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National Plan Operations Group - Environment Working Group Terms of Reference
The National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and other Noxious and Hazardous Substances
The National Plan Operations Group was established pursuant to Recommendation 3 of National Plan Review 2000, as follows:
"It is recommended that a National Plan Operations Group be established to provide support to the National Plan Management Committee on day to day operational functions of the National Plan for both oil and chemical. The Operations Group comprise representatives of each of the key operational stakeholders of the National Plan, and be chaired by AMSA in recognition of its role as manager of the National Plan."
Purpose
The National Plan Environment Working Group (EWG) was established due to the revised structure of the National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and other Noxious and Hazardous Substances (National Plan) Operations Group (NPOG) following the 2000 National Plan Review. The purpose of the EWG is to address both research and development and the environmental and wildlife interests of all the parties to the National Plan.
Membership
The EWG is made up of representatives of the following agencies:
- Chair (an NPOG State/NT representative)
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority
- Environmental and Scientific Coordinators Representatives from at least 3 States/NT
- Royal Australian Navy
- Industy
In addition to the standing membership, the EWG will draw on additional expertise as necessary from National Plan stakeholders to undertake specific tasks.
Terms of Reference
Recognising:
- the legislative responsibilities of each State/NT;
- the purpose of the National Plan is to maintain a national integrated Government/industry organisational framework capable of effective response to oil and chemical pollution incidents in the Australian marine environment;
- the respective roles and responsibilities of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, representing the Commonwealth; and
- the States/NT under the Inter-Governmental Agreement on the National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and Other Noxious and Hazardous Substances.
The role of the EWG is:
- to address environmental, scientific and administrative issues delegated to it by NPOG;
- to provide a forum to address issues related to research and development, oiled wildlife response, Oil Spill Response Atlas, Oil Spill Trajectory Modeling, and the Environment and Scientific Coordinator’s Network;
- to facilitate interaction between the National Plan members with the aim of ensuring the effectiveness of the environmental and scientific advice provided during maritime incident responses in Australia; and
- to facilitate the implementation by responsible agencies of relevant recommendations of any post spill reviews, audits or research reports.
To undertake this role the EWG will:
- continually keep under review and monitor the effectiveness of environmental, scientific and administrative procedures and new technologies to ensure Australia’s response capability is maximised. This will include the standing review of issues associated with:
- State, Regional and Local environmental & scientific contingency plans;
- environmental and scientific technologies/equipment; and
- environmental and scientific training;
- as appropriate, draw on additional expertise from National Plan stakeholders to review issue specific environmental, scientific and administrative procedures and technologies;
- as directed by NPOG liaise with Commonwealth/State/industry and other agencies on specific environmental, scientific and administrative issues;
- coordinate the preparation for the annual ESC workshop.
- ensure ESC from State/NT where NPOG will next meet is briefed and attends the meeting to represent the ESC Network.
- prepare issue specific reports and recommendations to NPOG; and
- ensure that operational procedures and practices take account of the lessons that can be learnt from each major oil spill in Australia and elsewhere if relevant.
Meeting Frequency
Meetings of the EWG should normally be held following each meeting of (NPOG), being twice a year and, additionally, when there are adequate issues of importance to be addressed. Meetings may be held by teleconference.