Following recent discoveries of illegal storage and dumping of chemical waste, the Governing Board of Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has initiated an independent review into EPA’s systems and processes around its regulation of chemical waste.
“This review will identify any areas for improvement in EPA’s regulatory practice and systems,” EPA Board Chairperson Cheryl Batagol said.
“EPA is determined to make any necessary further improvements to its processes following the findings of this review to help protect the Victorian community and its environment,” EPA CEO Dr Cathy Wilkinson said.
“EPA has already put in place new processes to ensure reports related to illegal storage and dumping of chemical waste received from the community and other agencies are followed up as a matter of priority,” Dr Wilkinson said.
Background
EPA is currently involved in a multi-agency response to suspected illegal activity including illegal storage and dumping of chemical waste at sites across Campbellfield, Epping, Craigieburn and West Footscray.
Due to the ongoing nature of the multi-agency investigation, EPA is unable to provide any further comment on the matter that may potentially prejudice investigations.
From 1 July 2020, EPA will have a new Environment Protection Act with stronger powers and the ability to issue tougher penalties for environmental offences.
In an Australian first, the Act will introduce a general preventative environmental duty that is criminally enforceable.
The new Act strengthens EPA’s regulatory powers relating to waste including:
- Modernising EPA’s inspection and inquiry powers and the introduction of strong regulatory duties across the whole waste chain from generators to transporters to receivers of waste;
- Significant increases in maximum fines and penalties, including potential jail time for repeat illegal waste dumping offences; and
- Stronger fit and proper person requirements and prohibited person provisions means undesirable operators can be prevented from holding a permission and/or be excluded from undertaking specified activities.
The Victorian Government’s historic investment in EPA is also funding an overhaul of EPA’s IT systems so that there can be modern electronic intelligence gathering and sharing of information between agencies as well as a modern electronic waste tracking system.