EPA program performance
The EPA delivers a diverse range of programs that support the NSW EPA Strategic Plan 2021–24 ambitions and targets, and outcomes identified by the NSW Government to protect human and environmental health, and deliver a circular economy.
Reporting on our performance helps us assess the effectiveness of our work towards realising the EPA’s vision for a healthy and thriving environment for the future. This section provides an overview of core results and how the EPA has been tracking over time.
|
Indicator |
2017–18 |
2018–19 |
2019–20 |
2020–21 |
2021–22 |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
High-risk native forestry operations are assessed for compliance (annual target 95%) |
82% |
98% |
100% |
90.9% |
100% |
✓ |
|
Proportion of regulated contaminated sites remediated annually (annual target 5%) |
— |
— |
5% |
4% |
1%A |
o |
|
Notified contaminated sites are assessed, and a decision on whether regulation is required is made, within four months of notification (annual target 95%) |
100% |
92% |
86% |
91% |
38%A |
o |
|
Percentage of targets met for public education and awareness programs about environmental matters (annual target 95%) |
— |
- |
100% |
95% |
95% |
✓ |
|
Beverage container recovery rate across NSW (target 80% by June 2025) |
55% |
61% |
67% |
67% |
65%B |
✓ |
|
Community access to NSW Container Deposit Scheme return points |
85% |
95% |
98% |
99.5% |
99.1% |
✓ |
|
Resource recovery rate |
— |
65% |
64% |
66% |
63%B |
o |
|
Litter reduction (plastics) – survey items |
— |
158 |
139 |
103 |
131B |
✓ |
|
Overall litter reduction – survey items per square metre (target 76 items per square metre by June 2030 – a 60% reduction) |
— |
190 |
158 |
123 |
157B |
✓ |
Key: ✓ Achieved or on track o Monitor or improve
Notes:
A In some cases results were affected by the impacts of COVID-19 and weather events on EPA operations
B Forecast result, complete data not yet available
Spotlight on human and environmental health
Environmental incidents
The EPA keeps track of environmental incidents reported by the community. The number of incidents reported may increase due to increased public awareness, effective education campaigns, and extreme events such as flooding or bushfires. The large drop in numbers at 2020–21 reflects a change in how the EPA records incidents, where similar and related reports from the community are now counted as one incident.
Number of environmental incidents impacting human health and the environment.
Regulation of high-risk licences
The EPA regulates licensed industries to help protect land, air and water. We track the proportion of inspections at premises and industries that pose a greater environmental risk. We have a very good track record of reaching inspection targets but COVID-19 and wet-weather conditions presented extra challenges for our field officers in 2021–22. Disruptions due to wet weather are expected to continue into 2022–23.
Proportion of inspections
Spotlight on circular economy
Resource recovery rate
Our target is an 80% average recovery rate from all waste streams by 2030 to reduce waste and improve progress towards better use of natural resources. The overall resource recovery rate for NSW during 2020–21 was 66%, driven largely by a strong recycling rate of 79% in the construction industry.
While 2021–22 results are not yet available, the forecast is 63% and is not expected to change in 2022–23. Challenges, such as a need to increase recycling rates for municipal solid waste and commercial and industrial waste, are recognised in the NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041 and the NSW Waste Delivery Plan.
Resource recovery rate
Reducing litter
Litter reduction is another long-term aim. The overall target is to reduce litter of all types by 60% by 2030.For plastic litter, the target is a reduction of 30% by 2025. These targets align with commitments in the NSW Plastics Action Plan and the NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041.
Circular economy – litter