Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016

About

An important part of developing the Air Quality Policy has been to undertake a comprehensive public consultation and targeted engagement process including publishing the draft policy and explanatory report in the metropolitan and regional press, referring it to prescribed bodies and relevant public authorities, inviting interested persons to make written submissions and holding public meetings on the draft policy at eight locations across South Australia over a period of three months. Read more details here.

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Help us better protect and improve the health of South Australians.

What is being decided?

The regulatory framework used to manage air quality in SA is dated and does not adequately reflect new research on air quality impacts from human activities. There is now a need to review and update air quality legislation and policies to improve the ability of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to manage and regulate air quality to better protect human health and the environment.

A new draft Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016 (draft Air Quality EPP) is now available is to better protect and improve the health of the South Australian community and our environment by bringing the regulation and management of South Australia’s air quality in line with modern practice and simplifying and providing clarity in relation to the administration of air quality legislation.

The new draft Air Quality EPP is the result of an extensive review of the legislation and policies used in the regulation and management of South Australia’s air quality.

Download the Air Quality EPP (PDF, 1.2 MB) and the explanatory report (PDF, 580 KB).

How can your input influence the decision?

You can join the discussion and share your views on the draft Air Quality EPP, or you can send in a submission:

• Email: epainfo@sa.gov.au (Subject: Air Quality Policy)
• Mail: Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016
  Environment Protection Authority
  GPO Box 2607
  ADELAIDE SA 5001

Visit the EPA website www.epa.sa.gov.au for more information and a copy of the draft Policy and an explanatory report. Hard copies can be requested by calling 8204 9387

Community Forums

• Northern Metro – 5 November, 12pm – 2pm
  Jubilee Community Centre, 7 Jubilee Way, Wynn Vale
• Southern Metro – 9 November, 1pm – 3pm
  McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Visitors Centre, 796 Main Rd, McLaren Vale
• Port Pirie – 13 November, 1pm – 3pm
  Port Pirie Regional Council Chambers, 115 Ellen St, Pt Pirie
• Le Fevre Peninsula – 16 November, 1pm – 3pm
  Ottoway Community Hall, Cnr Jenkins & Grand Junction Rd, Ottoway
• Mount Gambier – 19 November, 1pm – 3pm
  Multi Function Room, Mt Gambier Library, Ferrers St, Mt Gambier
• Karoonda – 23 November, 1pm – 3pm
  District Council of Karoonda East Murray Chambers, 11 Railway Tce, Karoonda
• Wudinna – 25 November, 1pm – 3pm
  Wudinna & Districts Telecentre, 44 Eyre Hwy, Wudinna
• Adelaide Hills - 11 December, 10am - 12pm
  Community Room, Coventry Library, Stirling, 63 Mount Barker Road, Stirling

Your attendance can be booked via Eventbrite: http://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/environment-protection-authority-8539209957

Or RSVP to Maria Zotti - (08) 8204 9387 and indicate your preferred location.

How will your input be used?

Comments on the draft Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2015 are sought by 5pm, Friday 15 January 2016. All comments and submissions made will be considered before the final policy is completed.

The report will be released by the end of April 2016, which you will find on this page and on the EPA website.

Want to know more?

Find us here:

• Twitter: @SA_EPA
• Email: epainfo@sa.gov.au
• Phone: 8204 9387

Background

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) manages air quality in South Australia through provisions of the Environment Protection Act 1993 (EP Act), the Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 1994 (Air EPP) and the Environment Protection (Burning) Policy 1994 (Burning EPP). The EPA also has national air quality reporting obligations under the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (Air NEPM) and the National Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measure (Air Toxics NEPM).

The Air EPP and the Burning EPP, which are nearly 20 years old, have some problematic areas which warrant review. New research on air quality impacts from human activities, coupled with an aging legislative format, restrict the ability of the EPA to protect human health and the environment.