The Environment Protection Authority is Tasmania’s independent environmental assessment and regulatory body.
The purpose of the EPA is to assess and regulate developments and activities that may impact on environmental quality and to promote best practice and sustainable environmental management. Its goals are clean air, clean water, clean land, acceptable noise levels and sustainable use of resources.
The EPA operates under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 and is an integral part of Tasmania’s Resource Management and Planning System.
The assessment work of the EPA is overseen by a Board, the regulatory functions are delivered by the Director, Environment Protection Authority, and the Agency is led by the Chief Executive Officer. The CEO also holds the statutory position of Director.
Specialist staff support the Board and the Director/CEO to make well informed environmental assessment decisions, through an efficient integrated assessment process. The EPA regulators ensure that major industrial, municipal and community activities employ best practice environmental management.
The EPA also promotes and facilitates the adoption of sustainability and best practice environmental management, to provide the community with information about the quality of the environment and to improve ambient environmental quality, including the remediation of historical environmental damage.
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Hon Roger Jaensch MP, has responsibility for the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act under which the EPA operates.
This chapter provides the EPA’s financial information for 2023‑24 and the Forward Estimates (2024‑25 to 2026‑27). Further information on the EPA is provided at www.epa.tas.gov.au.
Table 13.1 provides a summary of the Budget and Forward Estimates allocations for key deliverables being undertaken by the EPA.
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|
2023-24
Budget |
2024-25 Forward Estimate |
2025-26 Forward Estimate |
2026-27 Forward Estimate |
|
|
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Landfill Levy |
539 |
539 |
539 |
539 |
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|
|
|
|
|
The Landfill Levy is generated under the Waste and Resource Recovery Act 2022. The Landfill Levy is collected by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania and a portion is passed on to the EPA for the purposes of supporting compliance of waste management, litter enforcement and investigating illegal dumping of waste.
Outputs of the EPA are provided under the following Output Group:
· Output Group 1 ‑ Environment Protection Authority.
Table 13.2 provides an Output Group Expense Summary for the EPA.
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|
2022‑23 |
2023‑24 |
2024‑25 |
2025‑26 |
2026‑27 |
|
|
|
|
Forward |
Forward |
Forward |
|
|
Budget |
Budget |
Estimate |
Estimate |
Estimate |
|
|
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minister for Environment and Climate Change |
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|
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|
|
Output Group 1 - Environment Protection Authority |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.1 Environmental Regulation1 |
11 012 |
12 303 |
12 536 |
12 825 |
13 037 |
|
1.2 Environmental Assessment |
4 497 |
4 730 |
4 860 |
4 986 |
5 117 |
|
1.3 Finfish Regulation |
1 557 |
1 649 |
1 668 |
1 689 |
1 710 |
|
|
17 066 |
18 682 |
19 064 |
19 500 |
19 864 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
17 066 |
18 682 |
19 064 |
19 500 |
19 864 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note:
1. The increase in Environmental Regulation in 2023-24 primarily reflects expenditure associated with the implementation of the Landfill Levy.
This Output undertakes activities to develop high quality, contemporary policies and strategies for the protection of the environment; ensure development proposals meet appropriate guidelines and standards; regulate, via a risk‑based approach, environmental impacts of large industrial and municipal activities; and monitor environmental performance. When required, this Output also undertakes emergency management response activities in accordance with relevant legislation.
This Output is responsible for assessing the potential environmental impacts of certain activities under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act. The environmental impact assessment process focuses on minimising environmental harm, nuisance and pollution relating to noise, air quality, water quality and natural values. The assessment process includes the preparation of environmental impact statements by proponents and the opportunity for public representations on development proposals.
This Output implements the policy and regulatory framework for the identification and assessment of risks to the receiving environment from marine and freshwater finfish farming activity, and applies regulatory responses that protect and enhance environmental values. A revised salmon industry levy is anticipated to commence upon implementation of the new Salmon Plan in early 2023‑24.
|
Performance Measure |
Unit of Measure |
2020‑21 Actual |
2021‑22 Actual |
2022‑23 Target |
2023‑24 Target |
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|
|
Air Quality1 |
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|
|
|
|
|
Hobart ‑ exceeds PM2.5 standard |
No. of days |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hobart ‑ exceeds PM10 standard |
No. of days |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Launceston ‑ exceeds PM2.5 standard |
No. of days |
11 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
Launceston ‑ exceeds PM10 standard |
No. of days |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Devonport ‑ exceeds PM2.5 standard |
No. of days |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Devonport ‑ exceeds PM10 standard |
No. of days |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assessment and Regulation of Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Environment Protection Notices, Environmental Licences, Environmental Approvals, Registration Certificates and Contaminated Sites Notices issued2 |
Number |
166 |
311 |
200 |
200 |
|
Percentage of assessments undertaken within statutory timeframe3 |
% |
93.34 |
82.61 |
100 |
100 |
|
Percentage of planned audits of premises undertaken within scheduled timeframe4 |
% |
82 |
44 |
100 |
100 |
|
Performance Measure |
Unit of Measure |
2020‑21 Actual |
2021‑22 Actual |
2022‑23 Target |
2023‑24 Target |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of planned audits of premises undertaken within scheduled timeframe5 |
Number |
23 |
17 |
16 |
25 |
|
Number of unplanned audits of premises undertaken within scheduled timeframe5 |
Number |
13 |
9 |
na |
na |
|
Number of incidents recorded in the EPA Notification Management System6 |
Number |
na |
33 |
na |
na |
|
Percentage response to incidents reported in the EPA Notification Management System within 24 hours6 |
% |
na |
100 |
100 |
100 |
|
Number of environmental investigations commenced7 |
Number |
na |
26 |
na |
na |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
1. The ambient air quality measure is calculated on a calendar year basis. For example, 2020‑21 in the above table refers to performance against the standard during the 2020 calendar year.
2. This measure identifies the number of key notices, approvals, licences (excluding renewals) and registrations issued (including variations) under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act. These legal instruments are issued as required, and the target figure therefore represents an expected number based on current practice rather than a desirable target.
3. This measure indicates activity performance against section 27H of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act, which sets timeframes for the completion of assessments. The actual measure for 2021-22 has been impacted by a greater workload on the Assessments Branch. Timeframes in sections 27C, 27D and 27FA are not included in these totals.
4. This measure addresses planned audits only. The reduced number of planned audits completed relates to staff needing to deal with unplanned responses to incidents and other regulatory matters arising.
5. These new measures provide the number of planned and unplanned audits to be undertaken by the EPA. The target for planned audits for 2023-24 is an estimate and does not include additional audits expected to be undertaken for the Tasmanian salmon industry as part of the Tasmanian Salmon Industry Plan 2023. Targets are not set for unplanned audits.
6. These new measures include notification of incidents by members of the public to the EPA and incidents logged by EPA staff, and the percentage of the incidents responded to within 24 hours. Targets are not set for the number of incidents reported.
7. This new measure includes formal investigations initiated into alleged breaches of the Act, regulations, permits and environmental licence conditions. Targets are not set for the number of investigations commenced as the action is in response to non‑compliance matters identified.
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|
2022‑23 |
2023‑24 |
2024‑25 |
2025‑26 |
2026‑27 |
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|
|
|
Forward |
Forward |
Forward |
|
|
Budget |
Budget |
Estimate |
Estimate |
Estimate |
|
|
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue and other income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Appropriation revenue - operating |
15 902 |
16 536 |
16 918 |
17 354 |
18 310 |
|
Grants |
25 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
|
Sales of goods and services1 |
116 |
.... |
.... |
.... |
.... |
|
Fees and fines2 |
844 |
1 376 |
1 376 |
1 376 |
1 376 |
|
Interest1 |
126 |
51 |
51 |
51 |
51 |
|
Total revenue |
17 013 |
17 988 |
18 370 |
18 806 |
19 762 |
|
Total income |
17 013 |
17 988 |
18 370 |
18 806 |
19 762 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee benefits1 |
12 568 |
14 614 |
14 920 |
15 286 |
15 628 |
|
Depreciation and amortisation1 |
376 |
95 |
95 |
95 |
95 |
|
Supplies and consumables1 |
3 031 |
3 836 |
3 909 |
3 977 |
3 996 |
|
Grants and subsidies1 |
1 044 |
37 |
37 |
37 |
38 |
|
Other expenses |
47 |
100 |
103 |
105 |
107 |
|
Total expenses |
17 066 |
18 682 |
19 064 |
19 500 |
19 864 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net result |
(53) |
(694) |
(694) |
(694) |
(102) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive result |
(53) |
(694) |
(694) |
(694) |
(102) |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
1. The variation in this item in 2023-24 reflects updated estimates following the EPA’s separation from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.
2. The increase in Fees and fines from 2023‑24 reflects Landfill Levy revenue received from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.
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|
2022‑23 |
2023‑24 |
2024‑25 |
2025‑26 |
2026‑27 |
|
|
|
|
Forward |
Forward |
Forward |
|
|
Budget |
Budget |
Estimate |
Estimate |
Estimate |
|
|
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administered revenue and other income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees and fines |
4 286 |
4 393 |
4 503 |
4 615 |
4 731 |
|
Total administered revenue |
4 286 |
4 393 |
4 503 |
4 615 |
4 731 |
|
Total administered income |
4 286 |
4 393 |
4 503 |
4 615 |
4 731 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administered expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfers to the Public Account |
4 286 |
4 393 |
4 503 |
4 615 |
4 731 |
|
Total administered expenses |
4 286 |
4 393 |
4 503 |
4 615 |
4 731 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administered net result |
.... |
.... |
.... |
.... |
.... |
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|
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|
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|
|
Administered comprehensive result |
.... |
.... |
.... |
.... |
.... |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022‑23 |
2023‑24 |
2024‑25 |
2025‑26 |
2026‑27 |
|
|
|
|
Forward |
Forward |
Forward |
|
|
Budget |
Budget |
Estimate |
Estimate |
Estimate |
|
|
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minister for Environment and Climate Change |
|
|
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|
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|
|
Output Group 1 - Environment Protection Authority |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.1 Environmental Regulation |
10 598 |
10 971 |
11 204 |
11 493 |
12 103 |
|
1.2 Environmental Assessment |
4 497 |
4 730 |
4 860 |
4 986 |
5 281 |
|
1.3 Finfish Regulation |
807 |
835 |
854 |
875 |
926 |
|
|
15 902 |
16 536 |
16 918 |
17 354 |
18 310 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Environment Protection Authority |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Operating Services |
15 902 |
16 536 |
16 918 |
17 354 |
18 310 |
|
|
15 902 |
16 536 |
16 918 |
17 354 |
18 310 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenue from Appropriation |
15 902 |
16 536 |
16 918 |
17 354 |
18 310 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Controlled Revenue from Appropriation |
15 902 |
16 536 |
16 918 |
17 354 |
18 310 |
|
|
15 902 |
16 536 |
16 918 |
17 354 |
18 310 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022‑23 |
2023‑24 |
2024‑25 |
2025‑26 |
2026‑27 |
|
|
|
|
Forward |
Forward |
Forward |
|
|
Budget |
Budget |
Estimate |
Estimate |
Estimate |
|
|
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue Collected on Behalf of the Public Account |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Environment Fees |
4 286 |
4 393 |
4 503 |
4 615 |
4 731 |
|
|
4 286 |
4 393 |
4 503 |
4 615 |
4 731 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Administered Revenue |
4 286 |
4 393 |
4 503 |
4 615 |
4 731 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022‑23 |
2023‑24 |
2024‑25 |
2025‑26 |
2026‑27 |
|
|
|
|
Forward |
Forward |
Forward |
|
|
Budget |
Budget |
Estimate |
Estimate |
Estimate |
|
|
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfers to the Public Account |
4 286 |
4 393 |
4 503 |
4 615 |
4 731 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Administered Expenses |
4 286 |
4 393 |
4 503 |
4 615 |
4 731 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
|
|
|
|
Forward |
Forward |
Forward |
|
|
Budget |
Budget |
Estimate |
Estimate |
Estimate |
|
|
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and deposits1 |
16 716 |
15 835 |
15 236 |
14 637 |
14 088 |
|
Receivables2 |
1 278 |
8 493 |
8 493 |
8 493 |
8 493 |
|
|
17 994 |
24 328 |
23 729 |
23 130 |
22 581 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-financial assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment3,4 |
1 285 |
334 |
244 |
154 |
64 |
|
Infrastructure3 |
34 |
.... |
.... |
.... |
.... |
|
Intangibles3 |
90 |
16 |
11 |
6 |
1 |
|
Other assets3 |
.... |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
|
|
1 409 |
410 |
315 |
220 |
125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
19 403 |
24 738 |
24 044 |
23 350 |
22 706 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payables3 |
.... |
80 |
80 |
80 |
80 |
|
Interest bearing liabilities3 |
.... |
24 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
|
Provisions |
7 800 |
8 210 |
8 210 |
8 210 |
8 210 |
|
Employee benefits5 |
2 951 |
2 941 |
2 941 |
2 941 |
2 399 |
|
Other liabilities |
5 085 |
5 229 |
5 229 |
5 229 |
5 229 |
|
Total liabilities |
15 836 |
16 484 |
16 484 |
16 484 |
15 942 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets (liabilities) |
3 567 |
8 254 |
7 560 |
6 866 |
6 764 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reserves |
.... |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Accumulated funds |
3 567 |
8 253 |
7 559 |
6 865 |
6 763 |
|
Total equity |
3 567 |
8 254 |
7 560 |
6 866 |
6 764 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
1. The decrease in Cash and deposits in 2024 and across the Forward Estimates primarily reflects expenditure associated with the Savage River Remediation Fund.
2. The increase in Receivables in 2024 reflects updated estimates based on 30 June 2022 actuals, including the loan receivable from Grange Resources which transferred from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania upon separation.
3. The variation in this item in 2024 reflects updated estimates based on 30 June 2022 actuals.
4. The decrease in Property, plant and equipment across the Forward Estimates reflects the depreciation of fixed assets.
5. The decrease in Employee benefits in 2027 recognises the payment of the 27th pay in 2026-27 and the reduction in the associated liability accrued over prior years for this purpose.
|
|
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
|
|
|
|
Forward |
Forward |
Forward |
|
|
Budget |
Budget |
Estimate |
Estimate |
Estimate |
|
|
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and deposits |
.... |
53 |
53 |
53 |
53 |
|
Receivables |
.... |
2 261 |
2 261 |
2 261 |
2 261 |
|
|
.... |
2 314 |
2 314 |
2 314 |
2 314 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
.... |
2 314 |
2 314 |
2 314 |
2 314 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other liabilities |
.... |
2 314 |
2 314 |
2 314 |
2 314 |
|
Total liabilities |
.... |
2 314 |
2 314 |
2 314 |
2 314 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets (liabilities) |
.... |
.... |
.... |
.... |
.... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity |
.... |
.... |
.... |
.... |
.... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note:
1. The variation in these items in 2024 reflects revised estimates based on 30 June 2022 actuals following the transfer of functions and activities of the EPA from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania to the EPA.
|
|
2022‑23 |
2023‑24 |
2024‑25 |
2025‑26 |
2026‑27 |
|
|
|
|
Forward |
Forward |
Forward |
|
|
Budget |
Budget |
Estimate |
Estimate |
Estimate |
|
|
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash inflows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Appropriation receipts - operating |
15 902 |
16 536 |
16 918 |
17 354 |
18 310 |
|
Grants |
25 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
|
Sales of goods and services |
116 |
.... |
.... |
.... |
.... |
|
Fees and fines |
844 |
1 376 |
1 376 |
1 376 |
1 376 |
|
GST receipts |
724 |
724 |
724 |
724 |
724 |
|
Interest received |
126 |
51 |
51 |
51 |
51 |
|
Total cash inflows |
17 737 |
18 712 |
19 094 |
19 530 |
20 486 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash outflows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee benefits |
(11 404) |
(12 969) |
(13 229) |
(13 550) |
(14 320) |
|
Superannuation |
(1 164) |
(1 645) |
(1 691) |
(1 736) |
(1 850) |
|
GST payments |
(724) |
(724) |
(724) |
(724) |
(724) |
|
Grants and subsidies |
(1 044) |
(37) |
(37) |
(37) |
(38) |
|
Supplies and consumables |
(3 031) |
(3 836) |
(3 909) |
(3 977) |
(3 996) |
|
Other cash payments |
(47) |
(100) |
(103) |
(105) |
(107) |
|
Total cash outflows |
(17 414) |
(19 311) |
(19 693) |
(20 129) |
(21 035) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash from (used by) operating activities |
323 |
(599) |
(599) |
(599) |
(549) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents held |
323 |
(599) |
(599) |
(599) |
(549) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and deposits at the beginning of the reporting period |
16 393 |
16 434 |
15 835 |
15 236 |
14 637 |
|
Cash and deposits at the end of the reporting period |
16 716 |
15 835 |
15 236 |
14 637 |
14 088 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022‑23 |
2023‑24 |
2024‑25 |
2025‑26 |
2026‑27 |
|
|
|
|
Forward |
Forward |
Forward |
|
|
Budget |
Budget |
Estimate |
Estimate |
Estimate |
|
|
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
$'000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash inflows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees and fines |
4 286 |
4 393 |
4 503 |
4 615 |
4 731 |
|
Total cash inflows |
4 286 |
4 393 |
4 503 |
4 615 |
4 731 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash outflows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfers to the Public Account |
(4 286) |
(4 393) |
(4 503) |
(4 615) |
(4 731) |
|
Total cash outflows |
(4 286) |
(4 393) |
(4 503) |
(4 615) |
(4 731) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents held |
.... |
.... |
.... |
.... |
.... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and deposits at the beginning of the reporting period |
.... |
53 |
53 |
53 |
53 |
|
Cash and deposits at the end of the reporting period |
.... |
53 |
53 |
53 |
53 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|