Victoria's environmental protection regime has now shifted to a more preventative and duties-based framework, with the commencement today of the major reforms in the Environment Protection Amendment Act 2018 (Vic) (2018 Act).
What you need to do if you manage or control land in Victoria
It is important that you understand how the new regime operates and its implications for you and your business, particularly as a result of the GED and the new statutory duties that impose immediate requirements.
If you manage or control contaminated land, you need to be aware of both your duty to manage contaminated land, and your duty to notify EPA of notifiable contamination.
You will need to update your processes and systems to reflect the new regime and its associated duties and obligations, including to satisfy the GED and mandatory reporting obligations for notifiable contamination and notifiable incidents.
EPA's website provides industry-based guidance which may assist you in understanding the new regime and how to comply. EPA has also recently released guidance on the duty to notify EPA of notifiable contamination.
Given the magnitude of the change introduced by the reforms, we will be providing you with regular topic based insights into the duties and obligations that it imposes. Initial articles will address the:
- GED;
- management of contaminated land;
- new duty to notify EPA of notifiable contamination; and
- new waste regime.
Our articles will contain a list of relevant provisions, regulations and EPA guidance material (with links) to assist you in complying with your new duties and obligations.