About us

The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) is an independent authority established under the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority Act 2012.

The NT EPA consists of between four and seven members appointed by the Administrator of the Northern Territory and the Chair of the NT Planning Commission. Appointed members to the NT EPA are required to collectively provide knowledge and experience in a broad range of environmental, scientific, business and social disciplines.

There are currently eight members of the NT EPA. More information on the members of the NT EPA can be found on the members page.

The NT EPA provides advice on the environmental impacts of development proposals and advice and regulatory services to encourage effective waste management, pollution control and sustainable practices.

The objectives of the NT EPA are to:

promote ecologically sustainable development
protect the environment, having regard to the need to enable ecologically sustainable development
promote effective waste management and waste minimisation strategies, and
enhance community and business confidence in the environmental protection regime of the Territory.

The NT EPA's Statement of Intent PDF (400.4 KB) outlines its purpose and objectives, its priorities, activities and strategies.

The functions of the NT EPA are established from a range of Acts outlined below, and are consistent with the legislated objectives of the NT EPA:

Legislation	Key functions and responsibilities
Environment Protection Act 2019 Environment Protection Regulations	Implementing the environmental impact assessment process in the Territory by assessing environmental impacts of development proposals to ensure that development decisions in the Northern Territory take environmental impact into consideration. Assessing proposed actions that have the potential for significant environmental impact (an environmental approval must be granted by the Minister for Environment before an activity can proceed in the Northern Territory).
Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998	Issuing of licences to regulate activities. Undertaking compliance and enforcement activities to reduce the likelihood of environmental harm resulting from pollution. Implementing national standards that have been adopted in the Northern Territory as it relates to NT EPA's functions. Maintaining a register of licences and environment protection approvals and related plans for environmental management, compliance plans, pollution abatement notices and section 14 incident notices.
Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Act 2011	Administering the container deposit scheme and the plastic bag ban.
Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority Act 2012	Providing advice and reporting to the Minister on a range of environmental matters. Inquiring and reporting on any aspect of environmental quality in the Territory. Undertaking assurance monitoring with the ability to undertake periodic systemic reviews of environmental management matters or its outcomes. Providing advice and report to the Minister on specific matters about an proposal, policy, plan or other measure to manage the environmental impact of development on the environment. For example, advice regarding environmental management plans (EMPs) prepared under the Petroleum (Environment) Regulations. Developing guidance material to promote good environmental practices. Providing technical advice to government and the community on waste and pollution management issues.

Relationship with the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security

The Environment Division of the Northern Territory Government Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security (DEPWS) provides the NT EPA with staff and facilities to enable it to properly exercise its powers and perform its functions.

Last updated:

18 February 2021

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