The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) is an independent authority established under the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority Act 2012.
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 (812.7 KB) outlines its purpose, objectives, priorities, activities and strategies.
Membership
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.
Members are required to collectively provide knowledge and experience in a broad range of environmental, scientific, business, and social disciplines. More information on the current members of the NT EPA can be found on the members page.
Powers and functions
The NT EPA’s core obligation is to deliver the regulatory responsibilities prescribed by Northern Territory’s environmental legislation. The NT EPA has a range of statutory powers and functions to:
- Conduct environmental impact assessments for proposed actions that may have significant environmental impacts, including issuing assessment requirements and making recommendations to the Minister.
- Regulate waste and pollution, including issuing licences and approvals, setting conditions, and enforcing compliance under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998.
- Issue stop work and call-in notices under the Environment Protection Act 2019.
- Provide independent strategic environmental advice to the Minister, including on environmental risks, regulatory performance, and emerging issues.
- Recommend to the Minister environmental objectives and referral triggers, protected environmental areas, and prohibited actions under the Environment Protection Act 2019.
The NT EPA’s specific powers, functions and obligations are identified in its relevant regulations and legislation.
In exercising its powers and performing its functions, the NT EPA is required under section 8(3) of the NT EPA Act to:
- encourage community involvement and engagement, and
- ensure its processes are transparent and consistent to provide greater certainty for business and the community.
When approaching decision-making, the NT EPA considers risk and uncertainty, and determines priorities based on evidence and the likelihood of environmental harm.
Relationship with the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment
The Environment Division of the Northern Territory Government Department of Lands, Planning and Environment provides the NT EPA with staff and facilities to enable it to properly exercise its powers and perform its functions.