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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2007-11-13 Daily Xml
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ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY

183 Mr HANNA (Mitchell) (31 July 2007).

1. Has the EPA allocated any resources to survey communities to compare the environmental reporting by particular companies and the experiences of the local community?

2. To what extent does the EPA audit the reports on environmental factors sent to them by the owners or managers of industrial and commercial premises?

3. In what circumstances will regional reporting of air quality lead to particular spending programs to ensure air pollution is contained?

4. What costs would be involved to ensure containment of the air pollution at Port Adelaide and Whyalla?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts): The Minister for Environment and Conservation has been advised:

1. The EPA is involved in programs incorporating both the local community and industry, whereby the experiences of the local community can be described and compared with environmental reporting by the relevant industries. The programs have been championed by a combination of the EPA, the local community and industry.

(a) The tenby10 program has been developed through a partnership agreement between the EPA, the Department of Health, Zinifex and the regional council.

(b) The Adelaide Brighton Cement Liaison Group stemmed from negotiations between the EPA, Adelaide Brighton Cement and the Adelaide Brighton Cement Residents' Group.

(c) Other forums include community meetings held in areas such as Kilburn, Whyalla and Strathalbyn.

2. Experts within the EPA audit and compare reports submitted by industries against the appropriate environment protection laws, policies, EPA guidelines, Australian Standards, National Environment Protection Measures and EPA licence conditions.

3. The EPA is committing resources as a result of carrying out regional monitoring and reporting within a variety of areas including Port Pirie, Whyalla, Birkenhead, and Kilburn. The reported air quality parameters are compared with relevant National Standards such as the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure and the National Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measure.

As with all EPA related issues, resources are allocated to ensure compliance with the Environment Protection Act 1993 and associated regulations and policies. EPA resources focusing on regional air quality topics are often directed towards the development of regional programs, which incorporate the relevant stakeholders including Government departments, local government, local industry and the local community.

4. Currently the EPA is allocating resources in the form of employee resources, air monitoring equipment resources and visual monitoring equipment to the regions of Port Adelaide and Whyalla. The resources allocated to the Whyalla area include funding for the operation and maintenance of visual and air monitoring equipment and the equivalent of one Full Time Employee.

The resources allocated to the Port Adelaide area include funding for the operation and maintenance of air monitoring equipment and the equivalent of one Full Time Employee.

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