Introduction
The Environment Protection Authority is South Australia's primary
environmental regulator, responsible for the protection of air
and water quality, and the control of pollution, waste, noise
and radiation.
The EPA provides leadership to protect and enhance our environment
by administering the Environment
Protection Act 1993 and the Radiation
Protection and Control Act 1982. The EPA encourages environmental
responsibility by working with the community, industry and governments
to achieve a healthier and prosperous environment and a sustainable
future.
EPA structure
The EPA is an independent statutory authority within the Environment
and Conservation Portfolio (15KB PDF),
with its own Chief Executive and a governing Board.
The Acting Chief Executive, Mr Allan Holmes,
is accountable to the nine-member Board, and presides over its
meetings. As well as its regulatory powers the EPA maintains a
strong role in education and awareness to help protect and enhance
the environment.
The EPA has five divisions:
- Corporate and Business Support
- Policy, Planning and Communications
- Radiation Protection
- Regulation and Compliance
- Science and Sustainability
The EPA recognises the need to maintain strong community networks,
with regional offices located
at Stirling and Mount Gambier.
The EPA's Strategic Plan
(508KB PDF) outlines its program for the
years 2007-2010. You can also view the EPA's Organisational
chart (13KB PDF) and Annual
Report.
EPA Board
The EPA Board is a statutory body, established under the Environment
Protection Act, with expertise in environment protection, agriculture,
industry, environmental science, regional issues, environmental
law and local government. The Board comprises nine members, appointed
by the Governor for their practical knowledge and experience to
protect South Australia's environment.
The Board's statutory role is to provide strategic direction
and environmental policy development, and to make key decisions
on significant environmental issues under the Environment Protection
Act.
The Board:
- is independent and makes unbiased, balanced decisions based
on the best available advice
- is open and responsive with its stakeholders
- is professional in its business
- is pro-active and progressive
- strives to provide quality and timely information and advice
- values the contribution of its support and partnership organisations
The Board's Corporate
Governance Statement (94KB PDF) provides
further detail of its role and responsibilities.
EPA Board members:
EPA Board Communiqué
At its October 2004 meeting, the EPA resolved to produce a communiqué
after each Board meeting. Communiques are to be released within
one month of the Board meeting to which they refer; they provide
a brief overview of key issues discussed and decisions made at
each meeting.
EPA Board Minutes
EPA Board Waste to Resources Subcommittee
During 2007, the EPA Board established a Subcommittee to consider the current
and emerging issues and opportunities in relation to regulation of the waste to resources sector.
The Waste to Resources Subcommittee completed its work in October
2007, with the EPA Board receiving the Subcommittee's
final report (290KB PDF).
The Environment Protection Act and policies
The Environment Protection Act
1993 provides the regulatory framework to protect South
Australia's environment, including land, air and water. This legislation
was the result of the streamlined integration of six Acts of Parliament
and the abolition of the associated statutory authorities.
The EPA and other bodies administer the Act through a suite of
legislative and non-legislative policies or regulatory
tools (33KB PDF) to address environmental
issues.
The EPA is also active in implementing and running various programs
to raise awareness and educate the public and industry of their
environmental responsibilities as a community.
EPA Board consultation program (Round-tables)
The Board of the EPA undertakes a regular program of public and
stakeholder consultation. In addition to the legislative requirement
to hold an annual Round-table Conference, the Board conducts regional
Round-tables each calendar year; as well as other Round-table
sessions with key stakeholder groups when needed. These sessions
are extremely beneficial to all participants and give the Board
an opportunity to hear directly from stakeholders about environment
protection matters of importance to them.
The Board's consultation program assists the EPA to assess its
performance in administering the Act and contributes to the review
and refinement of the EPA’s priorities. Participants from
the general community, industry and local and state government
agencies join members of the Board to discuss the management of
the environment in South Australia, to comment on the current
approach and activities of the EPA, and to suggest improvements.
Annual Round-table Conference
The annual Round-table Conference provides the EPA with a valuable
opportunity to gain input from stakeholders on emerging and strategic
issues facing South Australia's environment and its management.
The format of the annual Round-table has varied significantly
in recent years, reflecting the different objectives of each of
the sessions.
The 2007 Round-table Conference was held on 9 May and the outcomes
will be published on this website.
>> EPA Round-table 2007
program brochure (359KB PDF)
This page was last modified 23-09-2008
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