Regulation in action
The EPA takes regulatory action to protect our environment by different means including prosecutions and enforceable undertakings. We also revisit regulations and guidelines to ensure they match the best practice.
EPA sets regulatory priorities
The EPA ’s role is to protect the community and environment from harm. In considering the most significant near-term threats, we have identified six major risks to prioritise for 2022–23.
The areas of risk are compliant forestry, management of end-of-life tyres and plastics, the safe disposal of hazardous and liquid wastes, responsible practice with radioactive sources and the safe use of pesticides and chemicals.
Strong action on Camp Gully Creek pollution clean-up
We are overseeing the clean-up and investigating the alleged pollution of Camp Gully Creek from Metropolitan Collieries mine site in Helensburgh.
Metropolitan Collieries started the clean-up of the creek after we issued a Clean-up Notice on Friday, 16 September.
A review into the Metropolitan Collieries’ Environment Protection Licence will also be bought forward by two years and include the EPA considering all available options to protect the environment and community, including suspending the licence.
NSW EPA CEO, Tony Chappel said the escalation of the regulatory response follows multiple alleged non-compliances including discharges of coal material into Camp Gully Creek which runs into the Royal National Park.
“This review will commence immediately as the repeated discharges of coal material into our pristine environment is unacceptable,” Mr Chappel said.
Have your say
The community has the opportunity to contribute to the review. We invite submissions by email to compliance.services@epa.nsw.gov.au by 13 January 2023.
$590,000 financial undertaking secured after asbestos find
Veolia has permanently shut down landfill at its Horsley Park Waste Management Facility and must pay more than half a million dollars as part of a voluntary legally binding agreement, after the EPA found fragments of asbestos scattered across the top of the landfill, on roads and in soil stockpiles.
The asbestos fragments were the result of the operators using non-compliant material, which included asbestos waste, as cover from 2017 to 2021. The closure plan for the site is already underway with the asbestos covered with soil and grass on top to seal it below ground.
Following an investigation into this issue, the EPA accepted an enforceable undertaking with Veolia. They have agreed to pay $590,000, with $70,000 for compliance training for its personnel, while the rest will go to fund specific environmental projects by Western Sydney Parklands Trust and pay EPA costs.
See other news on asbestos safety in Around the Grounds