Information Publication Scheme
The National Environment Protection Council (the NEPC) and National Environment Protection Council Service Corporation (the NEPCSC) are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) and are therefore required to comply with the Information Publication Scheme established pursuant to Part 2 of the FOI Act.
In particular, section 8(2) of the FOI Act imposes an obligation on the NEPC and NEPCSC to publish the following information on its website:
The NEPC and NEPCSC publish the documents required to be published under the Information Publication Scheme on its website (www.scew.gov.au).
Agency Plan
Section 8(1) of the FOI Act imposes an obligation on the NEPC and NEPCSC to publish an agency plan which describes how the NEPC and NEPCSC propose to comply with the Information Publication Scheme requirements. The agency plan is required to set out the following information:
- the information the NEPC and NEPCSC proposes to publish under the Information Publication Scheme;
- how, and to whom, the NEPC and NEPCSC proposes to publish the information, and
- other steps the NEPC and NEPCSC will take to comply with the Information Publication Scheme requirements.
Download the Agency Plan
What we do
The NEPC is a statutory body with law-making powers established under the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 and corresponding legislation in other Australian jurisdictions. The NEPC has two primary functions:
- to make National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs)
- to assess and report on the implementation and effectiveness of NEPMs in participating jurisdictions.
The members of the NEPC are ministers, not necessarily environment ministers, from the participating jurisdictions (i.e. Commonwealth, state or territory governments). The NEPCSC is also a statutory authority, which provides project management services and administrative support to the NEPC and to the Standing Council on Environment and Water in the development of national environmental policy and NEPMs.
Reports
Information published under this heading includes:
- the NEPC annual report
- The Strategic Priorities of the Standing Council on Environment and Water (which incorporates NEPC)
Consultation arrangements
The NEPC and NEPCSC publish information on their website regarding consultation opportunities, including information about how and to whom comments may be submitted. Consultation discussion papers may be available on the NEPC and NEPCSC website www.scew.gov.au.
Freedom of Information (including routinely requested information and disclosure log)
Information about how to make a FOI request and the address, telephone number and email address for a contact officer who can be contacted about access to the NEPC's and NEPCSC's information and documents can be obtained on the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities' Freedom of Information page. In addition, information that has been released in response to a request for access to information made under the FOI Act can be obtained from the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities' disclosure log.
Operational information
The NEPC and NEPCSC publish on their website a wide range of information used by the NEPC and NEPCSC to assist in the exercise of their functions and powers. This information is available under the publications page.
Queries relating to operational information may be directed to t02 6274 1819 or by email at scew.secretariat@environment.gov.au.