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Public registers

Public registers maintained by DECC

DECC is required to maintain a number of public registers under legislation which are listed below.

The Public Register under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act (1997) is one of the most important registers.

Public Register under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act ( 1997) (POEO Act)

About the POEO Public Register

The public register under section 308 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (the POEO Act) is an online searchable database and contains:

  • environment protection licences
  • applications for new licences and to transfer or vary existing licences
  • environment protection and noise control notices
  • convictions in prosecutions under the POEO Act
  • the results of civil proceedings
  • licence review information. Submissions regarding licence review can be made at any time
  • exemptions from the provisions of the POEO Act or regulations
  • approvals granted under clause 9 of the POEO (Control of Burning) Regulation
  • approvals granted under clause 7A of the POEO (Clean Air) Regulation

Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS)

The AHIMS is maintained by DECC and makes cultural heritage information available to members of the public upon request, usually to identify the location of sensitive and potentially culturally significant sites relating to development applications. This information helps members of the public avoid an offence under section 86 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act. DECC maintains the right to refuse a request for information.

DECC made an information management commitment to Aboriginal communities to honour the trust placed in DECC by Aboriginal people in sharing information about their heritage places and landscapes and respect the intellectual property rights of Aboriginal people.
For more information, contact the AHIMS Registrar, Culture and Heritage Division, Hurstville on (02) 9585 6444.

BioBanking public registers

BioBanking is a market-based scheme that provides a transparent, consistent and scientifically robust framework for the assessment of biodiversity values and for the long-term management of biodiversity offsets.

BioBanking enables 'biodiversity credits' to be generated by landowners who commit to enhance and protect biodiversity values on their land through a biobanking agreement. These credits can then be sold, generating funds for the management of the site. Developers can buy these credits and use them to counterbalance (offset) the impacts on biodiversity values that will occur as a result of development, by obtaining a biobanking statement, or through other means.

The credits can also be purchased by those seeking to secure conservation outcomes, including philanthropic organisations and government.

The BioBanking public registers have been developed to allow the scheme to operate effectively and to provide the public with the confidence that potential impacts on biodiversity and threatened species are being appropriately offset. The registers are established under section 127ZZ of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and comply with the Privacy and Personal Information Act 1998 for personal information. The BioBanking public register covers:

  • Biobanking agreements
  • Biobank site expressions of interest (EOI)
  • Biobanking statements
  • Biodiversity credits
  • Biodiversity credit transaction

Conservation Agreements Register

Register of conservation agreements
A conservation agreement is an agreement between landholders and the Minister for the Environment. The agreement provides permanent protection for the special features of the land and is voluntary.

The area under the agreement is registered on the title of the land ensuring that if the land is sold, the agreement and management requirements remain in place.

The register is open for public inspection during business hours. For further information:
Email: conservation.partners@environment.nsw.gov.au

Contaminated Land Public Record

The contaminated land public record is an online searchable database of:

Critical Threatened Species Habitat Register

NPWS is required to identify critical habitat under section 55 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

Critical habitats are areas of land that are crucial to the survival of particular threatened species, populations and ecological communities.

The online Critical Threatened Species Habitat Register shows all recommended and declared critical habitat in NSW.

Dangerous Goods Register

The Dangerous Goods Register is maintained by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in accordance with the Road and Rail Transport (Dangerous Goods) Act 1997 and Regulations made under that Act:
Road and Rail Transport (Dangerous Goods) (Rail) Regulation 1999
Road and Rail Transport (Dangerous Goods) (Road) Regulation 1998
It includes information on determinations, exemptions and approvals, and includes a link to driver and vehicle licences on the NSW Government Licensing System website.

Easements, Leases and Rights of Way Register

The National Parks and Wildlife Service keeps an online register of information on every lease, easement or right of way granted on national parks and reserves under the National Parks and Wildlife Act.

Hazardous materials (Hazmat) register of suppliers

The hazmat register contains information about providers that offer resources, equipment, products and advice to minimise the environmental effects of hazardous materials incidents.

The information in this register has been submitted by the providers. Inclusion in the register is not to be regarded as endorsement of their capacity and expertise.

Historic Heritage Information Management System (HHIMS)

The HHIMS maintained by DECC contains information about recorded historic places on sites DECC manages. HHIMS holds details on the type and location of historic places, collections of heritage items and individual buildings, reports and other archival material. Access to HHIMS is available to researchers and interested members of the public.

For more information, contact the HHIMS Registrar, Culture and Heritage Division, Hurstville on (02) 9585 6444.

Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme

The Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme is a licensing scheme for discharges of saline water in the Hunter River catchment above Singleton, from mines and power stations.

This site provides the credit exchange and register facility for the scheme members as well as general online access to the credit register and other information on the trading scheme.

Interim Protection Orders Register

Interim protection orders (issued under section 911 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act) which have been placed on land that has natural, cultural or scientific significance are published in the NSW Government Gazette. Copies of the Gazette can be viewed at http://www.advertising.nswp.commerce.nsw.gov.au/Gazette/Gazette.htm

Licences of Activities That Affect Threatened Species Register 

The register of licences of activities that affect threatened species records licences which may be required under section 91 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 if an action is likely to result in:

  • harm to, or picking of, a threatened species, population or ecological community;
  • damage to critical habitat; or
  • damage to a habitat of a threatened species, population or ecological community.

View the section 91 public register  to see scanned copies of all applications, licences and certificates. A hard copy of this register is also available in DECC's Sydney CBD library.

Wilderness Protection Agreements Register

The Register of wilderness protection agreements includes land tenure information (required by section 14 of the Wilderness Act 1987.

The register is open for public inspection during business hours. For further information:
Email: conservation.partners@environment.nsw.gov.au


 

 

Page last updated: 21 January 2009