Communiqués
Environment Protection and Heritage Council
The Environment Protection and Heritage Council was established by Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in June 2001. The EPHC incorporates the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC), the environmental protection components of the Australian New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) and the Heritage Ministers' Meeting.
- More progress on key environmental issues
- 5 July 2010
Australia's environment ministers made progress on the key issues of waste, heritage and water at the 21st meeting of the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) in Darwin. - National Water Initiative still the main game
- 20 April 2007
Peak water, industry, business, farming, local government and environment groups this week reaffirmed that the National Water Initiative provides the best opportunity to improve water management and secure more sustainable water resources for Australia. - Climate change and water top Ministers' agenda
- 02 June 2007, Cairns
At the 15th meeting of the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) in Cairns, Australian environment ministers discussed key environmental priorities relating to climate change, product stewardship, air quality, chemicals management, nationally protected areas and heritage conservation. - Ministers tackle environmental pressure points of urban living
- 23 June 2006, Sydney
Australian and New Zealand environment ministers and the Australian Local Government Association today agreed that air quality, waste management and water recycling are key issues for the coming year. The Council also announced a review of the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 to ensure its relevancy to emerging environment issues. - Council tackles environmental costs of modern living
- 26 October 2005, Launceston, Tasmania
Getting manufacturers involved in recycling their products is a key goal of the Council, which brings together Environment Ministers from all states and territories, as well as a representative of local government and Environment Ministers from New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Ministers reported strong progress in recycling of tyres, televisions, mobile phones and newspapers, but said action was needed quickly to improve the way the computer industry managed its waste. - Ministers act on pollution, waste and water
- 1 July 2005, Perth
Measures agreed to include the phase out of plastic bags by the end of 2008 and the first national study of how air pollution affects children's health. Action on water includes the labelling of outdoor water appliances, the development of national health and environment guidelines, and a strategy to boost water recycling by reducing unnecessary salts and chemicals in detergents. - Proposal for a strengthened National Packaging Covenant
- 3 December 2004, Teleconference
Australia's Environment and Heritage Ministers received a proposal from the National Packaging Covenant Council for a strengthened National Packaging Covenant. The covenant is a voluntary agreement between government and industry, including 610 individual companies, that aims to protect the environment from the impacts of packaging waste. Ministers also considered issues connected with several National Environment Protection Measures and released a discussion paper on co-regulatory approaches to product stewardship. - Waste from consumer packaging targeted
- 2 July 2004, Canberra
Ministers expect to receive a proposal from the National Packaging Covenant Council for a strengthened National Packaging Covenant at their next meeting, expected in October 2004. - Cleaning up our air, our waste and our environment
- 16 April 2004, Adelaide
The Environment Protection and Heritage Council today took a significant step towards protecting the community from harmful pollutants by endorsing a National Environment Protection Measure for air toxics. The Measure includes a guideline and protocols to monitor and report on five air toxics: benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, formaldehyde, toluene and xylenes. - Water heads national action agenda
- 2 October 2003, Perth
In what is believed to be a world-first, manufacturers will be required to place water-efficiency la bels on all showerheads, washing machines, dishwashers and toilets sold in Australia. Other products, including taps, urinals and flow regulators, will be covered on a voluntary basis, with the product list covered by the scheme to expand over time. - Plastic bags: Code of practice
- 1 August 2003, Canberra
Australia's Environment Ministers, meeting today as the Environment Protection and Heritage Council, agreed to accept a revised Code of Practice developed by the Australian Retailers Association on the management of plastic bags. - Water, air, plastic bag waste top Ministers' agenda
- 23 May 2003, Melbourne
Urban and household water savings, the development of a national approach to air toxics, and a strong call to retailers to take action on plastic bag waste are among the outcomes of a meeting of Australia's Environment and Heritage Ministers today.
