Environment and water ministers today approved changes to the contaminated sites NEPM, released a draft RIS on managing chemical environmental risks and proposed a national approach to biobanking.
A regular CE Daily update on what to look out for over the next few weeks nationally and in states and territories – including legislative changes, policy proposals and funding offers.
The first in a regular new CE Daily series that details what to look out for over the next few weeks, including regulatory changes, new grant schemes and federal and state policy proposals open for comment.
The Northern Territory EPA's newly-released annual report bluntly lists major gaps in existing environmental legislation, while the Tasmanian EPA's annual report shies away from naming wrongdoers.
An OECD review of Australia's environmental performance says serious breaches are 'inadequately prosecuted' in some jurisdictions and recommends that enforcement be strengthened, especially against big polluters.
The OECD also says voluntary measures often don't have 'meaningful' monitoring and compliance mechanisms and recommends greater use of economic instruments.