Nepc annual Report 2014-15

Smoky vehicles program

Not applicable.

Diesel vehicle emission testing and repair programs

Not applicable.

Audited maintenance programs for diesel vehicles

Not applicable.

Diesel vehicle retrofit programs

Not applicable.

Other programs

Not applicable.

Northern Territory

Report to the NEPC on the implementation of the National Environment Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure for Northern Territory by the Minister for the Environment for the reporting year ended 30 June 2015.

PART 1—IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEPM AND ANY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Aggregate data on diesel emissions for the Northern Territory is not available. However, air quality studies and the National Pollutant Inventory indicate that motor vehicle traffic is not a major contributor to air emissions in the larger urban areas.

PART 2—ASSESSMENT OF NEPM EFFECTIVENESS

A number of initiatives are implemented to control diesel vehicle emissions in the Northern Territory. Vehicle standards are enforced through the general provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act (NT) and the Australian Vehicle Standard Rules which require all vehicles to comply with Australian Design Rules when in service.

In the Territory, there are approximately 58 000 diesel vehicles registered, representing around 37 per cent of the total vehicle fleet, which is much higher than the national level of diesel vehicles which is approximately 20 per cent of the vehicle fleet. Australian Bureau of Statistics data indicates that diesel vehicles registered in the Northern Territory represent approximately 1.5 per cent of all diesel vehicles in Australia.

Of the four major regions in the Territory, 69 per cent of all diesel vehicles registered in the Territory are registered in the Darwin region, while 14 per cent are registered in Alice Springs, 9 per cent in Katherine and 2 per cent in Tennant Creek.

In the Darwin region approximately 35 per cent of all registered vehicles are diesels; this is slightly lower than in Alice Springs, with diesels representing 37 per cent of the total vehicle fleet. In Katherine and Tennant Creek the diesel portion of the total fleet is 51 per cent and 53 per cent respectively, indicating a higher reliance on diesel vehicles in remote areas.

Of the heavy vehicle diesels registered in the Territory, 64 per cent are registered in the Darwin region, 18 per cent in Alice Springs and 10 per cent in Katherine. The distribution of light diesel vehicle registrations in the Territory differs slightly, with 69 per cent of all light diesel vehicles registered in the Darwin region, 14 per cent in Alice Springs and 8 per cent in Katherine.

Smoky vehicles program

A smoky vehicle program is undertaken as part of the Territory’s vehicle registration and roadworthiness testing procedures. Records of diesel vehicles issued with defect orders show that only a minor fraction of vehicles checked as part of the vehicle registration process receive a defect notice due to engine smoke.

Diesel vehicle emission testing and repair programs

Pollutants associated with diesel emissions in the Territory are well below emission standards. Therefore, the current air quality conditions are not considered a trigger for change in relation to managing diesel emissions in the Territory. The Northern Territory will continue to monitor the need for action on diesel emissions and will take appropriate action as required.

Audited maintenance programs for diesel vehicles

Vehicle roadworthy inspections are undertaken periodically for light and heavy vehicles and these inspections include checking that all required emission control equipment is fitted as well as the detection of smoky vehicles. Periodic roadworthy inspections are required at registration renewal and the frequency of inspections is determined by the vehicle type, age and category. Since 1 July 2013, light vehicle inspections are required at five years, 10 years and then annually. All heavy vehicles require an annual roadworthy inspection.

Diesel vehicle retrofit programs

The majority of the Northern Territory road train fleet is less than five years old and employs the latest technology in engine management systems to minimise fuel consumption. On a payload per emission basis, road trains operating line haul operations in remote Australia are considered to be some of the most environmentally efficient road freight vehicles in the world.

Other programs

The Territory’s open access policy provides for ‘as of right’ access for road trains and 100 per cent network access for vehicles operating at higher mass limits. In addition the Territory’s innovative vehicle policy promotes the development of high productivity innovative vehicle combinations which can deliver further efficiency benefits.
Appendix 5:

Jurisdictional Reports on the Implementation and Effectiveness of the Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories NEPM

Commonwealth

Report to the NEPC on the implementation of the National Environment Protection (Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories) Measure for the Commonwealth by the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for the Environment, for the reporting year ended 30 June 2015

PART 1—IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEPM AND ANY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The Commonwealth implements the NEPM administratively and ensures that its obligations under the National Environment Protection Act 1994 are met.

The Commonwealth is working with the states and territories through the Implementation Working Group (IWG) to continue to implement the NEPM in a consistent manner. Members of the IWG communicate regularly through email and meetings.

PART 2—ASSESSMENT OF NEPM EFFECTIVENESS

Opportunities exist to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the NEPM, including to achieve a more nationally-consistent approach to tracking movements of controlled waste.

During the 2014–15 year, the Commonwealth continued to work on a program of hazardous waste reform. A study into the feasibility of a consistent national approach to tracking the inter- and intra-state movement of controlled wastes was conducted, which recommended work commence on building the first part of such a system in 2015–16. A major project on hazardous waste infrastructure and data was completed that identified significant issues with current hazardous waste tracking arrangements as data sources, including absent tonnages. A further project identified opportunities to harmonise the transport and environmental regulations pertaining to the movement of hazardous waste. Recommendations from these and other hazardous waste reform projects will be acted on, in consultation with the States, Territories and industry, in 2015–16.

New South Wales

Report to the NEPC on the implementation of the National Environment Protection (Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories) Measure for New South Wales by the Hon. Rob Stokes MP, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Heritage (from 24 April 2014 to 2 April 2015) and the Hon. Mark Speakman MP, Minister for Environment and Minister for Heritage (from 2 April to 30 June 2015) for the reporting year ended 30 June 2015.

PART 1—IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEPM AND ANY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The NEPM has been in place for more than 10 years and is operating smoothly, without any significant issues. Minor changes to the NEPM recommended following the 10 year review were implemented in NSW in October 2014 under the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014.

PART 2—ASSESSMENT OF NEPM EFFECTIVENESS

The NEPM continues to provide an effective tool in minimising the potential for adverse impacts associated with the movement of controlled waste on the environment and human health. A total of 85,167 tonnes of controlled waste in 6506 movements was reported this period as having been transported into NSW (Tables 2 and 4). This is a 0.8% decrease on the 85,812 tonnes and a 4.5% decrease on the 6,813 movements in 2013–14.

The amount of controlled waste received in NSW in 204–15 is essentially unchanged from the previous year. A decrease of 2,183 (5%) tonnes in controlled waste received from Victoria and smaller decreases from Queensland and the Northern Territory were offset by increases from other jurisdictions.

There were modest changes in the mix of controlled waste received in NSW compared to the previous year but these changes were less than the fluctuations between previous years. There were reductions in the amount of inorganic chemicals (1566 tonnes reduction), alkalis (850 tonnes) and oils (662 tonnes) received in NSW which were offset by increases in putrescible/organic waste (1917 tonnes), miscellaneous wastes, mostly tyres and laboratory chemical wastes (689 tonnes) and soil/sludge (679 tonnes).

Substantial changes to the waste regulatory framework were introduced under the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014. The main impact on controlled waste is the introduction of mandatory reporting for intrastate movements of waste tyres and asbestos waste. Other changes, such as restrictions on the distance waste can be transported, mostly do not apply to controlled waste due to the limited number of treatment options available and regulatory controls already being in place.

Discrepancies continue to be low, with 99.3% of transport certificates having no discrepancies.

Table 1: Number of consignment authorisations issued by New South Wales

Reporting Year	Consignment authorisations issued
2013–14	1,113
2014–15	1,319

Table 2: Quantity of controlled waste into New South Wales for the period 1 July 2014 to
30 June 2015—Tonnes per waste category by State/Territory

Code	Description	Vic	Qld	WA	SA	Tas	ACT	NT	Ex-Terr	Total (tonnes)
A	Plating & heat treatment	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.04	0.00		0.04
B	Acids	11368.37	23.80	0.00	0.32	0.00	0.48	0.00		11392.96
C	Alkalis	497.62	7.52	0.00	5.57	0.00	5.51	0.00		516.21
D	Inorganic chemicals	16996.86	13678.51	4609.36	6302.74	4740.99	592.94	364.10		47285.49
E	Reactive chemicals	5.80	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.14	0.00		5.94
F	Paints, resins, inks organic sludges	1230.54	368.86	0.00	77.70	0.00	2.02	0.50		1679.62
G	Organic solvents	62.64	251.88	6.32	27.83	0.00	8.00	0.00		356.67
H	Pesticides	1.61	1.26	0.00	16.21	0.00	0.00	0.00		19.08
J	Oils	3133.42	288.53	179.03	196.89	0.00	747.15	2.00		4547.01
K	Putrescible/organic waste	4375.48	0.42	0.00	0.00	0.00	7756.88	0.00		12132.78
L	Industrial washwater	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00		0.00
M	Organic chemicals	394.93	288.97	22.00	84.82	0.00	46.17	0.00		836.88
N	Soil/sludge	1626.79	1261.57	20.00	0.13	0.00	440.71	0.00		3349.20
R	Clinical & pharmaceutical	7.78	169.69	0.00	0.00	0.00	341.06	0.00		518.53
T	Misc.	7.63	0.08	7.33	0.00	0.00	2511.07	0.00		2526.11
State Totals (tonnes)		39709.46	16341.08	4844.04	6712.20	4740.99	12452.16	366.60		85166.53

Table 3: Discrepancies in movements of controlled waste into New South Wales for the period
1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015—Percentage of total movements

Discrepancy Type	Vic	Qld	WA	SA	Tas	ACT	NT	Ext Terr *
Consignment non-arrival
Transport without authorisation						0.05
Non-matching documentation	1.03	0.94		0.31		0.14
Waste data