SACOME Annual Report 2015-16

POLICY
Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission
SACOME played a significant role in the decision to hold a Royal
Commission into the Nuclear Fuel Cycle through its surveys
and analysis of attitudes to uranium and nuclear energy, which
demonstrated that the public is ready for a mature discussion on this
important topic.
by providing a submission detailing hydraulic fracturing science
and facts. SACOME presented to the committee in September 2015,
highlighting the misconceptions that have shaped the debate and
emphasising that experience and monitoring have repeatedly shown
no impacts that endorse the concerns. SACOME will again present to
the committee when the final report is released in October 2016.
Advocating for a mature debate into SA
increasing its participation in the nuclear
fuel cycle is a key SACOME position.
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission (NFCRC) released four issues
papers in July 2015 which SACOME responded to, also providing a
submission to the Royal Commission’s tentative findings released in
February 2016.
SACOME Chief Executive Jason Kuchel
visited New York state and Pennsylvania to
understand fracking perceptions in these
areas. He found community members
nearby were not adverse, with objections
to the technology largely from minorities in
neighbouring cities.
In the final NFCRC report released in May 2016, SACOME was pleased
to see its recommendations for the reform of uranium mining
approvals heeded, including the removal of impediments in the
relevant State and Federal Acts.
The Royal Commission agreed there is scope
to expand the uranium mining industry
in SA and we can be a major contributor to
global emissions reductions through nuclear
power.
Fracking Inquiry
In 2014 the Natural Resources Committee announced a parliamentary
inquiry into the potential risks and impacts in the use of hydraulic
fracture stimulation (fracking). SACOME responded to this inquiry
Air Quality
Early in 2016, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) released
the draft Environmental Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016. After the
work that SACOME had undertaken on Air Quality policy in 2014-15,
the Chamber was able to provide a comprehensive response to the
draft policy. The area of particular concern was changes to Maximum
Pollutant Levels (MPL) which would potentially add regulatory burden
in the areas of monitoring, reporting, and independent verifications of
particulate matter, specifically PM10 and PM2.5. .
SACOME’s advocacy also resulted in changes to the MPL for stack
emissions to take into consideration the actual impact (or lack of ) at
receptor sites. In relation to particulate matter, SACOME emphasised
the inappropriate application of the Ambient Air Quality National
Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) to monitor and manage
point source emissions. SACOME is continuing to work with the EPA
and DSD to refine the policy and ensure guidelines are risk based, and
NEPM standards not considered absolute.
Native Vegetation
The 2015-16 period saw a number of changes to the native vegetation
framework in South Australia with the Department of Environment,
Water & Natural Resources (DEWNR) in continual dialogue with
SACOME on the redevelopment of legislation, regulations and
policy associated with native vegetation. Among these was a review
of policy and guides for Significant Environmental Benefits (SEBs).
SACOME highlighted in its submission the need for policy flexibility to
enable positive environmental outcomes, while facilitating resources
sector growth, consistent with the SA Government’s economic and
strategic priorities.
SACOME also provided feedback on the draft Native Vegetation
Regulations 2016 (SA) and the Guide to the draft regulations, with a
comprehensive submission developed in conjunction with SACOME’s
Sustainable Development Committee.
Nature Foundation SA
SACOME emphasised the need for
transparency in the allocations of money
from the Native Vegetation Fund, as public
reporting on the KPI’s of projects and their
delivery is essential for industry confidence
in the management of funds.
12 South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy
Annual Report 2016 13