Call EPA 24 hours a day.1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC)
Air quality is important to the health and wellbeing of all Victorians. Most air pollution comes from industry, motor vehicles and domestic wood burning.
EPA plays a role in protecting the community from noise pollution.
Human health and wellbeing relies on the quality of our environment every day.
Our reporting system lets you dob in litterers in cars.
Many industrial activities require works approvals and licences from EPA.
EPA helps protect Victorians’ health from potential environmental hazards.
EPA works to protect Victoria from pollution during major infrastructure projects.
EPA periodically reviews environmental policy and regulation.
Guidance for business and industry, including licensing, works approvals and planning.
Information about the fees and charges levied by EPA.
EPA’s organisational strategy sets out five goals and how we'll work with Victorians to achieve them.
EPA welcomes the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into EPA.
EPA works with the community, businesses and other organisations to protect the environment.
EPA recognises staff who are leaders in the areas of air quality, inland water, marine water, waste, landfill, land and groundwater, and odour.
The process to submit complaints about the conduct of an EPA authorised officer.
Delivering on Recommendation 18.1 from the Victorian Government’s response to the EPA Inquiry
2017-18 highlights
In February 2018, EPA welcomed 11 Officers for the Protection of the Local Environment.
Known as 'OPLEs', the officers complement the work of EPA’s authorised officers and are part of a pilot program that aims to improve responses to small-scale pollution, waste, and health and wellbeing issues; improve industry compliance with environmental obligations; prevent harm; and strengthen EPA’s relationships with local government.
Authorised under the Environment Protection Act 1970, OPLEs work with their assigned councils to identify and resolve smaller scale local pollution and waste issues such as small-to-medium scale illegal dumping, litter, noise, and dust and odour complaints arising from business and industry. Hitting the ground running, our OPLEs responded to 335 incident reports and completed 299 inspections at 236 locations up to 30 June.
As well as responding to live issues, OPLEs are currently working on longer-term projects within their councils and communities. These projects include the roll-out of a stormwater improvement project with motor vehicle wreckers to identify and assess potential contamination, and the implementation of a program for local builders to increase awareness of their environmental obligations.
Our thanks to pilot program partners, the municipalities of Central Goldfields, Buloke, Loddon, Port Phillip, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Surf Coast, Wyndham, Greater Shepparton, Mildura, Wodonga, Brimbank and Hobsons Bay for their ongoing support.
An interim evaluation report for the OPLE pilot program was delivered in late June 2018 and will help determine next steps.
OPLEs have enhanced EPA’s statewide network
Our OPLEs are working with 13 councils across the state to better meet community needs. They're also helping us strengthen relationships between EPA's regions and their neighbouring councils. The map below shows our regions and the pilot councils. Click on the council names below to show their locations on the map.
We work with a wide variety of industries, including:
Food proprietors
Manufacturers
Builders
Motor wreckers
With a broad range of skills and expertise, OPLEs tackle small scale pollution and waste issues, such as the dumping of rubbish.
OPLEs work closely with businesses and the community, providing guidance to improve environmental performance.
OPLEs are supported by their local council, and EPA's scientific expertise, to protect the environment and human health.s
Other stories
Targeting illegal waste disposal
Assisting communities during Victoria's emergency response
Page last updated on 31 Dec 2018