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Environmental and Sociological Factors
Government Legislation
This unit of work addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcomes
The student:
H1.2 identifies appropriate equipment, production and manufacturing techniques and describes the impact of new and developing technologies in industry
H7.1 evaluates the impact of the focus area industry on the social and physical environment
Source: Stage 6 Engineering Studies syllabus. Board of Studies NSW, 1999.
Government Legislation Affecting Industry
When a business, whether a manufacturing or service industry, is setting up in an area they are required to comply with relevant laws and regulations set down by state and local governments. Typically, regulations cover the zoning of the land, hours of operation, storage of materials, transport limits, noise levels, pollution, waste controls, hazardous materials handling and disposal. Government regulations also cover Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.
Not only do industries have regulations that govern initial set up of a business, but laws are in place to ensure that the day to day operations comply with pollution, emission and waste controls. For example;
If you visit the following website 
you will see that several government agencies have been set up to control a range of environmental concerns in New South Wales.
Some of these agencies are:
- Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability
http://www.deus.nsw.gov.au/ has responsibility for the safety and performance of energy networks, water and energy policy and promotes affordable, safe, reliable and sustainable water and energy for NSW. - Department of Environment and Conservation
http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/index.htm was established in September 2003 to bring the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), National Parks and Wildlife Service, Resource NSW and Botanic Gardens Trust together into a single Department. - Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
http://www.dipnr.nsw.gov.au/ "drives, co-ordinates and streamlines land-use, transport planning, infrastructure development and natural resource management in NSW." It incorporates the previous departments of Land and Water Conservation and Planning NSW. - Department of Lands
http://www.lands.nsw.gov.au/ is responsible for the management of Crown lands; titling, valuation and surveying of land; Native Title; Aboriginal land claims; soil services including conservation and testing; Land Boards and Emergency Information Co-ordination Unit. - Department of Local Government
http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_index.asp is a central website from which information and links are available for all Local Councils in NSW. - Department of State and Regional Development
http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/ "provides information, advice and assistance to foster business growth, industry and innovation in Sydney and NSW. - Environmental Protection Authority
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au monitors and enforces policies to reduce pollution, waste and emissions in NSW homes and industries and is now incorporated into the Department of Environment and Conservation. - Resource NSW - Conservation and Waste Reduction
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/warr/index.htm/index-RNSW.htm who"s role is "to develop, co-ordinate and evaluate strategies and programs for resource conservation and waste reduction".
Activity 1
The storage, transportation and disposal of a range of industrial waste materials, solid and liquid, are restricted by new legislation, which requires that some categories of waste be tracked.
Go to the following website:. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/environmentalissues.htm
- The DECC (Dept. of Environment and Climate Change) has replaced EPA (Environmental Protection Authority).
Outline the areas the DECC is working with communities, business and government..
- List the Environmental Issues for which the DECC is responsible.
- Go to http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/sustainbus/selfhelptool.pdf .
Outline how the use of resources and the amount of waste generated by manufacturing goods and providing services can be reduced.
Activity 2
Go to the website at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/warr/07242_WARRoverview07.pdf to help answer the following:
- Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2007 replaces the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001.
Briefly outline the goals of the strategy.
- Go to http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/waste/epr/eprps2004.pdf
Write a definition for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
- Go to http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/warr/EPR.htm
List the 'wastes of concern' that producers have a responsibility to address beyond just manufacture.
Sociological Effects of Industry
When an industry affects the physical or emotional wellbeing of people in an area these are referred to as the sociological effects. Sociological effects can be things that have a positive effect on people as well as those things that are negative.
Some positive sociological effects include a boost in community morale when new work opportunities are offered by an industry, the provision of subsidised housing and support for community projects
Some negative sociological effects include noise pollution that affects sleep, effluents that have an impact on health, restructuring decisions that affect employment levels, job security, and career paths.
Activity 3
- Read the Social Assessment case study of the Pratt Water Murrumbidgee Valley Water Efficiency Feasibility Study at:
http://www.napswq.gov.au/publications/books/pratt-water/working-papers/pubs/timber-plantations-appendix10.pdf
and list some of the sociological issues that are raised.
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