The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has been internationally recognised for its pioneering work in developing policy and guidance as well as its sustained contribution to good practice in impact assessments in Australia.
The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) awarded the EPA its Regional Award in Brisbane today, as part of the IAIA annual conference, which was attended by hundreds of impact assessment practitioners from around the world.
“The Western Australia EPA has been both pro-active and pioneering in developing policy and guidance material, such as producing the first biodiversity offsets policy in Australia and being the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce provisions for strategic environmental assessment,” IAIA conference organisers said.
“The IAIA Regional Award is awarded to a person or organisation that has made a substantial contribution to the field of impact assessment and/or has taken a leadership role in promoting best practice in impact assessment within the general world region of the location of the conference for the year.”
EPA Chair Dr Tom Hatton welcomed the award.
“We are always striving for continuous improvement within our business through the important work we do in environmental assessments and providing strategic advice on environmental matters,” Dr Hatton said.
“The EPA’s new streamlined guidelines and procedures framework released in 2016 created a more transparent decision making process and has been widely supported amongst our stakeholders.”
The IAIA is based in the United States and is the leading global network on best practice in the use of impact assessment for informed decision making regarding policies, programs, plans and projects.
IAIA was founded in 1980 to bring together researchers, practitioners, and users of various types of impact assessment from all parts of the world. Its members, numbering over 1700 from 120 nations, represent many disciplines and professions.
EPA Media Contact: Vivienne Ryan on 0400 866 450