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Past Compliance Events and Training


Regional Training

Training

Description & Resources

Date

Writing Enforceable Conditions of Consent for Environmental Outcomes

This half day training session is based on the guidelines for writing quality conditions developed by the Australian Environmental Law Enforcement Network (AELERT). The training discussed the need for conditions of consent to meet the Newbury Principle (reasonable, related to the development and for a planning purpose). Enforceable conditions also need to be SMART. Participants were given the opportunity to review and rewrite conditions in small groups to apply these principles.

A total of 55 officers attended the two training sessions in 2010 and a further 43 attended in 2011.

Training resources available: presentation, handouts, related resources

Resources available to members: AELERT Guide to drafting quality conditions of consent, .

2010 & 2011
Cert IV Government (Investigations) In late 2010, 14 officers from councils in the Hunter and Central Coast region undertook certified training in Government Investigations. The training course was commissioned by HCCREMS and developed and delivered by ICETS.

Resources available to members:  Training materials and presentations.
2010

Promoting Voluntary Compliance

1 Day workshop covering the steps involved in developing a voluntary compliance program plan. Participants explored ways to encourage the regulated community to comply with environmental legislation (e.g. through education and incentives) and worked in groups to develop a plan to address the following issues:

  • Illegal Clearing
  • Illegal Filling
  • Industry Compliance with POEO Act
  • Stormwater Pollution in Residential Areas
  • Sediment & Erosion Control on Building Sites
25 Officers from 8 councils attended the workshop.

Resources available: Learner’s Guide,
PowerPoint presentation, Group plans (members only).

2010

Investigative Interviewing and Evidence Gathering Workshops

The course was developed and delivered originally in March 2009.  The course was delivered by Russell Harrison, Chief Investigator for DECCW.  A total of 90 officers participated in this training course in 2009 and 2010, which is supported by the Evidence Gathering Guideline

Training resource available: presentation, handouts.
 
2009 & 2010

NSW Ombudsman training on Dealing with Unreasonable Complainants

HCCREMS facilitated the delivery of a number of "Dealing with Unreasonable Complainants" training from the NSW Ombudsman’s Office. If you missed out on HCCREMS organised course you can attend the same training through the NSW Ombudsman’s office. Visit their training calendar for more information.

 2010

Working in Roadside Environments

Training on how to conduct 'in house' training for field staff on the key environmental issues relevant to roadside environments 2009

 Network Meetings & Workshops                                                                                            Back to Top

 Meeting Type  Topics & Resources Date
Network Meeting & Deputy Ombudsman Presentation Presentations included:
  • Information on Discretionary Enforcement Powers presented by the NSW Deputy Ombudsman
  • Discussion points on Discretionary Powers by Port Stephen Council
  • HCCREMS update on compliance guidelines
Resources available to council members: presentations, handouts
NSW Ombudsman Enforcement Guidelines for Councils
 
Oct 2011
Network Workshop : Illegal Dumping Deterrence Workshop included: Resources available to council members: presentations, handouts
 
Aug 2011
Network Meeting Presentations included:
  • An overview of an illegal clearing and illegal dumping investigation by Newcastle City Council
  • HCCREMS program update
  • Overview of Newcastle City Council compliance management system
Resources available to council members: presentations, handouts
 
Feb 2011
Network Meeting & Workshop

Presentations included:

  • An update on the Compliance Program activities and training opportunities
  • A review of the Evidence Gathering SOP

As a result of feedback, the Evidence Gathering SOP has been renamed "Evidence Gathering Guideline" to assist in removing legal issues about adherence to operating procedures. The Guideline is stored in the Resource Library under ‘HCCREMS documents’.

An afternoon workshop on Options for Funding Compliance was held. Dr Gerry Bates facilitated discussion on mechanisms for funding compliance such as fees, levies, bonds, fines and planning tools. A draft scoping paper, outlining these options, and incorporating points of discussion from the workshop, will be circulated for comment during the coming weeks.

Resources available to council members: Presentations, Handouts

 May 2010
Network Meeting & Workshop

Presentations included:

  • An update on the FOCUS on Sustainability programs and training relevant to the network
  • Presentation on compliance with the Water Management Act (NSW Office of Water)
  • Gosford City Council’s successful Pollute Waters prosecution 

An Afternoon Workshop was held on Illegal Clearing Enforcement Options.  Discussion was held on the suitability, benefits and problems of different enforcement options for illegal clearing, as utilised by the councils in the region.

Resources available to members: Presentations, Handouts

 Feb 2010
Compliance Forum

A Forum jointly hosted by NSW AELERT and HCCREMS

The Forum was an excellent opportunity to share experiences about regulatory practices.  Speakers from State agencies and Councils spoke on various environmental compliance projects operating throughout NSW. Two interactive workshops were held (i) Managing relationships between council officers and legal advisors and (ii) preparing quality conditions for statutory instruments. Participants also provided feedback on important regulatory issues they are facing and identified initiatives and tools AELERT could provide to assist them with their regulatory activities.

All presentations from the Forum can be downloaded from the Members area of the AELERT website.  Go to the ‘Resource Library’ and see ‘Second Tier Forum Material’.

Oct 2009
Network Meeting

Presentations:

  • Greg Sullivan - AELERT Network Presentation - Theory & Practice of Regulation Presentation,  AELERT Auditors Handbook, Auditing Regulatory Agencies Cantwell & Sullivan Paper
  • David Fowler - DECC Native Vegetation Compliance and Enforcement Presentation

Resources available to members: Presentations, Handouts

Feb 2009
Initial Network Meeting/ Forum  The initial meeting of the Regional Compliance Network.  Topics included: 
  • Existing compliance initiatives in the region - Alison Lawrence, Bruce Petersen
  • Regional Compliance Program update
  • Interactive workshop to identify issues and opportunities to be addressed by the Environmental Compliance Program.

Resources available to members: Presentations, Handouts

Nov 2008

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