Victorian Auditor-General’s Office Report
In June 2010, the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office released an audit report into EPA’s performance regarding hazardous waste management.
The audit examined EPA’s systems and the subsequent report contained nine recommendations.
The table below summarises the broad issues raised by the Auditor-General and the reforms undertaken by EPA in response.
Issues raised by VAGO |
Reforms undertaken |
| Implement the information management solutions identified in the Business System Reform (BSR) as a priority. | The BSR program remains a priority and is being appropriately resourced to achieve its project time lines. This program will deliver an integrated package solution for EPA’s core operational units and is on track for delivery in 2012. |
| Implement robust data integrity controls across the information systems. | The BSR solution will provide an integrated system containing validation controls built into processes and transactions to ensure data integrity. |
| Revitalise it records keeping practices to comply with the Public Records Act. | EPA is undertaking the BSR program, including the implementation of a client information management system.
Internal Audits have been completed comparing EPA’s existing environment to the VAGO Better Practice guidelines and work is being completed to mitigate identified gaps. |
| Implement routine data analysis to report to management on performance and also inform other EPA activities, including compliance and monitoring. | EPA is currently undertaking a major enforcement and compliance review incorporating the recommendations of the report.
A final report will be published in February 2011. Implementation of recommendations will follow the review and will continue into 2011. As part of the new approach to compliance and enforcement, data analysis will be used to target high risk areas. |
| Extend the program of compliance inspections to cover both waste re- users and transporters, and establish a rationale for the number of inspections. | EPA’s annual compliance plan has been reviewed to consider both waste re-users and transporters.
This recommendation will be further strengthened as a result of the compliance and enforcement review. |
| Undertake more timely and meaningful reviews of environmental audits and annual performance statements, with greater emphasis on findings and recommendations. | A central tracking tool has been developed and implemented to review both environmental audit and annual performance statements. |
| Track and analyse environmental audit recommendations, including obtaining timely assurance that auditees have addressed identified issues. | A procedure has been developed and includes processes to store information in a central repository, track recommendations and enhance the review of procedures at case level. |
| Obtain required financial assurances for entities, and review the adequacy of existing financial assurances held. | Several financial assurance projects are being completed and developed to implement new governance processes and publish new calculation methodologies.
The license reform program is nearing completion and requires all license holders to provide adequate financial assurances as a license condition. |
| Revitalise the enforcement review panel by confirming its role and responsibilities, monitoring its performance, and changing its membership to remove any potential conflicts of interest. | The Enforcement Review Panel’s Terms of Reference have been reviewed in light of the Auditor-General’s finding.
Any conflict of interest issues have been resolved. |