Environmental Legislative Framework
The University of New England integrates the consideration of environmental issues into the management of all its facilities, activities and operations.
It is the policy of UNE to comply in all respects with environmental laws and regulations that apply to its facilities, activities and operations.There are currently 26 Acts of parliament and 26 associated Regulations that deal specifically with the environment, which have a direct relevance to UNE facilities, activities and operations.
The centre-piece of environmental legislation in NSW is the Protection of the Environment Operations Act (1998) or POEO Act, and associated regulations. The POEO Act (1998) replaces several old environmental acts that were concerned with air pollution, noise pollution, water pollution, trade waste and contaminated land sections of the legislation.The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is the statutory agency responsible for monitoring our compliance to the POEO Act (1998) and regulations.
The Armidale Dumaresq Shire Council has responsibility bestowed upon them by the EPA to administer the trade waste and land contamination sections of the legislation.
UNE needs a process to ensure, that at all levels, we recognize how we impact on our environment, what our responsibilities are and that we comply fully with legislative requirements.