ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF INDUSTRIAL PREMISES - AUDITING COUNCIL POLICY ppt

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ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF
INDUSTRIAL PREMISES - AUDITING





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BACKGROUND

Work undertaken by Council to investigate the performance of industrial operations and their potential to
impact on the immediate environment has clearly demonstrated the need for a system of environmental risk
assessment and control (environmental auditing) to be introduced. This finding is not unique to the City of
Wollongong and a good deal of attention has been given in recent times to the development of a process which
can be applied. This process needs to be practical from the industry perspective, but from Council’s point of
view, it needs to satisfy community concerns to protect local ecosystems and the environment generally.


OBJECTIVE

1 Review the existing management and operation practices of industry throughout the City.

2 Minimise environmental risk by providing guidance to industrial operators and by identifying sources
of pollution potential.

3 Create an inventory (ie. computer data base) of the quantities, types and location of hazardous
materials stored within the City.

4 Provide Council with a valuable resource which will assist in the investigation of pollution events.


POLICY STATEMENT

Council will introduce an ongoing system of environmental auditing of industrial premises throughout the City
to assist in the protection of the environment by minimising risk and the potential to pollute, with the potential
to reduce operators' insurance premiums and to provide for other operational cost savings.


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Environmental auditing should offer guidance for industrial operators where it is required, with a view to
identifying environmental and health risks, and should form the basis for agreements to be reached which will
address those risks within a reasonable time frame. From a community point of view, environmental auditing
is an effective mechanism to assist in securing a thriving local environment for the benefit of present and
future generations.

In addition to meeting the objectives stated in the above Policy Statement, it is envisaged that the audit will be
effective in achieving the following:

1 Verify that adequate environmental control systems are being competently applied throughout the
City.

2 Ensure that environmental management programs become part of the business plan of the industry
under investigation.

3 Make industry aware of their liabilities with regard to environmental protection and encourage them
to provide a means of developing a mechanism to manage these liabilities.

4 Encourage industry to develop programs designed to manage risks on their sites and not just
programs aimed at avoiding penalties.

5 Focus the attention of industry on the monitoring of safety, health and the environmental issues and
to recognise that they are a part of the management of a business and, as such, one of their prime
responsibilities.

METHOD

The Local Government Act 1993 clearly sets out an environmental charter for Councils in the following terms:

“to properly manage, develop, protect, enhance and conserve the environment of the area for which it is
responsible.”


To respond to this charter, a process of review of industrial operations is proposed involving the inspection of
premises to assess a range of factors which have the potential to pose a risk to persons, property or the
environment. This process will be referred to as environmental auditing.

The factors to be examined during the environmental audit process should include:

1 Materials used - quantities, properties and storage.

2 Controls in place - hazards, operating system, emergency plans.

3 Impact area - nearby physical features, areas of sensitivity.

Each inspection is to take place with the presence of a representative of the occupant to maximise
understanding of the environmental issues and to provide guidance where necessary.

Having identified the potential risks, an agreed program of improvements is to be negotiated. Improvements
requiring substantial capital expenditure may need to be staged, but generally the agreed program would be
developed to address issues on a priority basis having regard for protection of the local environment and
public health.

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Where no agreement can be reached, Council reserves the right to order the identified improvements to be
undertaken within a reasonable period of time.

An inspection fee is appropriate for each inspection undertaken as part of the environmental auditing process
or as necessary follow up. This fee should be applied in all cases whether or not the inspection is requested
by the industrial operator or owner of the premises. This fee shall be as determined by Council from time to
time and shall cover Council’s reasonable costs associated with environmental audit inspections. Section 608
of the Local Government Act 1993 provides Council with the power to resolve this fee.

It is estimated that environmental audit of industrial premises will be undertaken at least once in each
three (3) year period throughout the City.



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12 February 1996
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August 2012

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