Environment regulation framework
Following the release of the Guidance Statement: Regulatory Principles, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) is undertaking strategic and prioritised reform activities in the area of environmental regulation, to ensure DWER is providing:
- clear regulatory policy and process;
- efficient and effective application and assessment processes;
- valid and effective regulatory instruments; and
- consistency in regulatory activities and outcomes.
Application of foundational reform deliverables
The below table states reform deliverables in the context of DER's regulatory functions:
| Assessment stage | Determination stage | Conditioning stage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guidance statements—principles | Regulatory principles | ||
| Guidance statements—process | Assessment framework Separation distances Environmental standards |
Environmental risk assessment Framework (refuse or grant) | Regulatory controls framework |
| Guidelines |
Guide to licensing and works approvals
|
||
| Guideline for applications | Guideline for environmental management | ||
| Process documents | Application form | Decision document | Licence template Conditions library |
Deliverables status
| Deliverable | Status | Date* |
|---|---|---|
| Guidance statement on regulatory principles | Finalised | Published 22 July 2015 |
| Draft guidance statement on setting conditions | Closed |
Closed |
| Draft guidance statement on environmental standards | Current | Open until 18 September 2015 |
| Draft environmental standard on composting | Current | Open until 18 September 2015 |
| Guidance statement on separation distances | Current | Open until 19 October 2015 |
| Licence template | Current | Open until 30 October 2015 |
| Conditions library | Current |
Open until |
| Licence and works approval application form | Current | Open until 30 October 2015 |
| Guideline: applications | Current | Open until 30 October 2015 |
| Guidance statement on publication of annual audit compliance reports required under Part V licence | Upcoming | Release date September 2015 |
| Guidance statement on regulatory controls | Upcoming | Release date September 2015 |
| Environmental standard on point source air emissions | Upcoming | Release date October 2015 |
|
Environmental standard on rural landfills*
|
Upcoming | Release date October 2015 |
| Guidance statement on assessment framework | Upcoming | Release date October 2015 |
| Guidance statement on environmental risk assessment framework | Upcoming | Release date October 2015 |
| Environmental standard on metropolitan landfills | Upcoming | Release date November 2015 |
*Release dates updated 3 September 2015
*WALGA and DER to work collaboratively on Environmental Standards for Rural Landfills
Based on feedback from Local Government, the Department has prioritised the development of Environmental Standards for Rural Landfills.
To ensure a consultative and practical approach is taken in the development of these Environmental Standards, the Department has invited WA Local Government Association (WALGA) to be part of the process. WALGA is putting together a Rural Landfill Working Group with representatives from Local Government and the Waste Management Association of Australia. This Working Group will aim to facilitate a consultative approach in the development and implementation of the Environmental Standard.
For more information on the WALGA Working Group please visit the WasteNet Website www.wastenet.net.au or contact Rebecca Brown: 9213 2063, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..