Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) CEO Nial Finegan is delighted to welcome Voices of the Valley president, Wendy Farmer and Victorian National Parks Association Executive Director Matt Ruchel to EPA’s Community Reference Group.
Nial Finegan said both Wendy and Matt had recently accepted invitations to join the group.
“Having new voices and perspectives in the group are important to EPA’s goal of improving the quality of deliberation and input on environment protection measures across the state,” he said.
“EPA’s Community Reference Group is made up of individual strategic environment advocates acting for environment protection and Wendy and Matt encompass this description. I am delighted they have accepted my invitation.”
“I look forward to addressing the best ways to represent the interests and views of different aspects of Victoria’s environment, and the communities who are actively engaged in protecting them.”
Wendy and Matt will join eight other environmental leaders who are part of the group.
The role of the Community Reference Group is to support EPA Chairman Cheryl Batagol and EPA CEO Nial Finegan in the discharge of their functions by providing advice and input to:
- support a healthy environment for a liveable and prosperous Victoria
- contribute to EPA’s understanding of community concerns and external environmental priorities in order to shape effective EPA policy and operational activities
- support and enhance programs and projects aimed at improving environmental outcomes, including exploring opportunities to partner in the development and delivery of programs
- support and enhance EPA’s administration of the Environment Protection Act 1970 and accompanying regulation
Community Reference Group meetings are held quarterly at EPA’s head office. EPA also facilitates a Business Reference Group and a Water Industry Reference Group.
Quote attributable to Wendy Farmer
"It is vital that communities have a say in, and are informed about, pollution that affects our environment. I’m looking forward to working with the EPA to examine and discuss issues that impact the environment across Victoria.
Other members of EPA’s Community Reference Group include:
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Nicholas Aberle
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Environment Victoria
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Andrew Kelly
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Yarra Riverkeeper
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Ray Radford
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Merri Creek Management Committee & Friends of Merri Creek
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Alison Kelly
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Centre for Sustainability Leadership
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Tony O’Hara
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Hampton Park Progress Association
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Harry van Moorst
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Western Region Environment Centre/TTTDAG
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Geoff McFarlane
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Victorian Landcare Council
President of Bellarine Landcare Group
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Brendan Sydes
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Environmental justice Australia
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