We are drafting new and updated guidelines on the resource recovery order and exemption framework including updated information on how to apply for an order and exemption, how applications are assessed and how decisions are made.

The new guidelines provide detailed information to assist people applying for an order and exemption.

They seek to make the assessment and decision processes clearer, improving transparency and enabling more efficient processing of applications.

The draft Policy Guide details the background, laws and policies that support orders and exemptions. It describes the process for applying for an order and exemption, and the assessment criteria that a propose re-use needs to satisfy.

The draft Application Guide provides specific guidance on how to prepare an application for a resource recovery order and exemption to apply waste to land as a fertiliser, soil amendment or for engineering purposes.

Public consultation on the Resource Recovery Order and Exemption Framework is now open until 5pm Thursday 24 April 2025.

Have your say on the draft Policy Guide and Application Guideline documents.

You can provide your feedback by:

• Responding to the short survey below
• Providing written feedback by emailing: resource.recovery@epa.nsw.gov.au

The EPA commissioned an independent review of the NSW Resource Recovery Framework and has been working to action the 22 recommendations made in the review to help refine and strengthen the framework.

The review was undertaken by Dr Cathy Wilkinson, former head of the Victorian EPA, and was informed by consultation with industry, government and community stakeholders.

Please note, your feedback may include ‘personal information,' including your name, address, email, internet protocol address and any other personal information contained in your feedback.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (the EPA) must comply with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. Visit the EPA’s privacy page and the Privacy Policy for further information on its online consultation platform.

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