The EPA Board last month held a successful engagement forum with representatives from the Local Government sector, as part of its annual stakeholders and community groups engagement program.
Just over 20 participants including mayors and chief executives took part in the discussion that focussed around three key topics – site contamination framework, local nuisance responsibilities and litter control; and waste reform.
Both sectors were encouraged to foster shared roles and responsibilities and to remain innovative in delivering joint and seamless environment protection services for the South Australian community.
EPA Chief Executive Tony Circelli said the forum also focussed on the EPA interacting with other government departments, stakeholders and the community organisations.
“These discussions will help shape some of the strategies and actions in the EPA Partnerships and Engagement Framework, particularly around ways we can work better with local government to engage and communicate with community groups,” he said.
“The following day, I attended the LGA Chief Executive Forum, Our State – Enhancing State and Local Government Collaboration where I spoke about the benefits of working with the LGA and recognised that for us to operate effectively, we need support from, and partnerships with, local government.”
Mr Circelli stressed the importance of working collaboratively to strengthen the EPA’s relationship with both the LGA and local councils.