April Column for Janelle Saffin MP

By Janelle Saffin

Landmark environmental reforms pass NSW Parliament

I have a lot of environmental news to share with you this month, as there have been some significant developments.

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Ban on offshore mining

The Minns Government’s has moved to protect our beaches and coastal environment by banning seabed petroleum and mineral mining and exploration off the NSW coast.

The Government secured support from across the NSW Parliament for the ban, making NSW the first state in Australia to prohibit offshore exploration and mining.

Offshore mining activities can have a devastating effect on our marine wildlife by releasing toxins, destroying habitat and creating harmful sediment levels.

I am pleased to be part of a government that is prepared to lead the way on protecting our marine life and coastal environment. No other state or territory has acted so comprehensively to prevent the environmental impact that can result from offshore mining.

Giving the EPA some teeth

The Minns Government has brought in the biggest changes to environment protection rules since the Environment Protection Authority ( EPA) was established in 1991.

The Parliament has passed legislation giving the EPA stronger powers to deter environmental crimes and respond faster to pollution incidents, giving us the strongest environmental regulations of any state or territory in Australia.

This fulfils Labor’s election commitment to provide the EPA with teeth.

The Environment Protection Legislation Amendment (Stronger Regulation and Penalties) Bill 2024 includes:

• Doubling maximum penalties – the most serious offences will carry penalties of $10 million for companies and $2 million for individuals.
• Raising on-the-spot-fines – Fines for common environmental offences will more that double to $30,000 for companies and $15,000 for individuals for a first offence, going up to $45,000 and $22,500 respectively for a second offence.
• Councils will have authority to issue illegal dumping fines of $5000 to companies and $1000 to individuals, with higher penalties for dumping in sensitive places like a school, hospital, or national park
• Public Transparency – a ‘name and shame’ process will issue warnings about poor environmental performers and substandard practices.

Penalties for serious environmental offences had not been raised since 2005 when Labor was last in government.

Have your say on Koalas.

You are invited to have your say on the best ways to help our endangered koalas.

The Government’s Reviewing the NSW Koala Strategy discussion paper is online until 26 April for people to give feedback on habitat protection and ways to improve the safety and health of koalas.

Visit here.

Grants to reduce food waste and feed those in need

Two new grant programs have been announced to help reduce the tonnes of food that go to waste every year in NSW.

An estimated 70 per cent of food wasted in NSW is still edible, and meanwhile more than 30 percent of the state’s households are experiencing some level of food insecurity.

Through the new Business Food Waste Partnership Grants, businesses, peak industry bodies and councils can apply for grants of up to $200,00 to reduce food waste and boost recycling.

And food relief organisations can apply for funding of up to $500,000 to better manage increasing amounts of rescued food and delivery to those in need.

Visit here.

Vehicle emissions ratings

The Government has launched a new Vehicle Emissions Star Rating website to help drivers consider sustainability when buying their next new or used vehicle.

The Vehicle Emissions Star Rating website also has information on electric vehicles, the location of charging stations, battery recycling and the differences between electric, hybrid and internal combustion engine vehicles.

Visit here.

For more local Lismore news, click here.