Frequently asked questions
To assist you in obtaining an answer to your question in a timely manner a listing of the most frequently asked questions are presented under topics for quick access.If you have a question that is not covered here, please feel free to email us with your enquiry and we will respond to your request within 5 working days.
Environmental management
Parks and forests
Nature conservation
Cultural heritage
Project and assignment information
Environmental Management
As a small business owner, what incentives
are there for me to operate an environmentally responsible business?
An operator carrying out an environmentally relevant
activity posing an insignificant risk of environmental harm can apply to
the administering authority for an incentive licence, and licence fees and frequency
of inspections can be reduced. An operator of a low-risk activity with two or
fewer fulltime employees apart from immediate family members can have the licence
fee halved. Ask the EPA or your local council for guidelines for waiving of
licence fees. More…
What type of paper can I put in my recycling
bin?
Call your local council for the recycling contractor's requirements. Some take
only newspaper. Others also take cardboard, magazines and advertising matter.
Check the requirements of your office paper recycler. More...
Why hasn't my rubbish/recycling bin been
collected?
Call your local council which is responsible for collection.
What can I do to stop my neighbours making
so much noise?
If the noise level from normal domestic appliances, machinery or animals is
unreasonable, call your local council's environmental health officer. If the
noise is from an amplifier, burglar alarm, musical
instrument, motor vehicle or party, call your local police.
How can I find out if the land I am buying
is contaminated?
Lodge an application at the EPA Customer Service Centre. Fees apply. Searches will be available 5-10 days after receipt of application.
For further information on contaminated land.
Will you come and test my water?
Call your local council or a consultant to arrange for toxicity and other tests
of your town supply, tank or dam. The EPA responds to reports of dead
fish and birds occurring in creeks and rivers.
What causes the enhanced greenhouse effect?
The majority of scientists believe it is increased concentrations in the atmosphere
of the following greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, perfluorocarbons,
hydrofluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. More…
What is the EPA doing in respect of the
Lyngbya outbreak?
The EPA has established a Lyngbya Steering Committee of key stakeholders to
identify causes and implement effective management actions to reduce the risk
of future Lyngbya blooms. More…
When was the responsibility for the environmental
regulation of mining transferred to the EPA?
The transfer of environmental regulation of mining in Queensland from the Department
of Mines and Energy (DME) to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commenced
on 1 January 2001. More…
I am considering a move to the coast of Queensland. Has the EPA recorded any data in relation to wave heights and climate?
The Environmental Protection Agency operates an extensive wave recording system around the coast. More...
Parks and forests
How can I book a campsite in a Queensland
national park/State forest?
Please ask our staff at the EPA Customer Service Centre. This centre has details on many national parks in Queensland.
Also contact Environmental Protection Agency/Queensland
Parks and Wildlife Service, or, book a campsite
on line
Where can I find information about Queensland
national parks and State forests?
Please ask our staff at the EPA Customer Service Centre.
What am I allowed to do in a marine park?
Many marine activities are allowed in most parts
of marine parks in Queensland. Marine park zoning plans
give full details of activities permitted in each zone.
What does world heritage-listed mean?
World Heritage areas are outstanding examples of the world's natural or cultural heritage. Five parts of Queensland — the Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island, the
Wet Tropics, the Riversleigh fossil fields and a section of the Central Eastern
Rainforests (Australia) Reserves — are on the UNESCO World
Heritage list of places of outstanding natural or cultural heritage.
Nature Conservation
Where can I get help for sick, injured or
orphaned native wildlife?
Call your local veterinary surgeon. Call Queensland
Parks and Wildlife Service offices for wildlife rangers and see The Carer's Kit.
If you have found sick or dead birds and are concerned about a possible disease, call the Department of Primary Industries Call Centre on 13 25 23
Where can I see Australian native wildlife?
David Fleay Wildlife Park, Gold Coast, (animals
including nocturnal wildlife); Daisy Hill Koala Centre,
Daisy Hill, Logan City; Walk-about Creek Wildlife Centre, Brisbane
Forest Park, The Gap, Brisbane (freshwater wildlife); Mon
Repos Conservation Park, Bundaberg (nesting sea turtles at night, November–January,
turtle hatchlings January–April); Great Barrier Reef Wonderland, Townsville
(corals, marine creatures).
Are there benefits to landholders in respect
of nature refuges?
Yes. The EPA is committed to developing partnerships with landholders to help
them achieve their conservation goals. More…
What is the current situation with the Nature
Conservation Regulations?
The Nature Conservation Regulation 1994 and the Nature Conservation (Wildlife)
Regulation 1994 will expire on 1 September 2005 and are proposed to be ‘remade’
as the Nature Conservation Regulation 2005 and the Nature Conservation (Wildlife)
Regulation 2005 respectively. More…
Cultural Heritage
What does heritage-listed mean?
Cultural heritage is based on aspects of our past that we want to keep, appreciate and enjoy today and to pass on to future generations. Almost 1000 places recognised by the community as valuable to
Queensland's cultural heritage comprise a Heritage Register established under
the Queensland's Heritage Act. These places are said to be heritage-listed.
Project and assignment information
Can you send me some information for a school
project/University assignment on the environment?
Determine the precise choice of topic and type of information sought. Search
this site. Can’t find the answer, contact the EPA Customer Service Centre.
Last updated: 21 January 2008
