From the CEO
It’s been just over a year since I joined the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and during that time, I have been focused on supporting the EPA to deepen our stakeholder engagement and collaboration, and meeting the community’s expectations of environmental stewardship across the state.
There have been some significant milestones over the past year, and I’m proud of the sustained efforts we are taking towards enabling a circular, low carbon economy, safeguarding our natural environment and working towards a prosperous and sustainable tomorrow through a wide range of activities.
As every community deserves clean air and a healthy environment, providing the community with confidence and supporting stakeholders in protecting their local environment has been at the forefront of our work this year. Over the past few months, we have been working closely with local communities, licensees and industry to help achieve these outcomes.
Lots of work is happening with industry and the community in the Central West who have raised concerns about dust impacts from Cadia mine, with investigations and monitoring at Cadia ongoing. We have also commenced our Bust the Dust campaign in the Hunter Valley, closely monitoring mining operations during spring and summer with a focus on dust.
Future proofing will continue to be a core focus and at the front of our thinking over the coming year. That involves reaching out to gain the views and input from community, industry and stakeholders on key aspects of upcoming projects such as our regulatory approach for biosolids, changes to the waste levy, and how our work can better support a circular economy.
We have also reached out to our licensees requesting information to help us understand how to support them to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of climate change on their operations.
I’m looking forward to continuing the EPA’s drive for the stewardship and safety of our precious land and waterways and for the communities that rely on them.
I hope you enjoy reading your September edition of the EPA Connect newsletter.
Tony Chappel
CEO