The Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) undertakes monitoring, forecasting, control and research for pest locust populations in agreed areas of the four member states of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland, where these populations pose a threat to agricultural production in more than one member state. The APLC is committed to conducting all its activities in an environmentally responsible manner to meet both our regulatory obligations and the expectations of the Australian community.
In fulfilling this commitment the APLC has and will continue to:
- employ specialist environmental staff to research any environmental impacts
- undertake research to minimise these impacts
- ensure Standard Operating Procedures are regularly reviewed to incorporate findings
- develop a GIS-based decision support system to improve operational efficiency and assist with reducing environmental impacts
- foster a corporate culture that supports the objectives and positively influences counterpart agencies
- establish and maintain links with external organisations to guide research and operational activities
- undertake regular reviews of activities and implement the resulting recommendations
The APLC strives to continually improve its performance in order to minimise disturbance to the environments in which it operates. This is achieved through the implementation of environmental standards consistent with developments in technology, codes of practice and all relevant statutory requirements. To fulfill its environmental objectives the APLC will:
- aim for standards of excellence in all of its operational areas
- cooperate with other government agencies in the formulation of rational and practical environmental guidelines and legislation based on the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development
- protect the biodiversity of ecosystems by minimising the intensity, extent and duration of disturbance to native flora and fauna
- avoid disturbance to identified sites of cultural, historical, natural or scientific significance
- monitor operations to confirm compliance with all applicable environmental standards, utilising the most appropriate technology available
- ensure that all environmental obligations are communicated to stakeholders and that all staff and contractors act to achieve our environmental objectives through appropriate training and contracts, and insist on strict compliance with all standard operating procedures and codes of practice
- demonstrate leadership to other agencies and assist them to achieve similar environmental performance
We will be accountable to our stakeholders for our environmental performance through a process of planning, implementation, reporting and research articulated in our strategic plans and through the development, implementation and review of a comprehensive Environmental Management System.
Chris Adriaansen
Director
July 2009
This environmental policy forms the basis of the APLC Environmental Management System for locust control.