Timber industry to be rewarded for improve environmental practices

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection is rewarding timber treatment operators who are actively adopting improved environmental practices by significantly reducing licence fees.

Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles said many operators in the timber industry are moving away from using harmful chemicals such as copper chromium arsenic (CCA) and creosote, and are instead using chemicals less harmful to the environment.

“As a result, the department has significantly reduced annual licence fees for all Environmental Authority (EA) holders who no longer use CCA or creosote, and EA holders who don’t use these chemicals and treat less than 1500 m³ of timber a year will no longer have to pay a licence fee,” Dr Miles said.

“Businesses which continue to use CCA or creosote will continue to pay the higher annual licence fees.

“All timber treatment EA holders will now need to determine if they will treat more or less than 1500 m³ of timber a year and advise the department which threshold applies to their activities.

“Based on current information, at least four EA holders will no longer have to pay the annual fee and at least 20 EA holders may be eligible for the reduction in fees.”

Dr Miles said these changes will reduce the financial burden on small businesses whilst also providing an incentive for improved environmental performance by encouraging the use of less carcinogenic chemicals in the timber industry.

“The reduction in these fees will not mean businesses carrying out timber treatment activities will have their environmental responsibilities reduced.

“All operators will still be required to meet their general environmental duty including taking all responsible steps to reduce environmental nuisance such as noise and dust emissions and ensuring other contaminants are not released to water or the environment.”

The new fee arrangements will apply from the first anniversary date of the operator’s EA after 8 July 2016.

ENDS

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