Notice of Intention to Vary the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure
The National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) is a national council of Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers. The NEPC’s role is to make National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs). NEPMs are designed to improve national consistency in environment protection outcomes.
The NEPC gives notice that it intends to make a variation to the Ambient Air Quality NEPM in relation to the standards for particles. This variation will reflect latest scientific understanding and will allow for an adequate level of health protection against the impacts of particle air pollution for the Australian community.
For information on the development of the variation, visit www.nepc.gov.au, or contact NEPC Service Corporation, GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT, 2601. Telephone: (02) 6274 1819; NEPC@environment.gov.au.
This notice is given pursuant to s.20 of the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 (Cwlth) and equivalent provisions in the corresponding Acts of States and Territories.
Overview
The National Environment Protection Council Act 1994, enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, establishes the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) to create National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs) aimed at achieving consistent environmental outcomes across Australia. The NEPC, comprising ministers from the Commonwealth, states, and territories, has issued a notice of intention to vary the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure to update particle standards, reflecting the latest scientific understanding to ensure adequate health protection against particle air pollution. This initiative aligns with the policy objective of enhancing the national consistency in environmental protection outcomes by incorporating up-to-date scientific knowledge into regulatory standards. The notice provides an opportunity for public input and further information can be obtained from the NEPC website or by contacting the NEPC Service Corporation.
Scope and Application
The Notice of Intention to Vary the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure pertains to the standards for particles within the existing National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (NEPM). The NEPC, a council comprising Commonwealth, State, and Territory Ministers, is responsible for the development and implementation of NEPMs, which are intended to ensure national consistency in environmental protection outcomes. The variation to the Ambient Air Quality NEPM is aimed at aligning the standards with the latest scientific understanding to provide an adequate level of health protection for the Australian community against the impacts of particle air pollution. The Act applies to all entities and individuals subject to the existing NEPM, including businesses, industries, and government agencies that may have an impact on air quality. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, as it involves all jurisdictions within Australia. The Notice does not specify exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but it does indicate that the variation will be made through subordinate instruments, aligning with the provisions of the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 (Cwlth) and equivalent state and territory legislation.
Key Provisions
The primary sections of notice (C2014G00770) concern the National Environment Protection Council's (NEPC) intention to modify the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (NEPM) concerning particulate matter standards (s.20). This notice, issued under the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 (Cwlth), aims to incorporate the latest scientific understanding into the ambient air quality standards. The purpose is to ensure that these standards provide adequate health protection against the impacts of particle air pollution for the Australian community.
The NEPC, comprising Commonwealth, State, and Territory Ministers, is responsible for creating NEPMs to achieve national consistency in environmental protection outcomes. This notice signifies the NEPC's intent to vary the NEPM related to ambient air quality standards, specifically for particles. The variation is intended to reflect current scientific knowledge, ensuring that the standards remain effective in protecting public health from the adverse effects of particle air pollution.
Entities governed by this Act will be required to comply with the updated standards set forth in the variation of the Ambient Air Quality NEPM. This includes adhering to the new standards for particulate matter to ensure that air quality meets the health protection benchmarks established by the NEPC. Compliance with these updated standards is essential for maintaining consistent environmental protection outcomes across Australia.
The Act imposes obligations on the parties to ensure they meet the new standards set by the NEPC. Failure to comply with these updated air quality standards may lead to civil or criminal consequences, including penalties. The specific penalties and consequences for non-compliance are detailed in the relevant sections of the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 (Cwlth) and corresponding State and Territory Acts. It is crucial for entities subject to this legislation to stay informed about the new standards and ensure full compliance to avoid any potential legal repercussions.