The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is pleased to publish its Annual Report for 2021-22.
On 1 December 2021, a new era began for the EPA with its structural and organisational separation from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania and its establishment as an independent State Authority.
While the EPA remains as Tasmania's independent environmental assessment and regulatory body, the move to an independent State Authority has enabled additional clarity on the independent role of the EPA, while also broadening the EPA's responsibility for environmental assessments in Tasmania.
Proposed legislative changes to the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 will provide additional clarity on the EPA role, functions and independence. These changes will be subject to public consultation and are expected to be tabled in Parliament later in 2022.
Throughout 2021-22, the EPA has continued to regulate, monitor and advise on a wide range of activity, all in the interests of protecting Tasmania's environmental sustainability.
Of note was the major role EPA staff played in January 2022 in the response to the Mersey River Marine Incident, which involved the collision between the commercial vessel MV Goliath and two berthed and stationary TasPorts tugs, Campbell Cove and York Cove.
The coordinated efforts, years of planning and the quick response from TasPorts and the EPA prevented further environmental damage.
The EPA Annual Report 2021-22 outlines further information on the achievements and activities of the EPA, and can be found on this website.