New Strategic Plan - roadmap to the future

The EPA is mapping the way to our environment’s future with a new strategic plan. Launched in late July, CEO Tracy Mackey said the EPA’s Strategic Plan 2021–24 sets out our vision for five focus areas where the EPA can have the biggest impact in achieving positive environmental and human health outcomes, over the next three years.

cover of the EPA Strategic plan - green fields with trees, mountians in the distance

The plan focuses on where the EPA can have the biggest impact in achieving positive outcomes

These five focus areas are:

Ecological sustainable development
Waste
Water quality
Climate change
Legacy and emerging contaminants

“The Strategic Plan, together with our recently released Regulatory Strategy , outlines how we will achieve our ambition to be a world class regulator,” Tracy said.

“It shows us how we will use all our regulatory levers to protect and enhance the environment we live in today, and secure it for the future.

“We will be finding evidence and science-based solutions to some of our most formidable environmental challenges.”

“We need to ensure our land, air and water are future-proofed and enhanced for our children and generations to come.

“The reduction and management of waste and contaminants is vital for the health and safety of our communities and we need to actively protect our land and waterways for the future.

“The EPA recognises climate change and in particular, the challenges that we have faced over the past few years with extreme weather events. Our Strategic Plan addresses this with its scope to prepare for the future.

“We will continue to seek improved environmental outcomes through education and behaviour change in the community as much as through our role as a robust regulator.

“And we will strive for carbon-neutral solutions both inside and outside of the agency.

“Most of all, the EPA wants to be the courageous voice for the environment.”

Watch CEO Tracy Mackey in conversation about the Strategic Plan with Executive Director Liesbet Spanjaard.

The Strategic Plan is nested with other strategic work across the agency including the:

Regulatory Strategy which outlines our regulatory approach to achieve the best environmental outcomes.
Digital Transformation strategy guiding our investment in horizon scanning, intelligence, data and technology.
Customer service, partnership and stakeholder engagement initiatives that create value and enhance our capability to solve environmental problems.
Workforce Strategy to develop, attract and retain quality staff.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss the plan with stakeholders and work together as we implement it. If you have feedback you can get in touch with us at epa.chiefexecutive@epa.nsw.gov.au