EPA and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) develop and review environmental policy and regulation.
Current work
The Subordinate Legislation Reform Project is being run jointly by DELWP and EPA. This is to support the new environment protection laws coming into effect in 2020.
EPA and DELWP have commenced a review of the two state environment protection policies for noise (the noise SEPPs).
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is leading a whole of government review and update of Victoria’s recycled water guidance.
EPA is leading a review of the urban stormwater best practice environmental management guidelines. The review will ensure the guidelines reflect current scientific knowledge and regulatory practice.
Previous work
The Waste Management Policy (Solid Fuel Heaters) was varied on 2 October 2018.
DELWP, in collaboration with EPA, reviewed the statutory policies for surface water and groundwater and developed the new State Environment Protection Policy (Waters).
EPA has reviewed the Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 2008, also known as Residential Noise Regulations. The new Residential Noise Regulations 2018 took effect on 13 October 2018.
Acknowledging the risks and opportunities associated with electrical and electronic waste or ‘e-waste’, from July 2019, e-waste will be banned from landfill in Victoria.
The Victorian Government is committed to reducing the risk of fire at waste and resource recovery facilities. In 2018, EPA and DELWP consulted with industry and the community to development the Waste Management Policy (Combustible Recyclable and Waste Material) and reviewed EPA’s Management and storage of combustible recyclable and waste materials guideline.
Following an extensive review process, the Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises) Regulation 2017 commenced on 25 June 2017, replacing the Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises and Exemptions) Regulations 2007.
The Industrial Waste Resource Regulations have been amended to clarify beneficial reuse provisions and embed waste codes directly into the Regulations.
These Interim Regulations change the requirements for approval of the conditions under which non-liquid prescribed industrial waste may be transported for destruction or deposit.
The State Environment Protection Policy (Ambient Air Quality) was varied in July 2016 to adopt changes to particle standards.
In 2014, EPA and DELWP prepared a regulatory impact statement for public consultation during the making of Regulations to manage risks from the storage of waste tyres.
The Vehicle Emissions Regulations were reviewed and remade in 2013.
The statutory policy review 2012 examined the statutory policy framework – its function, structure, content, effectiveness and management.