News briefs

• Annual forest audit released
• Tullamarine landfill closes
• Seeking input for licensing and approvals reform
• Court fines company for dumping garbage in Port Phillip bay

Annual forest audit released

Victoria’s forestry operations have achieved a 94 per cent compliance rate with environmental standards, the latest independent audit of the sector has revealed.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings released the fifth annual environmental audit of timber harvesting on Victoria's public land in early June. The report assesses compliance with the Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production, Revision No.2, 1996.

“The latest independent audit of Victoria’s forestry industry showed an overall average compliance with the code of 94 per cent,” Mr Jennings said.
 
“It is a significant achievement by the industry to improve its performance each year from the 87 per cent compliance achieved in the first audit in 2003.

“Improving environmental performance is an integral part of a world-class forest industry and the Government and industry will continue to focus on improving compliance with the Code.”

The 2007 forest audit report.

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Tullamarine landfill closes

Tullamarine Landfill operators Transpacific Industries (TPI) have closed the landfill.

The company announced the decision on 13 May 2008 and it means the landfill will not accept any more waste.

The company is responsible for the rehabilitation of the site, which will now be finished earlier than expected.

EPA will ensure Transpacific Industries is accountable for the rehabilitation by placing legally binding requirements on the company. EPA has issued a notice amending the licence recognising the closure of the landfill.

EPA will continue to work with the company to ensure an effective community consultation program is in place, to provide the community and council an oversight of the rehabilitation and site clean up process.

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Seeking input for licensing and approvals reform

EPA’s licensing system (including approvals) has served the Victorian community well since its inception in 1971, contributing to driving improvements in environmental performance, particularly in point source emissions from industrial sources.

There is a strong expectation that EPA will continue to manage emissions from these sites, and will also tackle the emerging environmental issues of overuse of resources, water scarcity, and climate change.

As well as the potential to focus licensing on other areas, there is also the opportunity to improve the way licences and approvals are managed to deliver better environmental outcomes at a lower cost.

EPA has commenced the planning phase of a project to reform the licence and works approval system. The reform project aims to deliver a best practice 21st century licensing system that efficiently and effectively empowers industry and community to address today’s environmental issues while continuing to appropriately manage environmental risks.

The reformed system should simplify compliance obligations and deliver significant administration and compliance cost reductions. The reform should also ensure that the licensing and approvals systems drive resource efficiency and help tackle climate change as well as continue to achieve emissions control gains.

EPA would value your input into this process. If you have any ideas, thoughts or comments to convey about your vision of what EPA’s licensing and approvals system should look like please send an email to: licensing.reform@epa.vic.gov.au.

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Court fines company for dumping garbage in Port Phillip bay

The owner and master of Hong Kong registered container vessel MV Sky Lucky were found guilty of illegally disposing of garbage into Port Phillip Bay, when they appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in May.

Owners Tian Ren Company Ltd and Master Zhu Hanjie pleaded guilty to one charge of disposal of garbage into State waters, under the Victorian Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1986. The company was convicted and fined $35,000. Master Hanjie was fined $7,000 and no conviction was recorded.

The court heard that EPA was alerted to the incident by an off-duty Victorian police officer, who was fishing, when the incident occurred in January last year. He observed the incident and positively identified the vessel and retrieved some of the garbage as evidence.

At the time, EPA sought assistance from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) in investigating the incident.

EPA executive director regional services Bruce Dawson said AMSA officers detained the ship in the Port of Brisbane, investigating and obtaining further evidence on behalf of EPA.

“We acknowledge the invaluable support and assistance AMSA have provided in our investigation of this incident. This is an excellent example of cooperation between different authorities for a successful outcome.”

The court heard that EPA’s investigations determined the garbage, including cigarette butts, paper, plastic bottles and bags had been inappropriately disposed of by a crew member.

Mr Dawson said the incident emphasised the importance of the community taking action when witnessing an event of pollution or illegal dumping.

“EPA hopes that this result sends a message to those in the shipping industry, that this behaviour is unacceptable.

“This is a matter EPA takes seriously and we encourage members of our community to do the same and report pollution incidents on 9695 2777.”

The company was also ordered to pay EPA’s costs of $9,951.36.

 

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