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REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COUNCIL ACT 1994

Following the first review of the NEPC Acts in 2001, the Acts were amended to allow for five-yearly reviews. Under s. 64(3), a new review needs to take place as soon as practicable after the end of every five year period following the end of the previous review. The second review of the NEPC Acts commenced in 2006. Under s. 64(4), the report of any further review is to be tabled in parliaments within six years of the end of the previous review. Tabling of the second review was thus required by 30 June 2007.

The Report of the Second Review of the National Environment Protection Council Acts, prepared by John Ramsay Consulting Pty Ltd at the request of the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC), concludes that the core aspects of NEPC activity and processes are sound. It notes that the NEPC model has some unique benefits when contrasted with other more centralised standard setting bodies, and is cost effective in its approach to matters such as jurisdictional cooperation, consultation and engaging relevant expertise in jurisdictions.

The review makes a number of recommendations aimed at streamlining and improving processes, promoting greater uniformity and accountability in the implementation of NEPMs in jurisdictions, and making the NEPC Acts more responsive to the environmental needs of the present day. The Report of the Second Review of the National Environment Protection Council Acts may be downloaded below.

Response to the Review of the NEPC Acts

In April 2008 the National Environment Protection Council agreed on its Response to the Report of the Second Review of the National Environment Protection Council Acts.

Implementation of the Response will keep NEPC responsive and able to deal effectively with the rapidly evolving suite of environmental issues on its agenda. Possible changes to the NEPC Acts include simplifying the minor variation process, broadening the scope for potential National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs) and strengthening reporting requirements for NEPMs.

The NEPC's response to the Report of the Second Review of the National Environment Protection Council Acts can be downloaded below.

Title	Size	Download
Report of the Second Review of the National Environment Protection Council Acts	500kb
Report of the Second Review of the National Environment Protection Council Acts (Commonwealth, State and Territory), June 2007, National Environment Protection Council Response - April 2008	135kb

Last Modified: 7/5/08

Environment Protection and Heritage Council Secretariat
National Environment Protection Council Service Corporation
Level 5, 81 Flinders Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Telephone: (08) 8419 1200 Fax: (08) 8224 0912
Email: WWW: www.ephc.gov.au
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