Our regulatory framework: Monitor

We monitor the state of the environment and monitor compliance against legal obligations and intervene when we need to. We investigate environmental issues and non-compliance.

We protect the environment and human health by monitoring the state of the environment, as well as monitoring compliance with our requirements and industry performance, and will intervene where we need to. This allows us to identify issues and opportunities to prevent harm and protect, restore and enhance the environment.

Examples of monitoring industry performance include:

  • The Upper Hunter Air Quality Monitoring Network provides air quality data in a region with a high concentration of industrial activities.
  • We require sewage treatment plants to monitor water quality to maintain and restore the health of our waterways.
  • We monitor compliance with legislation, licences and other requirements using a variety of compliance tools, including inspections, audits and investigations.

Examples of monitoring the environment to understand changes in environmental indicators over time include:

  • We use campaigns to monitor environmental issues that may be widespread or emerging. These campaigns involve inspections, surveys, audits, investigations and education. They provide an opportunity for us to raise awareness about our requirements, good behaviours and best practices.
  • We investigate alleged incidents of environmental harm and/or whether an offence has occurred under environment protection legislation.

We prepare the NSW State of the Environment report [link] every three years to keep the community informed on the health of the environment.

Examples of how we monitor