Proposed amendments to the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act
The Territory Government has a long-standing commitment to the environment protection of the Territory and invites the community to have their say on the proposed amendments to the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act (WMPC Act). Community consultation closes Thursday, 15 March 2012.
The WMPC Act commenced in February 1999 and forms part of the Territory’s suite of environment protection legislation. The Act has two central functions to protect the Territory’s environment:
- A general framework for protecting the environment from pollution and waste, including offence provisions and enforcement tools; and
- A licensing and approvals regime for specified activities.
In 2010, investigations into a series of environmental incidents identified a number of concerns with the functionality and enforceability of the WMPC Act. The Territory Government has recognised that the existing WMPCA Act needs to be amended to address these concerns.
An important milestone has now been reached, with the release of a draft Bill and Explanatory Statement for proposed amendments to the legislation.
The key amendments proposed by the draft Bill will:
- Clarify responsibilities to report pollution;
- Remove the protection against self incrimination for corporate entities;
- Clarify the elements of existing environmental offences; and
- Introduce new offences of unauthorised pollution.
Download the summary paper which explains features of the proposed legislative amendments in more detail, or check out the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
To have your say:
- Complete the online feedback form;
- Send a written submission to: environment.nretas@nt.gov.au or
Senior Project Officer, Regulatory Reform
Environment and Heritage
Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport
PO Box 496, Palmerston NT 0831
For further information phone 8924 4138.
Public consultation on the proposed amendments to the Waste Management Pollution and Control Act closes Thursday, 15 March 2012. All comments will be considered by the Territory Government.