Report of the Third Review of the National Environment Protection Council Acts (Commonwealth State and Territory) December 2012 National Environment Protection Council Response to the Report of the Third Review of the National Protection Council Acts
Tabled paper 599
Tabled Papers for 12th Assembly 2012 - 2016; Tabled Papers; ParliamentNT
2013-10-17
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https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C01116
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/275013
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/424650
79 National Environment Protection Council NEPC Acts Third Review 2012 AMBIENT AIR QUALITY NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION MEASURE The National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (the Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure) includes a national environment protection goal, standard and protocol that aim to provide a framework and methods for monitoring and reporting on ambient air quality. The measure was made in 1998 and varied in 2003. The council released a review of the the Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure in 2011. The Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure prescribes a policy goal and provides jurisdictions with a standard way of measuring and reporting against that goal. The 2011 review of the measure found that its implementation has led to a greater understanding of air quality in Australia which has, in turn, led to an improved understanding about the health impacts of air pollution on the community. There has been a marked reduction in emissions of some pollutants since the measure was made. The 2011 review of the Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure (commenced in 2005) has highlighted growing challenges to air quality due to climate change and population growth and highlighted the ability to improve management of air quality in Australia. It may be that, because of these emerging pressures, the measure should be varied to continue its contribution to the object of the Act over time. This is an issue that is being considered in the development of a National Plan for Clean Air. The goal of the Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure reflects the first part of the object of the National Environment Protection Council Act: to provide for ambient air quality that allows for the adequate protection of human health and well-being. The measure is considered successful and it is likely that it has supported the object of the Act to ensure equivalent protection from air pollution. The review team considers that the measure, focusing as it does on emissions at an air shed level, has minimal direct impacts on the business community and national markets. The measure is used by some jurisdictions to inform licensing decisions and thus does have an indirect influence on some businesses. ASSESSMENT OF SITE CONTAMINATION NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION MEASURE The National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure (the Assessment of Site Contamination National Environment Protection Measure) is a guideline that establishes a nationally consistent approach to the assessment of site contamination. It was made in 1999 and a variation process has been under way since 2007. The Assessment of Site Contamination National Environment Protection Measure is limited in scope to the assessment of site contamination. It comprises an overarching framework for the assessment of site contamination and its relationship to the management of contaminated sites. It is supported by ten guidelines on five technical and administrative aspects of site assessment.