Background

Introducing the People's Environment Protection Alliance....

The People's EPA, began as a collective of community groups that came together in 1999 to provide a voice to the media, parliament, (through the parliamentary inquiry), and to politicians, about the poor performance of polluting businesses, and the compounding effect of the South Australian EPA by not ensuring appropriate actions were taken to contain the pollution. Residents of Plympton North, Mt Barker, Port Adelaide, Kilburn, and many other more isolated locations around the State were driven to despair with fumes, noise and the ever impending threat of more, as the EPA and stood back and did little to evidence what was going on, or to help residents cope.  The Dumps Coalition of the northern suburbs had similar doses of stench and flies, with no plan to improve containment.  We heard of plenty of deals between the EPA and businesses as the public lost patience with it all, and that didn't help one little bit.

Through community outrage at the unwillingness of polluting industries, of businesses employing hundreds of people at hazardous work sites, to contain operational risks that were out of control, we demanded action on the steps of parliament.

The Government did undertake a parliamentary inquiry through the ERD Committee.  It did listen to many groups and individuals relate how the EPA simply did nothing to ensure compliance of businesses with the Environment Protection Act.  It heard too, of the inadequacy of the Act, of how general definitions of environmental duty were impossible to police.  Thus the media catchphrase of "TOOTHLESS TIGER" for the EPA.

We heard of staff being threatened with job losses if they didn't get on with it. We heard of stories put to staff that it would be resident's responsibility if they were forced to close, not management and investment inadequacy.  The workplace services debt of almost a Billion dollars today is a function of the businesses that risked employee safety in substandard working conditions, and got away with it. It has been the staff and residents that have had to carry the cost of keeping these executives in a job.

The reliance by poorly performing businesses from legal compliance with environmental policies through political containment illustrates the cheek of bad business in South Australia.  The sad part is that they continue to get the support they need.  In September 2006 it was announced by the Rann Government that Government would spend $9Million of community money on buying a site at Plympton contaminated with heavy metals and lord knows what else, in a deal to save the American firm embarrassment from not ensuring more reliable practices were used to generate their component parts, and their business integrity.

There are still exists many instances of conflict between residents and companies with poor industrial practices today.  These disputes should be addressed professionally, but no one seems to know where to start.  Pollution in South Australia has been permitted to drag on for years, despite community complaint.  Has anyone heard of Port Pirie?  EPA site licences are renewed year in year out seeming without any assessment of compliance or adequacy of licence conditions.

It seems to us the EPA does not have skills across the broad range of areas that are required to recognise, and manage containment of bad financial arrangements, bad worksite practices, industrial impact, pollution of the environment, threats to people's health, especially at the interface with residents.

While we apportion a large amount of blame on the EPA for allowing our living environments to be polluted, indeed the EPA is not the only authority with responsibility to recognise and disallow polluting activity. Planning SA and Local government bears responsibility, and has been prepared to overlook blatant abuse of development standards.  They have not applied EPA separation guidelines between existing activities that are in conflict.  They have not sought to develop abatement or buffers with any meaningful vigour, and expansions are encouraged by a Government hell bent on growth at any cost.

We believe all parties ought to be enlisting greater assistance from professional bodies and academics in departments across the various public institutions in South Australia.

We believe that by having greater collaborative contact the EPA will be better positioned to develop concepts and contribute to research related to their legislative task, the task of protecting and enhancing the environment. At the same time the EPA could contribute as a resource to education and research, to the universities, (environmental law, mechanical engineering, civil planning business management, Psychology etc.), to Workplace services, to SA Quality, and other academic institutions such as the CSIRO and the Dept of Human Services. We believe that in developing stronger academic ties and broader connections across key areas within our community there may be a more disciplined outcomes, and a better approach to resolving poor environmental management. We further believe that through improved education, there will be wider recognition of what are clearly unacceptable proposals passing through planning processes.

The People's EPA is committed to better outcomes. As a collective of groups with a range of pollution experiences, and a range of knowledge and expertise, our goal of bringing attention to those worst cases is assisted by this depth in our community. We seek to consult widely and focus on solutions that place the environment first, that focus on sustainable use of resources and practices.

Thank you for your mutual interest lets work together.

Aims

OUR CHARTER

The People's Environment Protection Alliance is established to strengthen the voice of those who seek to be heard about the poor impact of pollution on their well being, on their living environment, and their natural environment.

OUR OBJECTIVES

Establishing environmental management, with community participation and relevance.

OUR CAMPAIGN AIMS

Accountability and responsibility within Government.  Effective legislation that's relevant, and clear.

OUR OBJECTIVES

o   To bring responsibility and accountability to public authorities,

o   Encourage relevant and meaningful integration of administrative process, to deliver better understanding between all stakeholders.

o   To expose poor performance for what it is, an insult to us all.

o   To establish community and consumer participation in Governance.

o   To bring a balance of economic, social and environmental consideration to situations threatening the wellbeing of individuals, communities, and the environments they live in.

o   To support information and education networks to improve efficiency and performance of all stakeholders.

o   To encourage better business practice, and less polluting technology.

o   To encourage authorities to monitor and report pollution.  To get them to help residents to do the same.

o   To establish database information and access about the activities and performance of polluting businesses, On-Line.

o   To communicate threats of pollution to the community and to health practitioners.

Activities

Inadequate legislation threatens the wellbeing

of individuals and communities

PEPA will:

o   Encourage authorities to monitor and report pollution

o   Communicate threats of pollution to the community and to health practitioners.

PEPA will seek to:

o   Provide access to pollution inventories on-line.

o   Contribute to better integration of conflicting activities in the community.

PEPA is campaigning for effective legislation to ensure:

o   Administrative and reporting processes that are audited on a regular basis.

o   Administrative process provides a measured assessment of all of the elements of sustainability, accounting for integrity of working and living environments.

o   All legislation and policy is sensitive and responsive to threats of pollution to health.

Assistance offered

WHERE TO START ON A POLLUTION PROBLEM:

° Consult the source. It could be easily solved.  Learn as much about the issues from the source as possible.  Why is it happening?

° Talk to your neighbours, they too might be affected.  They are the most import source of friendly and committed allies.

° Document its evolution and your involvement. Include plans,

maps & correspondence you issued or received.

° Compare any data after the development commenced to any

data obtained before the development commenced.

° When it gets serious, establish a local group by calling a meeting.

Collect the evidence to substantiate your complaint.

° Talk to friends who might assist you.

Talk to or email the People's EPA.

° Consult the regulatory authorities;

Environmental Protection Authority or Council.

° Consult your local councillor.

° Talk to your Member of Parliament.

° Talk to the media

What you need to know if a new industry

is to be sited near your home or an existing one expanded!

QUESTIONS IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND NEED TO BE UP FRONT.

o   Is a new development proposed near your home?

o   Do you think it will affect you?

o   What do you want to know?

o   Where can you go to find out more about the development

o   What rights do you have to question what is going on, and when is the best time for you to be involved?

o   Is there pollution?  Where is the pollution coming from?  What is it?

o   Are other residents being affected?

o   Is my health affected?  Will my doctor know?

o   When a development is proposed near a residential area or is going to expand, residents need to know their rights. While this pamphlet is not a complete guide, it will help you know where to start.

Contact

Address: C/- Gary Goland, Secretary, RSD Brookman Road, Meadows, SA 5201
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