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
85 National Environment Protection Council NEPC Acts Third Review 2012 The National Environment Protection Measure has provided a nationally consistent framework for the monitoring and reporting of air quality and nationally consistent benchmarks against which to assess air quality. All jurisdictions have reported detailed monitoring data for relevant air sheds. Information from National Environment Protection Measure reporting on ambient air quality has been used by jurisdictions in formulating strategies to address air quality. In particular, it has enabled comparison between jurisdictions, and information is being used to inform the development of the National Plan for Clean Air. The review of the National Environment Protection Measure and the development of the National Plan for Clean Air are highlighting limitations in the public accessibility of reporting on air quality under the National Environment Protection Measure, and in the compliance-based approach to reporting. Alternative forms of reporting that are more accessible and useful to the community and policy makers should be considered. In addition, reporting on exposure and air quality changes over time is also important given the opportunities for reduced health care burden associated with improving air quality and reducing exposure. ASSESSMENT OF SITE CONTAMINATION NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION MEASURE The Assessment of Site Contamination National Environment Protection Measure does not set reporting requirements beyond the need to report annually on the implementation and effectiveness of the measure. All jurisdictions reported a high level of compliance with the guidelines. Reporting and provision of data is not central to the goal of this National Environment Protection Measure and therefore it is appropriate that the measure does not entail detailed reporting. The review team notes that further data on how the National Environment Protection Measure has contributed to the objects of the Act or achieved its goals would be valuable. Reporting on this National Environment Protection Measure focuses on actions taken by jurisdictions to implement the measure, including use of the incorporated guidance. Reporting does not include key performance indicators or information on, for example, the overall contamination status of land. The focus of the measure is on how to assess individual sites, rather than on overall environmental condition. DIESEL VEHICLE EMISSIONS NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION MEASURE Under the Diesel Vehicle Emissions National Environment Protection Measure, jurisdictions report on the need for management and the actions taken to manage emissions from the in-service diesel fleet. Jurisdictions have provided this information in jurisdictional annual reports on implementation and effectiveness of the National Environment Protection Measure. The time frames for both the National Environment Protection Measure and annual reporting requirements are the same. Both reporting years end on 30 June with reports due to the National Environment Protection Council on 30 September.