Council staff look to improve knowledge at workshop on hazardous substances

FEEDBACK: Environmental Protection Authority hazardous substances compliance manager Ray McMillan goes over material from the hazardous substance workshop held in Napier this week. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

Hazardous substances abound in everyday life, and often people do not realise the influence these toxic products have on the environment around them.

To get a better handle on the issues and ensure public safety, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is holding a number of workshops around the country with representatives from territorial authorities providing feedback from their experiences on the ground.

While the EPA is a co-ordination and supervisory body, it's the local authorities that enforce the rules, both in private dwellings as well as public places.

Hazardous substances range from commercial waste, to agricultural products both on private property and public spaces, weed killers and face paints.

EPA hazardous substances compliance manager Ray McMillan said about 15 people attended a workshop held in Napier on Wednesday, attended by staff from Gisborne, Hastings, Wairoa and Napier councils ranging from rural firefighters to town planners.

He said it was a successful meeting that identified areas where the local enforcement personnel had issues or difficulties.

As enforcers these were the people who were charged with dealing with events ranging from chemical spills (in which case they would need to know what other agencies to contact) to ensuring compliance with rules such as not flushing certain substances into stormwater systems.

Issues that they identified were the need for more co-ordination, sharing information, maintaining skills, training and funding expertise within staff.

"Environmental issues are quite complicated and require a multi-agency approach," Mr McMillan said.

"That's what's driving us to engage with those responsible and see where we can improve the system, whether that's practically or a long-term strategy we need to start working on now."

Mr McMillan said the workshops would be held with all 66 territorial authorities by June this year.