In September last year regulatory responsibility for Underground Petroleum Storage Systems (UPSS) was transferred from the NSW EPA to Councils. To assist Councils with their new responsibilities, Peter Brennan, our Regional Contaminated Land Program Manager has been delivering training to Councils on applying the UPSS regulation and undertaking service station audits. The purpose of the training is to: 

• Build the skills and capacity of Council compliance staff to consistently apply the UPSS regulation
• Build the skills and capacity of Council compliance staff to undertake audits of facilities with UPSS, including the application of regional templates developed to assist Councils with these activities.
• Assess level of compliance of UPSS sites handed over to Councils by the NSW EPA.
• Assist Council compliance staff in educating service station staff in understanding their responsibilities under the regulation; and
• Facilitate the opportunity for Council staff to share existing specialist knowledge and experience amongst officers through the Hunter and Central Coast Region.

While training to some Councils has been placed temporarily on hold due to health risks arising from COVID-19, we are continuing to provide support through regular meetings of the UPSS Regional Working Group, development of further resources to support Councils with their UPSS compliance programs and provision of on-demand hotdesk support.