed following

an extensive emission testing program. By repairing

the worst-emitting vehicles and then retesting them,

the repair and maintenance factors that have the

biggest impact on pollution levels were identif ied.

Clean Fleet is an accredited program under the

Federal Fuel Tax Credits Program and participants

are eligible to seek a diesel rebate. The Ministry of

Transport requires metropolitan bus systems contract

operators to comply with the Clean Fleet Program

and DECC also requires waste management contractors

to become members of the program within six months

of commencing a waste services contract with

local councils.

Currently there are more than 4000 vehicles

in the program.

Repair industry training

The RTA, in conjunction with TAFE, developed a

How to Reduce Truck Emissions awareness course.

The four-hour course is targeted at truck owners,

operators, diesel mechanics, and fleet and workshop

managers. The course provides practical information

on emission reduction measures and covers the impacts

of pollution, fault f inding methods and maintenance.

Courses were held during the period August 2006 to

June 2007 at TAFE colleges throughout New South

Wales. A new module has been added about how

to join the RTA’s Clean Fleet Program. The RTA

also made presentations covering diesel testing and

maintenance to TAFE apprentice mechanics and

University undergraduates at its IM240 light vehicle

testing facilities.

Testing of diesel exhaust after-treatment

technology

Following the successful Diesel Retrofit Demonstration

Pilot Program, the RTA has extended the program.

The retrofitting emission control devices, called

‘Diesel Oxidation Catalysts’ and ‘Diesel Particulate

Filters’, when f itted to older trucks can cut the

emissions from these vehicles.

The catalysts reduce particle emissions by

approximately 30% and improve air quality without


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Total number of vehicles observed (Reports from

authorised officers and general public) 8554 7546 6918 6285 5116 4581 3013

Diesel vehicles observed 3299 3480 3781 3672 2882 2099 1752

Percentage of all vehicles observed that were

diesel vehicles 38.6% 45.5% 54.7% 58.4% 56.3% 45.8% 58.1%

Total number of vehicles that received f ines 2392 2042 1847 1545 1175 694 664

Diesel vehicles that received f ines 2279 1896 1696 1448 1127 580 527

Percentage of all vehicles f ined that were diesel

vehicles 95.3% 93% 91.8% 93.7% 95.9% 83.6% 79.3%

Total vehicles that received warning letters 2860 2880 2901 2398 2017 1405 1123

Diesel vehicles that received warning letters 672 523 520 450 303 174 161

Percentage of all vehicles that received warning

letters that were diesel vehicles 23.5% 18% 17.9% 18.8% 15% 12.4% 14.3%

Table 3: Smoky Vehicle Statistics NSW

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any adverse effect on the maintenance or eff iciency

of the vehicles involved. Particulate f ilters virtually

eliminated particles with reduction rates of

approximately 90%. However, these devices are

very temperature sensitive and need to be tailored

to match each particular vehicle and duty cycle. If

the incorrect device is f itted to a vehicle it can result

in increased particle emissions or loss of vehicle

performance. As a result. the selection of a suitable

device for each application is critical and requires the

data logging of the exhaust temperatures for at least

two weeks.

A new device, the Partial Particle Trap is now

available which is not as temperature sensitive as

either the ‘Diesel Oxidation Catalyst’ or ‘Particulate

Filter’ and can be f itted to most diesel vehicles. It

will reduce particulate emissions by approximately

50 per cent and eliminates the need for exhaust

temperature data logging.

Currently over 50 fleets and 235 vehicles are

committed to the program. This program has been

linked to the RTA’s Clean Fleet Program and will

provide Clean Fleet participants with the opportunity

to try a number of retrofit devices in their

vehicle fleets.


New South Wales has developed appropriate

mechanisms to implement the Diesel NEPM within

the current legislative framework. The importance

of reducing emissions from the in-service diesel

vehicle fleet is recognised and New South Wales

has been actively implementing programs to assist

in achieving this. Since the NEPM was adopted

in 2001, New South Wales has:

• continued to operate the smoky vehicle program

• tested the emissions of nearly 3000 vehicles

volunteered by private and government fleet operators

• used the results of this testing program to develop

maintenance guidelines for fleet operators

• developed and implemented the Clean Fleet Program

• continued delivering training courses with TAFE for

proper diesel vehicle maintenance with expansion

to regional TAFE colleges

• conducted trials of alternative fuels to assess

emissions benefits

• tested the effect of retrofit devices on reducing

diesel emissions through the Diesel Retrofit

Demonstration Program

• expanded the trial and commenced the NSW

Diesel Retrofit Program.


EFFECTIVENESS

The Diesel NEPM provides a sound framework for

the development of programs to reduce the impact

of diesel vehicle emissions in NSW, particularly in

urban areas. In 2006–07, the sixth year of NEPM

implementation, the focus has been to continue with

the high profile and effective smoky vehicle program,

and to further progress development of the audited

maintenance guidelines for diesel vehicle fleets. These

guidelines are currently being implemented under the

Clean Fleet Program. Trials of biodiesel have been

completed and the benefits of, and scope for, adoption

of diesel after treatment technologies have been

successfully trialled and are being expanded.

Program Effectiveness

Smoky vehicle program

• signif icant participation in the program by the

general public, with an average of 238 reports

of smoky vehicles received from the public each

month, indicated a high level of awareness in the

community of the unacceptability of excessive

smoke emissions.

• an average of 94 warning letters issued per month

in 2006–07 to vehicles observed as excessively

smoky; of those issued following observation

by an authorised officer (average f ive per month),

approximately 58% were returned with evidence

of subsequent repair.

• authorised officers issued an average of 44 penalty

infringement notices per month in 2006–07 to

diesel vehicle owners.

Audited maintenance guidelines

• completed emission testing of approximately

3 000 vehicles since inception of the program

• obtained support from industry sector with

voluntary participation in emission testing and

raising awareness of emissions and development

of audited maintenance guidelines


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• completed the pilots and are currently implementing

the Clean Fleet Program. More than 4000 vehicles

are currently in the program.

Other initiatives

• industry training developed to achieve improved

maintenance practices directed at improving

emissions performance. Training commenced

in September 2003 and continues to be offered

throughout 2006. The training program has been

expanded and made available to regional areas in

NSW from 2006. A new module has been added

about how to join the RTA’s Clean Fleet Program

• investigated the effectiveness of particle traps

and oxidisation catalysts. Completed the trial

and expanded it to test the devices under all

NSW conditions

• the prototype ‘briefcase’ analysis unit is currently

in the f inal stages of evaluation.

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(Refer to page 286)




The Environment Protection (Vehicle Emissions)

Regulations 2003 are the primary legislative tool

under the Environment Protection Act 1970 that

addresses the in-service performance of the motor

vehicle fleet in Victoria. These regulations were

reviewed in 2002 and remade in February 2003.

As part of this review, the in-service emission standards

developed as part of the National Environment

Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure were

included in the revised regulations. This provides an

additional regulatory basis to support the NEPM in

the future.

The 10-second smoke rule, which is the basis for

Schedule A1 of the NEPM, was already incorporated

in the previous version of the Environment Protection

(Vehicle Emissions) Regulations and is maintained

in the remade regulations. This rule has underpinned

Victoria’s large in-service smoky vehicle reporting

program in the past and will continue to do so in

the future.


Motor vehicles in general, and diesel vehicles in

particular, remain a key focus of air quality management

activity in Victoria. EPA emissions inventories and

monitoring at the local and regional level show motor

vehicles are a signif icant source of emissions into the

air environment. The information from these studies

is matched by concern expressed by communities about

the impact of motor vehicle emissions on their health,

particularly from people living near busy roads with

high volumes of diesel truck traff ic. In 2006–07, EPA

actively pursued the implementation of four types of

programs to manage emissions from in-service diesel

vehicles.

Smoky vehicle programs

EPA Victoria has operated a public smoky vehicle

reporting program for a number of years. This program

allows members of the public to identify smoky vehicles

(diesel and petrol) using the ten-second smoke rule,

and report them to EPA. As a result of these reports,

the owners of the offending vehicles are informed

in writing of the report, are requested to have the

problem fixed and are informed about the penalties

that may apply if they are identif ied by officers from

EPA, VicRoads or the police.

In 2006–07, the smoky vehicle program was promoted

to the public through a radio advertising campaign

and proactive media releases, ran in numerous local

papers across metropolitan and regional Victoria.

The program resulted in 7068 smoky vehicles being

reported by the public in 2006–07.

EPA also operates a smoky vehicle enforcement

program where EPA or police officers can report

vehicles identified as emitting greater than ten seconds

of continuous smoke. The f ines issued for operating

a smoky vehicle are $500 for an individual and $1000

for a company. In 2006–07, 849 warning letters were

issued under this program.

Heavy vehicle maintenance training program

In 2006, elements derived from the EcoMaintenance

training program for diesel mechanics developed by

EPA in partnership with the National Road Transport

Commission (now National Transport Commission

(NTC)) were integrated into the training syllabus for

Certif icate III in Automotive (Mechanical—Heavy

Vehicle Road Transport).

In November 2006, the opening of a dedicated test

training facility for diesel vehicle mechanics at

Kangan–Batman Institute of TAFE (KBIT) provided

Victoria


Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure for Victoria by the Hon.

Gavin Jennings, Minister for Environment and Climate Change for the



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a signif icant enhancement to the training syllabus.

KBIT provides training for 95% of diesel vehicle

apprentice mechanics in Victoria, and is uniquely

positioned to guide the diesel vehicle industry in aspects

of maintenance relating to emissions performance.

In addition to delivery of the formal training course

for diesel mechanics, KBIT was contracted by EPA

to deliver a program of free modules for diesel vehicle

operators on aspects of vehicle maintenance as relate

to emissions performance. KBIT have been actively

promoting the program through their industry network

and associated events, and are aiming to deliver the

modules towards the end of 2007.

In April 2007, KBIT reached an agreement with

Diesel Test Australia such that the test training facility

is able to be used for testing of vehicles to access the

fuel tax credit for heavy diesel vehicles offered by

the Australian Taxation Office. This extension to the

facility capability has provided industry in Victoria

with access to test equipment for the verif ication of

the environmental performance of diesel vehicles.

In-service diesel vehicle emissions testing

In March 2006, EPA finalised a $1.85 million

agreement with Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd for

provision of a diesel vehicle emissions test capability.

The test capability is underpinned by the construction

of a dedicated heavy-vehicle emissions test facility at

Vipac’s Port Melbourne premises. Once commissioned,

this test capability will form an extension of EPA’s

smoky-vehicle enforcement program described

previously.

At the end of June 2007, progress in the construction

of this facility had proceeded such that site works

had been completed and the most signif icant test

equipment apparatus had been installed. It is forecast

that the facility will be commissioned at the beginning

of November 2007.

Targeted diesel vehicle emissions reduction

projects

In June 2006, EPA initiated a tender inviting local

government entities to participate in targeted diesel

vehicle emissions reduction projects. This program

is intended to provide funding, project management

expertise and technical guidance in the implementation

of emissions reduction measures for diesel vehicles.

Formal agreements were reached for diesel vehicle

emissions reduction projects with the Cities of

Ballarat, Hobsons Bay and Hume in January 2006,

and the Shire of Nillumbik in February 2007.

Implementation of the projects is expected to be

completed by the end of 2007, with project review

reporting to be completed by the end of 2008.


During 2006–07, signif icant progress has been made

in the Victorian implementation of the Diesel NEPM

through the commissioning of the test training facility

for diesel mechanics at KBIT, progress made towards

the commissioning of the diesel vehicle test capability

at Vipac, and in the agreements with local government

for diesel vehicle emissions reduction projects.

The partnership with KBIT has seen the existing

training program signif icantly enhanced through the

addition of the test training facility. This facility is

also being used to provide emissions testing for diesel

vehicle operators, and as a teaching aid for training

modules being offered to diesel vehicle operators by

EPA through KBIT.

Delivery of the diesel vehicle test capability through

Vipac Engineers & Scientists has progressed

signif icantly such that commissioning of the facility

is forecast to occur at the start of November 2007.

This will allow for heavy-duty diesel vehicles to be

tested against the in-service emissions requirements

of the Environment Protection (Vehicle Emissions)

Regulations 2003.

Agreements reached with the Cities of Ballarat,

Hobsons Bay, Hume and the Shire of Nillumbik

will provide quantif ied reductions in diesel vehicle

emissions. In addition to this the project management

framework employed by the councils will provide

case studies for the implementation of analogous

programs by other entities.

The ongoing success of EPA’s smoky vehicle program

is evidenced by the signif icant numbers of vehicles

reported by both members of the public and VicRoads,

police and EPA Officers.


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EFFECTIVENESS

The nature of the initiatives implemented to date

limits the ability assess the overall effectiveness

of the NEPM.

The enhancement of the training program for diesel

vehicle mechanics through the addition of the

dedicated test facility is signif icant, however diff icult

to quantify. Based upon anecdotal evidence provided

by the training program coordinators, knowledge

of the aspects of vehicle maintenance as relate to

emissions performance is being significantly improved

through experience of the test facility. The influence

of this knowledge upon the performance of the in-

service fleet is felt to be one of the major achievements

of the NEPM, even if unproven.

The agreements reached with councils for

implementation of diesel vehicle emissions reduction

projects will result in quantif ied reductions in

emissions, enabling more robust reporting on the

NEPM effectiveness. The concurrent aim of these

projects in providing a model for implementation

of similar initiatives by other entities will however

remain a challenge to evaluate.

The numbers of vehicles reported in EPA’s smoky-

vehicle program continue to provide some insight

into the high level of community awareness and

concern into diesel vehicle exhaust emissions. The

program is expected to experience a quantum leap

in effectiveness following the integration of the

diesel vehicle emissions test capability provided

by the EPA/Vipac agreement.


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(Refer to page 286)




The National Environmental Protection Council

(Queensland) Act 1994 (the Act) provides the

framework for implementing the Diesel NEPM

in Queensland. Queensland Transport (QT) is

responsible for implementing and reporting on the

Diesel NEPM, in line with sections 13 (Application)

and 15 (Reporting) of the Act.


Total emissions from diesel vehicles in Queensland

are continuing to decrease. To maintain this trend,

a number of programs are in place to ensure diesel

vehicle emissions are well managed and these are

discussed below.

Air quality is of greatest concern where there are

high concentrations of transport and/or industrial

activity, such as in south-east Queensland where

transport is a major contributor to air pollution.

Particle levels, measured as PM10 and nitrogen

dioxide (NO2), which are of relevance to diesel

vehicles, are monitored in south-east Queensland,

Toowoomba, Gladstone, Mackay (PM10 only) and

Townsville by the Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA). Monitoring indicates air quality is generally

good in these regions, and the 2008 goal of the

National Environment Protection (Ambient Air

Quality) Measure (Air NEPM) should be met for both

PM10 and NO2. The Air NEPM's 2008 goal is for

ambient carbon monoxide (CO), NO2, photochemical

oxidants as ozone, sulphur dioxide and PM10 levels,

assessed in accordance with its monitoring protocol,

to comply with the national environment protection

standards specif ied in Schedule 2 of the Air NEPM.

Australian design rules and fuel quality

Current and future improvements to vehicle emission

standards under the Australian Design Rules (ADRs),

as well as the introduction of new fuel quality

standards, are expected to signif icantly reduce

overall emissions from motor vehicles in south-east

Queensland. For example, current projections indicate

a 17% reduction in overall emissions between 2000

and 2011. Further, motor vehicle emissions of PM10,

for which commercial diesel vehicles are the main

contributor, are expected to reduce by between 11–23%

by 2011. No signif icant changes are expected in

overall fleet emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx)

by 2011, as increased vehicle travel, both passenger

and commercial, is expected to be offset by tighter

emission limits.

Queensland supports the ongoing introduction of new

ADRs to improve vehicle emission standards through

its representation on the national Land Transport

Environment Council (LTEC). Other programs to

complement the ADRs and further reduce diesel

vehicle emissions are described below.

AirCare Program

Queensland Transport is continuing to implement

an ‘AirCare’ program in south-east Queensland. The

AirCare program is a vehicle emissions action plan

which is a key project within the Integrated Regional

Transport Plan (IRTP) for south-east Queensland.

Air Care activities include:

• Investigating motor vehicle emission levels in

south-east Queensland to inform future policy

opportunities and development. In April 2006,

QT contracted the National Institute of Water and

Atmospheric Research to perform in-service vehicle

emissions testing. The testing used a remote

sensing device consisting of an infrared component

for detecting carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and

hydrocarbons, and an ultraviolet spectrometer for

measuring nitric oxide. Testing was undertaken

in May 2006 at three sites—M1–Logan Road,

Queensland


Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure for Queensland by the




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Centenary Highway–Moggill Road, and Airport

Drive-Gateway Motorway intersections. Exhaust

emissions of more than 10 000 vehicles were

measured. The f inal report, expected in late August

2007, will be used to identify current maintenance

levels of the in-service fleet, including diesel

vehicles, and whether further strategies are required

to reduce in-service vehicle emissions.

• Since 1999, QT has implemented the On-road

Vehicle Emissions Random Testing (OVERT)

program. This program involves motorists being

randomly pulled over to have their exhaust tested

by a team of transport inspectors. Although the

program is run from four depots located in the

greater Brisbane area, the number of vehicles

available for tests has signif icantly decreased in

recent years. This is primarily due to changes in

Queensland’s vehicle fleet with reduced numbers

of older vehicles and the ability of the OVERT

program to only test pre-1992 vehicles.

• Operating the Smoky Vehicle Hotline. The Smoky

Vehicle Hotline continues to provide the community

an avenue for reporting vehicles exceeding the

ten-second smoke rule. Reports can be made via

the internet or telephone. Following a data match

of the information provided, a letter is sent to the

owner advising them of the report, and suggesting

ways to identify and remedy the problem. If the

vehicle is reported three times within a four month

period the owner is issued with a ‘Present Vehicle

Order’ which requires their vehicle to be checked

for defects by a transport inspector. The continuation

of the smoky vehicle program meets the requirements

of Schedule A(1) of the Diesel NEPM, Guideline

on smoky vehicle programs. In 2006, a total of

1312 diesel vehicles were reported to the smoky

vehicle program, compared to 1995 vehicles in

2005. This is a decrease of approximately 34%.

South East Queensland regional plan

The South East Queensland Regional Plan 2005–2026

(SEQRP) is Queensland’s statutory regional planning

strategy, guiding growth and development in the south-

east region. It was developed to help manage growth

and its associated changes, in the most sustainable

way and protecting and enhancing the quality of life

in the region.

Since its release in 2005, Queensland's transport

portfolio and other agencies have developed plans

to manage transport growth and deliver a sustainable

transport system for the region. These plans include:

• TransLink Network Plan (TNP) – a ten year plan

for developing the public transport network, and

a rolling four year program of public transport

services and infrastructure improvements.

Delivered by TransLink and with over $700 million

spent in 2006–07, the TNP focuses on improving

and expanding public transport services and

infrastructure in south-east Queensland. This

includes rail network upgrades such as duplicating

the Gold Coast line from Ormeau to Coomera, and

new busways in South East Queensland, such as

the South East Busway and the Inner Northern

Busway from Roma Street to the Royal Brisbane

Hospital. In the three years since the Queensland

Government introduced TransLink, patronage in

south-east Queensland has increased by over 30%.

This equates to an additional 39 million journeys

during 2006–07 made by public transport, thus

having signif icant positive impact on reducing

traff ic congestion and pollution.

• South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and

Program 2007–2026 (SEQIPP) – which outlines

what investments in infrastructure are required to

support the objectives of the SEQRP. The SEQIPP

outlines a balanced program of investment between

transport modes, including a specif ic focus on

public transport, walking and cycling with almost

$9 billion committed to boost public transport

infrastructure between 2007 and 2026. Improving

transport corridors and freight links are also key

areas of the SEQIPP. Collectively, these projects

will significantly reduce transport-related emissions

of air toxics in south-east Queensland.

• Integrated Regional Transport Plan (IRTP) for

south-east Queensland – a 25 year plan to develop

and manage the transport system and support the

region's expected population growth. It aims to

integrate and f ind the right balance between

passenger travel and freight transport. Transport

2007 was developed as a companion document

to the IRTP as a medium-term action plan with

an end date of the 2007-08 f inancial year for the

purpose of achieving the long-term goals of the

IRTP. Both the IRTP and Transport 2007 were


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designed as living documents to be reviewed and

updated regularly under the SEQRP.

Heavy vehicle accreditation and testing schemes

The National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme

(NHVAS) is available to industry to effectively

maintain vehicles to reduce in-service emissions.

QT encourages heavy vehicle industry participation

in this scheme through promotion at industry shows,

special events and regional meetings. The NHVAS

encourages heavy vehicle operators to take more

responsibility for servicing their vehicles and

ensuring vehicles comply with scheme accreditation

requirements.

As at May 2007, approximately 30 596 heavy

vehicles have been registered in the NHVAS. Vehicles

under NHVAS use diesel as their primary fuel source.

Currently, under the NHVAS maintenance scheme

there are 24 659 vehicles registered by 570 operators

and under the NHVAS mass management scheme

there are 5937 vehicles registered by 525 operators.

The NHVAS mass management scheme establishes

guidelines allowing accredited operators to better

manage heavy vehicle mass limits contributing to

enhanced vehicle fuel eff iciency. These f igures

indicate a total increase of vehicles in the NHVAS

of around 13%.

As part of the Brisbane Air Quality Strategy, the

Brisbane City Council (BCC) provides an voluntary

emission testing service for all heavy vehicles in

south-east Queensland. The BCC uses the nationally

endorsed DT80 test which uses a chassis dynamometer

equipped with gas and particle analysing equipment

to accurately measure exhaust emissions. The DT80

test has been designed to evaluate vehicle emissions

during typical 'real world' operating conditions. In

2006–07, the council tested approximately 750 diesel

vehicles in south-east Queensland, including trucks

and buses.

Other Opportunities

Queensland Transport is actively exploring the

feasibility of trialling the latest hybrid diesel-electric

bus technology in Queensland. International experience

indicates this technology offers potentially attractive

benefits through improved fuel eff iciency and

reduced emissions.

In June 2007, the Queensland Government released

ClimateSmart 2050 – Queensland climate change

strategy 2007: a low carbon future. The ClimateSmart

2050 strategy lays out the Government's short,

medium and longer term actions to lower Queensland’s

greenhouse gas emissions. Initiatives relevant to

reducing diesel emissions include encouraging people

to replace car trips with public transport, walking

and cycling.

The Queensland Government is also supporting the

development of a bio-fuels industry in Queensland.

This includes two commercial bio-diesel production

facilities as well as nine retail outlets, of which seven

are located in south-east Queensland.


Queensland has experienced a continuous gradual

reduction in vehicle emissions since the mid-1990s.

Introducing stringent vehicle emission and fuel

quality standards are expected to lead to signif icant

reductions in PM10 and NOx emissions from diesel

vehicles in south-east Queensland. In particular,

introducing and implementing: ADR 30/01, which

limits the opacity of diesel engine exhaust smoke

emissions; ADR 79/01, which prescribes exhaust and

evaporative emission requirements for light vehicles

as part of air pollution reduction measures; and ADR

80/01, 80/02 and 80/03, which prescribe exhaust

emission requirements for heavy vehicles as part of

air pollution reduction measures. These will contribute

to reductions in overall PM10 emissions and limiting

growth in NOx emissions from the vehicle fleet in the

next few years. Implementing these and future ADRs

aimed at reducing air pollution from vehicles, as well

as introducing extra-low sulphur diesel from 2009

will be enhanced and complemented by a range of

transport planning and management programs to

reduce in-service diesel vehicle emissions. This will

reduce the impact diesel vehicle transport emissions

on ambient air quality.


EFFECTIVENESS

In Queensland, the most signif icant reduction in

diesel vehicle emissions was achieved by introducing

improved fuel quality and vehicle emission standards

for new vehicles. Diesel vehicle emission reductions


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are expected to continue for the next few years,

despite increasing travel due to a greater number of

newer, less polluting diesel vehicles replacing higher

polluting older vehicles. Programs outlined within

the Diesel NEPM, such as the Smoky Vehicle

Hotline, emissions testing and maintenance programs

are useful in-service programs to complement fuel

quality and vehicle emission standards for new vehicles.

Continued public participation in the smoky vehicle

program indicates public awareness and concern

about the impacts of pollutant emissions on air

quality. Industry participation in emissions testing

and maintenance schemes increases industry

awareness and emphasis the importance of servicing

and compliance to heavy vehicle operators. Vehicles

operating within these schemes also receive operational

benefits from their participation, such as improved

vehicle eff iciency and reduced operating costs.


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(Refer to page 286)




The National Environment Protection Council (WA)

Act 1996 provides the framework for implementing

the National Environment Protection (Diesel Vehicles

Emissions) Measure (Diesel NEPM) in WA.

Ultra low sulfur diesel (50 parts per million sulfur)

was regulated across Western Australia from

1 January 2006 under the requirements of the

Commonwealth Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000.

The ten-second rule for smoky vehicles was introduced

from 1 November 2002 under the Road Traffic

(Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002. This regulation aims

to target visually polluting diesel and petrol vehicles.

There is no other formal legislation that impacts

on implementation of the Diesel NEPM in Western

Australia.

The Perth Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP)

is a non-statutory management plan established by

the Government of Western Australia. The objective

of the Perth AQMP is to ensure that clean air is

achieved and maintained throughout the Perth metro-

politan region over the next 30 years. The Perth AQMP

identif ies that the management of emissions from

the in-service petrol and diesel vehicles is critical to

achieving clean air, and contains a range of initiatives

that target on-road vehicles. The initiatives in the

Perth AQMP are largely complementary to the Diesel

NEPM, and the implementation of the Perth AQMP

and Diesel NEPM are being undertaken in an

integrated fashion.


Implementation of the CleanRun vehicle emissions

reduction program has continued. Progress is provided

for each of the f ive components.

Vehicle emissions testing

Vehicle emissions testing has been separated into

two phases, with phase one testing of 167 heavy

duty diesel vehicles completed in November 2006.

A further 425 vehicles will be tested as part of phase

two, scheduled to commence in September 2007.

Phase 1: Diesel vehicle testing

A request for tender for phase one testing was

advertised in March 2006 to supply and operate

emissions testing equipment for the purposes of

analysing and reporting on the emissions from 125

diesel vehicles. The tender closed in March 2006 and

the successful applicant, Diesel Test Australia (DTA),

commenced vehicle emissions testing of Public

Transport Authority (PTA) buses, school buses and

private trucks and buses following the CleanRun

launch in August 2006.

A total of 167 heavy duty diesel vehicles were tested

during the six weeks of testing, comprising 104 PTA

buses, 31 school buses, seven private buses and 25

private heavy duty trucks.

The vehicles were tested according to the DT80 test

procedure using equipment supplied and operated by

DTA. The test regime included running each vehicle

through the DT80 test twice, as the second test result

is considered a closer indication of the vehicles on-

road emissions performance. Emissions of smoke

opacity, particles (PM), oxides of nitrogen (NOx),

carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2)

were measured. The results for smoke, PM and NOx

were compared with the guideline values set by the

Australian Transport Council under Rule 147a of

Schedule 1 of the National Transport Commission

(Road Transport Legislation – Vehicle Standards)

Amendment Regulations (No. 1).

Western Australia


Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure for Western Australia by

the Hon. David Templeman MLA, Minister for the Environment; Climate



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The vehicles were split into two categories for

testing and analysis based on the implementation

date of Australian design rule (ADR) 70. Vehicles

manufactured prior to the 1 January 1996 (pre ADR

70) vehicles were only required to meet an opacity

standard whereas (ADR 70) vehicles manufactured

after this date were required to meet standards for

hydrocarbons (HC), CO, NOx and PM.

A final report detailing the results of the testing

is available from <www.dec.wa.gov.au/airquality>.

A summary of the results are provided below.

Public Transport Authority buses

One hundred and four PTA buses were tested from

the diesel bus fleet (representing 13% of the fleet).

Ninety-five diesel and nine biodiesel buses were

tested. The buses tested were selected to obtain a

representative sample of the fleet, across both year

of manufacture and make and model. Biodiesel buses

were included to allow a comparison between the

emissions performance of buses operating on diesel

compared to operating on B5 (a 5% biodiesel 95%

diesel blend).

Fifty-one ADR 70 diesel buses (manufactured between

1998 and 2001) and 44 pre ADR 70 diesel buses

(manufactured between 1982 and 1992). All buses

tested had a gross vehicle mass (GVM) between 12

to 25 tonnes. All ADR 70 buses past the DT80 test.

Thirteen (eleven diesel and two biodiesel) pre ADR

70 buses failed the initial test for NOx. Emissions

of NOx were reduced by retarding the injection pump

timing. Following this rectif ication work, all pre

ADR 70 buses passed the re-test.

Table 1 shows the 1996 and later age class vehicles

were much lower in emissions, both in absolute terms

and relative to the respective limits, than the pre

1996 vehicles.

Testing results show that the majority of buses are

performing within national standards. The results

of the testing have allowed slight changes to engine

settings (injection pump timing) of pre ADR 70 buses

to improve their emissions performance by reducing

NOx emissions.

Table 2 shows the average effect of the repairs on the

emissions. Given that the original DT80 failures were

Pre 1996 buses 1996 and later buses

Depot 1 Depot 2 Depot 3 Depot 1 Depot 2 Depot 3

Number 18 24 3 16 0 34

Av. NOx (g/km/t) 1.69 1.87 1.74 0.97 - 1.06

% of Limit (%) 84.5 93.5 87.0 64.7 - 70.7

# Fails 3 7 1 0 - 0

Av. PM (mg/km/t) 24.9 13.3 20.8 6.7 - 4.0

% of Limit (%) 31.1 16.6 26.0 13.4 - 8.0

# Fails 0 0 0 0 - 0

Av. Opacity (%) 5.47 5.24 5.58 1.45 - 1.46

% of Limit (%) 21.9 21.0 22.3 5.8 - 5.8

# Fails 0 0 0 0 - 0

Table 1: Summary of results for PTA diesel buses

NOx (g/km/t) PM (mg/km/t) Opacity (%) Fuel Cons (L/100km)

Pre- Post- Pre- Post- Pre- Post- Pre- Post-

repair repair repair repair repair repair repair repair

Average 2.29 1.86 15.6 17.3 4.66 5.28 56.0 53.8

Change (%) -19 11 13 -4

Table 2: Summary of effect on emissions of repair work


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305

all for NOx exceedances, an average reduction

of 19% indicates the repairs were moderately

successful. It was noted however that the PM and

opacity increased a small amount after the repairs,

while fuel consumption decreased.

The emissions performance of the same model buses

operating on diesel and biodiesel were compared

(Table 3). Three ADR 70 biodiesel buses (manufactured

between 1998 and 2000) and six pre ADR 70 biodiesel

buses (manufactured between 1983 and 1992) were

tested. The buses operating on a B5 biodiesel blend

showed no signif icant reduction in emissions of NOx,

PM or opacity. This was expected as benefits from

biodiesel blends have been shown to increase with

higher biodiesel content blends, such as B20

(20% biodiesel and 80% diesel blend) or B100

(100% biodiesel).

School buses

Thirty-one school buses were tested (19 pre ADR 70

and 12 ADR 70), with all buses passing the test.

Table 4 shows the 1996 and later age class vehicles

tend to have lower emissions, both in absolute terms

and relative to the respective limits, than the pre

1996 vehicles.

After the completion of testing, all participants were

provided with a report showing the results of their

vehicle and a letter explaining the results, including

suggestions of how to further reduce emissions from

their vehicles.

NOx (g/km/t) PM (mg/km/t) Opacity (%) Fuel Cons (L/100km)

Diesel Bio diesel Diesel Bio diesel Diesel Bio diesel Diesel Bio diesel

Pre 1996

Average 1.79 1.71 18.4 10.4 5.35 5.26 55.9 57.5

Change (%) -4.5 -43.5 -1.7 +2.9

Sig Diff. No Yes No No

1996 and later

Average 1.03 0.98 4.9 3.8 1.46 1.75 59.9 64.2

Change -4.9 -21.3 +19.9 +7.2

Sig Diff. No No No No

Table 3: Comparison of biodiesel vs diesel PTA buses

Pre 1996 school buses GVM (tonnes) 1996 and later school buses GVM (tonnes)

<3.5 3.5<12 12<25 <3.5 3.5<12 12<25

Number 1 16 2 1 11 0

Av. NOx (g/km/t) 0.44 0.47 1.07 0.33 0.58 -

% of Limit (%) 29.3 23.5 53.5 22.0 29.0 -

# Fails 0 0 0 0 0 -

Av. PM (mg/km/t) 132.4 36.6 36.0 5.1 24.9 -

% of Limit (%) 57.6 15.9 45.0 2.2 16.6 -

# Fails 0 0 0 0 0 -

Av. Opacity (%) 13.74 9.32 12.01 2.23 7.05 -

% of Limit (%) 55.0 37.3 48.0 8.9 28.2 -

# Fails 0 0 0 0 0 -

Table 4: Summary of results for school buses


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Private buses and trucks

The opportunity arose to test additional private buses

and trucks. Diesel vehicle users seeking to use DT80

testing in order to claim the fuel tax credit (criteria 3)

were also given the opportunity to have their vehicles

tested. A limited number of tests were provided on

a f irst come-first served basis.

Seven private charter buses were tested (six pre ADR

70 and one ADR 70), with all buses passing the test.

Twenty-five private trucks were tested (18 pre ADR

70 and seven ADR 70), with all except one pre ADR

70 truck passed the test (Table 5). The truck that

failed the test had excessive particle emissions.

Communication delivery and community

education

An extensive communication and education campaign

continues to be implemented under CleanRun. This

campaign is aimed primarily at highlighting the

benefits of a well-maintained vehicle. The campaign

also informs state and local government, industry and

the community of the vehicle emissions testing and

repair program and its potential benefits, so there

is a higher level of awareness and participation.

Communication delivery

The public launch of CleanRun was held on 16

August 2006 at Thornlie Campus of Swan TAFE.

The launch included demonstration of DT80 testing

of a PTA bus and was attended by approximately

70 guests, including the Western Australian Minister

for the Environment and representatives from the

Australian Government Department of Environment

and Water Resources. The launch included a poster

session and light refreshments.

Work has continued following development of the

CleanRun brand for the Diesel NEPM programs in

Western Australia to make the program immediately

identif iable facilitating the promotion of key

messages. Implementation of communication delivery

has continued with a web site <www.dec.wa.gov.au/

airquality> and a series of posters, fact sheets and

brochures. Attention has also been focused on

integrating key Diesel NEPM messages through

learning materials and activities targeted with

established community involvement programs such

as AirWatch and TravelSmart.

Behaviour Change Initiative

An important component of the communication and

education campaign is the CleanRun Behaviour

Change Initiative. This aims to encourage voluntary

behaviour change in order to reduce exhaust emissions

and fuel consumption from in-service diesel vehicles

in the Perth area. A community-based social marketing

methodology is being used to encourage and promote

behaviour change.

A reference panel of key stakeholders has been

established to advise staff on technical issues, provide

recommendations in program design and to utilise

their sphere of influence within the sector to assist

in the achievement of the initiative’s goals.

Pre 1996 private buses and trucks 1996 and later private buses and trucks

GVM (tonnes) GVM (tonnes)

<3.5 3.5<12 12<25 >25 <3.5 3.5<12 12<25 >25

Number 0 4 10 10 0 1 7 0

Av. NOx (g/km/t) - 0.84 1.03 0.85 - 0.60 0.72 -

% of Limit (%) - 42.0 51.5 56.7 - 30.0 48.0 -

# Fails - 0 0 0 - 0 0 -

Av. PM (mg/km/t) - 36.8 13.8 18.9 - 38.0 17.2 -

% of Limit (%) - 16.0 17.3 27.0 - 25.3 34.4 -

# Fails - 0 0 0 - 0 0 -

Av. Opacity (%) - 9.05 7.08 8.21 - 10.33 5.89 -

% of Limit (%) - 36.2 28.3 32.8 - 41.3 23.6 -

# Fails - 0 0 1 - 0 0 -

Table 5: Summary of results for private buses and trucks


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A comprehensive literature review of existing

research and programs has been completed. Market

research into two segments of Perth’s users of diesel

vehicles and their behaviours has been undertaken

and analysed. From the results, the focus was narrowed

to one behaviour (monitoring fuel consumption)

and one target audience (a small to medium fleet

of light commercial vehicles). The reference panel

recommended that a pilot behaviour change program

be designed around fuel consumption monitoring.

A ten-week pilot program was devised to investigate

the barriers to changing these behaviours. The pilot

was implemented with an express courier company

and completed in March 2007. Consideration was

given to what incentives, if any, might encourage

drivers and fleet managers to monitor fuel consumption

more closely. In addition, the value of on-board

computers in modifying driving behaviour with

relation to harsh acceleration, speeding, over-revving

and excessive idling was tested.

Prior to a full implementation of the behaviour

change program, further refinement and trialling

of the techniques is required. A refined pilot phase

is proposed to commence in August 2007 and will

continue working with the same express courier

company.

Following evaluation of this refined pilot, further

improvements will be made prior to implementation

across a broader audience of diesel vehicle users.

In-service and apprentice mechanic training

Training will be offered via the implementation

of the Technical and Further Education (TAFE)

emissions competency standard unit and the diesel

Eco-Maintenance industry training package known as

‘Clearing the Air’. This package will be implemented

through Swan TAFE, with initial emphasis on diesel

mechanics and apprentices.

Swan TAFE and DEC entered into an agreement

where Swan TAFE will incorporate emissions testing,

pollution control maintenance and installation into

apprentice mechanic training courses. DEC has provided

funding for Swan TAFE to purchase emission testing,

control and abatement equipment to enhance delivery

of their apprentice mechanic training programs. The

emissions testing and related equipment is currently

being sourced and Swan TAFE are continuing to

integrate the use of such equipment into existing and

new training courses.

DEC introduced the ‘Clearing the Air’ learning

resource (developed by the Victorian Environment

Protection Authority and the National Transport

Commission) to Swan TAFE lecturers who are

currently reviewing the potential for integrating the

material into their apprentice training program.

The DEC and Swan TAFE also entered into an

agreement for the delivery of a series of in-service

mechanic training short courses. The Road and Traffic

Authority of New South Wales (RTA) has developed

a three hour in-service mechanic training session that

offers practical advice on the causes of diesel pollution

and how emissions can be managed. The training is

aimed at in-service mechanics, fleet managers and

owner operators.

RTA have allowed DEC and Swan TAFE to deliver

the course in Western Australia. In May 2007, the

New South Wales TAFE provided training for

lecturers from Swan TAFE in delivery of the course.

The f irst sessions are proposed for September 2007

and will be provided free of charge to participants.

Smoky vehicle reporting

The DEC operates a smoky vehicle reporting program

which integrates the 10 second rule for smoky vehicles

under the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules

2002 into a public reporting system.

Each vehicle reported is sent out a letter notifying

the owner their vehicle has been reported and a reply

paid postcard to indicate what action they have taken

to prevent the vehicle from smoking.

A review of the operation and performance of the

smoky vehicle reporting program was undertaken.

The review identif ied that the current program is

effective as an educational tool with clear messages

being provided to the public on the effects of a

smoky vehicle on the environment and human health.

Following the review a decision was made to ‘ramp

up’ the program to engage a greater number of people

and adopt a f irmer enforcement approach for repeat

offenders.

A new telephone number for reporting smoky vehicles

was introduced in August 2006. The new number,

1800 0 SMOKY (1800 076 659) was chosen as it is


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easier to remember. Further enhancements to increase

the number of reports received and introduce a f irmer

enforcement procedure for repeat offenders has been

have been delayed whilst the provision of registration

data issue is resolved. The success of the revised

program will not only rely on the involvement of the

community, but also other government agencies such

as the Department for Planning and Infrastructure

(DPI) and Western Australian police.

Vehicle registration data for reported smoky vehicles

are provided through an agreement with DPI. The

DEC has sought additional fuel type information as

part of this agreement to allow differentiation of

petrol and diesel vehicles. During negotiations, DPI

notif ied DEC that registration details were no longer

able to be provided due to privacy concerns relating

to personal information. Registration data has not

been available for the period 1 February 2007 to

30 June 2007. The DEC is working with DPI to

resolve this issue.

The DEC received 480 smoky vehicle reports from

1 July 2006 to 31 January 2007. A further 249 smoky

vehicle reports where received from 1 February 2007

to 30 June 2007, but as registration data has not been

provided, follow up has not been possible.

A summary of the number of smoky vehicle reports

received, post cards returned and action taken is

provided in Table 6. Data from 1 July 2005 to 30 June

2006 are provided for comparison.

Environmental verification

Verifying the effectiveness of the CleanRun initiative

has been identif ied as an important step for any

future State policies which may be developed to

manage vehicle emissions. A component of such an

evaluation is ‘real world’ air quality measurements.

Roadside monitoring of particle emissions at three

metropolitan sites has commenced to assist with this

evaluation.


During 2006–07, signif icants progress has been made

in implementing the Diesel NEPM in Western Australia,

through continued implementation of CleanRun.

Vehicle emissions testing to date (phase one) has

shown the majority of vehicles are operating within

national in-service standards. Those vehicles with

excessive emissions were repaired or serviced to

reduce their emissions. Additional information was

provided to owners of vehicles tested to enable further

1 July 2005 1 July 2006

to 30 June 2006 to 30 June 2007

Report received 852 729

Response

No response 412 (48%) 520 * (71%)

Post cards returned 440 (52%) 209 (29%)

Action taken

Vehicle repaired 171 (39%) 76 (36%)

Vehicle does not smoke, wrongly reported

or no longer own vehicle 176 (40%) 104 (50%)

Vehicle not repaired 93 (21%) 29 (14%)

Fuel type

Diesel 220 (50%) 127 (61%)

Petrol 138 (31%) 55 (26%)

LPG 5 (1%) 0 (0%)

Not provided 77 (18%) 27 (13%)

* Between 1 February 2007 and 30 June 2007, 249 reports were received that were not sent a post card due to lack of registration data.

Table 6: Summary of smoky vehicle reports received and action taken


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reduction in emissions. In addition, all participants

will be invited to attend the short course training.

Phase two testing will attempt to recruit vehicles

to test from the higher emitting sections of the diesel

vehicle fleet.

The communications delivery and community education

component of CleanRun continues to highlight the

benefits of having a well maintained vehicle. The

CleanRun Behaviour Change Initiative has targeted

a particular area of the light commercial diesel

vehicle fleet to reduce fuel consumption and in turn

emissions. Continued work with the light commercial

diesel vehicle fleet through the next stage of the

program will continue to reduce emissions.

The training component of CleanRun has introduced

the Diesel NEPM messages to apprentice mechanics.

A series of short courses, based on the New South

Wales RTA program are scheduled to convey the

Diesel NEPM messages to in-service mechanics and

fleet managers.

The number of smoky vehicle reports received has

steadily reduced over recent years, though this has

been attributed to a reduction in the awareness of the

program rather than an actual reduction in smoky

vehicles. A review of smoky vehicle reporting has

recommended increasing the profile of the reporting

program to increase the number of reports received.

Further enhancements to the smoky vehicle program

to increase the number of reports received and

introduce a f irmer enforcement procedure for repeat

offenders has been delayed until the privacy issues

surrounding the use of vehicle registration data to

follow up with smoky vehicles reports is resolved.

Following resolution, under a revised program, an

active educational campaign will help elevate the

profile of the program and include more diesel specific

reporting to help gauge the effectiveness of reducing

diesel emissions.

Monitoring at the roadside for particles has commenced

under CleanRun’s environmental verification component,

with monitoring continuing for 12 months.


EFFECTIVENESS

Although not assessed quantitatively, the availability

of ultra low sulfur diesel will continue to reduce

particle emissions from all diesel vehicles through

the enablement of new vehicle and emissions

reduction technologies.

The vehicle emissions testing of public transport

buses, school buses and private buses and trucks has

resulted in a small reduction in emissions, due to the

repair of vehicles with excessive emissions detected.

Phase two vehicle testing will attempt to target higher

emitters to increase the emissions reductions achieved.

The communication and training components of

CleanRun are continuing to educate both in-service

and apprentice mechanics and diesel vehicle users

in general of the effects of diesel emissions on the

environment and ways to reduce these emissions,

to facilitate compliance with in-service emission

standards.

The review of the smoky vehicle reporting program

identif ied that as an information provision and

educational tool, the program has been effective in

informing the public on the effects of a smoky vehicle

on urban air quality. While there are no measurable

reductions in diesel emissions as part of the smoky

vehicle reporting program, it is assumed to have had

the effect of influencing vehicle owners to maintain

their vehicles and minimise smoke emissions from

both diesel and petrol vehicles.


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(Refer to page 286)




In South Australia, the Diesel NEPM came into

operation as an environment protection policy under

the legal framework provided by Section 28A of the


Following the initial operation of the policy and

consistent with the State Government Consultation

Group established during the assessment phase of

the Diesel NEPM, a state government working group

incorporating key government representatives from

the Environment and Conservation, Transport, Energy,

Business, Manufacturing and Trade and Health

portfolios was created. The Department of the Premier

and Cabinet was also included in the distribution of

documentation generated by this working group.

The working group’s aim was to assist in the selection

of appropriate strategies for reducing emissions from

in-service diesel vehicles, after consideration of

environmental, economic, social and equity issues.

Since the inception of this working group, further

consultative groups have been established to progress

the diesel emissions reduction strategy. For example,

during preparations for a strategy to increase the

number of bio-diesel buses in the public transport fleet

a group comprising Environment Protection Authority

(EPA), and the Agencies for Primary Industries and

Resources SA, Transport, Public Transport, Premier

and Cabinet and Business, Manufacturing and Trade

was established. When evaluating the benefits and

practicalities of operating bio-diesel in the bus and

train fleet and managing all aspects of procurement

for the fleet further groups, representing the Public

Transport and Transport Planning Divisions, Public

Transport providers and Department of Transport,

Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI), formerly Transport

SA, were also established.

Whilst the Environment and Conservation portfolio

has responsibility for leading South Australia’s

response to this NEPM, it is DTEI that is developing

and implementing the relevant strategies.


Adelaide generally has good regional air quality and

standards (Ambient Air Quality NEPM) are rarely

exceeded. Current air quality is therefore not a

‘trigger’ for change, in relation to managing diesel

emissions in South Australia, however emissions

from motor vehicles constitute the most signif icant

source of urban air pollution in Australia. Diesel

vehicles contribute disproportionately to this

pollution with between 60 and 80% of the particle

emissions even though they comprise less than 10%

of the total Australian vehicle fleet. This, coupled

with the continued growth in fuel consumption by the

diesel fleet, provides the ‘trigger’ for the reduction

of emissions from in-service diesel vehicles.

The current state of knowledge about the condition

of the in-service diesel fleet in South Australia is

limited. South Australia has found that data on

emissions generated by diesel vehicles is inadequate

when attempting to apply it to the States active

vehicle fleet. SA has the second oldest vehicle fleet

in the nation, and, therefore, environmental gains

resulting from any future diesel emissions

management programs can be expected.

An issue in appropriately managing diesel vehicle

exhaust emissions is that the diesel repair industry

generally focuses on vehicle drivability and

performance rather than exhaust emissions. In

addition, enforcement agencies have been focussed

on managing vehicle safety rather than emissions.

Any attempt to reduce diesel vehicle exhaust

emissions must therefore seek support by raising

South Australia


Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure for South Australia by the

Hon. Gail Gago MLC, Minister for Environment and Conservation for the



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awareness and understanding within enforcement

agencies and the diesel repair industry.

Taking the above into account and under the

framework of the Diesel NEPM, DTEI with

assistance from the EPA, The University of South

Australia and TAFE SA O’ Halloran Hill Campus

have established the Diesel NEPM Test and Repair

Demonstration Program in South Australia.

The vehicle emission test facility was commissioned

in October 2006.

The program proposes to test 400 diesel vehicles

operating in South Australia and the repair of the

worst 20% of those.

Provision of information to relevant stakeholders

during delivery of the test and repair program will

assist in raising awareness and supporting change.

Involvement of relevant groups in the program will

also aid in demystifying issues around motor vehicle

emissions testing and testing procedures.

The program’s objectives are to:

• evaluate the condition of the diesel vehicle fleet

in South Australia and repair the worst polluting

vehicles

• raise awareness of key DTEI employees, the

industry and diesel vehicle operators, owners and

the public to Diesel NEPM in-service standards

and related testing protocols

• develop a support infrastructure for the training

of emissions testing facility personnel and diesel

mechanics

• support the evaluation of the need to manage diesel

emissions as required under the Diesel NEPM

• develop recommendations about future emissions

programs and emissions enforcement programs in

South Australia.

The program outputs include:

• testing of approximately 120 diesel buses from the

public transport bus fleet in accordance with the

Diesel NEPM requirements

• testing of a representative sample of approximately

400 private diesel vehicles

• repair and re-testing of the worst polluting vehicles

• delivery of a National Road Transport Commission

developed eco-maintenance training program for

industry and other key stakeholders including DTEI

• an evaluation of the need for a future emissions

testing facility (especially with respect to

management and process issues)

• a communications campaign

• establishment of a f ixed emissions testing facility

to meet long-term operational requirements providing

the ability to test diesel and petrol vehicles.

The program elements developed within the

framework provided by the Diesel NEPM include:

• program management

• communications campaign

• vehicle selection

• vehicle recruitment

• incentive scheme

• emissions testing

• ‘eco-maintenance’ training

• vehicle repair

• Quality Assurance, data analysis and reporting

• future use of emissions testing facilities.

The program commenced in August 2006.

Smoky vehicle program

An enhanced version of the former smoky vehicle

program has been developed following signif icant

consultation with relevant government agencies. The

enhancements incorporate an increase in the number

of government off icers authorised to identify smoky

vehicles, a process for the public to report smoky

vehicles and a centralisation of the administrative

procedure within DTEI.

The framework to deliver the enhanced version of the

program is currently being prepared by DTEI but has

not been funded to date.

Bio-diesel bus and train operation

DTEI has made a commitment to use bio-diesel in its

Public Transport fleet. A signif icant proportion of the

bus fleet and all trains have commenced operating

on a 5% bio-diesel blend (B5). B5 is now being used

in all diesel powered metropolitan buses (comprising

approximately 75% of the fleet, with the remaining

25% already running on compressed natural gas) and

in all diesel trains. Other bio-diesel blends (B20, B50

and B100) have been tested under laboratory conditions

and several buses are in regular operation running on

B20. Increasing the bio-diesel blend for the bus and

train fleet as a whole to B20 is being investigated.


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Public transport bus procurement

The South Australian government is currently

procuring a range of new public transport buses.

The use of technologies other than diesel powered

vehicles has been highly valued in the assessment

of the tender submissions.


The DTEI have commissioned the Diesel NEPM Test

and Repair Demonstration Program with the test

facility off icially opened in October 2006. The

program has received extensive funding from the

Federal Government.

The program has achieved a number of milestones

including:

• completed a pilot program of emissions testing of

99 public transport buses with 12 of these retested

• commissioned the upgrade of TAFE SA’s

O ‘Halloran Hill Campus lab to include emission

measurement equipment

A communication campaign was developed and

delivered a number of outcomes including:

• the launch of the facility in October 2006 was

officially opened by the Parliamentary Secretary

to the Premier and received coverage in South

Australia on radio, television and newspapers

• a brochure providing information regarding the

facility and the Test and Repair demonstration

program were distributed initially at the opening

of the facility

• a newsletter was distributed to key customers,

potential clients and business associates in

December 2006 with a second edition due shortly

• fact sheets providing information on the Diesel

Vehicle In-Service Performance, DT80 Drive

Cycle, Diesel Vehicle Emissions, Demonstration

Test and Repair Program, the Learning Outcomes

of the Diesel Emissions training module and a

Capability Statement of the Facility have been

developed and are available on request or through

the internet web site

• a DTEI internet website has been created for the

Vehicle Emission Test Facility which contains

documents produced for the facility including

the newsletter, brochures and fact sheets

<www.transport.sa.gov.au/transport_network/

vehicle_emissions/index.asp>

• posters have been developed to attract potential

customers to volunteer their vehicles for the Test

and Repair Program or to have their heavy vehicles

tested to receive an emissions test report for

purposes of the Australian Tax Office fuel tax

credit. Posters have been distributed to

metropolitan Registration and Licensing Customer

Service Centres and key heavy vehicle operators,

repairers and bus companies

• at a recent motor show in South Australia, the

Royal Automobile Association (RAA) distributed

the vehicle emissions brochures to visitors at their

promotions stand

• an article has appeared in recent RAA editions of

the SA Motor Magazine and the approved repairer’s

network newsletter RAA Issues

• meetings held with transport operators and

associations in both the heavy truck and bus industry.

As well as several other initiatives being undertaken

at this time:

• currently conducting a test and repair pilot program

of a representative sample of South Australian

registered diesel vehicles using the in-service

Diesel Emission Standard and Composite Urban

Emission Drive Cycle, to date 61 vehicles have

been tested from the passenger, light commercial

and heavy vehicle categories

• currently developing options for implementing

the Diesel NEPM Emission Standard into South

Australian legislation

• contributing to the review of Diesel NEPM through

participation on National Working Group

• actively delivering industry-wide training in line

with the National Transport Commission ‘Cleaning

the Air: Protecting the environment from diesel

emissions’ Training Plan in conjunction with TAFE

SA for up to 200 industry representatives

It is expected that the program will deliver other

benefits to South Australia, including:

• improving data/knowledge of the emissions

performance of the diesel vehicle fleet in

South Australia

• emission reductions gained by repairing some

of the worst polluting vehicles

• the capacity to train emissions facility operators

and diesel mechanics in the emissions aspects

of diesel engine maintenance


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• improving the awareness / understanding of key

stakeholders (e.g. regulators and industry) to Diesel

NEPM processes and practicalities

• improved public awareness of diesel emissions

management strategies

• increased capacity to implement a range of Diesel

NEPM programs.

In addition, this program will build the capacity

and, to a signif icant degree, allow for the future

development of in-service emission testing of the

non-diesel components of the fleet (i.e. petrol and

alternative fuels).

Other implementation activities undertaken by the

South Australian government include scoping and

development of a proposal for an enhanced smoky

vehicle program and preparation of the framework

to deliver the program. Further funding is required

to undertake this program in South Australia, but has

yet to be secured.


EFFECTIVENESS

The Diesel NEPM Test and Repair Demonstration

Program will incorporate evaluation procedures to

assess its effectiveness and will provide information

to assist in determining future strategies to reduce

emissions from in-service diesel vehicles taking into

account environmental, economic, social and equity

considerations.


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(Refer to page 286)




Under Section 12A of the Tasmanian State Policies

and Projects Act 1993, NEPMs made under Section

14(1) of the National Environment Protection Council

(Tasmania) Act 1995 are taken to be state policies

which have been passed by both Houses of Parliament.


A contract between the Department of Tourism, Arts

and the Environment and the Australian Government


provided funding for a series of diesel engine skill-

gap training workshops. Workshops were held through

TAFE Tasmania in the south, north and northwest

of the state in 2006 and 2007. A final report is now

being prepared.


A total of 207 participants received training under

this program in 2006 and the corresponding number

for 2007 was 114. This total exceeded the State’s

contractual obligation to the Commonwealth

government by 21 and demonstrated its popularity.

The popularity of the workshops was further

evidenced by the very positive feedback comments

received from participants.

As of 30 June 2007, there were 11 268 diesel powered

heavy vehicles (that is vehicles over 4.5 tonnes) and

50 078 diesel powered light vehicles registered in the

state. This represents an increase of 4.7% and 8.5%

respectively for the previous reporting period. Of the

total of 61 346 vehicles registered in Tasmania at

30 June 2007, 18.4% were diesel powered.


EFFECTIVENESS

There has been signif icant support from the transport

industry throughout the state for these workshops.

Tasmania


Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure for Tasmania by the Hon.

Paula Wriedt MHA, Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment for



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(Refer to page 286)




The Road Transport (Vehicle Registration)

Regulation 2000 requires emission control systems

supplied by vehicle manufacturers to remain f itted

and functional. This is consistent with NEPM goals.


Approximately, 4% of the Australian Capital Territory’s

registered vehicle fleet of 265 000 vehicles are

powered by diesel.

Aggregate air quality data indicates that air pollution

caused by diesel emissions is not a signif icant

contributor to the urban airshed in the Australian

Capital Territory. Pollutants associated with diesel

emissions in the Australian Capital Territory are well

below NEPM trigger values. Therefore, no actions

are taken in the Australian Capital Territory as a

result of measures against the Diesel NEPM.

Notwithstanding the above, the Australian Capital

Territory has introduced a number of measures

consistent with achieving the goal of the NEPM,

these include:

• adoption of the Australian Design Rules, as

requirements under Schedule 1 of the Road

Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2000

• requiring emission control equipment f itted to

a vehicle to remain f itted and be maintained in a

condition to ensure that it operates essentially in

accordance with the systems original design under

Schedule 1 of the Road Transport (Vehicle

Registration) Regulation 2000

• implementation of random on-road and car park

inspections

• implementation of arrangements enabling members

of the community to report vehicles that they

consider unroadworthy, including those that emit

excessive smoke, and enabling appropriate actionagainst those vehicles

• Australian Capital Territory government subscriptionto Greenfleet for the planting of trees to offset itsvehicles fleet emissions

• supporting Australian Capital Territory representationon the fuel standards consultative committee.

While statistics on the number of inspections andhow many defects and warnings are collected at thisstage, the reasons for these enforcement actions arecurrently not collated. In general, Australian CapitalTerritory inspectors would normally issue a defectnotice to a vehicle emitting excessive smoke. TheAustralian Capital Territory has found it more beneficialto require a vehicle to be repaired than to impose a monetary penalty. Issuing a monetary penalty islikely to delay repairs or make it more diff icult forowners to repair their vehicles.

In addition to the above, as part of the AustralianCapital Territory Government Fleet Efficiency Program,the Australian Capital Territory has purchased 54compressed natural gas (CNG) powered buses, whichare currently in service. Two Renault diesel buseshave been converted to CNG and are also in servicemaking a total of 56 vehicles. It is proposed that afurther 16 CNG buses will be ordered during the2007–08 f inancial year. This would bring the totalnumber of CNG–powered buses in the AustralianCapital Territory to 72.


An assessment of the need to manage the emissionsfrom the Australian Capital Territory’s in-servicediesel fleet has indicated that:

• air pollution caused by diesel vehicles is not a signif icant contributor to the urban airshed in the Australian Capital Territory

• there appears to be a high level of compliance withthe in-service emissions standards.


EFFECTIVENESS

Australian Capital Territory airshed quality is suchthat actions under NEPM are not triggered.



Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure for the Australian Capital

Territory by Jon Stanhope MLA, Minister for the Environment, Water and



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A number of initiatives are implemented to control

diesel vehicle emissions. Vehicle standards are enforced

through the general provisions of the Motor Vehicles

Act and the Australian Vehicle Standard Rules which

require all vehicles to comply with Australian Design

Rules when in service. Vehicle roadworthy inspections

are undertaken for all light and heavy diesel vehicles

and these inspections include checking that all

required emission control equipment is f itted as well

as the detection of smoky vehicles.


The diesel vehicle fleet in the Northern Territory

comprises about 2% of the national diesel fleet.

Currently, there are approximately 32 121 diesel

vehicles registered in the Northern Territory,

approximately 15 482 of which are registered in the

greater Darwin area.

A signif icant restructure has occurred in the road

transport industry in the Northern Territory over the

last 2–3 years in response to the advent of freight

services on the Adelaide to Darwin rail corridor.

FreightLink (the rail operator) has suggested it has

secured around 85% of the contestable road freight

task and as a result there are signif icantly increased

short-haul operations around rail terminals in Darwin,

Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine.

Aggregate data on diesel emissions for the Northern

Territory is not available. However, ambient air quality

studies and the National Pollutant Inventory indicate

that motor vehicle traff ic is not a major contributor

to air emissions in the larger urban centres.

A smoky vehicle program is undertaken as part

of the Northern Territory’s vehicle registration and

roadworthiness testing procedures. Records of diesel

vehicles issued with defect orders show that only

a minor fraction of vehicles checked as part of the

vehicle registration process received a defect notice

due to engine smoke.

The majority of the Northern Territory road train

fleet is less than f ive years old and employs the latest

technology in engine management systems to minimise

fuel consumption costs. On a payload per emission

basis, road trains operating line haul operations in

remote Australia are considered to be some of the

most environmentally eff icient road freight vehicles

in the world.

Pollutants associated with diesel emissions in the

Northern Territory are well below standards. Therefore,

current air quality is not considered a ‘trigger’ for

change in relation to managing diesel emissions in

the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory will

continue to monitor the need for action on diesel

emissions and will take appropriate action as required.


Measures are in place to control diesel vehicle

emissions in the Northern Territory. Pollutants from

diesel vehicles are not a major contributor to air

emissions in larger urban centres.


EFFECTIVENESS

Actions under NEPM are not triggered.

Northern Territory


Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure for the Northern Territory

by the Hon. Delia Lawrie MLA, Minister for Natural Resources,



Air Toxics NEPM

2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

Air Toxics


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NEPM details


(Air Toxics) Measure



(advertised in Commonwealth of Australia Special

Gazette No. S 52904, 20 December 2004)



(Air Toxics) Measure is set out in clause 5 of the

Measure as follows:


The national environment protection goal

of this Measure is to improve the information

base regarding ambient air toxics within the

Australian environment in order to facilitate

the development of standards following a

Review of the Measure within eight years

of its making.

Desired environmental outcome


Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measure is set




Measure is to facilitate management of air

toxics in ambient air that will allow for the

equivalent protection of human health and

well-being, by—

(1) providing for the generation of comparable,

reliable information on the levels of toxic

air pollutants (‘air toxics’) at sites where

signif icantly elevated concentrations of one

or more of these air toxics are likely to occur

(‘Stage 1 sites’) and where the potential for

significant population exposure to air toxics

exists (‘Stage 2 sites’).

(2) establishing a consistent approach to the

identif ication of such sites for use by

jurisdictions.

(3) establishing a consistent frame of reference

(‘monitoring investigation levels’) for use

by jurisdictions in assessing the likely

significance of levels of air toxics measured

at Stage 2 sites.

(4) adopting a nationally consistent approach to

monitoring air toxics at a range of locations

(e.g. near major industrial sites, major roads,

areas affected by woodsmoke).

Evaluation criteria


Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measure is

based on the following criteria:






requirements



NEPM standards




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The Commonwealth implements the NEPM

administratively and ensures the requirements of the

National Environment Protection Council Act 1994

(NEPC Act) are met.


The Commonwealth has fulf illed its obligations

to date under the NEPM, undertaking supporting

activities in the reporting year to assist with the

further development and implementation of the

NEPM. The Commonwealth continued several

research projects that will add to our knowledge

on air toxics and help develop management actions.

• The measurement of formaldehyde in certain

indoor environments study is investigating the

levels of formaldehyde in and around buildings

such as mobile homes, caravans, demountable

buildings and new or newly-renovated homes.

• The urban-scale population exposure to reactive

air toxics study is investigating the dispersion and

chemical reactivity of air toxics in the Melbourne

and Sydney airsheds. This study will help to better

quantify and reduce the uncertainties associated

with the approaches used to identify Stage 1 and

Stage 2 sites as required by the air toxics NEPM.

• The particles, ozone and air toxics levels in rural

communities during prescribed burning seasons

study includes investigation of seasonal exposures

of rural communities to air toxics and will assist

environment agencies in the management of rural

community exposure to air toxics.

These projects will be completed by June 2008.

Projects being undertaken by the Commonwealth

to help achieve the air quality standards under the

Ambient Air Quality NEPM will also contribute

to the reduction of air toxics.


The Commonwealth has fulf illed its obligations to

date under the NEPM and will continue to undertake

activities in support of NEPM implementation.


EFFECTIVENESS

The Air Toxics NEPM provides a framework for the

Commonwealth to assess the impact of its activities

on ambient air toxics levels and population exposure

to air toxics in the Australian environment. The

Monitoring Investigation Levels set by the NEPM

provide a nationally consistent benchmark for assessing

and comparing the levels of ambient air toxics from

different sources and are an effective tool to inform

government policy and programs on appropriate

abatement actions.


BY THE NEPM


accordance with clause 13 of the NEPM for the

reporting year ending 31 December 2006. This

includes results of desktop analysis identifying sites,

any monitoring that has taken place, and assessment

and action taken to manage air toxics (where

exceedances have been reported).

The Commonwealth has previously reported on its

desktop analysis which identified no sites in its external

Territories with the potential for significant population

exposure to elevated levels of air toxics. Consequently,

regular monitoring of air toxics in accordance with the

NEPM is not proposed in any Commonwealth sites.

However some emissions monitoring is being under-

taken at selected Department of Defence facilities.

No reassessment of the information on air toxics

levels and population exposure at Commonwealth

sites was undertaken in the reporting year.

Commonwealth


Protection (Air Toxics) Measure for the Commonwealth by the Hon.

Malcolm Turnbull MP, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources


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NSW has comprehensive legislation administered by

the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA),

which is part of the Department of Environment and

Climate Change (NSW), to control air emissions.

These are outlined below.

National Environment Protection Council

(New South Wales) Act 1995

This Act provides for the establishment of a National

Environment Protection Council (NEPC) that has

power to make national environment protection

measures. The New South Wales government will

implement National Environment Protection Measures

(NEPMs) in New South Wales in a variety of ways,

including via legislation.

Protection of the Environment Administration

Act 1991

This Act sets up the NSW Environment Protection

Authority (EPA) with objectives to protect, restore

and enhance the quality of the environment in NSW

having regard to the need to maintain ecologically

sustainable development and to reduce the risks to

human health and prevent the degradation of the

environment.

Protection of the Environment Operations

Act 1997

The Protection of the Operations Act 1997 (POEO

Act) is the key piece of environment protection

legislation administered by the EPA. The POEO Act

provides a single licensing arrangement to regulate

air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution and

waste management.


(Clean Air) Regulation 2002

This Regulation replaces the Clean Air (Domestic

Solid Fuel Heaters) Regulation 1997, the Clean Air

(Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Fuels) Regulation

1997, the Clean Air (Plant and Equipment) Regulation

1997 and the Protection of the Environment Operations

(Control of Burning) Regulation 2000.

Part 2 of the Regulation deals with the sale of

domestic solid fuel heaters and requires the heaters

to be certif ied as complying with emission limits set

out in the relevant Australian Standard. It also

prohibits tampering with such heaters.

Part 2A of the Regulation:

• controls burning in the open or in incinerators

in local government areas

• allows the EPA or local councils to grant approvals

for burning in the open or in an incinerator in

certain circumstances

• prohibits the burning of certain articles (including

tyres, paint and solvent containers, and certain

treated timbers)

• imposes a general duty on persons to prevent or

minimise air pollution when burning in the open

or in an incinerator.

Part 3 of the Regulation relates to motor vehicles and

deals with the following matters:

• the emission of air impurities, including excessive

smoke from motor vehicles

• the compulsory f itting and maintenance of anti-

pollution devices, and exemptions from these

requirements

• the limits on summer petrol vapor pressure (from

15 November to 15 March)

• the reporting on the benzene concentration in

petrol prior to the introduction of a 1% benzene

limit in petrol nationally from 1 January 2006.

New South Wales


Protection (Air Toxics) Measure for New South Wales by the Hon. Phil

Koperberg MP, Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water for


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Part 4 of the Regulation applies to air emissions from

industrial and commercial activities and deals with

the following:

• setting maximum emission standards from

stationary sources for a number of air impurities,

including chlorine, volatile organic compounds,

dioxins and furans, hazardous substances (including

heavy metals and other toxics), smoke, solid

particles and sulfur

• establishing a framework for review of emission

standards applicable to pre-1979 premises

• requirements for afterburners and vapor recover

units treating materials containing ‘principle toxic

air pollutants’

• ground-level concentration criteria for a wide range

of air toxics, including; benzene, benzo(a)pyrene,

formaldehyde, toluene and xylene, in Approved

Methods for Modelling and Assessment of Air

Pollutants in NSW.

Part 5 deals with the transport and storage of volatile

organic liquids.

Part 6 restricts the use of high sulfur liquid fuel.

Note: Parts 4, 5 and 6 of the Protection of the

Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2002

commenced on 1 September 2005, replacing the Clean

Air Plant and Equipment Regulation 1997 with new

more comprehensive requirements to control industrial

emissions. Part 2A of the Protection of the Environment

Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2002 commenced

on 1 September 2006, replacing the Protection of the

Environment Operations (Control of Burning)

Regulation 2000.


(General) Regulation 1998

Some functions of this Regulation are to:

• set out how to calculate fees in relation to environ-

ment protection licences, and makes provision for

adjustment or refunds of those fees

• set out fees for environment protection notices

• make provisions for load reduction agreements

(load reduction agreements allow for fee rebates

in return for measures taken to reduce pollution

in the future)

• establish a Review Panel to advise the EPA on

licensing matters, including load calculation

protocols

• set out the matters to be included by the EPA

in its statement of reasons for the grant or refusal

of a licence application

• make it an offence to provide information that is

false or misleading in relation to a licence application

• require licensees to retain records used to calculate

licence fees

• give effect to the National Environment Protection

(National Pollutant Inventory) Measure by requiring

occupiers of certain facilities to submit data to the

EPA relating to the emission of certain substances

• prohibit the burning of certain bio-material from

Australian native trees in certain electricity

generating works, and requires records and reports

to be made in accordance with EPA guidelines.


The implementation of the NEPM is being coordinated

by the Department of Environment and Climate

Change (NSW).

Under Part 3, Clause 8 of the NEPM, the identification

of ‘stage 1’ and ‘stage 2’ sites for monitoring of air

toxics is required within 12 months of commencement

of the NEPM. NSW has completed the desktop analysis

and reported the results in the implementation report

for the reporting year ended 30 June 2005.

Air toxics monitoring is expected to commence

in 2008 at 2 ‘stage 2’ sites (i.e. Sydney CBD and

Earlwood) and cover TO–14 compounds (including

Benzene, Toluene and Xylenes), formaldehyde and

PAHs (including benzo(a)pyrene).


NSW has fulf illed its obligations to date under the

NEPM and continues to progress its implementation.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM ‘desktop analysis’ has helped to ensure

there is a consistent framework that jurisdictions can

use to identify locations for monitoring air toxics

in the Australian environment.


BY THE NEPM








NSW has completed the desktop analysis and

reported the results in the implementation report

for the reporting year ended 30 June 2005.

Air toxics monitoring is expected to commence in

2008 at two ‘stage 2’ sites (i.e. Sydney CBD and

Earlwood) and cover TO–14 compounds (including

Benzene, Toluene and Xylenes), formaldehyde and

PAHs (including benzo(a)pyrene).

NS

W –

AIR

TO

XIC

S


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(Refer to page 318)




The State Environment Protection Policy (Air Quality

Management) [SEPP (AQM)] provides the statutory

framework for the management of emissions of air

toxics to the air environment in Victoria. The f ive

air toxics in the Air Toxics NEPM are included as

indicators in the SEPP (AQM). Toluene, Xylenes and

Formaldehyde are Classif ied as Class 2 indicators

requiring control of emissions by the application of

best practice. Benzene and PAHs (as BaP) are classified

as Class 3 indicators. Class 3 indicators are highly

toxic pollutants that require control to the maximum

extent achievable (MEA). Both MEA and best practice

require consideration of the wastes hierarchy in the

management of emissions with avoidance being the

primary aim. Technology is only one aspect of the

management requirements.

The SEPP (AQM) contains two types of criteria to

assess the potential health risks posed by exposure

to air toxics:

1. Design Criteria—these are modelling tools that

are applied in the design stage of a facility or

expansion of a facility. They are based on either

toxicity or if more stringent the odour threshold

of a pollutant. They apply to individual industrial

emissions and are therefore conservative in nature.

2. Intervention Levels—these are local air quality

objectives that apply to cumulative sources of

emissions. If exceeded further investigation of the

cause is required and a neighbourhood environment

improvement plan may be triggered.

The design criteria established in the SEPP (AQM)

for benzene, formaldehyde and PAHs are based on

toxicity. For toluene and xylenes the design criteria

are based on the odour threshold. The SEPP (AQM)

contains intervention levels for all pollutants included

in the Air Toxics NEPM and these are based on the

protection of human health.


The identif ication and prioritisation of the locations

likely to have significantly elevated levels of Air Toxics

(Stage 1) commenced in 2004 and was finalised in 2005.

No further analysis of Stage 1 sites was conducted

during 2006. The identif ication of potential Stage 2

formaldehyde sites was f inalised during 2006–07.

These sites are indicated in Table 1.

Further work was completed in the identif ication

of a site with the potential to have high exposure to

diesel emissions for the purpose of PAH monitoring.

Additional information sources were used in creating

a short-list of 10 sites including 2004 Vic Roads traffic

statistics and aerial photographs (used to identify

land use and potential population exposure). One site

at Campbellfield was selected on the basis of it having

the highest truck numbers and being representative

of similar roads in Melbourne. Monitoring at this site

will commence in late 2007–early 2008.

Monitoring during 2006–07 was conducted for the

five air toxics as shown below:

2006

Newport Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene

(2 locations from January –

December 2006)

Carlton B(a)P, Benzene, Toluene, Xylene,

and Formaldehyde (May 2006 –

May 2007)

South Melbourne Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene

(May 2006 – May 2007)

Victoria


Protection (Air Toxics) Measure for Victoria by the Hon. Gavin Jennings,

Minister for Environment and Climate Change for the reporting year

ended 30 June 2007

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2007

Carlton B(a)P, Benzene, Toluene, Xylene,

Formaldehyde (January to May

2007 completing program

commenced in 2006)

South Melbourne Benzene, Toluene, Xylene

(January to May 2007

completing program

commenced in 2006)

Mooroolbark B(a)P, Formaldehyde, from

January 2007

Traralgon B(a)P, Formaldehyde from

January 2007

These sites cover a range of locations that are impacted

by a variety of sources including motor vehicles,

diesel, heavy and light industry and domestic sources.

The site in Traralgon is also impacted by smoke from

prescribed burning for bush f ire management at

certain times of the year.

Monitoring is proposed at the Campbellf ield site

for 2008 for B(a)P, Benzene, Toluene, and Xylenes.

Monitoring commenced at Newport and Spotswood

in January 2006 and continued to January 2007.

Pollutants monitored were: Formaldehyde, Benzene,

Toluene and Xylene. Monitoring commenced at South

Melbourne and Carlton in May 2006 (to continue

to May 2007), Benzene, Toluene and Xylene were

monitored at both sites, in addition B(a)P and

Formaldehyde were monitored at Carlton.

All pollutants monitored were below investigation

levels at all sites. Note that due to slight overlap of

the calendar years for Newport and Spotswood, the

annual averages for the projects have been included

even though some data is from 2007. The monitoring

results obtained to date are shown in Tables 2 and 3.

EPA Victoria achieved NATA Accreditation on

29 May 2006 for the following sampling and

analysis methods:

• analysis of Gas Canister by GC–MS technique

by the method of USEPA method TO–15 for the

following determinations—Benzene; 1,3–butadiene;

ethylbenzene; toluene; total xylene

• sampling of ambient air using adsorbent cartridge

by the methods of USEPA TO – 11 for the following

determinations - Formaldehyde

• sampling of ambient air using PUF adsorbent by

the methods of USEPA TO–13 for the Following

determinations - Anthracene; benz(a)anthracene;

benzo(b)fluoranthene; benzo(k)fluoranthene;

benzo(a)pyrene; benzo(g,h,i)perylene; chrysene;

ibenzo(a,h)anthrancene; fluorene;

indeno(1,2,3–cd)pyrene; phenanthrene; pyrene

• sampling of ambient air using gas canister by

the methods of USEPA TO–15 for the following

determinations - Benzene; 1,3–butadiene;

ethylbenzene; toluene; total xylene.

Work is underway by EPA Victoria to achieve NATA

accreditation for USEPA method TO–13 analyses

for PAHs.

EPA Victoria has contracted Queensland Health

and Scientif ic Services (QHSS) for the analysis

of formaldehyde. QHSS has NATA accreditation

for USEPA method TO–11.

EPA Victoria has continued through Works approval

and licensing activities to require adoption of best

practice for the minimisation of emissions for all air

toxics and control to maximum extent achievable for

Class 3 indicators which include benzene and PAHs

(as BaP). Industries that emit Class 3 indicators have

been required to prepare action plans setting out how

MEA will be applied within their industry. During

2006–07, EPA Victoria has continued to review

emissions of Class 3 indicators to ensure that industries

emitting these pollutants are implementing the

approved action plans and minimising emissions

to the maximum extent achievable in accordance

with the plans.


The Victorian Government is strongly committed to

improving air quality in Victoria. The SEPP (AQM)

provides a framework for the management of sources

of emissions including emissions from diffuse sources

as well as industrial emissions. It emphasises the

importance of avoiding the generation of emissions

in the f irst place, and requires all generators of

emissions of wastes to air to apply best practice

to the management of those emissions. For benzene

and PAHs control is required to the maximum extent

achievable (MEA).

Vic

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Monitoring that has been undertaken as part of the

NEPM implementation has shown that the monitoring

investigation levels have not been exceeded at any of

the sites monitored. The monitoring has been conducted

at a variety of locations in Melbourne including near

roads, industrial complexes and in areas impacted

by domestic wood smoke.

The identif ication of Stage 1 and 2 sites as required

by the NEPM has been completed. Stage 2 sites have

been prioritised for monitoring through to 2008. During

2006–07, monitoring was at four sites in Melbourne.

Monitoring commenced in early 2007 at additional

sites at Mooroolbark and Traralgon (in the Latrobe

Valley). One additional site was has been identif ied

for monitoring during 2007–08.

Increased capacity and capability within EPA Victoria

to undertake Air Toxics sampling and analysis has

been undertaken. NATA accreditation has been

obtained by EPA Victoria for the monitoring methods

specif ied in the NEPM for all f ive air toxics. NATA

accreditation has also been obtained for the analysis

methods for benzene, toluene and xylenes. Further

work is underway to obtain NATA accreditation for

the analysis of PAHs by the USEPA TO–13 method.


EFFECTIVENESS

During 2006–07, Victoria made signif icant progress

in the implementation of the Air Toxics NEPM. The

identification and prioritisation of sites for monitoring

of all air toxics has been completed and monitoring

was completed at four of these sites. Monitoring also

commenced at two additional sites in Melbourne and

the Latrobe Valley. Monitoring is being conducted in

accordance with the monitoring protocols specif ied

in the NEPM. Monitored levels of air toxics are

below the monitoring investigation levels. The results

of monitoring conducted as part of the NEPM

implementation indicate that air toxics levels in

Melbourne are low by international standards.

NATA accreditation has been obtained by EPA Victoria

for the sampling of the air toxics included in the

NEPM and for the analysis of benzene, toluene and

xylenes. Further work is underway to obtain NATA

accreditation for the analysis of PAHs by the method

specif ied in the NEPM.


BY THE NEPM








Vic

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Group Source Type Potential for Population Location

Exposure

WS Domestic wood General population exposure St. Kilda

combustion to formaldehyde emissions St. Kilda East/Prahran

from wood burning. Residential Elwood

areas with potential for St. Kilda East/Windsor

exposure of susceptible St. Kilda

population groups including St. Kilda

young children and the elderly. St. Kilda East

Caulfield North/Armadale

Albert Park

MV Motor vehicles Exposure to formaldehyde North Melbourne

and domestic emissions mainly from South Melbourne

wood combustion motor vehicles and to some

extent from domestic wood

combustion.

IND Major industry Potential for intermittent Altona (Petroleum refining)

exposure to elevated Wangaratta (Fabricated wood manufacturing)

formaldehyde concentrations. Deer Park (Chemical product manufacturing)

Clayton (Non-metallic mineral product

manufacturing)

Table 1: Selected formaldehyde sites categorised on the basis of source type

and the potential for population exposure.

Identif ication of Stage 2 sites for formaldehyde was done in accordance with the methodology developed by

an inter-jurisdictional working group. Airshed modelling and available air toxics data was used in this process.

A summary of the information used in the identification process is summarised in Table 1:

Vic

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Table 2: Results of monitoring conducted during 2006–07

Monitoring was conducted at Newport, Spotswood, Carlton and South Melbourne during 2006–07 for all air

toxics covered by the NEPM. No exceedances of the monitoring investigation levels were observed. The

results of this monitoring are shown in Table 2:

Ave

rage

A

rith

met

ic

Nu

mb

er

Max

imu

m

Con

cen

trat

ion

S

tan

dar

d

of t

imes

Air

tox

icM

onit

orin

g P

erio

d o

f F

req

uen

cy o

f N

o.of

val

id

24-h

our

(as

an

Dev

iati

on

mon

itor

ing

met

hod

mon

itor

ing

mon

itor

ing

resu

lts

Ave

rage

arit

hm

etic

of

24-

hou

r in

vest

igat

ion

Con

cen

trat

ion

mea

n).

Ave

rage

.le

vel

Con

cen

trat

ion

sex

ceed

ed*

New

port

Ben

zene

TO

-15

21/1

/06

– 22

/1/0

71

in s

ix d

ays

590.

0025

ppm

0.00

08 p

pm0.

0004

ppm

0

Tol

uene

TO

-15

21/1

/06

– 22

/1/0

71

in s

ix d

ays

590.

0093

ppm

0.00

22 p

pm0.

0017

ppm

0

Xyl

ene

TO

-15

21/1

/06

– 22

/1/0

71

in s

ix d

ays

590.

0066

ppm

0.00

10 p

pm0.

0010

ppm

0

Spo

tsw

ood

Ben

zene

TO

-15

21/1

/06

– 22

/1/0

71

in s

ix d

ays

550.

0026

ppm

0.00

10 p

pm0.

0007

ppm

0

Tol

uene

TO

-15

21/1

/06

– 22

/1/0

71

in s

ix d

ays

550.

0151

ppm

0.00

43pp

m

0.00

38 p

pm0

Xyl

ene

TO

-15

21/1

/06

– 22

/1/0

71

in s

ix d

ays

550.

0166

ppm

0.00

44 p

pm0.

0054

ppm

0

Car

lton

Ben

zene

TO

-15

22/5

/06

– 22

/5/0

71

in s

ix d

ays

580.

0019

ppm

0.00

07 p

pm0.

0005

ppm

0

Tol

uene

TO

-15

22/5

/06

– 22

/5/0

71

in s

ix d

ays

580.

0070

ppm

0.00

24 p

pm0.

0019

ppm

0

Xyl

ene

TO

-15

22/5

/06

– 22

/5/0

7 1

in s

ix d

ays

580.

0034

ppm

0.00

12 p

pm0.

0009

ppm

0

Form

alde

hyde

TO

-11

22/5

/06

– 22

/5/0

71

in s

ix d

ays

540.

004

ppm

0.00

23 p

pm0.

0009

ppm

0

Ben

zo(a

)pyr

ene

TO

-13

22/5

/06

– 22

/5/0

7 1

in s

ix d

ays

591.

39 n

g/m

30.

2 ng

/m3

0.37

ng/

m3

0

Sou

th

Mel

bou

rne

Ben

zene

TO

-15

22/5

/06

– 2

2/5/

071

in s

ix d

ays

580.

0014

ppm

0.00

05 p

pm0.

0003

ppm

0

Tol

uene

TO

-15

22/5

/06

– 2

2/5/

071

in s

ix d

ays

580.

0051

ppm

0.00

16 p

pm0.

0013

ppm

0

Xyl

ene

TO

-15

22/5

/06

– 2

2/5/

071

in s

ix d

ays

580.

0024

ppm

0.00

05 p

pm0.

0006

ppm

0

Vic

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Table 3: Monitoring data for ethyl benzene and 1,3 butadiene collected at Newport,

Spotswood, Carlton and South Melbourne during 2006–07.

Data was collected on additional air toxics at these sites as recommended by the NEPM. The results of monitoring

and analysis for ethyl benzene and 1,3 butadiene are shown in table 3:

Ave

rage

A

rith

met

ic

Nu

mb

er

Max

imu

m

Con

cen

trat

ion

S

tan

dar

d

of t

imes

Air

tox

icM

onit

orin

g P

erio

d o

f F

req

uen

cy o

f N

o.of

val

id

24-h

our

(as

an

Dev

iati

on

mon

itor

ing

met

hod

mon

itor

ing

mon

itor

ing

resu

lts

Ave

rage

arit

hm

etic

of

24-

hou

r in

vest

igat

ion

Con

cen

trat

ion

mea

n).

Ave

rage

.le

vel

Con

cen

trat

ion

sex

ceed

ed*

New

port

1,3-

buta

dien

eT

O-1

521

/1/0

6 –

22/1

/07

1 in

six

day

s59

ND

ND

ND

1N

A2

Eth

ylbe

nzen

eT

O-1

521

/1/0

6 –

22/1

/07

1 in

six

day

s59

0.00

13 p

pm0.

0002

ppm

0.00

02 p

pmN

A2

Spo

tsw

ood

1,3-

buta

dien

eT

O-1

521

/1/0

6 –

22/1

/07

1 in

six

day

s59

ND

1N

D1

ND

1N

A2

Eth

ylbe

nzen

eT

O-1

521

/1/0

6 –

22/1

/07

1 in

six

day

s59

0.00

37 p

pm0.

0008

ppm

0.00

10 p

pmN

A2

Car

lton

1,3-

buta

dien

eT

O-1

522

/5/0

6 –

31/1

2/06

1 in

six

day

s36

ND

1N

D1

ND

1N

A2

Eth

ylbe

nzen

eT

O-1

522

/5/0

6 –

31/1

2/06

1 in

six

day

s36

0.00

06 p

pm0.

0002

ppm

0.00

02 p

pmN

A2

Sou

th

Mel

bou

rne

1,3-

buta

dien

eT

O-1

522

/5/0

6 –

31/1

2/06

1 in

six

day

s35

ND

1N

D1

ND

1N

A2

Eth

ylbe

nzen

eT

O-1

522

/5/0

6 –

31/1

2/06

1 in

six

day

s35

0.00

04 p

pm<

0.0

002

ppm

0.00

01 p

pmN

A2

1N

D =

not

det

ecte

d2

NA

= n

ot a

vail

able

Qld

– A

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(Refer to page 318)




In Queensland, the Air Toxics NEPM is implemented

by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, the

Environmental Protection Regulation 1998, and

Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 1997.

Air toxics emissions are also managed through

effective land use planning. Signif icantly, the South

East Queensland Regional Plan 2005–2026 provides

a sustainable growth management strategy for the

south-east Queensland region to the year 2026. Under

the plan, urban settlement and the use of transport,

industry, energy and natural resources will be managed

to minimise adverse impacts on air quality.

The Regional Plan is supported by the South East

Queensland Infrastructure Plan 2006–2026, which

was released by the Queensland Government in May

2006. The infrastructure plan identif ies specif ic

projects to improve the use of public transport and

reduce traff ic congestion. Overall taken collectively,

projects under the Regional Plan will signif icantly

reduce transport-related emissions of air toxics in

south-east Queensland.


In 2005–06, the following sites were identif ied as

Stage 2 sites, or locations with the most potential for

signif icant population exposure to air toxics:

• Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba – representative

of a medium density residential area with potential

for signif icant population exposure to air toxics

in motor vehicle emissions

• Wynnum North Road, Wynnum North –

representative of a low-medium density residential

area with potential for signif icant population

exposure to air toxics in industrial emissions.

Subject to detailed consideration of site suitability,

and availability of resources, it is proposed to commence

monitoring at the above sites in 2007–08.

In addition to the requirements of the NEPM, the EPA

monitored selected air toxics during the 2006–07

reporting period, using open path Differential Optical

Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) instrumentation

at Springwood in south east Queensland.

The DOAS monitoring is not in accordance with the

protocols set out in the NEPM, and the monitoring

sites are not identif ied as Stage 2 sites. Full

implementation of the protocols has been delayed

due to lack of resourcing. Although the monitoring

conducted to date is not in accordance with the

protocols set out in the NEPM, the data collected

improves our knowledge of ambient concentrations

of the majority of the toxic pollutants in Schedule

1 of the NEPM.


Progress toward improving the information base

regarding ambient air toxics within the Queensland

environment has occurred by way of the desktop

analysis, identifying sites likely to have the highest

population exposure to air toxics, and ambient

monitoring of benzene, toluene, p-xylene and

formaldehyde in Brisbane and Gladstone. Current

monitoring does not suggest a problem with air

toxics at the sites monitored.


EFFECTIVENESS

The Air Toxics NEPM has been effective in providing

an impetus to investigate available data such as the

National Pollutant Inventory and the Air Emissions

Inventory for the south-east Queensland Region, to

Queensland


Protection (Air Toxics) Measure for Queensland by the Hon. Andrew

McNamara MP, Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and

Innovation for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007

identify the locations most likely to experience

signif icant population exposure to elevated ambient

concentrations of air toxics.


BY THE NEPM








Although the EPA did not conduct any air toxics

monitoring at Stage 2 sites using the NEPM method,

during 2006, levels of benzene, toluene and p-xylene

were monitored using an alternative, differential optical

absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) technique at ambient

air quality monitoring network site in Springwood in

south-east Queensland. The primary air toxics emission

source at the Springwood site was motor vehicles.

Data collected indicate that all levels are well below

the investigation levels contained in the NEPM.

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Qld

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Springwood

Monitoring method DOAS

Period of monitoring Jan – Dec 2006

Frequency of monitoring Continuous

Number of valid 24-hour periods 294

Maximum 24-hour average concentration 0.0012 ppm

Annual average concentration (as arithmetic mean) 0.0007 ppm

Arithmetic Standard Deviation of 24-hour average concentrations 0.0001 ppm

Number of times monitoring investigation level exceeded No exceedences1

1 Monitoring conducted using non-reference method.

Table 1: Ambient benzene concentration statistics for south-east Queensland monitoring sites, 2006.

Springwood

Monitoring method DOAS







Number of times monitoring investigation level exceeded No exceedences1


Table 2: Ambient toluene concentration statistics for south-east Queensland monitoring sites, 2006.

Springwood

Monitoring method DOAS1







Number of times monitoring investigation level exceeded Not demonstrated2

1 EPA instrumentation at Springwood is currently only capable of measuring levels of the p-xylene isomer, not total xylene. However,

monitoring studies conducted in urban environments around the world have shown that p xylene consistently comprises around

20 percent of the total xylene present in the atmosphere, providing the basis for an estimate of total xylene concentrations to be made.


Table 3: Ambient p-xylene concentration statistics for south-east Queensland monitoring sites, 2006.

WA

– A

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ICS


(Refer to page 318)




The National Environment Protection Council (WA)

Act 1996 provides the legislative framework for

implementing the Air Toxics NEPM in Western

Australia.

The Perth Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP)

is a non-statutory mechanism established by the WA

Government. The objective of the AQMP is to ensure

that clean air is achieved and maintained throughout

the Perth metropolitan region over the next 30 years.

The AQMP identif ies that to achieve an overall

improvement in Perth’s air quality, further study is

needed to determine major sources and concentrations

of air toxics in the Perth metropolitan region. The

initiatives within the Perth AQMP are complementary

to the Air Toxics NEPM.


Air Toxics NEPM implementation in WA is occurring

in parallel with the implementation of the Perth

AQMP. Initiative 6 of the AQMP addresses Air

Quality Monitoring and acknowledges the need for

the development of supporting information to assist

in determining and prioritising further actions. This

includes action to develop monitoring programs, with

a specif ic target of monitoring for air toxics. To date,

a BTEX study has been completed to monitor personal

exposure to a number of volatile organic compounds

(VOCs) of concern to human health.

The Department of Environment and Conservation

(DEC) is currently conducting a follow up baseline-

monitoring program for air toxics, which builds

on work published by the then Department of

Environment in January 2000. The Background Air

Quality (Air Toxics) Study commenced in January

2005 to examine the background levels of a range

of air toxics present in the air. The aims of the study

are to:

• gather data on the levels of air toxics at a number

of urban locations in Perth

• compare the measured levels of air toxics against

guidelines proposed in the National Environment

Protection (Air Toxics) Measure (NEPM)

• compare the measured levels of air toxics against

guidance levels set by other authorities such as the

World Health Organisation and the US Environmental

Protection Authority

• collect air toxics level data to use in future health

risk assessments and epidemiological studies

• engage and encourage participation from all

stakeholders including the community, special

interest groups, other State and Federal agencies

and industry.

As part of this study, DEC measured the following

compounds:

• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

• heavy metals

• volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

• carbonyl compounds

• nitrogen dioxide

• ammonia

• particles.

This study has employed both active and passive

sampling methods across ten sites in the Perth

metropolitan area. In late 2005, this monitoring was

extended to two regional areas. The active monitoring

undertaken as part of this study meets the monitoring

requirement of the Air Toxics NEPM. Although the

passive monitoring method employed does not comply

with the monitoring requirements of the Air Toxics

NEPM, the information gained will add to the total

body of air toxics data available and will assist in

Western Australia


Protection (Air Toxics) Measure for Western Australia by the Hon. David

Templeman MLA, Minister for the Environmen, Climate Change for the



making future decisions regarding the location of

monitoring sites.

Initiative 11 of the Perth AQMP addresses the issue

of Cleaner Production, specif ically focussing on

reducing the atmospheric emissions from Small to

Medium Enterprises (SMEs). As a large number of

SMEs are not licensed premises under the Environmental

Protection Act 1986 DEC has little information on

the type or amount of emissions SMEs generate. To

address this DEC has commenced a Small to Medium

Enterprise (SME) Air Emissions Monitoring Project.

This project monitors VOCs originating from small

industry. The aims of this study are to:

• gather data on the emissions of SMEs in areas where

a variety of SMEs exist and where a residential

population is located

• determine if the SME industrial areas contribute

signif icant levels of air emissions that may be

of concern to public health.

Monitoring commenced in September 2005 at 11

sites which were located as close as possible to the

centre of an SME area and away from main roads.

Again, the passive monitoring methods employed

at these sights do not comply with the monitoring

requirements of the Air Toxics NEPM, however the

information gained will add to the total body of air

toxics data in Western Australia.

Both of these studies contribute to the

implementation of the Air Toxics NEPM, providing

a better understanding of air toxics concentrations

across the Perth air shed.


Monitoring for air toxics within the Perth AQMP

aims to identify major sources and concentrations

of air toxics in the Perth metropolitan region. This

needs to be completed before management strategies

can be developed and implemented.

Completion of the desktop analysis and the

commencement of monitoring at identif ied Stage 2

sites are signif icant steps in achieving the NEPM

goal of improving the information base regarding

levels of ambient air toxics in Australia. The next

phase will involve continued monitoring at Stage 2

sites, in conjunction with other related air toxics

monitoring programs.


EFFECTIVENESS

Monitoring for air toxics in WA has been undertaken

as part of specif ic studies. The Air Toxics NEPM has

been effective in aiding the selection of monitoring

methods and providing investigation levels to which

the results can be compared.

Although planning for the Background Air Toxics

Study commenced prior to the f inalisation of the Air

Toxics NEPM the study design gave consideration

to the proposed NEPM protocol. This has meant that

results from this study are comparable to interstate

monitoring for the purpose of the Air Toxics NEPM.


BY THE NEPM

In accordance with Schedule 2 of the NEPM, a desktop

analysis has been completed and the identif ication of

Stage 1 and Stage 2 sites has been completed for WA

as reported in last year’s annual report. No further

desktop analysis has been conducted.

As at 31 December 2006, a full 12 months of

monitoring data had been obtained for the air toxics

measured at the Queens Building and Duncraig Stage

2 sites for formaldehyde and benzo(a)pyrene.

Additional monitoring results are also available for

Hope Valley. Comparisons with the Air Toxics NEPM

are presented below. However, it should be noted that

only 6 months of monitoring data has been collected

for toluene, xylene and benzene. Therefore, it is not

at this time appropriate to compare the average

concentration calculated for these pollutants against

the annual MILs.

Passive sampling for air toxics has also been conducted

at several sites. Although this passive monitoring

does not meet the NEPM requirements, the results

provide useful information on background levels

in urban areas. The results can be viewed at:

<www.dec.wa.gov.au>.

Measured levels of the air toxics are below the MILs

specif ied. The results of monitoring conducted as

part of the NEPM implementation indicate that air

toxics levels in Perth are low compared to

international standards.

WA

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WA

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Queens Building Duncraig Hope Valley

Monitoring Method TO-11A TO-11A TO-11A

Period of monitoring 27 July 2005 27 July 2005 27 July 2005

to 28 July 2006 to 28 July 2006 to 28 July 2006

Frequency of monitoring 1 in 6 days 1 in 6 days 1 in 6 days

Maximum 24 hour average 0.004 0.003 0.003

concentration

Average concentration 0.002 0.001 0.001

(as arithmetic mean)

Arithmetic Standard Deviation 0.0008 0.00073 0.00073

of 24-hour average concentrations

Number of times monitoring No exceedences No exceedences No exceedences

investigation level exceeded

Formaldehyde(NEPM MIL: 24 hour = 0.04ppm)



Period of monitoring 27 July 2005 27 July 2005 27 July 2005

to 28 July 2006 to 28 July 2006 to 28 July 2006



concentration



Arithmetic Standard Deviation 0.13 0.30 0.04

of 24-hour average concentrations

Number of times monitoring No exceedences No exceedences No exceedences


Benzo-a-pyreneNEPM MIL: 1 year = 0.3 ng/m3

WA

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Period of monitoring 6 November 2005 6 November 2005 6 November 2005

to 29 May 2006 to 29 May 2006 to 29 May 2006



concentration



Number of times monitoring Not demonstrated Not demonstrated Not demonstrated


XyleneNEPM MIL: 1 hour = 0.25ppm, 1 year = 0.2ppm







concentration





Additional VOC monitoring at the stage 2 sites is required to gather 12 months of data as required by the NEPM.

BenzeneNEPM MIL: 1 year = 0.04ppm







concentration





TolueneNEPM MIL: 24 hour = 1ppm, 1 year = 0.1ppm

SA

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(Refer to page 318)




Pursuant to section 28A of the South Australian

Environment Protection Act 1993, the National

Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measure

(NEPM) operated as an Environment Protection

Policy under that Act from the day on which the

measure was made.

Administration of the NEPM is undertaken by the

Environment Protection Authority (SA EPA) to

ensure the obligations under the NEPM are met.


A report detailing the SA EPA’s progress, and an

amended monitoring plan for 2007–08, has been

submitted to NEPC as required under section 13

of the Air Toxics NEPM.

Modelling of air toxics in the Adelaide airshed has

begun. This is intended to refine the initial desktop

study methodology by the inclusion of the effects

of meteorology on emissions. This work is likely

to provide a better estimate of the location and

magnitude of air toxics levels. A report stating the

findings of this study will be submitted to NEPC by

June 2008, fulf illing the SA EPA’s requirements to

conduct a review of the desktop analysis as stated

in Schedule 4 Part 4 of the NEPM.

As part of work conducted by the National Research

Centre for Environmental Toxicology (EnTox) and

the Department of Health, South Australia, PAH

measurements for one summer and one winter period

are being taken at three locations. The results from

this study will be available next year.


During 2006–07, the SA EPA took grab samples of

some air toxics as part of a localised ‘hot spot’ study.

However as these samples were not taken over time

periods that are comparable with the NEPM Monitoring

Investigation Levels, these results have only been

included in the NEPC compliance report as additional

air toxics information. The results from these

samples indicate that the concentrations of benzene,

formaldehyde, toluene and xylenes were low.

Sampling using passive PAH samplers has been

conducted at one of the previously identif ied Stage 2

sites in the Adelaide airshed and at a site in Mt Gambier

as part of a study with Queensland University, SA

Department of Health and relevant government

departments in other States. The results of this study

are not available at this time and cannot be included

in this report.

The SA EPA is also conducting a modelling study of

air toxics in the Adelaide airshed utilising inventory

data with OPSIS monitoring data being used for

validation. A report stating the f indings of this study

will be submitted to NEPC by June 2008, fulf illing

the SA EPA’s requirements to conduct a review of

the desktop analysis as stated in Schedule 4 Part 4

of the NEPM.

SA EPA instigated a review of monitoring

instrumentation permitted under the NEPM to monitor

air toxics. Specif ically, the SA EPA has asked to

investigate the OPSIS DOAS (Differential Optical

Absorption Spectrometry) system and to determine

if equivalency to standard methods can be achieved

for benzene and formaldehyde. A discussion paper

was drafted by SA EPA and forwarded to the NEPC

Committee. The paper reviews current studies using

OPSIS for air toxics monitoring and proposes a

method by which the OPSIS DOAS long path monitor

could be tested for equivalence with approved

measurement techniques. A technical group has been

South Australia


Protection (Air Toxics) Measure for South Australia by the Hon. Gail

Gago MLC, Minister for Environment and Conservation for the reporting


SA

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formed to examine this issue. The evaluation of this

paper is still in progress at the time of reporting.

Monitoring compliant with the requirements of the

NEPM, as outlined in Schedule 3, was not conducted.


EFFECTIVENESS

While the NEPM has been effective in highlighting

the need to investigate air toxics concentrations, it

has not provided a mechanism to fund the monitoring

required to verify the desktop study and this is an

impediment to the achievement of its goals and

outcomes in South Australia.


BY THE NEPM








As the EPA did not conduct any compliant monitoring

of air toxics, no results can be reported at this time.

However an externally funded project by the National

Centre for Environmental Toxicology and the South

Australian Department of Health is examining PAH

levels at three sites within South Australia. These results

will not become available until next reporting year.

Ta

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(Refer to page 318)




The Tasmanian Air Toxics NEPM process is

implemented primarily through the Environment

Division of the Department of Tourism, Arts and the

Environment (DTAE). The enabling legislation is the


Act 1994 (EMPCA).

National Environment Protection Measures are

adopted as state policies under the State Policies

and Projects Act 1993. The Air Toxics NEPM was

gazetted on 20 December 2004.


As required by Part 3, Clause 8 of the NEPM,

Tasmania has completed a desktop study for the

Tamar Valley (including Launceston) and Derwent

Valley (Greater Hobart) air sheds. Using the

methodology developed in 2005 by a Jurisdictional

Working Party, the study has identif ied Stage 1 and

potential Stage 2 sites for the monitoring of air toxics

in these air sheds.

No air toxics monitoring, compliant with the

requirements of the Air Toxics NEPM as outlined in

Schedule 3, has been undertaken to date in Tasmania.

In accordance with the Tasmanian Air Quality Strategy

2006, and within the constraints of the funding

available, Tasmania is in the process of developing

a state-wide air quality monitoring program to

expand the information base from which to evaluate

the state’s air quality and monitor trends. As outlined

in the strategy the major objectives of the program

include upgrading of the present monitoring system

to meet the requirements of both the Ambient Air

Quality NEPM and the Air Toxics NEPM. Funding

to implement air toxics monitoring in Tasmania in

accordance with the Air Toxics NEPM will continue

to be pursued in the future.

Independently of the Air Toxics NEPM, the Tasmanian

Government is undertaking some air toxics monitoring

in the Tamar Valley and at other locations in north

eastern Tasmania as part of a major study of baseline

air quality associated with the proposed pulp mill

at Long Reach. As part of this study high-volume

28–day integrated sampling of Polycyclic Aromatic

Hydrocarbons (PAH) in the gas and particle phases

has been underway at Rowella since August 2006.

No exceedences of the benzo(a)pyrene (marker for

PAH) investigation level of 0.3 ng/m3 (annual average)

set in the Air Toxics NEPM, have been observed in

the 9 months of validated monitoring data presently

available. The study also includes 14-day passive

sampling of formaldehyde at a further 10 locations

in the Tamar Valley and in other locations in north

eastern Tasmania. None of the presently available

validated formaldehyde concentrations exceed the

NEPM 24–hour average investigation level for

formaldehyde of 0.04ppm. In the event that the pulp

mill proposal proceeds it is intended that this study

will evolve into an ongoing monitoring program.

From July 2007, the Tasmanian Government, in

collaboration with industry and local government

partners, will be undertaking non-NEPM monitoring

of PAH at an air monitoring station recently established

on the outskirts of George Town. George Town is the

second largest population centre in the Tamar Valley

and is situated adjacent to the heavy industrial area

of Bell Bay. The station will monitor a suite of other

air pollutants in addition to PAH in order to better

understand air quality in the region and the nature

of pollutant contributions from all sources including

domestic, industrial, transport, agricultural and

natural sources.

In June 2006, the Minister for Tourism, Arts and the

Environment, Paula Wreidt, launched the Tasmanian

Tasmania


Protection (Air Toxics) Measure for Tasmania by the Hon. Paula Wriedt

MHA, Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment for the reporting


Ta

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Air Quality Strategy. While strongly focused on

reducing particulate pollution in populated air sheds,

it recognises the need to address air toxics as part of

this strategy. Hence, the Tasmanian Government sees

the issue of air toxics as part of its overall strategy to

manage and improve air quality throughout the state

and integral with its programs to meet the National

Environment Protection Standards under the Ambient

Air Quality NEPM. There is strong evidence that by

focussing on the management of air borne particles

as PM10 and PM2.5 in Tasmania’s major population

centres exposure to the current suite of air toxics will

also be reduced.


Tasmania has identif ied Stage 1 and potential Stage 2

sites and will continue to pursue funds to conduct air

toxics monitoring in accordance with the

requirements of the NEPM.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM has been effective as a driver in focussing

attention on the importance of monitoring air toxics

in the Tasmanian context. Further progress towards

the goals of the NEPM in Tasmania will depend on

the availability of funding.


BY THE NEPM








As no air toxics monitoring, compliant with the

requirements of the Air Toxics NEPM, has been

conducted to date by DTAE in Tasmania, no results

can be reported at this time.


AC

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(Refer to page 318)




The administrative framework for implementing the

NEPM is in place.


In accordance with clause 8 of the NEPM, the

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has undertaken its

desktop analysis for the identif ication of Stage 1 and

2 sites. This assessment was undertaken in accordance

with the nationally agreed ‘Desktop Analysis’ procedure.

Only one Stage 1 site was identif ied which was not

subsequently identif ied as a Stage 2 site.


The ACT plans no implementation activities in the

immediate future. However, in accordance with

clause 3(vi) of Schedule 2, the ACT will repeat the

desktop assessment of Stage 1 sites no later than the

end of the fourth year after the commencement of

this Measure. In undertaking this repeat procedure

using the same methodology utilised for the initial

assessment.


EFFECTIVENESS

It is evident from undertaking the desktop analysis

that air toxics are not an issue in the ACT.


BY THE NEPM










Protection (Air Toxics) Measure for the Australian Capital Territory by

Jon Stanhope MLA, Minister for the Environment, Water and Climate


NT

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(Refer to page 318)




The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Program

of the Department of Natural Resources, Environment

and the Arts is responsible for implementation of the

NEPM in the Northern Territory through provisions

of the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act

1998 and the National Environment Protection Council



The Northern Territory undertook a desktop study

in 2005 to identify Stage 1 and Stage 2 sites for the

purposes of meeting obligations under the NEPM.

No Stage 2 sites were identif ied, and a long-term

monitoring program has not been implemented.

As previously reported, a nine month monitoring

program was completed in February 2006 to establish

baseline conditions for Darwin. The results indicated

that there are very low concentrations of benzene,

toluene and xylenes (ortho, meta and para), well

below the investigation levels set in the NEPM.

No further implementation activities were conducted

in 2006–07. Reassessment of identification of Stage 1

and Stage 2 sites may be required in the future, taking

into account industrial development in the Darwin

region. According to NEPM guidance, reassessment

will be required by 2009 at the latest.


Previous studies indicate that concentrations

of air toxics are of very low levels, well below

the monitoring investigation levels of the NEPM.

No monitoring or further investigation has been

undertaken in 2006–07.


EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM has provided the impetus and methodology

for identifying sites most at risk of air toxics in the

Northern Territory. Associated monitoring has provided

baseline data for future consideration.


BY THE NEPM








No additional Stage 1 or Stage 2 sites were identif ied

in the reporting period.

Northern Territory


Protection (Air Toxics) Measure for the Northern Territory by the

Hon. Delia Lawrie MLA, Minister for Natural Resources, Environment

and Heritage for the reporting year ended 30 June 2007

Appendix 7: Glossary

ADRs Australian Design Rules

AED Aggregated Emissions Data

AGO Australian Greenhouse Office

AHMAC Australian Health Ministers Advisory Committee

AQMP Air Quality Management Plan

BIEC Beverage Industry Environment Council

BTEX Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene

CDL Container Deposit Legislation

CLM Act Contaminated Land Management Act

CLR Contaminated Land Register

CNG Compressed natural gas

CO Carbon monoxide

CSIRO Commonwealth Scientif ic and Industrial Research Organisation

Cwlth Commonwealth

DEC Department of Environment and Conservation

DEP Department of Environmental Protection

DOE Department of Environment

DPIWE Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment

DTUP Department of Transport and Urban Planning

EET Estimated Emission Technique

EMR Environmental Management Register

EPA Environment Protection Authority

EPHC Environment Protection and Heritage Council

EPO Environment Protection Objective

EPPs Environment Protection Policies

ERIN Environmental Resources Information Network

GIS Global Information System

HDPE High density polyethylene

ICP-AES Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

IRTP Integrated Regional Transport Plan

IWG Implementation Working Group

IWRP Industry Waste Reduction Plan

JARMS Jurisdictional Access Record Management System

LARRAC Litter Abatement and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee


AP

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LCVs Light Commercial Vehicles

LPG Liquefied petroleum gas

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

NATA National Association of Testing Authorities

NEPC National Environment Protection Council

NEPM National Environment Protection Measure

NHMRC National Health and Medical Research Council

NHVAS National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme

NO2 Nitrogen dioxide

NOx Nitrogen oxides

NPI National Pollutant Inventory

NRT National Reporting Tool

O3 Ozone

OLR On Line Reporting

OVERT On-road vehicle emissions testing program

Pb Lead

PCBs Polychlorinated biphenyls

PM10 Refers to particles with an equivalent aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 micrometres

PM2.5 Refers to particles with an equivalent aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 micrometres

ppm Parts per million

PRC Peer Review Committee

QA Quality Assurance

QGS Queensland Greenhouse Strategy

SA JRG South Australian Jurisdictional Recycling Group

SEPP (AAQ) State Environment Protection Policy (Ambient Air Quality)

SEPP (AQM) State Environment Protection Policy (Air Quality Management)

SEQ South-East Queensland

SEQRAQS South-East Queensland Regional Air Quality Strategy

SO2 Sulfur dioxide

TEOM Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance

TPH Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons

TSP Total Suspended Particles

VicEPA Environment Protection Authority, Victoria

WTBEPNs Waste Transport Business Environment Protection Notices

344

National Environment Protection

Council Service Corporation

Level 5, 81 Flinders Street

Adelaide SA 5000

Telephone (08) 8419 1200

Facsimile (08) 8224 0912

Email [email protected]

w w w . e p h c . g o v . a u

2 0 0 6 – 2 0 0 7

a nnua l r epor t

annualreport - Parliament of New South Wales

Documents