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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 map below and the following table include compliance activities from July to September 2018.
The above map shows the number of projects sites visited 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.
|
Compliance monitoring activities |
2018/2019 Total |
|
Inspections and surveillance carried out |
188 |
|
Investigations completed |
101 |
|
Review of compliance documentation |
222 |
|
Subtotal compliance monitoring |
511 |
|
Enforcement activities |
2018/2019 Total |
|
Official cautions issued |
6 |
|
Orders imposed |
5 |
| Enforceable undertaking | 1 |
|
Penalty notices |
4 |
|
Prosecutions |
1 |
|
Subtotal enforcement |
17 |
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.
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 2017/18, the Department’s compliance officers undertook 36 inspections of wind and solar farms to monitor compliance with conditions of approval. The wind and solar farms inspected were generally found to be constructing or operating in accordance with their conditions of approval. A Fact Sheet outlining the program can be found below:
In 2015, the Department’s Compliance Officers conducted a review of the progression of work to mitigate impacts on scenery at four wind farms. The review found the work undertaken was generally satisfactory and in accordance with the approved management plans. A summary report can be found below.
In 2012, the Department conducted an audited 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. The Department of Planning & Environment 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.
In 2015 the department inspected four quarries in the mid central west region.
In 2016 the department inspected four quarries to ensure compliance with the conditions of consent.
In 2015 the Department inspected four different industry operations in the Wollongong region.
In 2015 the Department inspected 25 facilities that handle, store or process potentially hazardous substances.
Page last updated: 09/11/2018