Written by Jonathan Thom, Nation Partners
The ALGA Auditor SIG convened the first of two panel discussions on the NEPM revision process. Chaired by Jonathan Thom, the panel included Bruce Gray (DCCEEW), Kristin Wasley (EPA Victoria), Warren Pump (Salient) and Shandel Coleman (Luna).
The session included a presentation from Bruce Gray on the Commonwealth Government’s process for revising the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) Act and the NEPM. Bruce highlighted the value the Commonwealth would attach to ALGA/the industry’s position on the NEPM revision and discussed some of the risks of embarking on a revision process, including potential timeframes.
Bruce’s presentation provided important context for subsequent Panel discussion. Below are some of the key topics discussed by the Panel:
- The current NEPM is cumbersome, with large parts out of date and unable to be revised. It’s also found by many stakeholders to be difficult to understand.
- A revised NEPM needs to keep pace with the science, including emerging contaminants and other criteria. It should be designed in a way that can accommodate regular updates.
- A revised NEPM should aim to lift the quality and consistency of output from the industry.
The discussion from both panel sessions, in conjunction with industry feedback, will form the basis of an industry position paper to be issued under the ALGA banner, to the Commonwealth.