The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has released the discussion paper Environmental Regulation Reform: A strategic review of regulatory delivery and fees for industry regulation for 12 weeks of public consultation.
The discussion paper outlines proposed reforms to the regulation of emissions and discharges under Part V Division 3 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act). These reforms relate to the Stage 3 amendments to the Environmental Protection Act 1986, passed under the Environmental Protection Amendment Act 2020). Consultation on draft regulations is scheduled for 2023, with DWER aiming to have Stage 3 (Part V) amendments to the EP Act proclaimed by December 2023.
The discussion paper seeks feedback on nine ‘proposals’ that change how Part V regulation will occur, including changes to Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987, restructure of the Part V fee model, the development of Environmental Performance objectives (similar to Part IV environmental factor guidelines), regulatory streamlining across government departments and regulation of greenhouse gases under Part V. It also seeks input on opportunities for longer term reform.
CME has organised three DWER information sessions on the proposed Part V reforms for CME members. These sessions will occur at the October Environment Committee, Goldfields Environment Forum and South West Environment Forum meetings. We encourage members to attend these sessions which provide an opportunity for direct engagement with department staff on these significant reforms, and to reach out to CME to discuss the paper.
CME is preparing a submission on these reforms and welcomes member comment by 4 November 2022. Comments can be sent to a.logiudice@cmewa.com.
CME Members receive Water Corporation Gold Waterwise Business Awards
Congratulations to two CME member organisations for receiving Water Corporation Gold Waterwise Business awards in June 2022.
Gold Fields Australia’s St Ives Gold Mine was awarded the Gold Waterwise Business of the Year award. The award recognised St Ives’ “outstanding commitment to the Waterwise programme by implementing water efficiency measures that reduced its potable water use by 36 per cent”. St Ives reduced its potable water use by switching from potable water to stormwater, improving water re-use, adopting a ‘dry floor’ policy in a workshop and improving leak detection across the site.
Northern Star’s Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines received a Gold Waterwise Business – Highly Commended Award for reducing potable water use on site. KCGM implemented a range of waterwise initiatives including switching from potable water to saline water, locking potable water standpipes, implementing leak detection audits, routine water flow metering and monitoring and installing 3-star WELS-rated water efficient fixtures and fittings in bathrooms.
Contact: Anita Logiudice, Senior Adviser – Environment & Sustainability
Email: a.logiudice@cmewa.com
Phone: 0448468632
