Environmental protection and compliance

Content: Industrial assessment program | Environmental complaints and incidents | Illegal Vegetation Clearing: Environmental management system

Industrial assessment program
We are responsible for the environmental regulation of a significant number of small to medium industrial and commercial premises across the City. Larger premises are generally the responsibility of the Department of Environment and Climate Change.  The Industrial Assessment Program (IAP) is a component of Council’s overall strategy to manage and protect the environment under Councils Environment and Conservation Program (part of Council's Corporate Plan). The IAP aims to work closely with the Wollongong business community to ensure compliance with environmental legislation and to assess and advise on best management practices to reduce environmental risks and operating costs.

Responsibilities:

• Council officers contact business to schedule a suitable time for assessment;
• assessment is undertaken at premises using a standard check sheet that covers air/noise/water pollution, chemical storage, waste management and environmental management planning;
• a report is provided summarising actions that are required and/or recommended to be undertaken;
• a follow up inspection is programmed to ensure that and required corrective actions have been undertaken;
• a certificate is issued to the business once all required corrective actions have been completed.

Environmental complaints and incidents
We are responsible for the environmental regulation of a significant number of small to medium industrial and commercial premises across the city as well as residential properties. Council works together with the Department of Environment and Climate Change and other government agencies to identify and respond to environmental complaints and incidents. You will be able to report this issues online soon.

Illegal Vegetation Clearing

Environmental management system
We are committed to the development and progressive implementation of a comprehensive EMS.  The EMS will be based on the ISO 14001 Standard which provides a framework for the identification and appropriate management of environmental issues relating the activities undertaken by Council.

The EMS will deliver many benefits including:

• identification of legal and legislative requirements;
• identification of Council’s potential environmental impacts;
• reduced environmental incidents through planned rather than a reactive approach to environmental management;
• reduce the risk of prosecution and fines for Council staff and management;
• continual improvement in environmental performance.

The EMS is a continual program and the next tasks to be undertaken include:

• develop an environmental policy;
• work with other Council divisions to formalise an environmental management process;
• develop an EMS Manual, providing a description of the EMS core elements.
• further development of environmental requirements at an operational level.