$10 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE INDEPENDENT EPA

Roger Jaensch MP, Minister for Environment and Climate Change

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is committing an additional $10 million over four years to support the operations of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) after its separation from the (now) Department of Natural Resources and Environment

Last year, our Government announced the structural and organisational separation of the EPA to clarify and strengthen its independent role.

Importantly, as part of the reforms, and in working to meet recommendation 2 of the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council Final Report, we committed to providing the EPA with additional resources.

The 2022-23 State Budget is about strengthening Tasmania’s future and that is why our Government is providing the additional funding to support a strong, transparent, independent EPA.

This commitment includes an increase of $2 million per year for additional resources to increase the rigour and integrity of environmental assessments.

The additional funding will also allow for an increase to the number of environmental regulatory and compliance staff to fulfill broader regulatory requirements and the environmental management of the finfish industry.

The Budget includes $500,000 per year to support independent office accommodation for staff after the separation from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

This is a Government with integrity and accountability at its core.

Our Government has proposed legislative amendments to confirm the separation of the EPA and to provide for increased transparency, and the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Amendment Bill 2022 currently remains open for public consultation.

For more information about the EPA, visit: www.epa.tas.gov.au.