Doing the research for the creation of Review of Environmental Factors (REF), Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Biodiversity Development Assessment Report documentation can be challenging. It is a combination of field work assessments during different seasons and at different times of the day and night as well as a large amount of desk-based research. Once prepared the reports go out for public consultation as part of the planning approval pathways. While some may find this public consultation a time-consuming process, the benefits can be enormous in terms of environmental risk mitigation opportunities obtained through this consultation process.

A recent example was during the REF display period on the Great Western Highway Upgrade Program – Little Hartley to Lithgow (West Section). Despite a number of biodiversity surveys undertaken in the River Lett area and researching for recent sightings going back 5 years, no evidence of platypus activity was found. However due to a large amount of community feedback on their existence, the project team and the environmental consultants revisited the areas and undertook extensive investigations. To their delight they uncovered evidence of the platypus on the riverbank and as a result, safeguards to protect this significant animal have been put in place. These safeguards now include avoiding earth works on the riverbank during breeding season, checking under the construction zones for burrows and no go zones outside the construction footprint. Thanks to local community knowledge during the REF consultation process, the project was able mitigate possible project impacts to one of our unique Australian mammals – the platypus!

FIG: Platypus enjoying the water in the River Lett

FIG: Platypus burrow on the banks of River Lett

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently undergoing an independent review of the Resource Recovery Framework. This framework is the policy, regulatory and compliance framework administered by the EPA to facilitate beneficial resource recovery and circular economy outcomes.

The EPA are seeking feedback on the effectiveness of the current framework and changes that could be made across the four key themes:

• Environment and human health protection
• Resource recovery and circular economy outcomes
• Administration of the framework
• Enforcement of the framework

As part of the consultation process, our team in Environment & Sustainability have spoken to several areas within Transport to hear their concerns and opinions and we have collated this feedback and provided to the EPA.

An area of interest for many stakeholders is at what point waste is no longer classified as waste and how well the framework achieves beneficial recovery and facilitates circular economy outcomes.

Some of the other key areas for Transport for NSW included:

• better processes for mandatory data capture
• improved review timeframes for resource recovery orders and exemptions by the EPA
• greater transparency of this review process
• stronger clarity on responsibilities for producers and consumers of resource recovery materials
• more alignment of waste definitions and classifications

As a key focus area for our sustainability plan, we are keen to ensure the framework will support and enable innovation in this area. The consultation period has now closed with a report and recommendations from an independent audit team due back to the EPA in late June.

By engaging with regulatory authorities, we can ensure we have our say on matters that help us to achieve our sustainability focus areas.