Atmosphere
Page 99
Industry
The ongoing expansion of industrial development in parts of the City, while of
benefit to the local economy and employment base, is likely to increase the
cumulative pollutant emissions in the atmosphere unless the location of industry
is strategically planned to prevent unacceptable interface impacts. Equally, the
location of new residential land divisions must be assessed and planned to
ensure that industry is not compromised in its functioning or potential expansion
by the introduction of further residents into interface areas. Strategic land use
planning is a critical management tool for this ongoing problem in some parts of
the City.
Where new and existing industry exists, it is critical that the environmental
performance of those industries continues to improve, and be effectively
controlled by planning and regulatory authorities. Without such controls there is
concern over the further amplified and cumulative impact this will continue to
have on the health and wellbeing of local residents, and the amenity of
residential areas and business precincts. This is a role of the Environment
Protection Authority in South Australia, particularly in relation to industrial
activities licensed under the Environment Protection Act 1993.
The promotion of “industry clusters” is a concept that can assist to manage
industries of similar environmental impact by locating them in focus areas,
providing geographically co-ordinated and cost-efficient benefits through shared
infrastructure, appropriate technologies and waste control systems. This is
successfully promoted at the Cast Metals Precinct in Wingfield via specific
zoning policy – the Industry (Cast Metals) Zone. The zone is specifically
designated for the locations of foundries and associated activities.
EPA Licensed Sites
Any industry of environmental significance is required under the SA
Environment Protection Act (1993) to be licensed by the Environment Protection
Authority (EPA). License conditions are stipulated according to the nature of
activity/processes, capacity of production, and waste production, and are
administered by the EPA.
An indicator of increased industrial presence and potential risk, is the number of
industrial/commercial premises undertaking prescribed activities of
environmental significance as defined under the Act, including air polluting
activities. Increases in the number of licensed sites within the City, indicates a
trend in environmentally significant industrial/commercial growth. In the last five
years there has been a slight downward trend in licensed industries in the
Council area with the EPA recording 192 licensed premises in 2011 compared
to 206 licence premises in 2006. This may reflect the reduced presence of the
manufacturing industry sector in the State overall in recent years.
