What prompts a Local Council to conduct an inspection?
Different Councils have different priorities and different resources. That means that some businesses find that they are visited by their Local Council for an environmental inspection annually, and others find that they have never been visited. Some Councils look specifically at different industries, and will inspect all businesses within the one industry at a certain time. Other Councils will inspect when a complaint occurs (for example, if a neighbour complains about a smell, sited pollution or undue noise).
Within Sydney, at least three major Local Councils have conducted audits on all automotive industry businesses in the last twelve months.
What do Local Councils look for?
The first thing that Councils would look at is that no pollution is already occurring. Things that could be checked include:
- All storm water drains are free of oily plumes or obvious spills
- If cars are being washed, that they are being washed in a dedicated wash down bay that is bunded, undercover and linked to an oil water separator
- All oily parts, batteries and liquids are stored inside, undercover in a bunded area
- If a spray booth is in use, that it is compliant with Australian Standards
- That all liquid wastes are disposed of by a licensed waste collector and that receipts are kept of this.
Your Local Council will also look at how your liquids are being stored to ensure that you are doing enough to prevent pollution. If pollution ever does occur, the Local Council will check that the business has done all that it can to ensure that the possibility of pollution has been minimised. Things that could be checked include:
- The openings to your workshop are bunded or your floors slope inwards
- If an oil water separator is operating, that it is in a bunded area, undercover and on solid ground
- If an oil water separator is operating, that it is regularly serviced to ensure the oil is being separated correctly.
Different Councils do have different focuses and different definitions of "best practice". For example, some Councils do not allow underground oil water separators anymore, whilst other Councils will let the use of these continue but will not let new ones be installed unless they are more modern.
How can I be ready for Local Council to inspect my business?
The MTA can help your business get ready for an inspection through a few ways:
1) Envirochecks
Envirochecks are free checks of your business by the MTA. The checks go through all the things that a Council would go through, however it is for your information only. These checks can tell you what you are doing well and what things could be improved upon. Contact MTA to organise your business to be Envirochecked.
2) Become Green Stamp Accredited
MTA now offers Environmental Accreditation, so that if your business is performing at best practice you can be rewarded and recognised. The criteria is available from the Green Stamp website (www.greenstamp.mtansw.com.au) so make sure you have a look - your existing practices might be enough to earn the Green Stamp!
3) Conduct a Self-Assessment
There are self-assessment checklists available on the Green Stamp website (www.greenstamp.mtansw.com.au) under "Self Assessment Checklists". Go through the relevant checklist to see what sort of things are required and are best practice. Your staff could also do this at a Toolbox Meeting. |
