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The EPA has recently commenced a review of the Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2015. The first stage of this review will be the release of a discussion paper for public consultation and to engage with stakeholders on opportunities to improve the policy. The intended outcome will be to develop a new environment protection policy relating to water quality. A notice has been published in the SA Government Gazette giving notice of the intention to prepare a draft environment protection policy.

In early 2022, South Australians were asked to provide feedback on Turning the Tide on Single-use Plastic 2021. Based on the feedback received, the Deputy Premier Hon Susan Close MP announced South Australia’s staged next steps for banning single-use and other plastic products over the next 3 years.

Four additional single-use plastic products will be banned from 1 September 2023, including:

• plastic pizza savers
• plastic-stemmed cotton buds
• single-use plastic bowls without lids for food and beverages
• single-use plastic plates for food.

This requires a variation to the regulations under section 6(1)(h) of the Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 to prescribe additional prohibited items.

The draft regulations, which outline the products to be banned and the proposed exemptions, have been developed with reference to legislation already in place across other Australian jurisdictions and New Zealand.

Green Industries SA is seeking feedback on the draft regulations and proposed exemptions, with the view to identify any specific issues not addressed and any potential unintended consequences.

To read the current legislation, draft regulations and explanatory notes, and to provide your feedback, visit the YourSAy site.