Compliance Overview

Compliance Framework
Compliance Driver UNE Environmental & Sustainability Compliance Framework (Cth)
Classification Level 1
University-wide concern. Impacts on reputation and funding.
Associated Legislation
Associated Standards
Associated Codes None
Associated Information
Return to Top Administrative Information
Administrative Body Estate and Built Environment
Administrative Name , Environmental Sustainability Manager
Administrative Address  
Administrative Phone  
Administrative Email  
Administrative Website https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/university-structure/estate-and-built-environment
Return to Top General Introduction
VC Compliance Delegate Meredith Parry, Chief Operating Officer
Compliance Coordinator Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Business Units Impacted
  • Academic Development
  • Accounting
  • Advancement, Alumni and Events
  • Ag360
  • Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit
  • Australian Business Research Institute
  • Brand Partnership and Business Development
  • Business Intelligence and Analytics
  • Business Services
  • Campuses
  • Careers & Employability
  • Centre for Agriculture and Law
  • Centre for Animal Research and Teaching
  • Centre for Applied Research in Social Science
  • Centre for Local Government
  • Client Services
  • Collaborative Research Centres
  • Computational Analytics Software Infomatics
  • Controlled Entities
  • Corporate Communications and Events
  • Cotton Catchment Communities CRC
  • CRC for Beef Genetic Technologies
  • CRC for Spatial Information
  • Curriculum and Academic Management
  • Data Services
  • Digital Education
  • Education Enterprise
  • Education Futures
  • Education Quality Directorate
  • English Language Centre
  • Enterprise Architecture
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Examinations Office
  • Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education
  • Faculty of Medicine and Health
  • Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law
  • Finance Strategy and Business Intelligence
  • Graduate Research School
  • Heritage Futures Research Centre
  • Information Security
  • Infrastructure Services
  • Institute for Rural Futures
  • Integrated Services and Operational Intelligence
  • Internal Audit
  • Legal Services
  • Library Services
  • Office of Strategy and Management
  • Office of the Chief Financial Officer
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
  • Office of the Director Governance and University Secretary
  • Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous
  • Office of the Vice-Chancellor and CEO
  • Oorala Aboriginal Centre
  • Operational Reporting
  • People and Culture
  • Poultry Hub
  • Procurement
  • Records, Policy and Governance Unit
  • Research Centres and Institutes
  • Research Services
  • Rural Properties
  • School of Education
  • School of Environmental and Rural Science
  • School of Health
  • School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
  • School of Law
  • School of Psychology
  • School of Rural Medicine
  • School of Science and Technology
  • SportUNE
  • Strategic Partnerships & Business Development
  • Strategic Projects Group
  • Student Grievance Unit
  • Student Journey
  • Student Pathways
  • Student Services
  • Technology and Digital Services
  • The National Centre of Science, Information and Communication Technology, and Mathematics Education
  • Treasury
  • UNE Archives & Heritage Centre
  • UNE Brand and Marketing
  • UNE Business School
  • UNE Council
  • UNE Foundation Limited
  • UNE Foundation Trust
  • UNE International
  • UNE Life Healthcare Centre
  • UNE Life Pty Ltd
  • UNE Marketing
  • UNE Partnerships Pty Ltd
  • UNE Professional Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd
  • UNE Residential System
  • University Secretariat
  • Vechile Management Services
  • Yarm Gwanga
Overview The purpose of this compliance driver is to provide you with:
* an overview of complex regulatory framework regarding environmental compliance that the University is subject to.
* high level information regarding the University's environmental plans and actions.

Environmental compliance responsibilities and obligations are detailed against individual compliance drivers/legislation.

Compliance Obligations

Return to Top Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 Requirements
Description UNE is to comply with the obligations under the Act and in accordance with the purpose the Act to maintain a healthy, productive and resilient environment for the greatest well-being of the community, now and into the future, consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development
Impacts
Responsible Manager Bradley Nixon, Associate Director Operational Services
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
  • Rural Properties
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation None
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy None
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Contaminated Land Management Act 1997
Description Contaminated Land Management Act 1997
Impacts Under s12(1) where the University has control of the land the NSW EPA may undertake an investigation or remediation order under the Act. The University must comply with any order on the basis it has control of the land
Responsible Manager Bradley Nixon, Associate Director Operational Services
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Estate and Built Environment
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation None
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy None
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top DPIE and ARC - Trade Waste compliance
Description The University has the obligation to seek approval from the local council to discharge liquid waste material into the council sewerage system. As of 2025 there are 34 trade waste discharge location on campus

Report on the status of the 34 trade waste licenses
Impacts Fines may apply
Negative impact on reputation
Responsible Manager Bradley Nixon, Associate Director Operational Services
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Internal Audit
  • School of Environmental and Rural Science
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy None
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Description EPBC Act covers the following (relevant to UNE):
Species and ecological communities
Threatened ecological communities
Threatened fauna
Threatened flora

Provide comment on any activities that have triggered the Act during reporting report
Impacts
Responsible Manager Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Accounting
  • Advancement, Alumni and Events
  • Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit
  • Australian Business Research Institute
  • Business Intelligence and Analytics
  • Campuses
  • Centre for Agriculture and Law
  • Centre for Applied Research in Social Science
  • Centre for Local Government
  • Computational Analytics Software Infomatics
  • Corporate Communications and Events
  • CRC for Beef Genetic Technologies
  • Education Enterprise
  • Education Quality Directorate
  • English Language Centre
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education
  • Faculty of Medicine and Health
  • Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law
  • Heritage Futures Research Centre
  • Institute for Rural Futures
  • Internal Audit
  • Legal Services
  • Library Services
  • Office of Strategy and Management
  • Office of the Chief Financial Officer
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
  • Office of the Vice-Chancellor and CEO
  • Oorala Aboriginal Centre
  • People and Culture
  • Procurement
  • Records, Policy and Governance Unit
  • Research Services
  • Rural Properties
  • School of Education
  • School of Environmental and Rural Science
  • School of Health
  • School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
  • School of Law
  • School of Psychology
  • School of Rural Medicine
  • School of Science and Technology
  • Student Grievance Unit
  • Student Journey
  • Technology and Digital Services
  • The National Centre of Science, Information and Communication Technology, and Mathematics Education
  • UNE Archives & Heritage Centre
  • UNE Business School
  • UNE Council
  • UNE Foundation Limited
  • UNE Foundation Trust
  • UNE International
  • UNE Life Healthcare Centre
  • UNE Marketing
  • UNE Partnerships Pty Ltd
  • UNE Residential System
  • University Secretariat
  • Yarm Gwanga
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation None
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy Environment and Sustainability Policy
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Gas Supply Act 1996
Description The University is to comply with the obligations under the Act, and to confirm no offenses have occurred during reporting period
Impacts
Responsible Manager Bradley Nixon, Associate Director Operational Services
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Estate and Built Environment
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation None
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy None
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007
Description Ensure compliance with legislation, with appropriate annual reporting through Tertiary Education Facilities Management Association (TEFMA), and report if threshold is triggered
Impacts
Responsible Manager Bradley Nixon, Associate Director Operational Services
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation None
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy None
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 - Aboriginal Heritage Items
Description The University is to comply with its obligations under the Act relating to Aboriginal Heritage, including project specific Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permits (AHIP)
Impacts Fines and penalties
Responsible Manager Bradley Nixon, Associate Director Operational Services
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Estate and Built Environment
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation None
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy None
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 - Possum Catch and Release
Description Submit Annual Possum Catch and Release Activity Report
Provide details of any catch and releases that have taken place in the last 12 months under Possum Catch and Release Licence MWL000103671
Impacts Non-compliance, unable to renew licence.
Responsible Manager Bradley Nixon, Associate Director Operational Services
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Estate and Built Environment
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation None
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy None
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Ozone Protection Act 1989
Description Compliance with ozone management requirements
Impacts Maximum penalty applies
Responsible Manager Bradley Nixon, Associate Director Operational Services
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation None
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy Energy Management Policy
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989
Description Ensure compliance with legislation, with appropriate annual reporting through Tertiary Education Facilities Management Association (TEFMA), and report if threshold is triggered
Impacts
Responsible Manager Bradley Nixon, Associate Director Operational Services
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Estate and Built Environment
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation None
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy None
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Pesticides Act 1999 - Notification of Pesticide Use
Description Public authorities are required to develop notification plans for notification of pesticide use.
Impacts It is an offence under the Act to:
1. use a pesticide in a manner that injures or is likely to injure another person (section 10);
2. use a pesticide in a manner that damages or is likely to damage any property of another person (section 10);
3. use a pesticide in a manner that harms any non-target animal or plant, or harms any animal or plant if there is no approved label or permit for the pesticide (section 11);
4. wilfully or negligently use a pesticide in a manner that causes material harm to threatened species or protected animals (section 9);
5. possess or use an unregistered pesticide without a permit (sections 12 and 13);
6. fail to read an approved label or permit before using a registered pesticide (section 14);
7. use a registered pesticide contrary to the approved label (section 15);
8. keep registered pesticides in a container without an approved label (section 16);
9. possess or use a restricted pesticide without being authorised by a certificate of competency or a pesticide control order (section 17).
Responsible Manager Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit
  • Australian Business Research Institute
  • Centre for Agriculture and Law
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Heritage Futures Research Centre
  • Institute for Rural Futures
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
  • Rural Properties
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy None
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Pesticides Act 1999 compliance
Description Compliance with legislation
Impacts It is an offence under the Act to:
1. use a pesticide in a manner that injures or is likely to injure another person (section 10);
2. use a pesticide in a manner that damages or is likely to damage any property of another person (section 10);
3. use a pesticide in a manner that harms any non-target animal or plant, or harms any animal or plant if there is no approved label or permit for the pesticide (section 11);
4. wilfully or negligently use a pesticide in a manner that causes material harm to threatened species or protected animals (section 9);
5. possess or use an unregistered pesticide without a permit (sections 12 and 13);
6. fail to read an approved label or permit before using a registered pesticide (section 14);
7. use a registered pesticide contrary to the approved label (section 15);
8. keep registered pesticides in a container without an approved label (section 16);
9. possess or use a restricted pesticide without being authorised by a certificate of competency or a pesticide control order (section 17).
Responsible Manager Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit
  • Australian Business Research Institute
  • Centre for Agriculture and Law
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Heritage Futures Research Centre
  • Institute for Rural Futures
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
  • Rural Properties
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation None
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy None
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Protection of the Environmental Operations Act 1997 compliance
Description Compliance with legislation
Impacts Negative impact on reputation.

Fines and penalties may apply.
Responsible Manager Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Accounting
  • Advancement, Alumni and Events
  • Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit
  • Australian Business Research Institute
  • Business Intelligence and Analytics
  • Campuses
  • Centre for Agriculture and Law
  • Centre for Applied Research in Social Science
  • Centre for Local Government
  • Computational Analytics Software Infomatics
  • Corporate Communications and Events
  • CRC for Beef Genetic Technologies
  • Education Enterprise
  • Education Quality Directorate
  • English Language Centre
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education
  • Faculty of Medicine and Health
  • Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law
  • Heritage Futures Research Centre
  • Institute for Rural Futures
  • Internal Audit
  • Legal Services
  • Library Services
  • Office of Strategy and Management
  • Office of the Chief Financial Officer
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
  • Office of the Vice-Chancellor and CEO
  • Oorala Aboriginal Centre
  • People and Culture
  • Procurement
  • Records, Policy and Governance Unit
  • Research Services
  • Rural Properties
  • School of Education
  • School of Environmental and Rural Science
  • School of Health
  • School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
  • School of Law
  • School of Psychology
  • School of Rural Medicine
  • School of Science and Technology
  • Student Grievance Unit
  • Student Journey
  • Technology and Digital Services
  • The National Centre of Science, Information and Communication Technology, and Mathematics Education
  • UNE Archives & Heritage Centre
  • UNE Business School
  • UNE Council
  • UNE Foundation Limited
  • UNE Foundation Trust
  • UNE International
  • UNE Life Healthcare Centre
  • UNE Marketing
  • UNE Partnerships Pty Ltd
  • UNE Residential System
  • University Secretariat
  • Yarm Gwanga
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation None
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy Environment and Sustainability Policy
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000
Description Power stations must submit an electricity generation return (EGR) by close of business on 14 February every year. If this date falls on a weekend, submit on the following business day.
Regulation 18(1)(l) of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 requires an annual electricity generation return to include the details of any breach of the conditions of a permit, or conviction for an offence, under any Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government law related to the operation of the power station during the year.Annual Return - electricity Generation
Impacts
Responsible Manager Bradley Nixon, Associate Director Operational Services
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Estate and Built Environment
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation None
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy None
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Training
Description Training in the use of pesticides is compulsory for people who use pesticides as part of their job or business. These pesticide users must do a short refresher course every five years.
Impacts It is an offence under the Act to:
1. use a pesticide in a manner that injures or is likely to injure another person (section 10);
2. use a pesticide in a manner that damages or is likely to damage any property of another person (section 10);
3. use a pesticide in a manner that harms any non-target animal or plant, or harms any animal or plant if there is no approved label or permit for the pesticide (section 11);
4. wilfully or negligently use a pesticide in a manner that causes material harm to threatened species or protected animals (section 9);
5. possess or use an unregistered pesticide without a permit (sections 12 and 13);
6. fail to read an approved label or permit before using a registered pesticide (section 14);
7. use a registered pesticide contrary to the approved label (section 15);
8. keep registered pesticides in a container without an approved label (section 16);
9. possess or use a restricted pesticide without being authorised by a certificate of competency or a pesticide control order (section 17).
Responsible Manager Kathy Little, Operational Services Manager
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit
  • Australian Business Research Institute
  • Centre for Agriculture and Law
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Heritage Futures Research Centre
  • Institute for Rural Futures
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
  • Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
  • Rural Properties
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy None
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites
 
Return to Top Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001
Description Encourage the most efficient use of resources and to reduce environmental harm in accordance with the principles of ESD to provide for the continual reduction in waste generation.
(a) to encourage the most efficient use of resources and to reduce environmental harm in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development,
(b) to ensure resource management options are considered against a hierarchy in the following order—
(i) avoidance and reduction of waste,
(ii) re-use of waste,
(iii) recycling, processing or reprocessing waste,
(iv) recovery of energy,
(v) disposal,
(c) to provide for the continual reduction in waste generation,
Impacts
Responsible Manager Bradley Nixon, Associate Director Operational Services
Coordinating Officer Suzannah Mitchell, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coordinating Unit Estate and Built Environment
Oversight Committee/Group None
Business Units Impacted
  • Estate and Built Environment
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation None
Associated Standard None
Associated Code None
Associated Information None
Management Tools
Rule None
Policy None
Protocol None
Procedure None
Guideline None
Other Websites