Season's greetings from the EPA.
This year, the EPA continued its strong commitment to protecting and enhancing the quality of the Tasmanian environment, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our many stakeholders, licensees, members of the community, and colleagues for your ongoing support and interest in the work of the EPA over the last 12 months.
It has been an eventful year with a number of highlights:
Technical Standards for Marine Finfish Farms
In 2024, the EPA's Salmon Environmental Regulation Branch and Water Section began drafting technical standards that are necessary to support the new Environmental Standards for Marine Finfish Farming 2023. Among other things, technical standards may set out monitoring methods and processes for making determinations. The key focus during their development will be to ensure that each technical standard contains contemporary, scientifically sound, and auditable methods that enable the EPA to fully implement the new environmental standards.
Macquarie Harbour dissolved oxygen levels highest in more than a decade
The median dissolved oxygen levels across Macquarie Harbour are at their highest levels in more than a decade.
September 2024 reports showed that the trend of improving oxygen levels in the middle and deeper waters of the harbour have reached new heights, resulting in two thirds of Macquarie Harbour with dissolved oxygen levels within the range observed from 1993 to 2010.
The REMI Portal is now live
The third stage of the Release of Environmental Monitoring Information (REMI) Project saw the development of a web-based publication mechanism that allows members of the public a modern way to search for and access documents associated with environmental monitoring information.
We contacted over 500 of the EPA's regulated entities, including industrial, municipal and fish farming activities in September 2024 and advised of the portal launch, which commenced with Annual Environmental Reviews and Environmental Management Plans being made publicly available.
It was another big year for the Sustainability Awards
We received a record number of submissions, resulting in a stellar lineup of semi-finalists in the EPA's Sustainability Awards (Industry and Community), as part of the broader 2024 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards Program. The best of sustainability practices were on show.
Sustainable Living Tasmania took out the EPA Sustainability Award (Community) for its Energised Learning project which embeds renewable energy into the STEM curriculum and engages students in real-world, practical, and hands-on sustainability challenges.
Lenah Game Meats of Tasmania took the top prize in the EPA Sustainability Award (Industry) with its production of high-value food and fibre products from animals that would otherwise be culled and wasted. Wallaby, Lenah's signature product, is a high-quality meat containing low levels of embedded carbon, and harvesting offers a new model for Tasmanian agriculture, enabling landowners to produce high quality, low embedded carbon protein.
We celebrated achievements and learnt from our colleagues at our annual EPA Day
More than 80 of our staff came together in November to engage with a rich range of guest speakers who shared valuable information on everything from Electric Vehicles; Tasmania's move towards a circular economy, to Aboriginal cultural knowledge and Closing the Gap actions.
Our staff shared their expertise and experiences with each other amongst a buzz of meaningful networking connections and informative presentations.
The year that was
In 2024, we continued to actively support several community initiatives including SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY, NAIDOC Week, Festival of Voices' Corporate Choir Challenge which raises money for local charities; as well as continuing into our eleventh year of naming rights sponsorship of the EPA Sustainability Award categories of the Tasmanian Communication Achievement Awards.
The festive season is a time for joy, celebration, and reflection. As we gather with loved ones, it's important to remember that our choices can significantly impact the environment. Let's work together to create a holiday season that contributes to a healthier Tasmania for all of us.
As the end of 2024 approaches, I wish you a happy and safe holiday period and look forward to 2025.
Wes Ford
Director and CEO EPA
Published on:
24/12/2024