Our regulatory framework: Act

We act to investigate and collaborate to solve problems by engaging with the community, partner with our Traditional Custodians and research organisations, industry and government, using our investigation powers, developing policy and programs, using science and research, working with community advocates and undertaking regulatory reform.

We will act to investigate environmental issues. Protecting, restoring and enhancing the environment requires more than regulatory compliance.

We are committed to collaborating with others to understand and address environmental issues and guide improved outcomes and develop solutions by:

  • using a place or community-based approach – considering cumulative impacts on water catchments, airsheds, climatic and geographic regions as a whole – and working with our co-regulators (local government and others) and local communities
  • partnering with Aboriginal peoples and working with community advocates to develop solutions
  • working with others to regulate, and support building capability in local government
  • considering regulatory improvements and reform – ensuring we have the regulatory settings, interventions and safeguards to be effective
  • being informed by sound science – we will obtain, require, commission, promote and encourage the latest science and research to help solve problems
  • leveraging data to ensure we have the evidence and insights to identify and assess emerging and current risks and to lead interventions to address these
  • encouraging innovation by creating opportunities to test new ideas, assess their effectiveness, and improve environmental outcomes.
  • playing an active role in NSW emergency response and incident management to ensure impacts to the environment and the community are minimised

Examples of how we act