Important Changes To Environmental Protection Laws

Changes to the Victorian Environment Protection Act 1970  (EP Act) coming into effect on 1 July 2021 will significantly change the way in which Environmental Protection is regulated in Victoria. 

At the centre of the new Act will be the introduction of the principle of a General Environmental Duty (GED). 

The GED, which is similar to the general duties of the OHS Act, requires organisations (and people) to reduce the risk of their activities potentially harming the environment or human health through pollution or waste including:

• Business activities that produce noise, odour or runoff to stormwater
• The storage, use and disposal of liquids and chemicals
• Management of wastes and the choice of transporter or receiver of wastes

More specifically the duties include:

• A risk based approach to the requirement for permissions (registrations, permits and licences)
• New criteria for pollution requiring notification
• Correct waste disposal
• Managing contaminated land on your site(s) - even if you didn’t cause it

We can help you identify the impact of the new legislation on your organisation and provide advice on actions required to ensure compliance. This may include:

• A site survey, measurement, analysis and assessment of potential air, water, noise and soil issues to identify compliance obligations and effective control measures
• Assistance with implementing controls including, design and specification, implementation and procedures development and coaching where administrative controls form part of the solution

More detailed information from the EPA is available here.

If you have any questions, please give Elden Pereira, our Sales Operations Manager, a call on 1 300 856 282.