Tasmania’s Auditor-General has tabled a scathing report, finding Tasmania’s waste management governance and regulatory oversight of landfills is inadequate, increasing exposure risks to the Tasmanian community and environment.
This is a damning indictment on the priorities of this Liberal government. With a singular focus on building a stadium Tasmania doesn’t want or need, essential services are not being met.
It is astounding that in 2025, despite diversionary efforts, half of Tasmania’s waste is ending up in landfill.
The Auditor-General also found there is no coordinated oversight for management, monitoring and that when problems were identified that placed risks to human health or the environment, the EPA failed in its enforcement powers and councils were slow to act.
But this issue runs far deeper than placing blame on councils and regulators, the Environment Minister should be urgently working on updating the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act (EMPCA) to empower the EPA and local governments to regulate landfills properly.
This lack of regulatory oversight and governance is indicative of a government that has lost control of the basics, at the expense of Tasmania’s air and water quality and our communities.
The Greens support the Auditor-General’s recommendations for stronger enforcement through the EPA, a statewide strategy, improved date collection, regulatory oversight and improving practices.
Will the Rockliff government avert their eyes from Macquarie Point and implement these recommendations to clean up Tasmania’s waste management systems and responsibilities?
