Director of the Environment Protection Authority, Wes Ford, has welcomed the launch of the Release of Environmental Monitoring Information (REMI) portal.
“The third stage of the REMI Project has seen the development of a web-based publication mechanism that allows members of the public to search for and access documents associated with environmental monitoring information,” said Mr Ford.
Following amendments to the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994, the Director now has the discretion to release certain forms of environmental monitoring information, and the portal provides a modern way for members of the public to obtain it.
Over 500 of the EPA’s regulated entities, including industrial, municipal and fish farming activities, were contacted on 16 September 2024 and advised of the portal launch, which will commence with Annual Environmental Reviews and Environmental Management Plans being made publicly available.
The launch follows the release of the Environmental Monitoring Information Disclosure Policy, and will see additional environmental monitoring information being added to the portal on an ongoing basis.
“We want to provide certainty to Tasmanian industries about their operating conditions, and confidence to the public that the EPA is doing what it says it will do through regulation and management of the environmental effects of industries operating in Tasmania’s environment,” said Mr Ford.
“In 2023-24 the EPA received 16 requests for information via an online request form, and it is expected that number will rise significantly now the portal is live.”
Environmental monitoring information received from permitted and licenced premises since 1 January 2022 is available on the search portal and information older than 1 January 2022 may be available by request.
In addition to the online portal, the existing online search form will remain available, and information not released under the new system can still be requested, assessed, and released under the Right to Information process.
Further information can be found on the REMI page.
Published on:
24/09/2024