Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia
The Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia (EPA) is a statutory authority within the Government of Western Australia and is the primary provider of independent environmental advice to the government. It was established on 1 January 1972. The EPA provides advice to the Minister for Environment through various reports, as well as releasing statements to the public detailing significant environmental matters. Its role also includes formulation of environmental protection policies. A key function of the EPA is assessing resource and planning proposals and making recommendations to the Minister regarding the environmental acceptability of these proposals, as well as recommending environmental conditions which should be implemented in the event that proposals are approved by the Minister.
The Authority consists of five members: a full-time chairman, a part-time deputy, and three other part-time members. Members of the EPA board are not public servants. They are appointed by the Governor of Western Australia on the recommendation of the Minister for Environment. Unusually for a government authority, under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, neither the Authority nor its chairman are subject to the direction of the Minister.
Current members
The current members of the EPA as of June 2015 are:[1]
- Chairman - Dr. Paul Vogel
- Deputy Chairman - Professor Robert Harvey
- Member - Dr. Tom Hatton
- Member - Mr. Glen McLeod
- Member - Ms. Elizabeth Carr
The Authority operates and has statutory powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and as amended by the Environmental Protection Amendment Bill 2002. These are, as defined in Section 16 of the 2002 Amendment Bill:
- to conduct environmental impact assessments;
- to consider and initiate the means of protecting the environment and the means of preventing, controlling and abating pollution and environmental harm;
- to encourage and carry out studies, investigations and research into the problems of environmental protection and the prevention, control and abatement of pollution and environmental harm;
- to obtain the advice of persons having special knowledge, experience or responsibility in regard to environmental protection and the prevention, control and abatement of pollution and environmental harm;
- to advise the Minister on environmental matters generally and on any matter that he/she may refer to it for advice, including the environmental protection aspects of any proposal or scheme, and on the evaluation of information relating thereto;
- to prepare, and seek approval for, environmental protection policies;
- to promote environmental awareness within the community and to encourage understanding by the community of the environment;
- to receive representations on environmental matters from members of the public;
- to provide advice on environmental matters to members of the public;
- to publish reports on environmental matters generally;
- to publish for the benefit of planners, builders, engineers or other persons guidelines to assist them in undertaking their activities in such a manner as to minimize the effect on the environment of those activities or the results thereof;
- to keep under review the progress made in the attainment of the objects and purpose of this Act;
- to coordinate all such activities, whether governmental or otherwise, as are necessary to protect, restore or improve the environment in the State;
- to establish and develop criteria for the assessment of the extent of environmental change, pollution and environmental harm;
- to specify standards and criteria, and the methods of sampling and testing to be used for any purpose;
- to promote, encourage, coordinate or carry out planning and projects in environmental management; and
- generally, to perform such other functions as are prescribed.
Office of The Environmental Protection Authority (OEPA)
On 27 November 2009 the Western Australian government formed a dedicated department to support the EPA, known as the Office of the EPA (OEPA). This is intended to provide the Authority with greater independence and control of its policies and process.[2]
The OEPA provides support services such as negotiating with stakeholders and proponents, technical advice regarding the formulation of policies, research and formulation of reports, and monitoring of project implementation. The General Manager of the OEPA is Mr Kim Taylor.