In the heart of Parramatta on 5 November 2025, the Public Service Association (PSA) organised public action against the State Government’s ill-considered decision to cut $20 million from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and cut, or to use the State Government’s phrasing, delimit 370 jobs.

The lunchtime action, which was attended by the media, and several dozen union members from the EPA and their colleagues from other state government departments, sounded off through Parramatta Square with chants and placards.

Industrial Manager Julie-Ann Bond said no matter what justifications the government spouts, these cuts will undoubtedly threaten the health and safety of the state.

“Who will enforce our environment laws?” she said. “Who will go after the criminals who dump illegal waste such as asbestos in our bushland? Who will protect our waterways from contamination? And who will stop the illegal dumping of waste like lithium-ion batteries that poisons our state?”

With chants of, “No ifs, no buts, stop the EPA cuts!”, “They say deliminate! we say activate!”, and “Save our jobs, save our state, cutting here is a big mistake!”, the action ensured the lunchtime office workers had to look up from their sandwiches and lattes.

“The EPA is an essential, frontline agency for the state,” said Stewart Little, General Secretary of the PSA.” Reducing the EPA’s capacity puts so much at risk. The regulation of contaminated sites and groundwater. Lead management at Broken Hill. Asbestos fill oversight in Parramatta, and the assessment of major projects such as Sydney Metro and  WestConnex are all put in jeopardy as a result of the proposed cuts.”

PSA industrial staff and EPA delegates expressed what is at stake if these unnecessary cuts go ahead. “Do we want a cleaner state or a cleaner balance sheet?” Anne Kennelly, Senior Organiser stated. “We want our members across the EPA to be able to go out and fully do the work that is so vital to the environment and the protection of our great state. We are not being unreasonable, the NSW government has to protect our state. And to do that, it needs to protect our members and stop the cuts to the EPA.”

To see video of the EPA cuts action at Parramatta, click HERE.