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We are committed to carrying out our compliance activities in a transparent way. As part of this, we provide monthly reports on our compliance activities.
The below map shows the number of inspection and enforcement activities in a selected time period. Note that some sites can be the subject of multiple compliance activities in any selected time period. Sites inspected that relate to projects approved by agencies other than the Department are not reported on the map. This map is best viewed in Internet Explorer.
The below table includes compliance activities from July 2019 to March 2020.
|
Compliance monitoring activities |
2019/2020 Total |
|
Inspections and surveillance carried out |
426 |
|
Investigations completed |
261 |
|
Review of compliance documentation |
922 |
|
Subtotal compliance monitoring |
1679 |
|
Enforcement activities |
2019/2020 Total |
|
Official cautions issued |
16 |
|
Orders imposed |
33 |
| Enforceable undertaking | 0 |
|
Penalty notices |
17 |
|
Prosecutions |
0 |
|
Total |
66 |
We prepare regular reports highlighting the work undertaken by the compliance team.
Under Section 9.5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979, the Secretary of the Department is responsible for accepting Enforceable Undertakings on behalf of the Department and NSW Councils. Below is a list of enforceable undertakings accepted by the Secretary on behalf of the Department or the relevant NSW Council since the enactment of the provision on 1 March 2018. For more information, please refer to the department’s guideline.
Port Macquarie Hastings
Mid Coast Council
As part of our ongoing investigation and enforcement functions, the compliance team conducts audits and other activities throughout the year. Recent audits and reports are listed below.
In 2015, the Department prepared a report on its investigation into the impacts of longwall mining at the Dendrobium Coal Mine.
In 2015, the Department commissioned an independent noise assessment of the Mt Thorley and Warkworth coal mines around Bulga Village.
The Leard State Forest coal mining complex is located near the township of Boggabri in north western NSW and is made up of the Maules Creek, Boggabri and Tarrawonga coal mines.
In February 2015, the Department conducted an audit of biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage management at the Leard Forest coal mines. The audit led to $12,000 in fines being imposed on the three mines due to breaches of consent conditions.
In 2016, the Department conducted an audit of vegetation clearing activities at Leard Forest coal mines.
In 2016, the Department and the EPA jointly commissioned Katestone Environmental Pty Ltd to assess the Maules Creek mine's compliance with air quality management conditions.
Since 2017, the Department has undertaken 78 inspections of wind and solar farms to monitor compliance with conditions of approval. A Fact Sheet outlining the program can be found below:
In 2015, the Department conducted a review of visual impact mitigation works at four wind farms. A summary report can be found below:
In 2012, the Department conducted an audit of conditions of consent at four operational wind farms in the NSW southern tablelands.
The NSW government has announced the outcomes of an independent compliance audit of three wind farms - Cullerin Range, Capital and Woodlawn - located in the local government areas of Upper Lachlan, Palerang and Goulburn-Mulwaree.
It has also released a report on the outcomes of community consultation in regard to this audit.
The audit found the wind farms met noise limits but breached approval conditions on a range of other issues. We would like to thank all community members and the wind farm operators who assisted with this audit.
In 2015, the Department audited 19 of the 28 approved sand quarries in New South Wales. The summary report and fact sheet can be found below.
In 2015 the Department inspected four quarries in the mid central west region, to evaluate compliance with the conditions of approval. A fact sheet outlining the program can be found below.
In 2016 the Department inspected four quarries in the Southern Tablelands to evaluate compliance with the conditions of consent. A fact sheet outlining the program can be found below.
Between 2013 and 2019, the Department has audited political donations disclosure statements associated with State Significant Development (SSD) applications. A fact sheet about the program can be found below.
In 2018, the Department conducted an inspection program of State Significant Development (SSD) projects to monitor heritage-related conditions. A fact sheet about the program can be found below.
In 2015, the Department inspected four different industry operations in the Wollongong region to monitor compliance against conditions of approval. A fact sheet about the audit can be found below.
In 2015, the Department inspected 25 facilities that handle, store or process potentially hazardous substances. A fact sheet about the audit can be found below.
In 2017/18, the Department undertook a program of inspections and document review of State Significant waste and resource recovery facilities. A fact sheet about the program can be found below.
Page last updated: 06/07/2020