From the CEO
Welcome to the latest edition of EPA Connect. Robust regulatory action and meaningful relationships with our stakeholders are intrinsic to the EPA becoming a world class regulator.
EPA CEO Tracy Mackey
We continue to be out in the field conducting routine as well as unannounced inspections, speaking to stakeholders on the ground and taking action where necessary. In the past month we have done spot inspections across NSW on licensed businesses and we have issued two Stop Work Orders and imposed fines on Forestry Corporation in relation to native state forests. In the past two months I have visited forests in both the state’s north and south to see operations underway first-hand and to meet with and talk to our community and industry stakeholders.
I also spent time visiting operations at local industrial sites around the state including the Santos Coal Seam Gas site and the Maules Creek Coal Mine near Narrabri, Truegain, a former liquid waste facility at Rutherford, the SUEZ waste facility at Spring Farm and TOMRACleanaway and Bingo Recycling facilities, both at Eastern Creek to better understand the operations we regulate on a local level.
EPA's Regional West Director Gary Whytcross, CEO Tracy Mackey and Senior Operations Officer Curtis Attard at Pilliga State Forest
My ambition is for the NSW EPA to become a world class regulator. We know we need to work closely with community, government, industry and other government agencies to influence and enable positive outcomes for our environment. We are working to improve relationships with our stakeholders through strengthened partnerships and you will see more from us on education and engagement, promoting positive behaviours and providing good customer service.
The EPA is exploring better ways of working collaboratively with local councils and through partnerships – for instance, actively participating in the Local Government NSW conference and playing a key role in the Australian Waste and Recycling Expo in November. I’m excited too about Love Food Hate Waste’s new innovative and community partnership program including ‘Grow it Local’.
I invite you to read more about our work – the range of regulatory activities the EPA undertakes and the way that industry and community input can help lead to benefits for the environment – in this edition of EPA Connect.
Tracy Mackey
CEO