HOW WE ENHANCED OUR REPUTATION
'They now understand our strict environmental standards...'
Mr JULIAN MARKUS Great Southern Waters

We ran community engagement training
We helped improve the skills of our staff and our partners by offering training in community engagement.

What we did
We held four training workshops for more than 70 EPA staff and representatives from local government, government agencies and industry. This is the first time our clients have participated in EPA training.

We believe that effective engagement with the community is not only a fundamental skill for our staff, but it is also a capability we expect to be embraced by our partners and clients. The training we offered taught participants how to scope and develop a community engagement plan.

What you said
“Our local community had a range of concerns about our operation, mostly because we were behind a big fence and they did not know what we did.
I have since run field trips with local community groups and met with several stakeholders.
They now understand our strict environmental standards and we have fewer complaints and negative media. They even made me some jam as a thank you.”
Mr Julian Markus
Great Southern Waters

Other community news
We re-established the Brooklyn Community Reference Group in Melbourne’s west, following a community workshop in August 2008.
We now meet regularly with representatives of the local community, local government and industry to seek improved environmental outcomes from local industry by reducing the impact of odour, noise and dust pollution on local residents.

We re-established the Tullamarine Landfill Advisory Committee after an independent review and wide community consultations. We saw this as a step in the right direction. An independent observer, a facilitator, a process manager and a funds administrator support the new committee. This team of independent people ensures that the committee is one of Victoria’s most transparent and fairly run committees, well equipped to deal with the strength and diversity of views about the rehabilitation and future use of the Tullamarine landfill.

The Taylors Road Landfill Community Engagement Steering Committee, at Lyndhurst in Melbourne’s east, successfully tackled a range of significant issues including updating the site licence and reviewing the cap design. The landfill operator, SITA Environmental Solutions, took over sole management for the group in April 2009. The EPA continues to participate as a committee member.

What you said
“This is a significant, long-term project to bring industry practice up to the 21st century standards that the community expects.
I work with an amazingly resilient community and a group of industries that have made good progress towards improved practice. We still have a way to go, but the goodwill from all parties gives me strong confidence for the future.”
Ms Jen Lilburn
Independent chair
Brooklyn Community Reference Group

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