The department/LG Partnerships
The State Government have clarified the roles and responsibilities for Councils and the State Agencies in the administration of the Environmental Protection Act 1994, in order to provide improved environmental outcomes.
Essentially there will be two changes which are expected to commence on 1 January 2009 with a range of benefits to Local Governments.
Under these changes Local Governments will be responsible for commercial and residential nuisance with the exception of activities administered or carried out by other levels of government or carried out by Local Governments or where there is another relevant law dealing with the nuisance.
Local Governments will be responsible for minor water pollution matters (currently in Section 31 and 32 of the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 1998), which will be transferred to the EP Regulation. Councils will not be responsible for minor water pollution matters from activities administered or carried out by other levels of government or carried out by Local Governments.
Some of the benefits of the proposed implementation package include:
- $2 million to be distributed among Local Governments to assist with the cost of any necessary equipment purchases;
- A scheme to reimburse Local Governments for cleaning up material or serious environmental harm incidents, up to $300 000 per annum in total, where the polluter cannot be pursued.
- Flexibility in setting fees for Local Government administered environmentally relevant activities (ERAs); and
- Access to all the relevant enforcement provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to deal with pollution incidents.
In order for those changes to be efficient and effective the relationship between the department & Local Government must be made more productive. Improvements to the relationship between the department and Local Governments are a key outcome of the Review. The department will continue to provide technical and administrative support and assistance to Local Governments to improve their capacity to administer their responsibilities under the EP Act.
A steering committee comprised of senior representatives from the department and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and Councils will oversee the implementation of these changes and foster better working relationships between Local Government and the department. This group, known as the Environmental Protection Partnerships Forum, will also monitor Council support requirements to undertake the new tasks and ensure the formation and operation of District Liaison Groups and implementation of required training.
Last updated: 26 August 2008