Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) welcomes $162.5 million to strengthen EPA’s enforcement and environmental health capabilities, announced in the Victorian Budget today.
EPA Victoria CEO Nial Finegan said the significant investment under the Victorian 2017/18 Budget would enable EPA Victoria to fully implement the Victorian Government’s response to the EPA Inquiry.
“This is a very significant investment that provides EPA with great certainty and resourcing to implement our reform commitments and the Government’s vision for EPA over coming years,” Mr Finegan said.
“Through this investment, the Government has pledged its commitment to ensuring EPA is well resourced to become the modern, 21st century regulator envisaged in its response to the Inquiry.”
Mr Finegan said EPA had already delivered on the Government’s early commitments and was now planning for the remaining reforms.
“Victoria’s first Chief Environmental Scientist, Dr Andrea Hinwood, started with EPA Victoria this week and will strengthen and promote our scientific voice,” he said.
“EPA Victoria is committed to modernising to meet Victoria’s environment and human health challenges and will use this funding to deliver an environmental regulator that protects Victorians, and their environment, from the harmful effects of pollution and waste now and into the future.”
“Today’s announcement builds on the commitment made by the Victorian Government earlier this year in its response to the EPA Inquiry, and will allow us to continue to build on the great work already under way.”