The amended Environment Protection Act 2017 (the Act) comes into effect on 1 July 2021 and is the most significant reform to the state’s environment protection laws and regulations in the 50 years of EPA’s existence.
The new laws will provide the EPA with increased powers to prevent harm to public health and the environment from pollution and waste, making them more equipped than ever to meet the environmental challenges facing Victoria.
The Act will be;
- Focused on prevention
- Flexible and risk-based
- Transparent
- Focused on justice
EPA Victoria has developed various resources and a series of webinars to assist stakeholders with understanding their obligations and preparing for the changes.
You can read more about the changes here and access resources via the links below.
Webinars
Victoria’s new environment protection laws webinar
This webinar was recorded on 3 February 2021 and provides an overview of the new laws. It includes links so you can move through to specific sections that are of interest.
Understanding your risks and duty to protect the environment – A session for business and industry
With new laws, come new responsibilities. As a small business you need to manage the risks your activities may pose to human health and the environment from pollution or waste.
This webinar covers key environmental obligations for business and industry, the general environmental duty (GED), how to identify and manage your environmental risk and where to find more information.
It is for anyone who owns or manages a business in Victoria, or represents industry interests, along with consultants or those who provide professional advice to businesses on environmental matters.
Do you run a business in Victoria that generates, transports, or receives waste? Environment Protection laws are changing on 1 July and you will have new responsibilities to comply with.
This webinar discusses the new waste framework and what your business needs to do to comply with the law. The webinar is for anyone who produces, transports, or receives waste in Victoria, along with consultants or those who provide professional advice to businesses on waste management.
Other resources
- Visit the EPA Victoria information for Business and industry page to find out more
- Assessing and controlling risk: A guide for business (EPA publication 1695) has more information on risk management.
- EPA has developed videos to support the assessing and controlling risk guide
- Preventing harm to people and the environment – information for small business. Use this self-assessment tool to help learn what you can do to manage the risks of your business causing harm to people and the environment.
