Victoria Environmental Act

Authorised Version No.
010
Environment Protection Act 2017
No. 51 of 2017
Authorised Version incorporating amendments as at
1 June 2023
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Section Page
Chapter 1—Preliminary 1
1 Purposes 1
2 Commencement 3
3 Definitions 3
4 What is harm? 39
5 What is material harm? 39
6 The concept of minimising risks of harm to human health
and the environment 40
7 Application of Act 41
8 Extraterritorial application of Act 41
9 Simplified outlines 42
Chapter 2—Principles of environment protection 43
Part 2.1—Simplified outline 43
10 Simplified outline—Chapter 2 43
Part 2.2—Application of this Chapter 44
11 Specified principles of environment protection 44
12 Effect of this Chapter 44
Part 2.3—Principles of environment protection 45
13 Principle of integration of environmental, social and
economic considerations 45
14 Principle of proportionality 45
15 Principle of primacy of prevention 45
16 Principle of shared responsibility 45
17 Principle of polluter pays 46
18 Principle of waste management hierarchy 46
19 Principle of evidence-based decision making 46
20 Precautionary principle 46
21 Principle of equity 47
22 Principle of accountability 47
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

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Section Page
23 Principle of conservation 47
Chapter 3—Duties relating to environment protection 48
Part 3.2—General environmental duty 49
25 General environmental duty 49
26 Multiple contraventions of general environmental duty 51
27 Aggravated breach of the general environmental duty 52
Part 3.3—Transitional duty relating to material harm 53
28 Transitional duty relating to material harm 53
Part 3.4—Duties relating to pollution incidents 55
29 Meaning of pollution incident 55
30 Meaning of notifiable incident 55
31 Duty to take action to respond to harm caused by pollution
incident 55
32 Duty to notify Authority of notifiable incidents 56
33 Manner and form of notification of notifiable incidents 57
34 Privilege against self-incrimination does not apply 57
Part 3.5—Duties relating to contaminated land 59
Division 1—Core concepts and application of Part 59
35 What is contaminated land? 59
36 Background level of waste or substances 59
37 What is notifiable contamination? 60
38 Act applies whenever land contaminated 60
Division 2—Duties relating to contaminated land 61
39 Duty to manage contaminated land 61
40 Duty to notify of contaminated land 62
41 Manner and form of notification 63
42 Privilege against self-incrimination abrogated 64
Chapter 4—Permissions 65
Part 4.2—Permissions required for certain activities 67
44 Development licences required for development activities 67
45 Operating licences required for operating activities 69
46 Permits required for permit activities 70
47 Registration required for registration activities 71

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Section Page
48 Determination that person does not require a permission 72

Part 4.3—General provisions relating to permissions 73
49 Application of this Part 73
49A Definition 73
50 Form and contents of applications 74
50A Notice and payment of additional application fees 75
51 Authority may deal with application after expiry of
determination period 76
51A Authority or council may require additional information 76
51B Timing for consideration of application if more
information required 77
52 Notice of applications for development licences to be
published 77
52A Authority may refuse certain applications inconsistent with
Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan 78
53 Authority must develop Charter of Consultation 79
54 Permission conditions 80
55 Permission fees 82
56 Transfer of licence or permit 82
57 Amendment of licence or permit on application 84
58 Amendment of permission on initiative of Authority or
council 86
59 Surrender or revocation of permissions on application 88
60 Suspension of permission 90
61 Revocation of permission on Authority or council's
initiative 93
62 Complying with permission 95
63 Breach of permission conditions—indictable offence 95
64 Breach of prescribed permission conditions 96
65 Continuing effect of conditions 97
66 Fit and proper persons 97
67 Priority waste and landfill facilities 98
68 Exemptions for transporting reportable priority waste 98
Part 4.4—Licences 100
Division 1—Development licences 100
69 Development licences 100
70 Joint publication 102
71 Conditions of development licences 102
72 Extension of term of development licences 103
73 Statement as to whether activity specified in development
licence completed 103
Division 2—Operating licences 103
74 Operating licences 103

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Section Page
75 Term of operating licences 105

76 Review of operating licences 106
Division 3—Pilot project licences 107
77 Pilot project licences 107
78 Consideration of application for pilot project licence 108
79 Duration and effect of pilot project licence 109
Division 4—Licence exemptions 109
80 Application for licence exemptions 109
Part 4.5—Permits 111
81 Permits 111
82 Permit exemptions granted by the Authority 112
83 Permit exemptions granted by a council 113
84 Renewal of permits 114
Part 4.6—Registrations 116
85 Registration of prescribed activities 116
86 Renewal of registrations 117
87 Registration of non-prescribed activities 118
Part 4.7—Persons prohibited from engaging in prescribed
activities 119
88 Certain persons prohibited from engaging in particular
activities 119
89 Additional or alternative penalties for prohibited persons 121
90 Applications by prohibited persons to engage in prescribed
activity 122
90A Notice and payment of additional application fee 123
Part 4.8—Environment protection levy 125
91 Environment protection levy 125
Chapter 5—Environment reference standards, compliance codes
and position statements 127
Part 5.2—Environment reference standards 129
93 Environment reference standards 129
94 Application of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994 to
environment reference standards 130
95 Preparation of environment reference standards 131
96 Environment reference standard may incorporate NEPM 131
97 Review of environment reference standards 132

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Section Page
98 Notice of review determination 133

99 Consideration of environment reference standards 134
Part 5.3—Compliance codes 135
100 Compliance codes 135
101 Content of compliance codes 135
102 Communication of compliance codes 135
103 Effect of compliance codes 136
104 No penalty for failure to comply with compliance codes 136
Part 5.4—Position statements 137
105 Authority may make position statements 137
106 Communication of position statements 137
107 Content of position statements 137
108 Consultation on position statements 138
109 Effect of position statements 139
Chapter 6—Waste 140
Part 6.2—Objects 141
111 Objects 141
Part 6.3—Litter and other waste 142
Division 1—Preliminary matters 142
112 Definitions 142
113 Governor in Council may declare body to be a litter
authority 142
Division 2—Appointment of litter enforcement officers 143
114 Litter enforcement officers 143
Division 3—Offences in relation to littering and other waste 144
115 Unlawful deposit of waste 144
116 Liability of owners and drivers of vehicles in relation to
littering of waste 146
117 Exceptions to liability of owners and drivers of vehicles in
relation to littering of waste 147
118 Written statement 148
Division 4—Removal of waste and objects or things 149
119 Litter enforcement officer may request persons to remove
waste 149
120 Court may order person to remove waste 149

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121 Waste abatement notice 151

122 Litter authority may take action following failure to
comply with waste abatement notice 154
123 Occupier may recover cost of removing waste 154
Division 5—Powers of litter enforcement officers and other
matters 155
124 Powers of entry of litter enforcement officers 155
125 Litter enforcement officer may ask person's name and
address 155
126 Litter enforcement officer to produce proof of identity and
official status 156
127 Waste information gathering notice 157
128 Form of waste information gathering notice 158
129 Extension of time under waste information gathering
notice 159
130 Court orders 159
131 Reports of littering offences to Authority or council 159
132 Offence to supply false or misleading information 160
Part 6.4—Duties relating to industrial waste 161
133 Duties of persons depositing industrial waste 161
134 Duties of persons receiving industrial waste 162
135 Duty of persons involved in transporting industrial waste 162
136 Repeat industrial waste offenders 164
137 Offence to supply false or misleading information or
conceal information in connection with industrial waste 164
Part 6.5—Duties and controls relating to priority waste 166
138 What is priority waste? 166
139 Duties of persons managing priority waste 166
140 Duty to investigate alternatives to waste disposal 167
141 Guidelines for alternatives to waste disposal 168
142 Duty to notify of transaction in reportable priority waste 169
143 Duty of persons transporting reportable priority waste 169
Part 6.6—Waste levy scheme 171
144 Definitions 171
145 Requirement to pay waste levy 171
146 Minister may waive the requirement to pay waste levy 172
147 Payment of waste levy to the Authority 173
148 Calculation of levy that results in negative amount 174
149 Agreement to offset amount owing 174
150 Requirement to provide prescribed information regarding
calculations of waste levy and allowable rebates to
Authority 174
151 Assessment by the Authority of waste levy liability 175

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Section Page
152 Rights and powers of the Authority if waste levy is not

paid 177
Chapter 7—Environmental management 179
Part 7.2—Environmentally hazardous substances 181
154 Orders relating to environmentally hazardous substances 181
155 Failure to comply with Orders relating to environmentally
hazardous substances 183
Part 7.3—Obligations for managers of land or infrastructure 184
156 Obligations of managers of land or infrastructure 184
Part 7.4—Authorisation of discharges or disposal 187
157 Authority may authorise emergency storage, use etc. of
waste 187
158 Complying with authorisation 189
Part 7.5—Issues of environmental concern 190
159 Notice of proposed declaration and notice of decision 190
160 Declaration of issue of environmental concern 192
161 Amendment or revocation of declaration of issue of
environmental concern 193
162 Consideration of issues of environmental concern when
issuing remedial notices 193
163 Combination of notice of proposed declaration with notice
of proposed statutory rule or legislative instrument 194
164 Combination of notices of decision 194
Part 7.6—Control of unreasonable and aggravated noise 196
Division 1—Meaning of residential premises 196
165 Meaning of residential premises 196
Division 2—Unreasonable and aggravated noise 197
166 Unreasonable noise 197
167 Unreasonable noise from residential premises 197
168 Aggravated noise 198
169 Unreasonable noise from entertainment venues 198
Division 3—Enforcement 199
170 Persons who may take proceedings for certain offences 199
171 Residential noise enforcement officers 200

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Section Page
172 Residential noise improvement notices 200

173 Proceedings for offences not affected by residential noise
improvement notices 202
174 Injunctions relating to residential noise 202
175 Unreasonable noise directions 203
176 Entry orders 204
177 Obstruction of police officer 205
Chapter 8—Better environment plans, environmental audits and
other matters 206
Part 8.2—Better environment plans 207
179 Definition 207
180 Purposes of better environment plans 207
181 Submission of proposed better environment plans 207
181A Notice and payment of additional submission fee 209
182 Authority may accept proposed better environment plans 209
183 Participant must notify Authority of change in
circumstances 211
184 Amendment or revocation of better environment plans and
removal of participants 211
185 Withdrawal from better environment plans 212
186 Effect of compliance with better environment plans 213
187 Failure to comply with better environment plans 213
188 Guidelines 213
Part 8.3—Environmental audit system 214
189 Purpose of Part 214
Division 1—Environmental auditors 214
190 Functions of environmental auditors 214
191 Application for appointment as environmental auditor 215
192 Advisory panel for application for appointment as
environmental auditor 216
193 Determination by Authority of application for appointment
as environmental auditor 216
194 Refusal of application for appointment as environmental
auditor 218
195 Approval of application for appointment as environmental
auditor 218
196 Application fee 219
197 Conditions on appointment of environmental auditor 219
198 Reappointment of environmental auditors 220

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Section Page
199 Refusal of application for reappointment as environmental

auditor 220
200 Revocation or suspension of appointment of environmental
auditors 222
201 Matters to which Authority must have regard in deciding a
suspension or revocation of appointment of environmental
auditor 225
202 When does a suspension or revocation take effect? 226
203 Guidelines for environmental auditors 227
Division 2—Preliminary risk screen assessments 228
204 Preliminary risk screen assessment 228
205 Preliminary risk screen assessment statement 228
206 What is included in a preliminary risk screen assessment
statement? 229
207 What is included in a preliminary risk screen assessment
report? 231
Division 3—Environmental audits 231
208 Environmental audits 231
209 Environmental auditor must notify the Authority of
environmental audit 233
210 Environmental audit statement 233
211 What is included in an environmental audit statement? 234
212 What is included in an environmental audit report? 235
Division 4—Offences and other matters 235
213 Withdrawal, amendment or issue of new preliminary risk
screen assessment statement or environmental audit
statement 235
214 Obligation of person in management or control to provide
copy of preliminary risk screen assessment statement or
environmental audit statement 238
215 False or misleading preliminary risk screen assessment
statement or environmental audit statement 239
216 Environmental auditor must notify the Authority of
imminent state of danger 239
217 Fees to be paid by environmental auditor 240
Part 8.4—Financial assurances 241
218 Purposes of this Part 241
219 Authority may require financial assurance 241
220 Form of financial assurance 242
221 Amount of financial assurance 243
222 Independent assessment of amount of financial assurance 243
223 Method for calculating financial assurance amount 244
224 Costs associated with financial assurance 244

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Section Page
225 Authority may review financial assurance 244

226 Authority may amend financial assurance 245
227 Authority may make a claim on financial assurance 247
228 Procedure for claim on financial assurance in the event of a
person's failure to remediate or clean up 248
229 Procedure for claim on financial assurance in the event of
immediate or serious risk 248
230 Notice to replenish financial assurance 249
231 Specified conditions for release of financial assurance 249
232 Application for release of financial assurance 250
233 Transfer of financial assurance 251
234 Enforcement of financial assurance 251
Part 8.5—Advisory panels 253
235 Advisory panels 253
Part 8.6—Conference of interested persons 255
236 Authority may establish conference of interested persons 255
237 Appointment of convenor 256
238 Recommendations and additional material from conference
of interested persons 256
239 Rules for conferences of interested persons 257
240 Participation to be voluntary 257
Chapter 9—Authorised officers, analysts and other appointments 258
Part 9.2—Appointment of authorised officers and analysts and
appointments to other roles 260
Division 1—Authorised officers 260
242 Authorised officers 260
243 Authorised officers' identity cards 262
244 Directions in respect of authorised officers 262
Division 2—Other appointments by Authority 263
245 Authority may appoint analysts and prescribed roles 263
Part 9.3—Inspection and inquiry powers 264
Division 1—Powers of entry and inspection 264
246 Authorised officer may enter and inspect any place or
premises 264
247 Entry and inspection of a place or premises when open to
the public 265
248 Residential premises 265

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Section Page
249 Announcement on entry 266

250 Persons assisting authorised officer 266
251 Powers on entry 267
252 Authorised officer may require production of documents 268
253 Authorised officer may require information or answers 269
254 Report to be given about entry and inspection of place or
premises 270
Division 2—Information gathering notices 270
255 Authority may serve information gathering notice 270
256 Form of information gathering notice 271
257 Extension of time under information gathering notice 272
Division 3—Power to ask person's name and address 273
259 Authorised officer may ask person's name and address 273
Division 4—Power to give directions 274
260 Authorised officer may give directions 274
Division 5—Search warrants 275
261 Authorised officer may apply for search warrants 275
262 Announcement before entry on warrant 276
263 Copy of warrant to be given to occupier 277
Division 6—Return and forfeiture of seized things 277
264 Return of seized things 277
265 Forfeiture of seized things 278
Division 7—Offences relating to authorised officers 279
266 Obstruction of authorised officer 279
267 Assault, intimidation or threatening of authorised officer 279
Division 8—General 280
268 Protection against self-incrimination 280
269 Motor vehicle compliance 280
Chapter 10—Notices 281
Part 10.2—Improvement and prohibition notices 283
Division 1—Improvement notices 283
271 Improvement notices 283

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Section Page
Division 2—Prohibition notices 284

272 Prohibition notices 284
Part 10.3—Notices to investigate and environmental action notices 287
Division 1—Notice to investigate 287
273 Notice to investigate 287
Division 2—Environmental action notice 289
274 Environmental action notice 289
Part 10.4—Site management orders 292
275 Site management orders 292
276 Status of site management orders 295
277 Application to vary or revoke site management order 295
Part 10.5—Non-disturbance notices 297
278 Power to issue a non-disturbance notice 297
Part 10.6—General matters relating to notices 299
279 Amendment of notices 299
280 Notification of notices 299
281 Proceedings for offences not affected by notices 300
282 Continuing effect of notices and conditions 300
Part 10.7—Redirection of corporate obligations 301
283 Redirection of obligations of related or associated entities 301
284 Redirection of obligations to officers 302
285 Redirection of obligations in case of transfer of land 303
Part 10.8—Offences relating to notices and orders 305
286 Non-compliance with improvement notice 305
287 Non-compliance with prohibition notice 305
288 Failure to report 306
289 Non-compliance with notice to investigate 306
290 Non-compliance with environmental action notice 307
291 Reasonable excuse where entry refused 308
292 Non-compliance with site management order 308
293 Non-compliance with non-disturbance notice 309
Part 10.9—Clean up and cost recovery powers 310
Division 1—Clean up powers 310
294 Circumstances in which Authority may exercise clean up
powers 310

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Section Page
295 Authority to give notice of intention to exercise clean up

powers in case of financial assurance 311
296 Matters relating to Authority entering land 311
Division 2—Cost recovery powers 312
297 Cost recovery powers 312
297A Displacement of other laws 313
298 Unrecovered costs can become charge on property 314
Chapter 11—Enforcement and proceedings 317
Part 11.2—Enforceable undertakings 319
300 Authority may accept enforceable undertaking 319
301 Enforcement 319
302 Authority may take specified actions 320
303 No criminal proceedings while enforceable undertaking in
force 322
304 Proceedings following withdrawal of enforceable
undertaking 322
305 No further proceedings if enforceable undertaking is
complied with 323
306 Contempt of court 323
Part 11.3—Infringement notices 324
307 Infringement notices 324
Part 11.4—Civil remedies 326
308 Eligible persons 326
310 Interim orders 328
311 Consent orders 328
312 Ancillary orders 329
313 Compensation orders 329
Part 11.5—Civil penalties 331
314 Civil penalty provision 331
315 Civil penalty orders 335
316 Persons involved in contravening civil penalty provision 336
317 Further orders for contravening civil penalty provision 337
318 Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings 337
319 Criminal proceeding during proceeding for a civil penalty
order 337
320 Criminal proceeding commenced after proceeding for civil
penalty order 338

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Section Page
321 Evidence given or produced during proceeding for civil

penalty order 338
322 Conduct contravening more than one civil penalty
provision 339
323 Multiple contraventions of civil penalty provisions 339
324 Multiple proceedings for civil penalty order to be heard
together 339
325 Jurisdictional limit of Magistrates' Court does not apply to
civil penalty order 340
326 Recovery of a pecuniary penalty 340
Part 11.6—Powers of Courts 341
Division 1—Application of Part 11.6 341
327 Application of Part 11.6 341
Division 2—Orders 341
328 General 341
329 Monetary benefit orders 342
330 Adverse publicity orders 343
331 General restoration and prevention orders 344
332 Restorative project orders 345
333 Environmental audit orders 345
Division 3—Enforcement of orders 345
334 Enforcement of orders 345
Division 4—Impact statements 347
335 Court may consider impact statements 347
Division 5—Restorative justice processes 348
336 Adjournment of proceedings for restorative justice process 348
Part 11.7—Evidentiary and related enforcement provisions 350
337 Reports and certificates 350
338 Certificate concerning ownership of vehicle or vessel 351
339 Certificate concerning litter offences 352
340 Reports and certificates to be served with summons 352
341 Statement to be evidence of authority 353
342 Judicial notice of signatures 354
343 Evidence 354
344 Service of documents 355
345 Service of documents—alternative to attendance 357
346 Authority to be able to recover costs of analysis 358
347 Persons who may take proceedings 359
348 Contraventions on shared premises 360

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Section Page
Part 11.8—Officers' liabilities and conduct of employees and

agents 361
Division 1—Officers' liabilities 361
349 Liability of officers of bodies corporate—failure to
exercise due diligence 361
350 Liability of officers of bodies corporate—failure to
exercise due diligence (legal burden of proof) 363
351 Liability of officers of bodies corporate—accessorial
liability 365
352 Application of civil penalties to officers of bodies
corporate 365
Division 2—Conduct of employees and agents 366
353 Conduct of employee, agent or officer taken to be conduct
of body corporate 366
Part 11.9—Defence of emergency 367
354 Emergency 367
Chapter 12—Environment Protection Authority 368
Part 12.2—Environment Protection Authority 369
356 Environment Protection Authority 369
357 Objective of the Authority 370
358 Functions of the Authority 370
359 Powers of the Authority 372
360 Staff 373
361 Environment Protection Authority Governing Board 373
362 Functions of the Governing Board 374
363 Chairperson and deputy Chairperson 374
364 Conditions of office for Governing Board members 375
365 Vacancies, resignations and removal from office 375
366 Acting appointments 377
367 Validity of acts or decisions 379
368 Proceedings of the Governing Board 380
369 Resolutions without meetings 380
370 Pecuniary interests of members of the Governing Board 381
371 Improper use of information 382
372 Governing Board may establish advisory committees 383
373 Chief executive officer 383
374 Chief environmental scientist 384

xv
Section Page
Part 12.3—General provisions 385

375 Application of the Public Administration Act 2004 385
376 Remuneration and expenses 385
377 Mandatory notification of corrupt conduct to IBAC 385
378 Consultation prior to notification 386
379 Communication of information to the IBAC 386
380 Authority not to prejudice investigations of the IBAC 387
Chapter 14—General 389
Part 14.2—Review of decisions 391
Division 1—Review by the Authority 391
429 Review by the Authority 391
Division 2—Review by VCAT 393
430 Decisions reviewable by VCAT 393
431 Applications for review by VCAT 397
432 Specific grounds of review 398
433 Joinder of parties 399
434 Application for review by third parties 399
435 Matters VCAT must take into account 402
436 Application for declaration 402
Part 14.3—Delegations 403
437 Delegation 403
Part 14.4—Financial matters 405
438 Fees and penalties to be paid into the Consolidated Fund 405
439 Exceptions to requirement to pay fees and penalties into
the Consolidated Fund 405
440 Further exceptions to requirement to pay fees and penalties
into the Consolidated Fund in relation to Part 6.3 406
441 Environment Protection Fund 407
442 Investment of money from Environment Protection Fund 407
443 Treasurer may make grants or advances out of the
Environment Protection Fund 408
444 Payments into the Environment Protection Fund 408
445 Payments out of the Environment Protection Fund 409
446 General Waste Levy Account 410
447 Restorative Project Account 410
448 Municipal and Industrial Waste Levy Trust Account 411
449 Sustainability Fund Account 412
450 Priority statement 413

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Section Page
451 Sustainability Fund Account guidelines 415

Part 14.5—Information sharing 416
Division 1—Collection, use, disclosure and publication of
information 416
452 Authority may collect, use, disclose or publish information 416
453 Unauthorised disclosure of commercially sensitive
information 417
454 Public warning statements 418
Division 2—Public Register 419
455 Public Register 419
456 Information to be kept on the Public Register 419
457 Public access to the Public Register 422
Part 14.6—Designated agencies 423
458 Power of Authority to designate agency to have specified
responsibilities etc. in areas that pose risk of harm to
human health or the environment 423
Part 14.7—Exemptions 425
459AA Notice and payment of additional application fee 425
459 Exemptions 425
459A Timing for dealing with applications for exemptions 428
459B Authority may require additional information 428
Part 14.8—Impersonation, interference, and information offences 429
460 Impersonation 429
461 False representations relating to Authority approval 430
462 Interference with equipment 430
463 Provision of false information 431
Chapter 15—Regulations 433
Part 15.2—Regulations 434
465 Regulations 434
465A Incorporation powers for certain documents 437
466 Effect of compliance with regulations 438
Chapter 16—Transitional provisions 439

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Section Page
Part 16.2—General 441

468 Definitions 441
469 General transitional provisions 442
Part 16.3—Transitional provisions: permissions, notices, directions
and orders 443
Division 1—Permissions 443
470 When a new permission is the equivalent of an old
permission 443
471 Continuation of permissions 444
471A New permissions issued or granted by council or Authority 444
471B New permissions equivalent to old permissions issued
under section 20 of old Act 445
472 Amendment of new permissions by Authority 445
473 Continuation of exemptions 446
474 Pending application for old permission to be treated as
application for new permission 447
475 Certain other pending applications 448
Division 2—Notices, directions and orders 448
476 Continuation of notices and directions 448
477 Notifiable chemical orders 449
Part 16.4—Transitional provisions: Environmental audits 450
478 Environmental audits 450
479 Certificates of environmental audits and statements of
environmental audit 451
Part 16.6—Transitional provisions: financial matters 453
Division 1—Funds 453
488 Money standing to the credit of Environment Protection
Fund 453
489 Money standing to the credit of General Landfill Levy
account 453
490 Money standing to the credit of Municipal and Industrial
Landfill Levy Trust Account 453
491 Money standing to the credit of Sustainability Fund
Account 454
492 Priority statement and guidelines 454
Division 2—Landfill levy 454
493 Requirement to pay landfill levy 454
Division 3—Financial assurances 455
494 Transitional provision—financial assurances 455

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Section Page
Part 16.7—Transitional provisions: Continuation of certain

appointments and roles 456
495 Litter enforcement officers 456
496 Residential noise enforcement officers 456
497 Environmental auditors 456
498 Analysts 457
Part 16.8—Transitional provisions: VCAT matters 458
499 General provisions relating to VCAT 458
Part 16.9—Transitional provisions: Regulations 460
Division 1—Saving of Environment Protection (Industrial Waste
Resource) Regulations 2009 460
500 Saving of the Environment Protection (Industrial Waste
Resource) Regulations 2009 460
Division 2—Saving of Environment Protection (Vehicle Emissions)
Regulations 2013 460
501 Saving of the Environment Protection (Vehicle Emissions)
Regulations 2013 460
Division 3—Transitional regulations 461
502 Transitional regulations 461
Part 16.10—Transitional provisions—Victorian Waste and
Resource Recovery Infrastructure Planning Framework 462
503 Saving of the Victorian Waste and Resource Recovery
Infrastructure Planning Framework 462
Chapter 17—Further transitional provisions 464
Part 17.1—Transitional provisions—Environment Legislation
Amendment (Circular Economy and Other Matters) Act 2022 464
503 Definitions 464
504 Application fees 464
505 Time for determining applications, request for additional
information 467
Schedule 1—Regulations 469
Schedule 2—Amount payable as waste levy 478
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Section Page
Endnotes 480
1 General information 480
2 Table of Amendments 482
3 Explanatory details 484

xx
Authorised Version No. 010
No. 51 of 2017
Authorised Version incorporating amendments as at
1 June 2023
The Parliament of Victoria enacts:
Chapter 1—Preliminary Pt 1 (Heading)

substituted as
1 Purposes Ch. 1
(Heading) by
No. 39/2018
The main purposes of this Act are— s. 4.
(a) to provide for the continuation of the
Environment Protection Authority; and
(b) to specify a new objective of the
(c) to provide for a new governance structure of
the continued Environment Protection
Authority; and
(d) to provide for the Governing Board of the
(e) to set out principles of environment S. 1(e)
inserted by
protection; and No. 39/2018
s. 5(1).
(f) to set out the legislative framework for the S. 1(f)

inserted by
protection of human health and the No. 39/2018
environment from pollution and waste; and s. 5(1).
(g) to provide for a general environmental duty S. 1(g)

inserted by
to minimise risks of harm to human health No. 39/2018
and the environment from pollution or waste; s. 5(1).
and

1
No. 51 of 2017
S. 1(h) (h) to establish a permissions scheme that

inserted by enables the Environment Protection
No. 39/2018
s. 5(1). Authority to issue or grant development
licences, operating licences, pilot project
licences, permits and registrations; and
S. 1(i) (i) to provide a framework for the management
inserted by
No. 39/2018 of waste; and
s. 5(1).
S. 1(j) * * * * *
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 5(1),
repealed by
No. 36/2022
s. 25.
S. 1(k) (k) to enable the Environment Protection

inserted by
No. 39/2018 Authority and authorised officers to ensure
s. 5(1). compliance with the Act and require action
to manage risks of harm to human health and
the environment from pollution or waste; and
S. 1(l) (l) to provide for a system of criminal and civil
inserted by
No. 39/2018 penalties; and
s. 5(1).
S. 1(m) (m) to provide for a system of civil remedies and

inserted by
No. 39/2018 compensation orders available to the Court;
s. 5(1). and
S. 1(e) (o) to make consequential amendments to the
renumbered
as s. 1(o) by Public Administration Act 2004 and other
No. 39/2018 Acts.
s. 5(2)(a),
amended by
No. 39/2018
s. 5(2)(b)(c).

2
No. 51 of 2017
2 Commencement
(1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act comes into
operation on a day or days to be proclaimed.
(2) If a provision of this Act does not come into
operation before 1 July 2018, it comes into
operation on that day.
3 Definitions
(1) In this Act—
activity includes— S. 3(1) def. of
activity
inserted by
(a) the storage or possession of waste or No. 39/2018
any other substance or thing; or s. 6(9) (as
amended by
(b) anything prescribed to be an activity; No. 27/2019
s. 11).
advisory committee means a committee S. 3(1) def. of

advisory
established under section 372; committee
amended by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(1).
agent of a vessel means a person or body that S. 3(1) def. of

agent of a
transacts business, in a port, on behalf of the vessel
owner or charterer of the vessel; inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
analysis includes the taking of a sample or any S. 3(1) def. of

analysis
test, measurement, calculation or inserted by
examination made for the purpose of No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
determining— amended by
No. 27/2019
(a) the characteristics of a matter or s. 11).
substance; or
(b) the effects of a discharge, emission or
deposit of waste or pollution;

3
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(1) def. of analyst means a person appointed as an analyst

analyst under section 245;
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of approved motor vehicle tester means a person

approved
motor vehicle appointed in the prescribed role of approved
tester motor vehicle tester;
inserted by
No. 36/2022
s. 26(1)(a).
S. 3(1) def. of associate, of another person, means any of the

associate
inserted by following persons—
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as (a) a spouse, parent, brother, sister or child
amended by
No. 27/2019
of the other person;
s. 11).
(b) a domestic partner of the other person
within the meaning of section 39(1) of
the Relationships Act 2008;
(c) a member of the other person's
household;
(d) a person who is in a partnership within
the meaning of the Partnerships
Act 1958 with the other person;
(e) a person participating in the
management of the same
unincorporated body as the other
person;
(f) a trustee or beneficiary of the same
trust as the other person;
(g) a trustee of a trust of which the other
person is a beneficiary;
(h) a beneficiary of a trust of which the
other person is a trustee;

4
No. 51 of 2017
(i) if the other person is a body corporate,

an officer or member of the governing
body of the body corporate;
(j) a shareholder of the other person if the
other person is a body corporate (other
than a public company whose shares
are listed on a stock exchange);
(k) a person with whom a chain of
relationships with the other person can
be traced under any one or more of the
above paragraphs;
(l) a prescribed person;
associated entity has the same meaning as in the S. 3(1) def. of
associated
Corporations Act; entity
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
authorised officer means a person appointed as an S. 3(1) def. of

authorised
authorised officer under section 242; officer
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
authorised to receive industrial waste, in relation S. 3(1) def. of

authorised to
to a person or a place or premises, means any receive
of the following— industrial
waste
inserted by
(a) authorised by a permission to receive No. 39/2018
that type of industrial waste; s. 6(9) (as
amended by
(b) exempt from a requirement to obtain a No. 27/2019
s. 11).
permission to receive that type of
industrial waste;
(c) authorised under section 157(1) to
receive that type of industrial waste;

5
No. 51 of 2017
(d) specified by operation of section 48 as

not required to obtain a permission to
receive that type of industrial waste;
(e) authorised by the regulations, or in
accordance with a process prescribed
by the regulations, to receive that type
of industrial waste;
S. 3(1) def. of Authority means the Environment Protection
Authority
amended by Authority continued under section 356;
No. 39/2018
s. 6(2).
S. 3(1) def. of * * * * *
Barwon
South West
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Group
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).
S. 3(1) def. of * * * * *
Barwon
South West
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Region
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).

6
No. 51 of 2017
better environment plan means a better S. 3(1) def. of

environment plan accepted by the Authority better
environment
under section 182; plan
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
certificate of compliance means a certificate S. 3(1) def. of

certificate of
issued by an approved motor vehicle tester compliance
under regulations made under this Act; inserted by
No. 36/2022
s. 26(1)(a).
Chairperson means the Chairperson of the S. 3(1) def. of

Chairperson
Governing Board appointed under amended by
section 363; No. 39/2018
s. 6(3).
chief environmental scientist means the chief S. 3(1) def. of

chief
environmental scientist appointed under environmental
section 374; scientist
amended by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(4).
chief executive officer means the chief executive S. 3(1) def. of

chief
officer appointed under section 373; executive
officer
amended by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(5).
civil penalty order means an order made under S. 3(1) def. of

civil penalty
Part 11.5; order
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).

7
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(1) def. of civil penalty provision means a provision set out

civil penalty in the table in section 314;
provision
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of clean up includes measures or activities—

clean up
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(a) to investigate and assess the nature and
s. 6(9) (as extent of pollution or waste, including
amended by
No. 27/2019
any harm or risk of harm to human
s. 11). health and the environment arising
from the pollution or waste; and
(b) to remove, disperse, destroy, dispose
of, abate, neutralise or treat pollution or
waste; and
(c) to restore the environment to a state as
close as practicable to the state it was in
immediately before the discharge or
emission of pollution or the deposit of
waste, or to any other state, for the
purposes of Part 10.9; and
(d) for the remediation of contaminated
land; and
(e) for the ongoing management of
pollution or waste; and
(f) to do anything necessary for, in
connection with, or in relation to, the
measures set out in paragraph (a), (b),
(c), (d) or (e);
S. 3(1) def. of * * * * *
commence-
ment day
repealed by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(8).

8
No. 51 of 2017
commercially sensitive information means S. 3(1) def. of

information that relates to matters of a commercially
sensitive
business, commercial or financial nature, information
the disclosure of which would be likely to inserted by
No. 39/2018
unreasonably expose a person, an authority s. 6(9) (as
or an associated entity to disadvantage; amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
compliance code means a compliance code S. 3(1) def. of

compliance
approved under section 100(1); code
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
conduct, in relation to a business or undertaking, S. 3(1) def. of

conduct
has the meaning given by subsection (4); inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
contaminated land has the meaning given in S. 3(1) def. of

contaminated
section 35; land
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
corrupt conduct has the same meaning as in the S. 3(1) def. of

corrupt
Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption conduct
Commission Act 2011; inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).

9
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(1) def. of council has the same meaning as Council has in

council section 3(1) of the Local Government
inserted by
No. 39/2018 Act 1989;
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of council officer means—

council officer
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(a) a Chief Executive Officer within the
s. 6(9) (as meaning of section 3(1) of the Local
amended by
No. 27/2019
Government Act 1989; or
s. 11).
(b) a member of Council staff within the
meaning of section 3(1) of the Local
Government Act 1989;
S. 3(1) def. of Court means the County Court, the Magistrates'
Court
inserted by Court or the Supreme Court;
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of court officer means a magistrate or registrar of the

court officer
inserted by Magistrates' Court;
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of dangerous litter has the meaning given by

dangerous
litter section 112;
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of declared region has the same meaning as in the

declared
region Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and
inserted by Recycling) Act 2021;
No. 55/2021
s. 197(a).

10
No. 51 of 2017
deposit, in relation to litter and waste, means the S. 3(1) def. of

act of parting with the possession of litter or deposit
inserted by
waste and includes the disposal of litter or No. 39/2018
waste by burial or burning, and also includes s. 6(9) (as
amended by
burial or burning of litter or waste on land Nos 27/2019
owned by or in the control or possession of s. 11),
amended by
the person responsible for burying or burning No. 36/2022
the litter or waste; s. 26(1)(b).
deputy Chairperson means the deputy S. 3(1) def. of

deputy
Chairperson of the Governing Board Chairperson
appointed under section 363; amended by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(6).
development licence means a licence issued under S. 3(1) def. of

development
section 69; licence
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
Director, Transport Safety has the same meaning S. 3(1) def. of

Director,
as in the Transport Integration Act 2010; Transport
Safety
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).

11
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(1) def. of * * * * *
draft Regional
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Implement-
ation Plan
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
amended by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(b),
repealed by
No. 36/2022
s. 26(2)(b).
S. 3(1) def. of * * * * *
draft State-
Wide Waste
and Resource
Recovery
Infrastructure
Plan
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 36/2022
s. 26(2)(b).
S. 3(1) def. of economic instrument means a measure that

economic
instrument provides financial incentives or disincentives
inserted by for the purpose of encouraging protection
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as of human health and the environment in
amended by economic activity, through incorporating the
No. 27/2019
s. 11). costs of harm and risks of harm, including
but not limited to—
(a) a scheme in the nature of a tradeable
permit scheme; and
(b) an environmental offset (however
described);

12
No. 51 of 2017
eligible person, in relation to an application under S. 3(1) def. of

Part 11.4, has the meaning given by section eligible
person
308(1); inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
enforceable undertaking means an undertaking S. 3(1) def. of

enforceable
accepted by the Authority under section 300; undertaking
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
entertainment venue means any premises or place S. 3(1) def. of

entertainment
where music is performed or played but does venue
not include residential premises or a place of inserted by
No. 39/2018
worship; s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
environment means— S. 3(1) def. of

environment
inserted by
(a) the physical factors of the surroundings No. 39/2018
of human beings including the land, s. 6(9) (as
amended by
waters, atmosphere, climate, sound, No. 27/2019
odours and tastes; and s. 11).
(b) the biological factors of animals and

plants; and
(c) the social factor of aesthetics;
environment reference standard means an S. 3(1) def. of
environment
environment reference standard made under reference
section 93(1); standard
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).

13
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(1) def. of environmental action notice means an

environmental environmental action notice issued under
action notice
inserted by section 274;
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of environmental audit means an environmental

environmental
audit audit conducted in accordance with
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of environmental audit report means a report

environmental
audit report prepared under section 212;
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of environmental audit statement means an

environmental
audit environmental audit statement prepared
statement under section 210;
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of environmental auditor means a person appointed

environmental
auditor as an environmental auditor under Division 1
inserted by of Part 8.3;
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).

14
No. 51 of 2017
environmental value means a use, an attribute or S. 3(1) def. of

a function of the environment; environmental
value
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
financial assurance means a financial assurance S. 3(1) def. of

financial
provided to the Authority in accordance with assurance
section 219; inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
general environmental duty means the duty under S. 3(1) def. of

general
section 25(1); environmental
duty
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
* * * * * S. 3(1) def. of
Gippsland
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Group
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).

15
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(1) def. of * * * * *
Gippsland
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Region
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).
S. 3(1) def. of * * * * *
Goulburn
Valley Waste
and Resource
Recovery
Group
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).
S. 3(1) def. of * * * * *
Goulburn
Valley Waste
and Resource
Recovery
Region
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).
S. 3(1) def. of Governing Board means the Environment

Governing
Board Protection Authority Governing Board
amended by under section 361;
No. 39/2018
s. 6(7).

16
No. 51 of 2017
* * * * * S. 3(1) def. of
Grampians
Central West
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Group
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).
* * * * * S. 3(1) def. of
Grampians
Central West
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Region
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).
greenhouse gas substance means— S. 3(1) def. of

greenhouse
gas
(a) carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide substance
or sulphur hexafluoride, whether in a inserted by
No. 39/2018
gaseous or liquid state; or s. 6(9) (as
amended by
(b) a hydrofluorocarbon or a No. 27/2019
perfluorocarbon, whether in a gaseous s. 11).
or liquid state, that is specified in
regulations made under the National
Greenhouse and Energy Reporting
Act 2007 of the Commonwealth;

17
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(1) def. of groundwater means any water contained in or

groundwater occurring in a geological structure or
inserted by
No. 39/2018 formation or an artificial landfill below the
s. 6(9) (as surface of land;
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of Head, Recycling Victoria has the same meaning

Head,
Recycling as in the Circular Economy (Waste
Victoria Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021;
inserted by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(a).
S. 3(1) def. of human health includes psychological health;

human health
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of IBAC means the Independent Broad-based Anti-
IBAC
inserted by corruption Commission established under
No. 39/2018 section 12 of the Independent Broad-based
s. 6(9) (as
amended by Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011;
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of IBAC personnel has the same meaning as it has in

IBAC
personnel the Victorian Inspectorate Act 2011;
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of improvement notice means a notice issued under

improvement
notice section 271(1);
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).

18
No. 51 of 2017
industrial waste means— S. 3(1) def. of

industrial
(a) waste arising from commercial, waste
industrial or trade activities or from inserted by
No. 39/2018
laboratories; or s. 6(9) (as
amended by
(b) waste prescribed to be industrial waste No. 27/2019
s. 11).
for the purposes of this definition;
information gathering notice means a notice S. 3(1) def. of
information
served by the Authority under section 255; gathering
notice
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
issue of environmental concern means an issue S. 3(1) def. of

issue of
that is declared to be an issue of environmental
environmental concern under section 160; concern
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
land means any land, whether publicly or S. 3(1) def. of

land
privately owned, and includes— inserted by
No. 39/2018
(a) any buildings or other structures s. 6(9) (as
amended by
permanently affixed to the land; and No. 27/2019
s. 11).
(b) groundwater;
law enforcement agency includes— S. 3(1) def. of
law
enforcement
(a) a law enforcement agency within the agency
meaning of the Privacy and Data inserted by
No. 39/2018
Protection Act 2014; and s. 6(9) (as
amended by
(b) any council; No. 27/2019
s. 11).

19
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(1) def. of liable person has the meaning given by

liable person section 144;
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of licence means—

licence
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(a) a development licence; or
s. 6(9) (as
amended by (b) an operating licence; or
No. 27/2019
s. 11). (c) a pilot project licence;
S. 3(1) def. of licence activity, in relation to a licence, means an
licence
activity activity specified in the licence;
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of litter has the meaning given by section 112;

litter
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of litter authority includes—
litter authority
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(a) the Authority; or
s. 6(9) (as
amended by (b) any other body created by or under an
No. 27/2019 Act; or
s. 11).
(c) a Government department; or
(d) a council; or
(e) the Secretary, being the body corporate
established by Part 2 of the
Conservation, Forests and Lands
Act 1987; or

20
No. 51 of 2017
(f) a body declared by Order of the

Governor in Council under section 113
to be a litter authority;
litter enforcement officer means— S. 3(1) def. of
litter
enforcement
(a) a person appointed as a litter officer
enforcement officer by the Authority inserted by
No. 39/2018
under section 114(1); or s. 6(9) (as
amended by
(b) a person appointed as a litter No. 27/2019
enforcement officer by a litter authority s. 11).
under section 114(2); or
(c) a person appointed as a litter
enforcement officer by the Secretary
(d) an authorised officer; or
(e) a police officer; or
(f) a protective services officer appointed
under the Victoria Police Act 2013
who is on duty at, or in the vicinity of, a
designated place within the meaning of
that Act; or
(g) a person appointed as an authorised
officer under Part 3 of the Victorian
Fisheries Authority Act 2016 for the
purposes of this Act;
* * * * * S. 3(1) def. of
Local
Government
Waste Forum
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).

21
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(1) def. of * * * * *
Loddon
Mallee Waste
and Resource
Recovery
Group
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).
S. 3(1) def. of * * * * *
Loddon
Mallee Waste
and Resource
Recovery
Region
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).
S. 3(1) def. of management or control, in relation to industrial

management
or control waste or priority waste, means exercising
inserted by management functions in relation to, or
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as control over, the industrial waste or priority
amended by waste and includes the following—
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
(a) producing or generating waste;
(b) collecting, consigning, transferring or
transporting waste;
(c) receiving, handling or storing waste;
(d) undertaking resource recovery or
processing of waste;
(e) undertaking waste disposal;

22
No. 51 of 2017
* * * * * S. 3(1) def. of
Metropolitan
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Group
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).
* * * * * S. 3(1) def. of
Metropolitan
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Region
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).
motor vehicle has the same meaning as in the S. 3(1) def. of

motor vehicle
Road Safety Act 1986; inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
municipal district has the same meaning as in the S. 3(1) def. of

municipal
Local Government Act 1989; district
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).

23
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(1) def. of municipal waste means waste arising from

municipal municipal or residential activities, and
waste
inserted by includes waste collected by, or on behalf of,
No. 39/2018 a council, but does not include industrial
s. 6(9) (as
amended by waste;
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of National Environment Protection Council means
National
Environment the National Environment Protection Council
Protection established by section 8 of the National
Council
inserted by Environment Protection Council
No. 39/2018 (Victoria) Act 1995;
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of national environment protection measure means

national
environment a national environment protection measure
protection made under section 14(1) of the National
measure
inserted by Environment Protection Council
No. 39/2018 (Victoria) Act 1995;
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of noise includes sound and vibration;

noise
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of * * * * *
North East
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Group
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).

24
No. 51 of 2017
* * * * * S. 3(1) def. of
North East
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Region
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).1
notice to investigate means a notice to investigate S. 3(1) def. of

notice to
issued under section 273; investigate
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
notifiable contamination has the meaning given S. 3(1) def. of

notifiable
by section 37; contamination
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
notifiable incident has the meaning given by S. 3(1) def. of

notifiable
section 30; incident
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
officer in relation to a body corporate means— S. 3(1) def. of

officer
inserted by
(a) a person who is an officer (as defined No. 39/2018
by section 9 of the Corporations Act) of s. 6(9) (as
amended by
the body corporate; or No. 27/2019
s. 11).

25
No. 51 of 2017
(b) a person (other than a person referred

to in paragraph (a)), by whatever name
called, who is concerned in, or takes
part in, the management of the body
corporate;
S. 3(1) def. of operating licence means a licence issued under
operating
licence section 74;
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of participant, in a better environment plan, has the

participant
inserted by meaning given by section 179;
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of permission means—

permission
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(a) a development licence; or
s. 6(9) (as
amended by (b) an operating licence; or
No. 27/2019
s. 11). (c) a pilot project licence; or
(d) a permit; or
(e) a registration;
S. 3(1) def. of permission activity, in relation to a permission,
permission
activity means an activity specified in the
inserted by permission;
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).

26
No. 51 of 2017
permit means a permit issued under section 81; S. 3(1) def. of

permit
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
pilot project licence means a licence issued under S. 3(1) def. of

pilot project
section 78; licence
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
place includes land, waters, a location, an area or S. 3(1) def. of

place
a region; inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
police officer has the same meaning as in the S. 3(1) def. of

police officer
Victoria Police Act 2013; inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
pollution includes any emission, discharge, S. 3(1) def. of

pollution
deposit, disturbance or escape of— inserted by
No. 39/2018
(a) a solid, liquid or gas, or a combination s. 6(9) (as
amended by
of a solid, liquid or gas, including but No. 27/2019
not limited to smoke, dust, fumes or s. 11).
odour; or
(b) noise; or
(c) heat; or

27
No. 51 of 2017
(d) a thing prescribed for the purposes of

this definition—
but does not include a thing prescribed not
to be pollution for the purposes of this
definition;
S. 3(1) def. of pollution incident has the meaning given by
pollution
incident section 29;
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of position statement means a position statement

position
statement published under section 105(1);
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of preliminary risk screen assessment means a

preliminary
risk screen preliminary risk screen assessment
assessment conducted under section 204;
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of preliminary risk screen assessment report means

preliminary
risk screen a report prepared under section 207;
assessment
report
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).

28
No. 51 of 2017
preliminary risk screen assessment statement S. 3(1) def. of

means a preliminary risk screen assessment preliminary
risk screen
statement issued under section 205; assessment
statement
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
premises includes a structure, building or vehicle; S. 3(1) def. of

premises
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
prescribed role means a role prescribed under S. 3(1) def. of

prescribed
section 245(2); role
inserted by
No. 36/2022
s. 26(1)(a).
priority waste has the meaning given in S. 3(1) def. of

priority waste
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
prohibited person has the meaning set out in S. 3(1) def. of

prohibited
section 88(1); person
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).

29
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(1) def. of prohibition notice means a notice issued under

prohibition section 272(1);
notice
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of public entity has the same meaning as in the

public entity
inserted by Public Administration Act 2004;
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of Public Register means the Public Register

Public
Register established and maintained under
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of public sector body has the same meaning as in

public sector
body the Public Administration Act 2004;
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).

30
No. 51 of 2017
* * * * * S. 3(1) def. of
Regional
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Implementatio
n Plan
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 36/2022
s. 26(2)(b).
registered owner means— S. 3(1) def. of

registered
owner
(a) in relation to a motor vehicle—the inserted by
person who is registered as the No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
registered operator of the motor amended by
vehicle under the Road Safety No. 27/2019
s. 11).
Act 1986 or a corresponding law of
the Commonwealth, a State or a
Territory; and
(b) in relation to a vessel—the person in
whose name the vessel is registered
under the Marine Safety Act 2010
or a corresponding law of the
Commonwealth, a State or a Territory;
and
(c) in relation to any other vehicle—the
person who owns the vehicle (whether
the vehicle is registered in any way or
not);
registration means a registration granted under S. 3(1) def. of
registration
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).

31
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(1) def. of related entity has the same meaning as in the

related entity Corporations Act;
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of reportable priority waste means priority waste

reportable
priority waste prescribed as reportable priority waste for
inserted by the purposes of section 142 or 143, or both;
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of residential noise enforcement officer means a

residential
noise person appointed as a residential noise
enforcement enforcement officer under section 171;
officer
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of residential noise improvement notice means a
residential
noise notice issued under section 172(1);
improvement
notice
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of resource recovery in relation to waste, means—

resource
recovery
inserted by
(a) preparation for reuse of the waste;
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as (b) recycling the waste;
amended by
No. 27/2019 (c) reprocessing the waste;
s. 11).
(d) recovering energy or other resources
from the waste;

32
No. 51 of 2017
(e) anything prescribed to be resource

recovery in relation to waste—
but does not include anything prescribed not
to be resource recovery in relation to waste;
Restorative Project Account means the account S. 3(1) def. of
Restorative
established and maintained under Project
section 447; Account
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
reuse, in relation to waste, means the use of the S. 3(1) def. of

reuse
waste for a purpose that is the same or inserted by
similar to the purpose for which it was used No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
before it became waste; amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
site means specified land or a specified parcel of S. 3(1) def. of

site
land; inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
site management order means an order issued S. 3(1) def. of

site
under section 275; management
order
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).

33
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(1) def. of * * * * *
State-Wide
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Infrastructure
Plan
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 36/2022
s. 26(2)(b).
S. 3(1) def. of Sustainability Victoria means Sustainability
Sustainability
Victoria Victoria established by section 5 of the
inserted by Sustainability Victoria Act 2005;
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of unreasonable noise means—
unreasonable
noise
inserted by
(a) noise that is unreasonable having
No. 39/2018 regard to the following—
s. 6(9) (as
amended by (i) its volume, intensity or duration;
No. 27/2019
s. 11), (ii) its character;
substituted by
No. 36/2022
s. 26(1)(c).
(iii) the time, place and other
circumstances in which it is
emitted;
(iv) how often it is emitted;
(v) any prescribed factors; and
(b) noise that is prescribed to be
unreasonable noise; and
(c) does not include noise prescribed not to
be unreasonable noise

34
No. 51 of 2017
vehicle includes— S. 3(1) def. of

vehicle
(a) a vessel or aircraft; and inserted by
No. 39/2018
(b) a trailer attached to a vehicle; s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
vessel has the same meaning as it has in the S. 3(1) def. of

vessel
Marine Safety Act 2010; inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan has the S. 3(1) def. of

Victorian
same meaning as VRIP has in the Circular Recycling
Economy (Waste Reduction and Infrastructure
Plan
Recycling) Act 2021; inserted by
No. 36/2022
s. 26(2)(a).
* * * * * S. 3(1) def. of
Victorian
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Infrastructure
Planning
Framework
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 36/2022
s. 26(2)(b).
waste includes any of the following— S. 3(1) def. of

waste
inserted by
(a) matter, including solid, liquid, gaseous No. 39/2018
or radioactive matter, that is deposited, s. 6(9) (as
amended by
discharged, emitted or disposed of into No. 27/2019
the environment in a manner that alters s. 11).
the environment;

35
No. 51 of 2017
(b) a greenhouse gas substance emitted or

discharged into the environment;
(c) matter that is discarded, rejected,
abandoned, unwanted or surplus,
irrespective of any potential use or
value;
(d) matter prescribed to be waste;
(e) matter or a greenhouse gas substance
referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c)
or (d) that is intended for, or is
undergoing, resource recovery;
S. 3(1) def. of waste abatement notice means a notice issued
waste
abatement under section 121(1);
notice
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
S. 3(1) def. of * * * * *
Waste and
Resource
Recovery
Group
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).

36
No. 51 of 2017
* * * * * S. 3(1) def. of
waste and
resource
recovery
region
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11),
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 197(c).
waste disposal means any activity carried out in S. 3(1) def. of

waste
connection with the disposal of waste, but disposal
does not include resource recovery; inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
waste management facility includes a landfill, S. 3(1) def. of

waste
a transfer station, a composting facility, a management
facility to store or contain solid waste and a facility
inserted by
resource recovery facility; No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
amended by
No. 27/2019
s. 11).
waters includes the following— S. 3(1) def. of

waters
inserted by
(a) a reservoir, tank or billabong; No. 39/2018
s. 6(9) (as
(b) an anabranch, canal, spring, swamp; amended by
No. 27/2019
(c) a natural or artificial channel, lake, s. 11).
lagoon, waterway or dam;
(d) tidal water, coastal water or
groundwater.

37
No. 51 of 2017
S. 3(2) (2) A reference in this Act to a person engaging in an

substituted by activity includes a reference to a person who is
No. 39/2018
s. 6(10). conducting, undertaking, managing or in control
of that activity.
S. 3(3) (3) A reference in this Act to waters includes a
inserted by
No. 39/2018 reference to—
s. 6(10).
(a) the bed and subsoil lying beneath those
waters; and
(b) the airspace superjacent to those waters; and
(c) an open, piped or underground drain—
but does not include a reference to a drain that
conveys waste to, or which forms part of, any
works for the treatment of waste.
S. 3(4) (4) For the purposes of this Act, a person conducts a
inserted by
No. 39/2018 business or undertaking—
s. 6(10).
(a) whether or not the business or undertaking is
conducted for profit or gain; and
(b) whether or not the business or undertaking is
conducted by a government or public
authority (however described)—
but a natural person does not conduct a business
or undertaking merely because the person is
engaged in an activity—
(c) that is primarily domestic or private and not
conducted for profit or financial gain; or
(d) subject to Part 11.8, solely in the person's
capacity as an employee or officer of another
person or on a voluntary basis.
S. 3(5) (5) To avoid doubt, a reference in this Act to under
inserted by
No. 39/2018 this Act includes a reference to under the
s. 6(10). regulations under this Act, and this subsection has
a corresponding effect in relation to references to
other Acts.

38
No. 51 of 2017
4 What is harm? New s. 4

inserted by
(1) In this Act, harm, in relation to human health or No. 39/2018
the environment, means an adverse effect on s. 7 (as
amended by
human health or the environment (of whatever Nos 27/2019
degree or duration) and includes— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) an adverse effect on the amenity of a place or s. 26).
premises that unreasonably interferes with or
is likely to unreasonably interfere with
enjoyment of the place or premises; or
(b) a change to the condition of the environment
so as to make it offensive to the senses of
human beings; or
(c) anything prescribed to be harm for the
purposes of this Act or the regulations.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), harm may arise
as a result of the cumulative effect of harm arising
from an activity combined with harm arising from
other activities or factors.
5 What is material harm? New s. 5
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) In this Act, material harm, in relation to human s. 7 (as
health or the environment means harm that is amended by
Nos 27/2019
caused by pollution or waste that— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(a) involves an actual adverse effect on human 44, 47/2020
health or the environment that is not s. 26).
negligible; or
(b) involves an actual adverse effect on an area
of high conservation value or of special
significance; or
(c) results in, or is likely to result in, costs in
excess of the threshold amount being
incurred in order to take appropriate action to
prevent or minimise the harm or to
rehabilitate or restore the environment to the
state it was in before the harm.

39
No. 51 of 2017
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), harm may

become material harm regardless of the period of
time in which the harm occurs and as a result of—
(a) a single occurrence of harm arising from an
activity; or
(b) multiple occurrences of harm arising from
the same activity; or
(c) the cumulative effect of harm arising from an
activity combined with harm arising from
other activities or factors.
(3) In this section, threshold amount means
$10 000 or a higher amount prescribed by the
regulations.
New s. 6 6 The concept of minimising risks of harm to human
inserted by
No. 39/2018 health and the environment
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) A duty imposed on a person under this Act to
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
minimise, so far as reasonably practicable, risks of
3/2020 ss 42– harm to human health and the environment
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
requires the person—
(a) to eliminate risks of harm to human health
and the environment so far as reasonably
practicable; and
(b) if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate
risks of harm to human health and the
environment, to reduce those risks so far as
reasonably practicable.
(2) To determine what is (or was at a particular time)
reasonably practicable in relation to the
minimisation of risks of harm to human health and
the environment, regard must be had to the
following matters—
(a) the likelihood of those risks eventuating;
(b) the degree of harm that would result if those
risks eventuated;

40
No. 51 of 2017
(c) what the person concerned knows, or ought

reasonably to know, about the harm or risks
of harm and any ways of eliminating or
reducing those risks;
(d) the availability and suitability of ways to
eliminate or reduce those risks;
(e) the cost of eliminating or reducing those
risks.
7 Application of Act New s. 7
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) This Act binds the Crown in right of Victoria and, s. 7 (as
so far as the legislative power of the Parliament amended by
Nos 27/2019
permits, the Crown in all its other capacities. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(2) This Act does not apply to a radiation source 44, 47/2020
within the meaning of the Radiation Act 2005 s. 26).
unless a serious risk to human health or the
environment from pollution or waste has arisen or
is likely to arise.
8 Extraterritorial application of Act New s. 8
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) This Act extends to, and applies to and in relation s. 7 (as
to, the territorial seas adjacent to the coasts of amended by
Nos 27/2019
Victoria. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(2) This Act extends to, and applies to, the discharge S. 8(2)
amended by
or deposit of pollution or waste into, or on to, the No. 36/2022
waters of the River Murray from any place or s. 27.
premises that is in Victoria and extends to, and

applies in relation to, any permission issued or
granted or any proceedings brought in relation to
the discharge or deposit.
(3) A reference in this Act to waters includes a
reference to the waters of the River Murray in
respect of pollution or waste that has been
deposited into, or on to, the waters of the River

41
No. 51 of 2017
Murray from the Victorian bank of the River

Murray.
New s. 9 9 Simplified outlines
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
A simplified outline of any portion of this Act set
amended by out in a section of this Act is intended only as a
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
guide to readers as to the general scheme and
3/2020 ss 42– effect of that portion of this Act.
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

42
No. 51 of 2017
Part 2.1—Simplified outline
Chapter 2—Principles of environment Ch. 2

(Headings
protection and new
ss 10–23)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
Pt 2.1
Part 2.1—Simplified outline (Heading and
new s. 10)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
10 Simplified outline—Chapter 2 New s. 10

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) This section sets out a simplified outline of this s. 7 (as
Chapter. amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) Part 2.2 provides for the application of this ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
Chapter. 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(3) Part 2.3 sets out the principles of environment
protection.

43
No. 51 of 2017
Part 2.2—Application of this Chapter
Pt 2.2
(Heading and
Part 2.2—Application of this Chapter
new ss 11, 12)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
New s. 11 11 Specified principles of environment protection

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) This Chapter specifies the principles of
amended by environment protection.
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30, (2) It is the intention of Parliament that in the
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 administration of this Act and the regulations
s. 26). regard should be given to the principles specified
in this Chapter.
Note
In making certain decisions under this Act the Authority or the
Minister must take into account the principles of environment
protection.
New s. 12 12 Effect of this Chapter
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
The Parliament does not intend by this Chapter to
amended by create in any person a legal right or give rise to
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
any civil cause of action.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

44
No. 51 of 2017
Part 2.3—Principles of environment protection
Part 2.3—Principles of environment Pt 2.3

(Heading and
protection new ss 13–23)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
13 Principle of integration of environmental, social and New s. 13

inserted by
economic considerations No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
Environmental, social and economic amended by
Nos 27/2019
considerations should be effectively integrated. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
14 Principle of proportionality New s. 14

inserted by
No. 39/2018
A decision, action or thing directed towards s. 7 (as
minimising harm or a risk of harm to human amended by
Nos 27/2019
health or the environment should be proportionate ss 12−30,
to the harm or risk of harm that is being 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
addressed. s. 26).
15 Principle of primacy of prevention New s. 15

inserted by
No. 39/2018
Prevention of harm to human health and the s. 7 (as
environment is preferred to remedial or mitigation amended by
Nos 27/2019
measures. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
16 Principle of shared responsibility New s. 16

inserted by
No. 39/2018
Protection of human health and the environment is s. 7 (as
a responsibility shared by all levels of amended by
Nos 27/2019
Government and industry, business, communities ss 12−30,
and the people of Victoria. 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

45
No. 51 of 2017
New s. 17 17 Principle of polluter pays

inserted by
No. 39/2018 Persons who generate pollution and waste should
s. 7 (as bear the cost of containment, avoidance and
amended by
Nos 27/2019 abatement.
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
New s. 18 18 Principle of waste management hierarchy

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
Waste should be managed in accordance with the
amended by following order of preference, so far as reasonably
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
practicable—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) avoidance;
s. 26).
(b) reuse;
(c) recycling;
(d) recovery of energy;
(e) containment;
(f) waste disposal.
New s. 19 19 Principle of evidence-based decision making
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
Actions or decisions under this Act should be
amended by based on the best available evidence in the
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
circumstances that is relevant and reliable.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
New s. 20 20 Precautionary principle

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
If there exist threats of serious or irreversible
amended by harm to human health or the environment, lack of
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
full scientific certainty should not be used as a
3/2020 ss 42– reason for postponing measures to prevent or
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
minimise those threats.

46
No. 51 of 2017
21 Principle of equity New s. 21

inserted by
(1) All people are entitled to live in a safe and healthy No. 39/2018
environment irrespective of their personal s. 7 (as
amended by
attributes or location. Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(2) People should not be disproportionately affected 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
by harm or risks of harm to human health and the s. 26).
environment.
(3) The present generation should ensure the state of
the environment is maintained or enhanced for the
benefit of future generations.
22 Principle of accountability New s. 22
inserted by
No. 39/2018
Members of the public should— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) have access to reliable and relevant Nos 27/2019
information in appropriate forms to facilitate ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
a good understanding of issues of harm or 44, 47/2020
risks of harm to human health and the s. 26).
environment and of how decisions are made
under this Act; and
(b) be engaged and given opportunities to
participate in decisions made under this Act,
where appropriate to do so; and
(c) have their interests taken into account in
decisions made under this Act.
23 Principle of conservation New s. 23
inserted by
No. 39/2018
Biological diversity and ecological integrity s. 7 (as
should be protected for purposes that include the amended by
Nos 27/2019
protection of human health. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

47
No. 51 of 2017
Ch. 3
(Headings
Chapter 3—Duties relating to environment
and ss 24–42)
inserted by
protection
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
Pt 3.1
(Heading and
new s. 24)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
New s. 24 24 Simplified outline—Chapter 3

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) This section sets out a simplified outline of this
amended by Chapter.
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30, (2) Part 3.2 provides for the general environmental
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 duty in relation to risks of harm to human health
s. 26). and the environment from pollution and waste and
an offence for aggravated breach of the general
environmental duty.
(3) Part 3.3 provides for a transitional duty in relation
to material harm.
(4) Part 3.4 provides for duties relating to pollution
incidents.
(5) Part 3.5 provides for duties in relation to the
management and notification of contaminated
land.

48
No. 51 of 2017
Part 3.2—General environmental duty
Part 3.2—General environmental duty Pt 3.2

(Heading and
ss 25–27)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
25 General environmental duty New s. 25

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person who is engaging in an activity that may s. 7 (as
give rise to risks of harm to human health or the amended by
Nos 27/2019
environment from pollution or waste must ss 12−30,
minimise those risks, so far as reasonably 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
practicable. s. 26).
Notes
See section 6 in relation to the concept of minimising risks
of harm to human health and the environment.
Section 314 provides that subsection (1) is a civil penalty
provision. The penalty for contravention of this civil penalty
provision is set out in the table in section 314. See also
section 314(3).
(2) A person commits an offence if the person
contravenes subsection (1) in the course of
conducting a business or an undertaking.
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
2000 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate,
10 000 penalty units.
(3) An offence under subsection (2) is an indictable
offence.
Note
This offence may be heard and determined summarily
(see section 28 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009).

49
No. 51 of 2017
(4) Without limiting subsection (1), a person who is

conducting a business or an undertaking
contravenes that subsection if the person fails to
do any of the following in the course of
conducting the business or the undertaking, so far
as reasonably practicable—
(a) use and maintain plant, equipment, processes
and systems in a manner that minimises risks
of harm to human health and the
environment from pollution and waste;
(b) use and maintain systems for identification,
assessment and control of risks of harm to
human health and the environment from
pollution and waste that may arise in
connection with the activity, and for the
evaluation of the effectiveness of controls;
(c) use and maintain adequate systems to ensure
that if a risk of harm to human health or the
environment from pollution or waste were to
eventuate, its harmful effects would be
minimised;
(d) ensure that all substances are handled,
stored, used or transported in a manner that
minimises risks of harm to human health and
the environment from pollution and waste;
(e) provide information, instruction, supervision
and training to any person engaging in the
activity to enable those persons to comply
with the duty under subsection (1).
(5) Without limiting subsection (1), a person who is
conducting a business or an undertaking and
engaging in an activity that involves the design,
manufacture, installation or supply of a substance,
plant, equipment or structure, contravenes that
subsection if the person fails to do any of the
following in the course of conducting the business

50
No. 51 of 2017
or the undertaking and engaging in the activity, so

far as reasonably practicable—
(a) minimise risks of harm to human health and
the environment from pollution and waste
arising from the design, manufacture,
installation or supply of the substance, plant,
equipment or structure when the substance,
plant, equipment or structure is used for a
purpose for which it was designed,
manufactured, installed or supplied;
(b) provide information regarding the purpose of
the substance, plant, equipment or structure
and any conditions necessary to ensure it can
be used in a manner that complies with the
duty under subsection (1).
26 Multiple contraventions of general environmental New s. 26
inserted by
duty No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) This section applies to— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) a contravention of the general environmental ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
duty; or 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(b) a contravention of the general environmental
duty for which an officer of a body corporate
(including a body corporate representing the
Crown) is liable.
(2) Subject to any contrary court order, 2 or more
contraventions may be charged as a single offence
if the contraventions arise out of the same factual
circumstances.
(3) If 2 or more contraventions are charged as a single
offence, a single penalty only may be imposed in
respect of the contraventions.

51
No. 51 of 2017
S. 27 27 Aggravated breach of the general environmental

inserted by duty
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as (1) A person commits an offence if—
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) the person intentionally or recklessly
3/2020 ss 42– contravenes the general environmental duty;
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
and
(b) the contravention results in material harm or
is likely to result in material harm to human
health or the environment from pollution or
waste; and
(c) the person knew or reasonably should have
known that the contravention would result in
material harm or would be likely to result in
material harm to human health or the
environment from pollution or waste.
4000 penalty units or 5 years
imprisonment or both;
offence.
Note

52
No. 51 of 2017
Part 3.3—Transitional duty relating to material harm
Part 3.3—Transitional duty relating to Pt 3.3

(Heading and
material harm s. 28)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
28 Transitional duty relating to material harm S. 28

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person must not engage in conduct that results s. 7 (as
in material harm to human health or the amended by
Nos 27/2019
environment from pollution or waste. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
Notes 44, 47/2020
Section 314 provides that subsection (1) is a civil penalty s. 26).
provision is set out in the table in section 314.
See section 5 for the definition of material harm.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits
an offence.
2000 penalty units;
(3) If a person contravenes subsection (1), it is a
defence if the person proves that, in engaging in
the conduct, the person did not contravene the
general environmental duty.
offence.
Note

53
No. 51 of 2017
Part 3.3—Transitional duty relating to material harm
(5) Proceedings must not be commenced against a

person in relation to a contravention of subsection
(1) if the person has been convicted of an offence
against the general environmental duty constituted
by conduct that is the same or substantially the
same as the conduct that constitutes the
contravention of subsection (1).
(6) Proceedings must not be commenced against a
person in relation to a contravention of the general
environmental duty if the person has been
convicted of an offence under subsection (2)
constituted by conduct that is the same or
substantially the same as the conduct that
constitutes the contravention of the general
environmental duty.
(7) This Part is repealed on whichever is the earlier
of—
(a) the fourth anniversary of the day on which it
comes into operation; or
(b) a day to be proclaimed.

54
No. 51 of 2017
Part 3.4—Duties relating to pollution incidents
Part 3.4—Duties relating to pollution Pt 3.4

(Heading and
incidents ss 29–34)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
29 Meaning of pollution incident S. 29

inserted by
No. 39/2018
A pollution incident means an incident or a set of s. 7 (as
circumstances— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) that causes a leak, spill or other unintended ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
or unauthorised deposit or escape of a 44, 47/2020
substance; and s. 26).
(b) as a result of which, pollution has occurred

or is occurring—
but does not include an incident or a set of
circumstances that solely involves the emission of
noise.
30 Meaning of notifiable incident S. 30
inserted by
No. 39/2018
A notifiable incident means— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) a pollution incident that causes or threatens Nos 27/2019
to cause material harm to human health or ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
the environment; or 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(b) a prescribed notifiable incident—
but does not include a prescribed excluded
notifiable incident.
31 Duty to take action to respond to harm caused by S. 31
inserted by
pollution incident No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
If a pollution incident has occurred as a result of amended by
Nos 27/2019
an activity (whether by act or omission) and the ss 12−30,
pollution incident causes or is likely to cause harm 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
to human health or the environment, a person who s. 26).

55
No. 51 of 2017
is engaging in that activity must, so far as

reasonably practicable, restore the affected area to
the state it was in before the pollution incident
occurred.
S. 32 32 Duty to notify Authority of notifiable incidents
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) This section applies to a person who is engaging
amended by or has engaged in an activity that results in a
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
notifiable incident.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (2) The person must notify the Authority, as soon as
s. 26). practicable, after the person becomes aware or
reasonably should have been aware of the
occurrence of the notifiable incident.
Note
provision is set out in the table in section 314. See also
section 314(3).
(3) A person must notify the Authority under
subsection (2) regardless of whether the notifiable
incident is contained to—
(a) a single place or premises; or
(b) a place or premises that is occupied by or
under the management or control of the
person.
contravenes subsection (2) in the course of
conducting a business or an undertaking.
240 penalty units;
1200 penalty units.
(5) A person is not required to notify the Authority
under this section if the person is aware that a
notification of a notifiable incident has already

56
No. 51 of 2017
been made to the Authority in accordance with

this section.
Note
See section 72 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009 which
deals with the evidential burden of proof.
33 Manner and form of notification of notifiable S. 33
inserted by
incidents No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A notification under section 32 must be made in amended by
Nos 27/2019
the manner and form approved by the Authority. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(2) The following information must be provided to 44, 47/2020
the Authority with a notification— s. 26).
(a) the time, date and location of the notifiable

incident;
(b) the nature of the notifiable incident;
(c) the circumstances in which the notifiable
incident occurred (including the cause of the
notifiable incident, if known);
(d) any action taken or proposed to be taken to
deal with the notifiable incident;
(e) any other prescribed information.
(3) If any of the information required to be provided
under subsection (2) is not known to a person at
the time the person notifies the Authority, that
information must be provided to the Authority in
accordance with this section as soon as practicable
after the person becomes aware of the
information.
34 Privilege against self-incrimination does not apply S. 34
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person is not excused from notifying the s. 7 (as
Authority under section 32 on the grounds that the amended by
Nos 27/2019
information provided by the person as part of a ss 12−30,
notification might tend to incriminate the person 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
or make the person liable to a penalty. s. 26).

57
No. 51 of 2017
(2) A notification or any information given by a

person as part of a notification under section 32 is
not admissible in evidence against the person in a
proceeding for an offence or for the imposition of
a penalty, other than a proceeding that relates to
false or misleading information that is provided by
the person in relation to a notification.

58
No. 51 of 2017
Part 3.5—Duties relating to contaminated land
Part 3.5—Duties relating to contaminated Pt 3.5

(Headings
land and ss 35–42)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
Division 1—Core concepts and application of Part s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
35 What is contaminated land? S. 35

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) Subject to subsection (2), land is contaminated if s. 7 (as
waste, a chemical substance or a prescribed amended by
Nos 27/2019
substance is present on or under the surface of the ss 12−30,
land, and the waste, chemical substance or 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
prescribed substance— s. 26).
(a) is present in a concentration above the
background level; and
(b) creates a risk of harm to human health or the
environment.
(2) Land is not contaminated—
(a) merely because waste, a chemical substance
or a prescribed substance is present in a
concentration above the background level in
water that is on or above the surface of the
land; or
(b) if any prescribed circumstances apply to the
land.
36 Background level of waste or substances S. 36
inserted by
No. 39/2018
For the purposes of this Part, the background level s. 7 (as
of waste, a chemical substance or a prescribed amended by
Nos 27/2019
substance in relation to land is— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

59
No. 51 of 2017
S. 36(a) (a) the background level in relation to the waste,

substituted by chemical substance or prescribed substance
No. 36/2022
s. 28. specified in or determined in accordance
with—
(i) an environment reference standard; or
(ii) the regulations; or
(iii) a determination made by the Authority
in accordance with the regulations; or
S. 36(b) (b) if paragraph (a) does not apply, the naturally
substituted by
No. 36/2022 occurring concentration of the waste,
s. 28. chemical substance or prescribed substance
on or under the surface of the land in the
vicinity of the land.
S. 37 37 What is notifiable contamination?
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
Notifiable contamination, in relation to
amended by contaminated land, means contamination that is—
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30, (a) prescribed notifiable contamination; or
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (b) if the regulations do not prescribe notifiable
s. 26).
contamination by a particular waste,
chemical substance or prescribed substance,
contamination for which the reasonable cost
of action to remediate the land is likely to
exceed—
(i) $50 000; or
(ii) any other prescribed amount.
S. 38 38 Act applies whenever land contaminated
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
This Act applies to land that is contaminated
amended by before, on or after the commencement of this Act.
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

60
No. 51 of 2017
Division 2—Duties relating to contaminated land

39 Duty to manage contaminated land S. 39
inserted by
(1) A person in management or control of No. 39/2018
contaminated land must minimise risks of harm to s. 7 (as
amended by
human health and the environment from the Nos 27/2019
contaminated land so far as reasonably ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
practicable. 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), minimising
risks of harm to human health and the
environment from contaminated land includes
(but is not limited to) carrying out any of the
following—
(a) identification of any contamination that the
person knows or ought reasonably to know
of;
(b) investigation and assessment of the
contamination;
(c) provision and maintenance of reasonably
practicable measures to minimise risks of
harm to human health and the environment
from the contamination, including
undertaking clean up activities where
reasonably practicable;
(d) provision of adequate information to any
person that the person in management or
control of the contaminated land reasonably
believes may be affected by the
contamination, including—
(i) sufficient information to identify the
contamination; and
(ii) the results of investigation and
assessment referred to in paragraph (b);
and

61
No. 51 of 2017
(iii) the risks of harm to human health and

the environment from the
contamination;
(e) provision of adequate information to enable
any person who is reasonably expected to
become a person in management or control
of the contaminated land to comply with the
duty to manage contaminated land.
Note
See section 6 in relation to the concept of minimising risks
of harm to human health and the environment.
(3) A person in management or control of land may
recover in a court of competent jurisdiction, as a
debt due to the person, any reasonable costs
incurred in complying with a duty under section
39(1) or 40(1), including any reasonable costs
incurred by the person in taking action under this
section, against any person responsible for causing
or contributing to contamination of the land.
S. 40 40 Duty to notify of contaminated land
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person in management or control of land must
amended by notify the Authority if the land has been
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
contaminated by notifiable contamination as soon
3/2020 ss 42– as practicable after the person becomes aware of,
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
or reasonably should have become aware of, the
notifiable contamination.
Note

62
No. 51 of 2017

contravenes subsection (1).
120 penalty units;
600 penalty units.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), whether a
person in management or control of land becomes
aware of, or reasonably should have become
aware of, notifiable contamination is determined
having regard to—
(a) the person's skills, knowledge and
experience; and
(b) whether the person could practicably seek
advice regarding the contamination; and
(c) any other circumstances of the
contamination.
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply if—
(a) the person who is required to notify the
Authority under subsection (1) is aware that
a notification has already been made to the
Authority in accordance with this section; or
(b) the notifiable contamination is a prescribed
exempt notifiable contamination.
41 Manner and form of notification S. 41
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) If a person in management or control of land has a s. 7 (as
duty to notify of notifiable contamination in amended by
Nos 27/2019
relation to the land, the person must give notice in ss 12−30,
a form approved by the Authority. 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) The person must provide the following s. 26).
information to the Authority to the extent that the
information is known to the person at the time of
giving the notice—

63
No. 51 of 2017
(a) the location of the land;

(b) the activity resulting, or suspected as
resulting, in the contamination;
(c) the nature and extent of the contamination;
(d) the nature of the risk of harm to human
health and the environment from the
contamination;
(e) any other prescribed information.
(3) The information required to be provided under
subsection (2) is information that is known to a
person at the time the person notifies the
Authority.
(4) If any of the information required to be provided
under subsection (2) is not known to a person at
the time the person notifies the Authority, that
information must be provided to the Authority in
accordance with this section as soon as practicable
after the person becomes aware of the
information.
S. 42 42 Privilege against self-incrimination abrogated
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person in management or control of land is not
amended by excused from the duty to notify of notifiable
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
contamination in relation to the land on the
3/2020 ss 42– grounds that the information provided by the
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
person as part of a notification might tend to
incriminate the person or make the person liable
to a penalty.
(2) Any information given by a person as part of a
notification under this Division is not admissible
in evidence against the person in a proceeding for
an offence or for the imposition of a penalty, other
than a proceeding that relates to false or
misleading information that is provided by the
person in relation to a notification under this
Division.

64
No. 51 of 2017
Chapter 4—Permissions Ch. 4

(Headings
and ss 43–91)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
Pt 4.1
s. 43)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
43 Simplified outline—Chapter 4 S. 43
inserted by
No. 39/2018
Chapter. amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) This Chapter provides for the issue or grant of the ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
following permissions— 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(a) development licences;
(b) operating licences;
(c) pilot project licences;
(d) permits;
(e) registrations.
(3) Part 4.2 prohibits persons from engaging in
specified or prescribed activities without a
permission.
(4) Part 4.3 sets out—
(a) the application, transfer and amendment
processes for permissions; and

65
No. 51 of 2017
(b) other provisions that apply to permissions

generally.
(5) Part 4.4 sets out provisions that apply to
development licences, operating licences and pilot
project licences and applications relating to those
licences.
(6) Part 4.5 sets out provisions that apply to permits
and applications relating to permits.
(7) Part 4.6 sets out provisions that apply to
registrations and applications relating to
registrations.
(8) Part 4.7 provides that a prohibited person must not
engage in a prescribed activity.
(9) Part 4.8 provides for an environment protection
levy that is to be charged, levied and collected by
the Authority.

66
No. 51 of 2017
Part 4.2—Permissions required for certain activities
Part 4.2—Permissions required for certain Pt 4.2

(Heading and
activities ss 44–48)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
44 Development licences required for development S. 44

inserted by
activities No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person must not engage in one or more of the amended by
Nos 27/2019
following activities except as authorised by a ss 12−30,
development licence in respect of the activity— 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) the construction or installation of plant or s. 26).
equipment for a prescribed development
activity;
(b) the development of processes or systems for
a prescribed development activity;
(c) the modification, other than general
maintenance, of plant, equipment, processes
or systems for a prescribed development
activity or of the operation of a prescribed
development activity—
(i) if the modification creates a risk of
material harm to human health or the
environment from pollution or waste;
or
(ii) in prescribed circumstances.
2000 penalty units;

67
No. 51 of 2017
Note
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply—
(a) in respect of any action or thing the person
takes or does to comply with—
(i) a pilot project licence issued to the
person that is in force in respect of the
activity; or
(ii) an authorisation granted to the person
under section 157 that is in force in
respect of the activity; or
(iii) an exemption granted to the person
under section 80(1) that is in force in
(iv) requirements specified under section
48(a) in respect of the activity; or
(b) in respect of any action or thing that the
person is required to take or do under an
improvement notice or environmental action
notice; or
(c) if a prescribed exemption applies to the
person.
offence.
Note

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45 Operating licences required for operating activities S. 45

inserted by
(1) A person must not engage in a prescribed No. 39/2018
operating activity except as authorised by an s. 7 (as
amended by
operating licence in respect of the activity. Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
Penalty: In the case of a natural person, 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
2000 penalty units; s. 26).
Note
activity; or
under section 80(2) that is in force in
(iv) requirements specified under
section 48(b) in respect of the activity;
or
notice; or
person.

69
No. 51 of 2017

offence.
Note
S. 46 46 Permits required for permit activities
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person must not engage in a prescribed permit
amended by activity except as authorised by a permit in respect
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
of the activity.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
s. 26). 1000 penalty units;
5000 penalty units.
Note
activity; or
under section 82 or 83 that is in force in
(iv) requirements specified under
section 48(c) in respect of the activity;
or

70
No. 51 of 2017

notice; or
person.
offence.
Note
47 Registration required for registration activities S. 47
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person must not engage in a prescribed s. 7 (as
registration activity, or an activity that is the amended by
Nos 27/2019
subject of an Order under section 87(1), except as ss 12−30,
authorised by a registration in respect of the 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
activity. s. 26).
500 penalty units;
2500 penalty units.
Note
(i) requirements specified under
section 48(d) in respect of the activity;
or

71
No. 51 of 2017

notice; or
person.
offence.
Note
S. 48 48 Determination that person does not require a
inserted by
No. 39/2018 permission
s. 7 (as
amended by The Authority may, by notice published in the
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
Government Gazette, specify requirements that a
3/2020 ss 42– person may meet—
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (a) to comply with section 44 if the person does
not hold a development licence; or
(b) to comply with section 45 if the person does
not hold an operating licence; or
(c) to comply with section 46 if the person does
not hold a permit; or
(d) to comply with section 47 if the person does
not hold a registration.

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Part 4.3—General provisions relating to permissions
Part 4.3—General provisions relating to Pt 4.3

(Heading and
permissions ss 49–68)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
49 Application of this Part S. 49

inserted by
No. 39/2018
This Part applies subject to anything to the s. 7 (as
contrary in Part 4.4, 4.5 or 4.6. amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
49A Definition S. 49A

inserted by
No. 36/2022
In this Part— s. 29.
relevant permission application means—
(a) an application under section 50 for a
permission; or
(b) an application under section 56 for the
transfer of a licence or permit; or
(c) an application under section 57 for the
amendment of a licence or permit; or
(d) an application under section 59 for consent
to surrender a licence or permit; or
(e) an application under section 68 for an
exemption from the requirement to hold a
permission in connection with the transport
of reportable priority waste; or
(f) an application under section 80 for an
exemption from the application of
section 44; or

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No. 51 of 2017
(g) an application under section 82 for an

section 46; or
(h) an application under section 83 for an
section 46; or
(i) an application under section 84 for the
renewal of a permit.
S. 50 50 Form and contents of applications
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) An application for a permission must—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (a) be made—
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42– (i) in the case of an application made to
44, 47/2020 the Authority, in a form and manner
s. 26).
approved by the Authority; or
(ii) in the case of an application made to a
council, in the prescribed form and
manner; and
S. 50(1)(b) (b) be accompanied by the prescribed fee
amended by
No. 36/2022 (if any) for the application; and
s. 30(1).
Note to Note
s. 50(1)(b)
inserted by An additional fee may be payable under section 50A.
No. 36/2022
s. 30(2).
(c) specify whether the application is for—

(i) a development licence; or
(ii) an operating licence; or
(iii) a pilot project licence; or
(iv) a permit; or
(v) a registration; and

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(d) specify the activity in relation to which the

permission is sought; and
(e) include any prescribed information.
(2) The Authority or a council—
(a) must not deal with an application that does
not comply with this section; and
(b) must advise an applicant if an application
does not comply with this section.
* * * * * S. 50(3)(4)
repealed by
No. 36/2022
s. 30(3).
50A Notice and payment of additional application fees S. 50A

inserted by
No. 36/2022
(1) In addition to the prescribed fee for the s. 31.
application, the Authority or council (as the case
requires) may require an applicant for a relevant
permission application to pay a fee for the
application—
(a) at a time after the application is made and in
addition to the fee for the application that is
required to accompany the application; and
(b) that is payable in the prescribed
circumstances (if any).
(2) A fee payable under subsection (1) must be
calculated as prescribed.
(3) The Authority or council to whom a fee under
subsection (1) is payable must give the applicant
written notice specifying the fee—
(a) no later than 10 business days after
determining the application; or

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(b) if inspection of works authorised by the

permit is required after the application is
determined, within 10 business days of the
final inspection of the works.
(4) An applicant to whom a notice of a fee is given
under subsection (3) must pay the fee specified in
the notice within 20 business days after issue of
the notice.
(5) This section does not apply to a relevant
permission application referred to in paragraph
(b), (d), (e) or (i) of the definition of relevant
permission application.
S. 51 51 Authority may deal with application after expiry of
inserted by
No. 39/2018 determination period
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) This section applies if, after receiving the
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
application for a licence or permit that complies
3/2020 ss 42– with section 50, the Authority or a council does
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
not issue or refuses to issue the licence or permit
within the period during which the Authority or
council must determine the application.
(2) Nothing in this Chapter prevents the Authority or
council from continuing to deal with the
application.
Note
The applicant may apply to VCAT for review of a failure to issue
or refuse to issue the licence or permit within the period during
which the Authority or council must determine the application—
see section 4(2) of the Victorian Civil and Administrative
Tribunal Act 1998.
S. 51A 51A Authority or council may require additional
inserted by
No. 36/2022 information
s. 32.
The Authority or council (as the case requires)
may require an applicant to provide the Authority
or council with any information relating to a
relevant permission application that the Authority
or council considers necessary.

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No. 51 of 2017
51B Timing for consideration of application if more S. 51B

information required inserted by
No. 36/2022
The time in which the Authority or council must s. 32.
deal with a relevant permission application does

not include—
(a) if the Authority or council requires
information under section 51A, the period
from the date that the Authority or council
makes the request until the date on which the
Authority or council receives the
information; or
(b) any period that the Authority or council and
the applicant agree is not to be included in
that time.
52 Notice of applications for development licences to be S. 52
inserted by
published No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) On receiving an application that complies with amended by
Nos 27/2019
section 50 for a development licence, the ss 12−30,
Authority must ensure that a notice in accordance 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
with subsection (2) is published— s. 26).
(a) on the Internet site of the Authority; and
(b) in at least one other publication that the
Authority considers appropriate, taking into
consideration the Charter of Consultation
developed under section 53.
(2) A notice under subsection (1) must—
(a) state that an application for a development
licence has been made; and
(b) describe the activity that is the subject of the
application; and
(c) contain any prescribed information; and

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(d) invite public comments or submissions

within the time specified in the notice, being
not less than 15 business days from the
publication of the notice; and
(e) state that, if the notice for the proposed
development licence is intended to be
combined under section 70(a) with a notice
for works given under the Environment
Effects Act 1978, any submissions referred
to in paragraph (d)—
(i) must be made together with any
submissions made for the Environment
Effects Statement relating to the works;
and
(ii) despite paragraph (d), must be made
within the time limits within which the
submissions must be made for that
Environment Effects Statement.
S. 52A 52A Authority may refuse certain applications
inserted by
No. 36/2022 inconsistent with Victorian Recycling Infrastructure
s. 33. Plan
(1) This section applies to the following—
(a) any application for a permission in relation
to a waste management facility;
(b) any application to amend a permission in
relation to a waste management facility.
(2) The Authority may refuse an application, or refuse
to consider an application, if it appears that the
operations of the waste management facility may
be inconsistent with a Victorian Recycling
Infrastructure Plan made under Part 2A of the
Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and
Recycling) Act 2021.

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(3) The Authority may refuse an application, or refuse

to consider an application, if the application
proposes the expansion of an existing landfill site
and it appears that—
(a) the operations of the landfill site as so
expanded may be inconsistent with a
Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan that
is in effect; or
(b) the proposed expansion may be inconsistent
with the schedule of landfill sites in a
Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan that
is in effect.
(4) Subject to subsection (5), the Authority must
refuse to consider an application that proposes a
new landfill site if the proposed site is not a future
landfill site included in the schedule of landfill
sites in a Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan
that is in effect.
(5) The Authority must not refuse to consider an
application under subsection (4) if—
(a) the proposed site is privately owned; and
(b) the Authority is satisfied that the site will
only receive waste consisting of substances
that were owned by the owner of the site
before the substances became waste.
(6) The Authority must give reasons in writing to any
person whose application is not considered or is
refused under this section.
53 Authority must develop Charter of Consultation S. 53
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority must develop a Charter of s. 7 (as
Consultation. amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

79
No. 51 of 2017
(2) The Charter of Consultation—

(a) must include guidelines relating to processes
for determining applications for permissions;
and
(b) must include guidelines for the public
notification of, and consultation relating to,
applications for permissions; and
(c) must include any prescribed matters; and
(d) may include any other matters that the
Authority considers appropriate.
(3) The Authority must publish the Charter of
Consultation on the Internet site of the Authority.
S. 54 54 Permission conditions
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Authority or a council may issue a permission
amended by subject to conditions specified in the permission.
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30, (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Authority or
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 council may specify that a permission is subject to
s. 26). a condition—
(a) specifying measures the permission holder
must take to comply with the general
environmental duty when engaging in the
permission activity; or
(b) specifying measures the permission holder
must take to meet the objects set out in
section 111 when engaging in the permission
activity; or
S. 54(2)(c) (c) ensuring that the permission activity is
amended by
No. 36/2022 engaged in consistently with the Victorian
s. 34. Recycling Infrastructure Plan; or
(d) relating to the commissioning of plant or
equipment, including the setting of
performance standards for the
commissioning of plant or equipment; or

80
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(e) relating to the monitoring, testing or analysis

of any impacts of engaging in the permission
activity; or
(f) requiring the permission holder to provide
monitoring data, information or performance
reports to the Authority or council, the public
or both; or
(g) relating to consultation with the local
community; or
(h) requiring the permission holder to report to
the Authority or council on compliance with
the conditions of the permission; or
(i) relating to pollution incident planning,
reporting or responses; or
(j) relating to the cessation of the permission
activity; or
(k) requiring the permission holder to provide a
financial assurance; or
(l) relating to any prescribed matter.
(3) Without limiting subsection (1), the Authority or
council may specify that a permission is subject to
a condition—
(a) that the permission activity must only be
engaged in at a specified place or using a
specified vehicle; or
(b) requiring a person or class of persons
approved by the Authority or council to
engage in a specified activity.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (2)(f), the
Authority or council may specify in the
permission—

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No. 51 of 2017
(a) the intervals of time at which any monitoring

data, information and performance reports
must be supplied to the Authority or council
or provided to the public; and
(b) the form and manner in which that data and
information must be supplied to the
Authority or council or provided to the
public.
S. 55 55 Permission fees
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
The holder of a permission must pay any
amended by prescribed fee at the prescribed time or for the
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
prescribed period.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 56 56 Transfer of licence or permit

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person may, with the agreement of the holder of
amended by a licence or permit, apply for the transfer of that
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
licence or permit to the applicant.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (2) An application under subsection (1) must be
s. 26). made—
(a) in the case of a licence or permit issued by
the Authority, to the Authority; or
(b) in the case of a permit issued by a council, to
that council.
(3) An application under subsection (1) must—
(a) be made—
(i) in the case of an application made to
the Authority, in a form and manner
manner; and

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(b) be accompanied by the prescribed fee S. 56(3)(b)

(if any) for the application; and amended by
No. 36/2022
s. 35(1).
(c) be accompanied by any information or thing

required by the Authority or council.
(4) Subject to section 51B, the Authority or council S. 56(4)
amended by
must, within 20 business days after receiving an No. 36/2022
application under subsection (1)— s. 35(2).
(a) refuse to transfer the licence or permit; or

(b) transfer the licence or permit subject to any
conditions that the Authority or council
considers appropriate.
(5) The Authority or council must refuse to transfer a
licence or permit if the Authority or council
considers that the applicant is not a fit and proper
person to hold a licence or permit.
(6) The Authority or council must, as soon as
practicable after making a decision under
subsection (4), give the applicant and holder of the
licence or permit written notice stating—
(a) the decision; and
(b) in the case of a decision to transfer the
licence or permit, the date on which the
transfer takes effect; and
(c) in the case of a decision to refuse to transfer
the licence or permit, or a decision to transfer
the licence or permit subject to conditions—
(i) the reasons for the decision; and
(ii) that the applicant may apply to VCAT
for review of the decision.

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No. 51 of 2017
S. 57 57 Amendment of licence or permit on application

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) The holder of a licence or permit may apply for
s. 7 (as the amendment of the licence or permit.
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(2) An application under subsection (1) must be
3/2020 ss 42– made—
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (a) in the case of a licence or permit issued by
that council.
(a) be made—
manner; and
amended by
s. 36(1).
Note to Note
s. 57(3)(b)
No. 36/2022
s. 36(2).

(4) On receiving an application under subsection (1),
the Authority or council must—
(a) refuse to amend the licence or permit; or
(b) amend the licence or permit subject to any
conditions that the Authority or council

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No. 51 of 2017
(5) Subject to section 51B, a decision under S. 57(5)

subsection (4) must be made within— amended by
No. 36/2022
(a) in the case of an application to amend a s. 36(3).
licence, 42 business days after receiving the

application; or
(b) in the case of an application to amend a
permit made to the Authority—
(i) any prescribed period not exceeding
42 business days after receiving the
application; or
(ii) if no period is prescribed, 15 business
days after receiving the application; or
(c) in the case of an application to amend a
permit made to a council, the prescribed
period.
(6) When determining whether to amend a licence or
permit under this section, the Authority or council
must take into account—
(a) in the case of a development licence, the
considerations set out in section 69(3); and
(b) in the case of an operating licence, the
(c) in the case of a pilot project licence, the
(d) in the case of a permit, the considerations set
out in section 81(3) and (4)(b) and (c).
(7) The Authority must refuse to amend a licence
under this section if—
(a) the Authority considers that the activity
specified in the licence as proposed to be
amended poses an unacceptable risk of harm
to human health or the environment; or

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No. 51 of 2017

Authority considers the activity specified in
the licence as proposed to be amended to be
a development activity and the holder of the
operating licence does not hold a
development licence in respect of the
activity; or
(c) any prescribed circumstances exist.
subsection (4), give the holder of the licence or
permit written notice stating—
(b) in the case of a decision to amend the licence
or permit, the date on which the amendment
takes effect; and
(c) in the case of a decision to refuse to amend
the licence or permit, or to amend the licence
subject to conditions—
(ii) that the holder of the licence or permit
may apply to VCAT for review of the
decision.
S. 58 58 Amendment of permission on initiative of Authority
inserted by
No. 39/2018 or council
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) The Authority or a council may amend, on its own
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
initiative, a permission issued or granted by it—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) to correct any administrative or clerical
s. 26). errors in the permission; or
(b) to make an amendment required under the
regulations; or

86
No. 51 of 2017
(c) in the case of a licence or a permit, to revoke

or amend a condition of the licence or permit
or to impose a new condition on the licence
or permit; or
(d) in the case of a registration, to modify the
application of the standard conditions to the
registration.
(2) When determining whether to amend a licence or
permit under subsection (1)(c), the Authority or
council must take into account—
(a) in the case of a development licence, the
(c) in the case of a pilot project licence, the
(d) in the case of a permit, the considerations set
out in section 81(3) and (4)(b) and (c).
practicable after amending a permission under this
section, give the permission holder written notice
stating—
(a) the amendment and the reasons for the
amendment; and
(b) the date on which the amendment takes
effect; and
(c) in the case of an amendment made under
subsection (1)(c), that the holder of the
licence or permit may apply to VCAT for
review of the decision.

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No. 51 of 2017
S. 59 59 Surrender or revocation of permissions on

inserted by application
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as (1) The holder of a licence or permit may apply for
amended by
Nos 27/2019 consent to surrender the licence or permit.
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42– (2) An application under subsection (1) must be
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
made—
(a) in the case of a licence or permit issued by
that council.
(a) be made—
manner; and
amended by
s. 37(1).

S. 59(4) (4) Subject to section 51B, the Authority or council
amended by
No. 36/2022 must, within 20 business days after receiving an
s. 37(2). application under subsection (1)—
(a) consent to the surrender of the licence or
permit subject to any conditions that the
Authority or council considers appropriate;
or
(b) refuse to consent to the surrender of the
licence or permit.

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No. 51 of 2017
(5) The Authority or council may refuse to consent to

the surrender of a licence or permit if the
Authority or council considers that the holder of
the licence or permit has, when engaging in the
licence activity or permit activity—
(a) contravened the general environmental duty
or the duty imposed under section 39; or
(b) failed to comply with a condition of the
licence or permit.
(6) The Authority or council must refuse to consent to
the surrender of a licence or permit if the
Authority or council considers that the holder of
the licence or permit is continuing to engage in the
licence activity or permit activity.
subsection (4), give the holder of the licence or
permit written notice stating—
(b) in the case of a decision to consent to the
surrender of the licence or permit—
(i) the date on which the surrender takes
effect; and
(ii) that the surrender does not take effect
unless the holder of the licence or
permit complies with any conditions to
which the surrender is subject by that
date; and
(c) in the case of a decision to refuse to consent
to the surrender of the licence or permit—
(ii) that the holder of the licence or permit
may apply to VCAT for review of the
decision.

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No. 51 of 2017
(8) The surrender of a licence or permit does not take

effect unless the holder of the licence or permit
has met any conditions imposed by the Authority
or council on the surrender.
(9) The Authority or council must revoke the
following permissions if the holder of the
permission requests in writing that it be revoked—
(a) a registration;
(b) a licence or permit that specifies an activity
prescribed for the purposes of this section.
(10) The Authority or council must give the holder of
the permission written notice of a revocation
under subsection (9).
S. 60 60 Suspension of permission
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Authority or a council may suspend a
amended by permission issued or granted by it, in relation to
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
any or all of its permission activities, if—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) the Authority or council believes on
s. 26). reasonable grounds that the holder of the
permission has contravened this Act or the
regulations; or
(b) the Authority or council does not consider
the holder of the permission to be a fit and
proper person to engage in those permission
activities; or
(c) the Authority or council believes on
reasonable grounds that the holder of the
permission has given materially incorrect or
misleading information to the Authority or
council or that the permission was obtained
or renewed because of materially incorrect or
misleading information; or
(d) the holder of the permission has not paid any
prescribed fee in relation to the permission;
or

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No. 51 of 2017
(e) the Authority or council is satisfied of any

prescribed matter.
(2) If the Authority or a council proposes to suspend a
permission under subsection (1), the Authority or
council must give the holder of the permission
written notice stating—
(a) the permission activities in relation to which
the Authority or council proposes to suspend
the permission; and
(b) the reasons for the proposed suspension; and
(c) that the holder may, within 10 business days
after receiving the notice, make submissions
to the Authority or council in relation to the
proposed suspension.
(3) The Authority or council must consider any
submission under subsection (2)(c) before
deciding whether or not to suspend the
permission.
practicable after making a decision whether or not
to make a proposed suspension, give the holder of
the permission written notice stating—
(b) in the case of a decision to make the
suspension—
(ii) the period of suspension (which must
not begin before notice is given); and
(iii) that the holder of the permission may
apply to VCAT for review of the
decision—
(A) to make the suspension; or

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No. 51 of 2017
(B) in respect of the period of

suspension.
(5) During a period of suspension, a permission is not
in force in respect of the permission activities to
which the suspension relates, other than for any
purposes specified in the notice under
subsection (4).
(6) The Authority or council may remove a period of
suspension made by it if, before the date on which
the period of suspension expires, the Authority or
council considers that the holder of the permission
has rectified any circumstances on which the
Authority or council based its decision to make
the suspension.
(7) The Authority or council may extend a period of
suspension made by it if, on the date on which the
period of suspension expires, the Authority or
council considers that the holder of the permission
has not rectified any circumstances on which the
Authority or council based its decision to make
the suspension.
(8) If the Authority or council extends a period of
suspension under subsection (7), the Authority or
council must give the holder of the permission a
(a) the decision and reasons for the decision; and
(b) the period for which the suspension is
extended; and
(c) that the holder of the permission may apply
to VCAT for review of the decision—
(i) to extend the suspension; or
(ii) in respect of the period of the
extension.

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61 Revocation of permission on Authority or council's S. 61

initiative inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority or a council may revoke a s. 7 (as
amended by
permission issued or granted by it if— Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) the Authority or council believes on 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
reasonable grounds that the holder of the s. 26).
permission has contravened this Act or the
regulations; or
(b) the Authority or council does not consider
the holder of the permission to be a fit and
proper person to engage in the permission
activities; or
(c) the Authority or council believes on
reasonable grounds that the holder of the
permission has given materially incorrect or
misleading information to the Authority or
council or that the permission was obtained
or renewed because of materially incorrect or
misleading information; or
(d) the holder of the permission has not paid any
fee payable under this Chapter in relation to
the permission; or
(e) the Authority or council is satisfied of any
prescribed matter.
(2) The Authority or a council may revoke a
permission issued or granted by it if the Authority
or council considers that the holder of the
permission—
(a) is no longer required to hold the permission;
or
(b) no longer engages in the permission activity.
(3) If the Authority or council proposes to revoke a
permission under subsection (1), the Authority or
council must give the holder of the permission

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(a) that the Authority or council proposes to

revoke the permission and the reasons for the
proposed revocation; and
(b) that the holder may, within 10 business days
after receiving the notice, make submissions
to the Authority or council in relation to the
proposed revocation.
(4) The Authority or council must consider any
submission under subsection (3)(b) before
deciding whether or not to revoke a permission
practicable after making a decision whether or not
to revoke a permission under subsection (1), give
the holder of the permission written notice
stating—
(b) in the case of a decision to revoke the
permission—
(ii) the date on which the revocation takes
effect; and
(iii) that the holder may apply to VCAT for
review of the decision to revoke the
permission.
practicable after making a decision to revoke a
permission under subsection (2), give the holder
of the permission written notice stating—
(b) the reasons for the decision; and
(c) the date on which the revocation takes effect.

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No. 51 of 2017
62 Complying with permission S. 62

inserted by
A person is taken to perform a duty or satisfy an No. 39/2018
obligation under this Act if— s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) the person is the holder of a permission that ss 12−30,
provides for how the person is to perform the 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
duty or satisfy the obligation; and s. 26).
(b) the person complies with the permission to
the extent that the permission provides for
performing the duty or satisfying the
obligation.
63 Breach of permission conditions—indictable offence S. 63
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person must not breach a condition of a licence s. 7 (as
issued to the person. amended by
Nos 27/2019
Penalty: In the case of a natural person, ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
2000 penalty units; 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
Note
(2) A person must not breach a condition of a permit
issued to the person.
1000 penalty units;
5000 penalty units.
Note

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(3) A person must not breach a condition of a

registration granted to the person.
500 penalty units;
2500 penalty units.
Note
(4) Subsections (1), (2) and (3) do not apply to a
breach of—
(a) a condition that is prescribed for the
purposes of section 64; or
(b) a condition included in a class of conditions
that is prescribed for the purposes of
section 64; or
(c) a condition in circumstances prescribed for
the purposes of section 64.
(5) An offence under subsection (1), (2) or (3) is an
indictable offence.
Note
These offences may be heard and determined summarily
S. 64 64 Breach of prescribed permission conditions
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
A person must not breach—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (a) a prescribed condition of a permission issued
ss 12−30, or granted to the person; or
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (b) a condition of a permission issued or granted
s. 26).
to the person that is included in a prescribed
class of conditions; or

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(c) a condition of a permission issued or granted

to the person in prescribed circumstances.
120 penalty units;
600 penalty units.
Note
An offence against this section is an infringement offence within
the meaning of the Infringements Act 2006 (see section 307).
65 Continuing effect of conditions S. 65
inserted by
No. 39/2018
If a provision of this Act or the regulations s. 7 (as
requires a person to comply with a condition of a amended by
Nos 27/2019
permission, the obligation to comply with that ss 12−30,
condition continues until the person complies with 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
the condition, even if— s. 26).
(a) the person has already been convicted of an
offence for a failure to comply with the
condition; and
(b) the condition required the person to comply
within a particular period or before a
particular day and that period has ended or
that day has passed.
66 Fit and proper persons S. 66
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) When determining whether a person is a fit and s. 7 (as
proper person for the purposes of this Chapter, the amended by
Nos 27/2019
Authority or a council must have regard to— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(a) the compliance with this Act, the 44, 47/2020
Environment Protection Act 1970, the s. 26).
regulations and environment protection
legislation of the Commonwealth, another
State or a Territory by—
(i) the person; and

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(ii) in the case of a natural person, any

body corporate of which the person was
an officer; and
(iii) in the case of a body corporate, any
person who is an officer of the body
corporate; and
(b) whether the person has demonstrated to the
Authority or council that the person has the
financial capacity to comply with any
obligations imposed by a permission; and
(c) any other prescribed criteria.
(2) If a person is a prohibited person, the Authority or
a council must not determine that the person is a
fit and proper person for the purposes of this
Chapter unless the Authority or council is satisfied
that it is not contrary to the public interest to do
so.
S. 67 67 Priority waste and landfill facilities
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
The Authority must not issue or grant a
amended by permission in relation to a landfill site for
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
receiving priority waste prescribed as Category A
3/2020 ss 42– priority waste.
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 68 68 Exemptions for transporting reportable priority

inserted by
No. 39/2018 waste
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) The Authority may, on application, grant an
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
exemption from the requirement to hold a
3/2020 ss 42– permission in connection with the transport of
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
reportable priority waste if the Authority is
satisfied that the applicant holds a valid
authorisation to transport the reportable priority
waste under the law of another State or a Territory
of the Commonwealth.

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(2) An application for an exemption under subsection

(1) must—
(a) be made in any form and manner approved
by the Authority; and
(b) specify the activity in relation to which the
exemption is sought; and
(c) be accompanied by the prescribed fee S. 68(2)(c)
amended by
(if any) for the application; and No. 36/2022
s. 38(1).
(d) include any prescribed information.

(3) Subject to section 51B, on receiving an S. 68(3)
amended by
application that complies with subsection (2), the No. 36/2022
Authority must, within 20 business days (or any s. 38(2).
shorter prescribed period) after receiving the

application—
(a) grant the exemption subject to any
conditions the Authority considers
appropriate; or
(b) refuse to grant the exemption.
(4) When determining whether to grant an exemption,
the Authority must take into account any
prescribed matter.
(5) An exemption granted under subsection (3) may
be revoked or amended by a written notice given
by the Authority.
(6) An exemption granted under subsection (3) has no
effect unless the conditions to which it is subject
are complied with.

99
No. 51 of 2017
Part 4.4—Licences
Pt 4.4
(Headings
Part 4.4—Licences
and ss 69–80)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
Division 1—Development licences
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 69 69 Development licences
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Authority must, not later than 4 months after
amended by receiving an application for a development licence
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
that complies with section 50—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) issue a development licence subject to any
s. 26). specified conditions that the Authority
considers appropriate; or
(b) refuse to issue a development licence.
(2) The Authority must refer an application for a
development licence to a prescribed agency for
comment in the prescribed circumstances.
(3) When determining whether or not to issue a
development licence, the Authority must take into
account—
(a) any measures the applicant has taken or
proposes to take in order to comply with the
general environmental duty when engaging
in the activity that is the subject of the
application; and
(b) the impact of the activity on human health
and the environment, including the impact on
any environmental values identified in any
relevant environment reference standard,
taking into account any other activities being
or proposed to be engaged in by the
applicant or any other person; and

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Part 4.4—Licences
(c) the principles of environment protection; and

(d) the best available techniques or technologies;
and
(e) whether the activity is otherwise consistent
with this Act and the regulations; and
(f) if the regulations require the Authority to
refer the application to a prescribed agency,
any comments or submissions received from
that agency; and
(g) any comments and submissions received—
(i) in response to the notice of the
application published under section 52;
and
(ii) within the time specified in that notice;
and
(h) any prescribed matter.
(4) The Authority must refuse to issue the
development licence if—
(a) the Authority considers that the activity that
is the subject of an application poses an
unacceptable risk of harm to human health or
the environment; or
(b) the Authority determines that the person is
not a fit and proper person to hold a
development licence; or
(5) The development licence must specify the date on
which the development licence expires.
(6) If the Authority decides to issue a development
licence, the Authority must, within 5 business
days of issuing the licence, take reasonable steps
to notify each person who made a submission

101
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Part 4.4—Licences
under section 52 in relation to the application for

the licence of the following—
(a) the decision to issue the licence;
(b) that certain persons may seek review of the
decision under section 434.
S. 70 70 Joint publication
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
The notice of an application for a development
amended by licence required under section 52 may be
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
combined with—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) if the activity that is the subject of the
s. 26). application is works to which the
Environment Effects Act 1978 applies, any
notice given for those works under that Act;
or
(b) if the activity requires a planning permit or
the preparation of an amendment to a
planning scheme under the Planning and
Environment Act 1987, any notice required
to be given for the application for that
planning permit or the preparation of that
amendment under that Act.
S. 71 71 Conditions of development licences
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
If a development licence specifies an activity that
amended by requires a planning permit or the preparation of an
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
amendment to a planning scheme under the
3/2020 ss 42– Planning and Environment Act 1987, the
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
development licence must specify, as a condition
of the development licence, that the development
licence does not take effect until the applicant
provides a copy of that planning permit or
amendment to the Authority.

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Part 4.4—Licences
72 Extension of term of development licences S. 72

inserted by
The Authority may, subject to any conditions that No. 39/2018
the Authority considers appropriate, extend the s. 7 (as
amended by
period during which a development licence Nos 27/2019
remains in force if the Authority is satisfied that ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
the circumstances of the case justify that 44, 47/2020
extension. s. 26).
73 Statement as to whether activity specified in S. 73

inserted by
development licence completed No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The holder of a development licence may apply, amended by
Nos 27/2019
in the form and manner approved by the ss 12−30,
Authority, for a statement from the Authority as to 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
whether the Authority considers the holder to have s. 26).
completed the activity specified in the
development licence to the Authority's
satisfaction.
(2) The Authority must provide a written statement
under subsection (1) within 20 business days after
receiving an application under that subsection.
Division 2—Operating licences

74 Operating licences S. 74
inserted by
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority must, after No. 39/2018
receiving an application for an operating licence s. 7 (as
amended by
that complies with section 50— Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) issue an operating licence subject to any 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
specified conditions that the Authority s. 26).
(b) refuse to issue an operating licence.

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Part 4.4—Licences
(2) The Authority must issue or refuse to issue an

operating licence under subsection (1) within—
(a) 15 business days after receiving the
application if—
(i) the applicant holds a development
licence in respect of the activity that is
the subject of the application; and
(ii) the Authority has provided to the
applicant a statement under section 73
that the Authority considers the
applicant to have completed the activity
to the Authority's satisfaction; or
(b) in any other case, 42 business days after
receiving the application.
(3) When determining whether or not to issue an
operating licence, the Authority must take into
account—
application; and
or proposed to be carried out by the applicant
or any other person; and
and

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Part 4.4—Licences

(f) any prescribed matter.
(4) The Authority must refuse to issue an operating
licence if—
(a) the Authority considers that the activity that
is the subject of the application poses an
the environment; or
(b) the Authority determines that the person is
not a fit and proper person to hold an
operating licence; or
(c) the Authority considers the activity that is
the subject of the application to be a
prescribed development activity and the
applicant does not hold a development
licence in respect of the activity; or
(d) any prescribed circumstances exist.
(5) Nothing in this Chapter prevents—
(a) the person who has applied for an operating
licence in respect of an activity applying for
a development licence in respect of the same
activity; or
(b) the Authority determining that application
for a development licence in accordance with
Division 1.
75 Term of operating licences S. 75
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) Subject to subsection (2), if the Authority issues s. 7 (as
an operating licence after the commencement of amended by
Nos 27/2019
this Chapter, the Authority must specify on the ss 12−30,
licence the period during which the licence 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
remains in force. s. 26).

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Part 4.4—Licences
(2) An operating licence may not remain in force—

(a) in the case of an operating licence that
specifies a waste management activity that is
engaged in at a current or former landfill site,
for a period of more than 99 years; or
(b) in any other case, for a period of more than
20 years.
S. 76 76 Review of operating licences
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Authority may, in accordance with the
amended by regulations, review an operating licence after the
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
operating licence has been in force—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) for 4 years; or
s. 26).
(b) for any longer period determined by the
Authority.
(2) If the Authority proposes to review a licence
under subsection (1), the Authority must give at
least 20 business days' written notice of the
Authority's intention to do so to the holder of the
licence.
(3) After reviewing a licence under subsection (1), the
Authority may—
(a) vary the conditions of the licence; or
(b) revoke the licence.
(4) When determining whether or not to vary the
conditions of a licence or revoke a licence under
subsection (3), the Authority must take into
account—
(a) any measures the holder of the licence has
taken or proposes to take in order to comply
with the general environmental duty when
engaging in the licence activity; and

106
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Part 4.4—Licences
(b) the impact of the licence activity on human

health and the environment, including the
impact on any environmental values
identified in any relevant environment
reference standard, taking into account any
other activities being or proposed to be
carried out by the holder of the licence or
any other person; and
and
Division 3—Pilot project licences

77 Pilot project licences S. 77
inserted by
(1) A person may apply under section 50 for a pilot No. 39/2018
project licence in respect of an activity that s. 7 (as
amended by
requires a development licence, an operating Nos 27/2019
licence or a permit. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) The Authority must refuse to issue the pilot s. 26).
project licence if the Authority is satisfied that the
activity specified in the application is not a
research, development or demonstration activity.
(3) In determining whether an activity is a research,
development or demonstration activity, the
Authority must consider—
(a) the scale, dimensions, purpose, and duration
of the activity; and
(b) the risks of harm posed by the activity to
pollution or waste.

107
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Part 4.4—Licences
S. 78 78 Consideration of application for pilot project licence

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) On receiving an application for a pilot project
s. 7 (as licence that complies with section 50, the
amended by
Nos 27/2019 Authority must, within 22 business days of
ss 12−30, receiving the application, either—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(a) issue the pilot project licence subject to any
specified conditions that the Authority
(b) refuse to issue the pilot project licence.
(2) When determining whether or not to issue a pilot
project licence, the Authority must take into
account—
application; and
or proposed to be carried out by the applicant
or any other person; and
and

108
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Part 4.4—Licences
(3) The Authority must refuse to issue a pilot project

licence if—
(a) the Authority determines that the applicant is
not a fit and proper person to hold a pilot
project licence; or
(b) the Authority considers that the activity
specified in the application poses an
the environment; or
79 Duration and effect of pilot project licence S. 79
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A pilot project licence remains in force for the s. 7 (as
period specified in the licence, which must not be amended by
Nos 27/2019
more than 5 years. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(2) The holder of a pilot project licence is exempted 44, 47/2020
from the requirement to obtain a development s. 26).
licence, an operating licence or a permit in respect
of the activities specified in the pilot project
licence.
Division 4—Licence exemptions

80 Application for licence exemptions S. 80
inserted by
(1) A person may apply to the Authority for an No. 39/2018
exemption from the application of section 44 in s. 7 (as
amended by
respect of a prescribed development activity. Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(2) A person may apply to the Authority for an 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
exemption from the application of section 45 in s. 26).
respect of a prescribed operating activity.
(3) An application for an exemption under subsection
(1) or (2) must—

109
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Part 4.4—Licences
S. 80(3)(c) (c) be accompanied by the prescribed fee

amended by (if any) for the application; and
No. 36/2022
s. 39(1).
Note to Note
s. 80(3)(c)
No. 36/2022
s. 39(2).

S. 80(4) (4) Subject to section 51B, on receiving an
amended by
No. 36/2022 application that complies with subsection (3), the
s. 39(3). Authority must, within 20 business days (or any
application—
appropriate; or
prescribed matter.
(6) An exemption granted under subsection (4) may
be revoked or amended by a written notice given
by the Authority.
are complied with.

110
No. 51 of 2017
Part 4.5—Permits
Part 4.5—Permits Pt 4.5

(Heading and
ss 81–84)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
81 Permits S. 81
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) On receiving an application for a permit that s. 7 (as
complies with section 50, the Authority or the amended by
Nos 27/2019
council to which the application was made must— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(a) issue the permit subject to any conditions 44, 47/2020
that the Authority or council considers s. 26).
appropriate; or
(b) refuse to issue the permit.
(2) A decision under subsection (1) must be made
within—
(a) in the case of an application made to the
Authority—
application; or
(b) in the case of an application made to a
council, the prescribed period.
(3) When determining whether to issue the permit, the
Authority or council must take into account any
prescribed matter.

111
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Part 4.5—Permits
(4) The Authority or council must refuse to issue the

permit if—
(a) the Authority or council determines that the
applicant for the permit is not a fit and
proper person to hold the permit; or
(b) the Authority or council considers that the
activity specified in the application poses an
the environment; or
(5) A permit remains in force for—
(a) a period of 5 years; or
(b) any shorter period prescribed in relation to a
particular activity or class of activity.
S. 82 82 Permit exemptions granted by the Authority
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person may apply to the Authority for an
amended by exemption from the application of section 46 in
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
respect of a prescribed permit activity
3/2020 ss 42– administered by the Authority.
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (2) An application for an exemption under subsection
(1) must—
S. 82(2)(c) (c) be accompanied by the prescribed fee
amended by
s. 40(1).
Note to Note
s. 82(2)(c)
No. 36/2022
s. 40(2).

112
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Part 4.5—Permits
(3) Subject to section 51B, on receiving an S. 82(3)

application that complies with subsection (2), the amended by
No. 36/2022
Authority must, within 10 business days (or any s. 40(3).
application—
appropriate; or
prescribed matter.
are complied with.
83 Permit exemptions granted by a council S. 83
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person may apply to a council for an exemption s. 7 (as
from the application of section 46 in respect of a amended by
Nos 27/2019
prescribed permit activity administered by a ss 12−30,
council. 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) An application for an exemption under subsection s. 26).
(1) must—
(a) be made in the prescribed form and manner;
and
(c) be accompanied by the prescribed fee S. 83(2)(c)
amended by
(if any) for the application; and No. 36/2022
s. 41(1).
Note Note to
s. 83(2)(c)
An additional fee may be payable under section 50A. inserted by
No. 36/2022
s. 41(2).

113
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Part 4.5—Permits
S. 83(3) (3) Subject to section 51B, on receiving an

amended by application that complies with subsection (2), a
No. 36/2022
s. 41(3). council must, within 10 business days (or any
application—
conditions the council considers appropriate;
or
a council must take into account any prescribed
matter.
are complied with.
S. 84 84 Renewal of permits
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The holder of a permit may apply for the renewal
amended by of the permit—
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30, (a) in the case of a permit issued by the
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 Authority, to the Authority; or
s. 26).
that council.
(2) An application for renewal must be made at least
15 business days before the day on which the
permit is due to expire.
(3) An application for renewal must—
(a) be made—
(i) in the case of a permit issued by the
Authority, in a form and manner
(ii) in the case of a permit issued by a
manner; and

114
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Part 4.5—Permits
(b) be accompanied by the prescribed fee S. 84(3)(b)

(if any) for the application; and amended by
No. 36/2022
s. 42(1).
(c) include any prescribed information.

(4) On receiving an application that complies with
subsections (2) and (3), the Authority or council
must—
(a) renew the permit; or
(b) refuse to renew the permit.
(5) Subject to section 51B, a decision under S. 84(5)
amended by
subsection (4) must be made within— No. 36/2022
s. 42(2).
(a) in the case of an application made to the
Authority—
application; or
(b) in the case of an application made to a
council, the prescribed period.
(6) If the permit is due to expire before the end of the
period described in subsection (5), the permit is
taken to remain in force until the end of that
period.
(7) When determining whether to renew a permit, the
Authority or council must take into account any
prescribed matter.
(8) A permit may be renewed for—
(a) a period of not more than 5 years; or
(9) A permit may be renewed more than once.

115
No. 51 of 2017
Part 4.6—Registrations
Pt 4.6
(Heading and
ss 85–87)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 85 85 Registration of prescribed activities

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Subject to subsection (3), on receiving an
amended by application for a registration that complies with
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
section 50, the Authority is taken to have granted
3/2020 ss 42– a registration for the activity that is the subject of
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
the application to the applicant subject to any
standard conditions.
(2) Within 10 business days after receiving an
application for a registration that complies with
section 50, the Authority must notify the
applicant—
(a) that a registration has been granted; and
(b) the standard conditions to which the
registration is subject.
(3) A registration remains in force until—
(a) for a period of 5 years or any shorter period
prescribed in relation to a particular activity
or class of activity; or
(b) until the registration is revoked under
section 61—
whichever is the earlier.

116
No. 51 of 2017
86 Renewal of registrations S. 86
inserted by
(1) The holder of a registration may apply to the No. 39/2018
Authority for the renewal of the registration. s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) An application for renewal must be made before ss 12−30,
the day on which the registration is due to expire. 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(3) An application for renewal must— s. 26).
(a) be in any form and manner approved by the

Authority; and
(b) be accompanied by any prescribed fee; and
(c) include any prescribed information.
(4) On receiving an application for the renewal of a
registration that complies with this section, the
Authority is taken to have renewed the registration
subject to the standard conditions to which the
registration was subject before the renewal.
(5) Within 10 business days after receiving an
application for the renewal of a registration that
complies with this section, the Authority must
notify the applicant—
(a) that the registration has been renewed; and
(b) of the standard conditions to which the
renewed registration is subject.
(6) A registration may be renewed for—
(a) a period of not more than 5 years; or
(7) A registration may be renewed more than once.

117
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S. 87 87 Registration of non-prescribed activities

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) The Governor in Council may by Order require a
s. 7 (as specified activity or class of activity to be subject
amended by
Nos 27/2019 to section 85, for a period of not more than
ss 12−30, 3 years, as if it were an activity prescribed to be
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 subject to registration under that section.
s. 26).
(2) An Order made under this section may exempt
persons from the operation of the Order in
specified circumstances or if the person meets
specified requirements.

118
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Part 4.7—Persons prohibited from engaging in prescribed activities
Part 4.7—Persons prohibited from engaging Pt 4.7

(Heading and
in prescribed activities ss 88–90)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
88 Certain persons prohibited from engaging in S. 88

inserted by
particular activities No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person is a prohibited person if— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) within the preceding 10 years, the person has ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
been convicted or found guilty of— 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(i) an offence involving fraud, dishonesty
or violence that was punishable by a
term of imprisonment of 3 months or
more at the time of the conviction or
finding of guilt; or
(ii) an indictable offence against this Act or
the Environment Protection Act
1970; or
(iii) an offence that, if committed in
Victoria, would constitute an offence
referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii); or
(iv) an indictable offence against the
Dangerous Goods Act 1985, the
Equipment (Public Safety) Act 1994,
the Occupational Health and Safety
Act 2004 or the Planning and
Environment Act 1987; or
(b) the Authority has revoked a permission held
by the person under section 61(1); or
(c) any licence or permit issued to the person
under a law of another State or a Territory
that the Authority considers to be equivalent

119
No. 51 of 2017
to a permission has been revoked on a

ground equivalent to one or more of the
grounds set out in section 61(1); or
(d) the person is an insolvent under
administration; or
(e) the person is an externally-administered
company under the Corporations Act; or
(f) in the case of a body corporate—
(i) one or more of the officers is a person
referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or
(d); or
(ii) one or more of the officers is or was an
officer of another body corporate that is
or was a person referred to in paragraph
(a), (b), (c) or (d).
(2) A prohibited person must not engage in an activity
that is prescribed for the purposes of this section.
240 penalty units or 2 years
imprisonment or both;
1200 penalty units.
Note
provision. The penalties for contravention of these civil
penalty provisions are set out in the table in section 314.
(3) The Minister may recommend that an activity be
prescribed for the purposes of this section only if
the activity is not a permission activity and
either—
(a) the activity relates to—
(i) the receiving, handling, storing,
processing or disposal of waste; or
(ii) resource recovery; or

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(b) the Minister is satisfied that the activity

poses a serious risk of harm to human health
or the environment.
(4) If, as the result of the operation of Part 11.8, a
person who is an officer of a body corporate
commits an offence against subsection (2), a
sentence of imprisonment must not be imposed on
the officer in respect of a conviction or finding of
guilt in respect of that offence unless the body
corporate was prohibited from engaging in the
prescribed activity that was the subject of the
offence because the officer is a prohibited person
referred to in subsection (1)(a), (b), (c) or (d).
89 Additional or alternative penalties for prohibited S. 89
inserted by
persons No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) If— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) a prohibited person who is a natural person ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
commits an offence against section 45, 46 or 44, 47/2020
47; and s. 26).
(b) the permission activity that was the subject

of the offence is prescribed for the purposes
of this section—
a court may impose a penalty of up to 2 years
imprisonment in addition to, or in place of, the
penalty included in section 45, 46 or 47.
(2) If, as the result of the operation of Part 11.8, a
person who is an officer of a body corporate
commits an offence against section 45, 46 or 47, a
sentence of imprisonment must not be imposed
under subsection (1) on the officer in respect of a
conviction or finding of guilt in respect of that
offence unless the body corporate was prohibited
from engaging in the prescribed activity that was
the subject of the offence because the officer is a
prohibited person referred to in section 88(1)(a),
(b), (c) or (d).

121
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S. 90 90 Applications by prohibited persons to engage in

inserted by prescribed activity
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as (1) Subject to subsection (4), a prohibited person may
amended by
Nos 27/2019 apply to the Authority for authorisation—
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42– (a) to engage in an activity prescribed for the
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
purposes of section 88; or
(b) to be an officer of a body corporate that
engages in an activity prescribed for the
purposes of section 88.
(2) An application under this section must—
(a) be in the form approved by the Authority;
and
(b) contain the information required by the
Authority; and
(c) be accompanied by the documents required
S. 90(2)(d) (d) be accompanied by the prescribed fee
amended by
No. 36/2022 (if any) for the application.
s. 43(1).
Note to Note
s. 90(2)(d)
No. 36/2022
s. 43(2).
(3) The Authority must, not later than 25 business

days after receiving an application under this
section—
(a) accept the application; or
(b) refuse the application.
(4) The Authority may accept an application—
(a) if the Authority is satisfied that it is not
contrary to the public interest to do so; and

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(b) subject to any conditions the Authority

considers appropriate to protect the public
interest.
(5) The Authority may require an applicant to provide S. 90(5)
inserted by
the Authority with any information relating to the No. 36/2022
application that the Authority considers necessary. s. 43(3).
(6) The time in which the Authority must deal with S. 90(6)
inserted by
the application under this section does not No. 36/2022
include— s. 43(3).
(a) if the Authority requires information under

subsection (5), the period from the date that
the Authority makes the request until the
date on which the Authority receives the
information; or
(b) any period that the Authority and the
applicant agree is not to be included in that
time.
90A Notice and payment of additional application fee S. 90A
inserted by
No. 36/2022
(1) The Authority may require an applicant for an s. 44.
authorisation under section 90 to pay a fee for the
application—
addition to the fee payable at the time the
application is made; and
(3) The Authority must give an applicant who is
required to pay a fee under subsection (1) written
notice specifying the fee no later than 10 business
days after determining the application.

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the notice.

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No. 51 of 2017
Part 4.8—Environment protection levy
Part 4.8—Environment protection levy Pt 4.8

(Heading and
s. 91)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
91 Environment protection levy S. 91

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) Subject to and in accordance with this section, s. 7 (as
there is to be charged, levied and collected by the amended by
Nos 27/2019
Authority a levy at the rate of 3 per cent of the fee ss 12−30,
prescribed for the purposes of this section in 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
respect of any activity— s. 26).
(a) for which a permission is required under this
Act; and
(b) that has been prescribed as an activity in
respect of which the levy is required to be
paid.
(2) The levy is payable at the same time as the
prescribed fee is payable under this Part.
(3) The Authority may after having regard to the
record of compliance with the conditions applying
to a permission in respect of any person liable to
pay the levy, exempt the person in whole or in
part from the payment of the levy as the Authority
sees fit.
(4) If the levy in respect of any activity is not paid at
the same time as the prescribed fee is payable
under this Part, the Authority must suspend the
permission or the application of the permission to
the extent that it applies to that person until the

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No. 51 of 2017
Part 4.8—Environment protection levy
levy is paid and the amount of the levy which is

outstanding bears interest at such rate per centum
per annum as is set out in section 172(2) of the
Local Government Act 1989.

126
No. 51 of 2017
Chapter 5—Environment reference Ch. 5

(Headings
standards, compliance codes and position and ss 92–
109)
statements inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
Pt 5.1
s. 92)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
inserted by
No. 39/2018
Chapter. amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) Part 5.2 provides for the making, preparation and ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
review of environment reference standards for 44, 47/2020
assessing and reporting on environmental s. 26).
conditions in the whole or any part of Victoria.
(3) Part 5.3 provides for the making of compliance
codes that provide guidance on how a person may
comply with a duty or obligation under this Act.
(4) Part 5.4 enables the Authority to make a position
statement setting out—
(a) how a provision of this Act or the regulations
would apply to a class of persons or in
specified circumstances; or

127
No. 51 of 2017
(b) how the Authority would exercise a

discretion under a provision of this Act or
the regulations.
(5) The effect of compliance codes and position
statements is set out in Parts 5.3 and 5.4
respectively.

128
No. 51 of 2017
Part 5.2—Environment reference standards
Part 5.2—Environment reference standards Pt 5.2

(Heading and
ss 93–99)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
93 Environment reference standards S. 93

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Governor in Council, on the recommendation s. 7 (as
of the Minister, may by Order published in the amended by
Nos 27/2019
Government Gazette make an environment ss 12−30,
reference standard to be used to assess and report 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
on environmental conditions in the whole or any s. 26).
part of Victoria.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), an environment
reference standard must identify environmental
values to be achieved or maintained in the whole
or any part of Victoria.
(3) An environment reference standard must
specify—
(a) whether the area to which the standard
applies is the whole or a part of Victoria; and
(b) if the standard does not apply to the whole of
Victoria, the boundaries of the area to which
the standard applies; and
(c) the elements of the environment to which the
standard relates; and
(d) the environmental values identified for the
area, or any part of the area, to which the
standard applies.

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(4) An environment reference standard may specify

indicators and objectives to be used to measure
whether an environmental value specified in the
environment reference standard is being achieved
or maintained.
(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), an
environment reference standard may specify one
or more of the following indicators or
objectives—
(a) ambient environmental quality pollutant
measures;
(b) ambient environmental quality ecological
measures;
(c) measures of human health or the health of
other species;
(d) targets for emissions of pollutants.
S. 94 94 Application of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994
inserted by
No. 39/2018 to environment reference standards
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) Section 12F(1)(a) of the Subordinate Legislation
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
Act 1994 applies to an environment reference
3/2020 ss 42– standard as if the reference to a significant
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
economic or social burden were a reference to a
significant impact.
(2) The Subordinate Legislation Act 1994 applies to
an environment reference standard as if a
reference to a regulatory impact statement were a
reference to an impact assessment prepared under
section 95(1).
(3) Section 12H(1), (2) and (4) of the Subordinate
Legislation Act 1994 do not apply to an
environment reference standard.

130
No. 51 of 2017
95 Preparation of environment reference standards S. 95

inserted by
(1) Before recommending that the Governor make an No. 39/2018
environment reference standard, the Minister must s. 7 (as
amended by
ensure that an impact assessment for the standard Nos 27/2019
is prepared that contains— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) the objectives and purposes of the standard; s. 26).
and
(b) a description of the methods used to prepare
the standard; and
(c) any indicators and objectives for measuring
whether environmental values are being
achieved or maintained, other than those
specified in the standard, that were
considered during the preparation of the
standard; and
(d) a description of the monitoring, evaluation
and reporting requirements of the standard;
and
(e) a description of the intended operation and
impact of the standard.
(2) When determining whether to recommend
whether an environment reference standard should
be made, the Minister must take the principles of
environment protection into account.
96 Environment reference standard may incorporate S. 96
inserted by
NEPM No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Environment reference standards may apply, amended by
Nos 27/2019
adopt or incorporate, with or without ss 12−30,
modification, any matter contained in any 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
document, code, standard, rule, specification or s. 26).
method formulated, issued, prescribed or
published—
(a) as in force at a particular time; or

131
No. 51 of 2017
(b) as amended, formulated, issued, prescribed

or published from time to time.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Governor in
Council may, subject to subsection (3),
incorporate the whole or any part of a national
environment protection measure in an
environment reference standard.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the Minister
must consult with the National Environment
Protection Council before recommending that an
environment reference standard be made if it is
proposed that the standard is to incorporate a
measure that is more stringent than a national
environment protection measure.
S. 97 97 Review of environment reference standards
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Before the expiry of each review period, the
amended by Minister must determine whether an environment
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
reference standard is to be—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) retained with or without amendment; or
s. 26).
(b) revoked.
(2) Before determining whether to retain or revoke an
environment reference standard under subsection
(1), the Minister must ensure that notice of the
review is published in—
(a) the Government Gazette; and
(b) any publication that the Minister considers
appropriate.
(a) summarise the environment reference
standard; and
(b) specify where a copy of the standard can be
obtained; and

132
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(c) invite public comments or submissions on

the standard within the time specified in the
notice, being not less than 28 days from the
publication of the notice.
(4) After considering any public comments or
submissions received in response to the notice
under subsection (3)(c), the Minister must—
(a) retain the standard without amendment; or
(b) retain the standard with amendments; or
(c) replace the standard; or
(d) revoke the standard.
(5) The replacement of an environment reference
standard under subsection (4)(c) must be prepared
in accordance with section 95.
(6) In this section—
review period, in relation to an environment
reference standard, means the 10-year period
that begins on the later of the following
days—
(a) the day on which the standard is made;
(b) the day on which notice of a review of
the standard is published in the
Government Gazette.
98 Notice of review determination S. 98
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) If the Minister determines under section 97 to s. 7 (as
revoke an environment reference standard or amended by
Nos 27/2019
retain an environment reference standard without ss 12−30,
amendment, the Minister must ensure that notice 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
of that determination— s. 26).
(a) is published in any publication that the
Minister considers appropriate; and

133
No. 51 of 2017
(b) is given in writing to any person who made a

comment or submission in accordance with
section 97(3)(c) in relation to that
determination.
(2) A notice under subsection (1) must be given and
published as soon as practicable after the
determination has been made.
S. 99 99 Consideration of environment reference standards
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
The Minister must take into account environment
amended by reference standards when making a decision
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
relating to—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) whether to recommend the making of
s. 26). regulations under this Act; or
(b) whether to recommend the making of a
compliance code; or
(c) whether to declare an issue to be an issue of
environmental concern.

134
No. 51 of 2017
Part 5.3—Compliance codes
Part 5.3—Compliance codes Pt 5.3

(Heading and
ss 100–104)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
100 Compliance codes S. 100

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) For the purposes of providing practical guidance s. 7 (as
to any person who has a duty or obligation under amended by
Nos 27/2019
this Act, the Governor in Council may make an ss 12−30,
Order approving a compliance code. 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) The order approving a compliance code takes s. 26).
effect on the day notice of the order is published
in the Government Gazette, or any later day
specified in the order.
101 Content of compliance codes S. 101
inserted by
No. 39/2018
A compliance code may apply, adopt or s. 7 (as
incorporate, with or without modification, any amended by
Nos 27/2019
matter contained in any document, code, standard, ss 12−30,
rule, specification or method formulated, issued, 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
prescribed or published by any person or body— s. 26).
102 Communication of compliance codes S. 102
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority must publish a compliance code s. 7 (as
made under section 100 on the Internet site of the amended by
Nos 27/2019
Authority. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(2) The Authority must make available for inspection 44, 47/2020
without charge at the office of the Authority s. 26).
during normal business hours—

135
No. 51 of 2017
Part 5.3—Compliance codes
(a) any compliance code made under

section 100; and
(b) any document containing any matter that is
applied, adopted or incorporated in a
compliance code.
S. 103 103 Effect of compliance codes
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
A person is taken to perform a duty or satisfy an
amended by obligation under this Act if—
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30, (a) a compliance code provides for how a person
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 performs the duty or satisfies the obligation;
s. 26). and
(b) the person complies with the compliance
code to the extent that the compliance code
provides for performing the duty or
satisfying the obligation.
S. 104 104 No penalty for failure to comply with compliance
inserted by
No. 39/2018 codes
s. 7 (as
amended by A failure to comply with a compliance code does
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
not give rise to any civil or criminal penalty.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

136
No. 51 of 2017
Part 5.4—Position statements
Part 5.4—Position statements Pt 5.4

(Heading and
ss 105–109)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
105 Authority may make position statements S. 105

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority may make a position statement by s. 7 (as
publishing a notice of the position statement in the amended by
Nos 27/2019
Government Gazette. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(2) The position statement takes effect on the day 44, 47/2020
notice of the position statement is published in the s. 26).
Government Gazette, or on any later day specified
in the notice.
106 Communication of position statements S. 106
inserted by
No. 39/2018
The Authority must publish any position s. 7 (as
statement made under section 105 on the Internet amended by
Nos 27/2019
site of the Authority. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
107 Content of position statements S. 107

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A position statement of the Authority may state— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) the Authority's opinion on how a provision Nos 27/2019
of this Act or the regulations would apply to ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
a class of persons or to a set of 44, 47/2020
circumstances; or s. 26).
(b) how the Authority would exercise a

discretion under a provision of this Act or
the regulations.

137
No. 51 of 2017
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), the

Authority exercises a discretion if the Authority—
(a) forms an opinion as to the existence of a fact;
or
(b) attains a state of mind; or
(c) makes a determination; or
(d) exercises a power; or
(e) refuses or fails to do any of those things.
S. 108 108 Consultation on position statements
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Before making a position statement under
amended by section 105, the Authority must comply with this
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
section.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (2) The Authority must—
s. 26).
(a) prepare a draft position statement; and
(b) publish notice of the draft position statement
and a request for comment on the draft
position statement within a specified
period—
(i) in the Government Gazette; and
(ii) on the Internet site of the Authority;
and
(iii) in any other publication intended for
general circulation in Victoria that the
Authority considers appropriate; and
(c) publish a copy of the draft position statement
on the Internet site of the Authority.
(3) After the expiry of the specified period, the
Authority—
(a) must consider any comments received by the
Authority within the specified period; and

138
No. 51 of 2017
(b) may make the position statement in

accordance with section 105 with or without
modifications to the draft position statement.
109 Effect of position statements S. 109
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A position statement does not give rise to— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) a legal right, expectation, duty or obligation Nos 27/2019
that would not otherwise be conferred or ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
imposed on any person; or 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(b) any liability of, or other claim against, the
Authority; or
(c) any defence that would not otherwise be
available to any person.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), a position
statement does not affect any matter specified in
subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) that is otherwise
provided for under this Act.

139
No. 51 of 2017
Ch. 6
(Headings
Chapter 6—Waste
and ss 110–
152)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
Pt 6.1
(Heading and Part 6.1—Simplified outline
s. 110)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 110 110 Simplified outline—Chapter 6

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by Chapter.
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30, (2) Part 6.2 provides for the objects of this Chapter.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (3) Part 6.3 provides for the powers and appointment
s. 26).
of litter enforcement officers and offences in
relation to the disposal and removal of litter and
other waste.
(4) Part 6.4 provides for duties in relation to industrial
waste.
(5) Part 6.5 provides for duties and controls in
relation to priority waste.
(6) Part 6.6 provides for the administration of the
waste levy scheme.

140
No. 51 of 2017
Part 6.2—Objects
Part 6.2—Objects Pt 6.2

(Heading and
s. 111)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
111 Objects S. 111

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The objects of this Chapter are— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) to minimise litter and waste disposal by Nos 27/2019
encouraging the management of waste in ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
accordance with the waste management 44, 47/2020
hierarchy; and s. 26).
(b) to promote waste reduction, resource

recovery and resource efficiency; and
(c) to minimise the impact on human health and
the environment from waste generation and
waste disposal.
(2) It is the intention of the Parliament that in the
administration of this Chapter regard should be
given to the objects of this Chapter.

141
No. 51 of 2017
Part 6.3—Litter and other waste
Pt 6.3
(Headings
and ss 112–
132)
inserted by
Division 1—Preliminary matters
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 112 112 Definitions
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
In this Part—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 dangerous litter means litter that is wholly or
ss 12−30, partly comprised of one or more of the
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 following—
s. 26).
(a) oil, fuel, grease, paint or solvents;
(b) a lit cigarette or a lit cigarette butt;
(c) glass;
(d) a syringe;
(e) any substance, material or other thing
prescribed by the regulations;
litter means a quantity of waste that does not
exceed 50 litres;
place includes a receptacle.
S. 113 113 Governor in Council may declare body to be a litter
inserted by
No. 39/2018 authority
s. 7 (as
amended by The Governor in Council may, by Order published
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
in the Government Gazette, declare any body to
3/2020 ss 42– be a litter authority for the purposes of this Part.
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

142
No. 51 of 2017
Division 2—Appointment of litter enforcement

officers
114 Litter enforcement officers S. 114
inserted by
(1) The Authority may appoint a person as a litter No. 39/2018
enforcement officer. s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(2) A litter authority may appoint an employee of the S. 114(2)

amended by
litter authority, or each member of a class of No. 36/2022
employee of the litter authority, as a litter s. 45.
enforcement officer in relation to—

(a) any bus, tram, watercraft, rail vehicle or
aircraft owned or managed by the litter
authority that is being used for a public
purpose; or
(b) in the case of a litter authority that is a
council, any land or waters in the council's
municipal district; or
(c) any land or waters under the control or
management of the litter authority; or
(d) any offence under this Part that may result in
waste appearing on land or waters under the
control or management of the litter authority
(regardless of where the offence occurs).
(3) The Secretary, being the body corporate
established by Part 2 of the Conservation,
Forests and Lands Act 1987, may appoint a
person as a litter enforcement officer in respect of
any land managed under a relevant law within the
meaning of that Act.

143
No. 51 of 2017
Division 3—Offences in relation to littering and

other waste
S. 115 115 Unlawful deposit of waste
inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) A person must not deposit waste that is litter other
s. 7 (as than in the circumstances specified in subsection
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (5).
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42– Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
20 penalty units;
100 penalty units.
(2) A person must not deposit waste that is dangerous
litter other than in the circumstances specified in
subsection (5).
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.
(3) A person must not deposit waste of more than
50 litres but not more than 1000 litres other than
in the circumstances specified in subsection (5).
100 penalty units;
500 penalty units.
(4) A person must not deposit waste of more than
1000 litres other than in the circumstances
specified in subsection (5).
240 penalty units;
1200 penalty units.

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(5) A person does not contravene subsection (1), (2),

(3) or (4), as the case requires, if the person—
(a) deposits the waste in or on premises or a
place that—
(i) is provided for the deposit of waste;
and
(ii) is appropriate for waste of that size,
shape, nature or volume; or
(b) deposits the waste in or on premises or a
place in such a way that it cannot leave the
premises or place without human assistance
and the person—
(i) owns, controls or is in possession of the
premises or place; or
(ii) is acting with the express consent of
another person who owns, controls or is
in possession of the premises or place;
or
(c) is authorised to deposit the waste as the case
requires, by or under an Act or a
Commonwealth Act; or
(d) deposits the waste as a consequence of a
lawful activity and it is not reasonable for the
person to avoid that consequence; or
(e) accidentally deposits the waste and it is not
reasonably possible for the person to retrieve
the waste.
(6) Two or more deposits of waste in or on premises
or a place may be taken to be one deposit for the
purposes of subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4) if the 2
or more deposits constitute a connected series of
deposits.

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(7) A reference in this section to the deposit of waste

includes a reference to waste that—
(a) is blown from premises or a place; or
(b) falls or escapes from premises or a place.
S. 116 116 Liability of owners and drivers of vehicles in
inserted by
No. 39/2018 relation to littering of waste
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) Subject to sections 117 and 118, if waste is
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
deposited from a vehicle contrary to section
3/2020 ss 42– 115(1), (2), (3) or (4) the persons specified in
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
subsection (2) are taken to have committed an
offence against whichever of those subsections is
applicable.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the following
persons are specified—
(a) the driver of the vehicle;
(b) the registered owner of the vehicle;
(c) a person authorised by the registered owner
to use the vehicle (the authorised user) at
the time the offence was committed.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the registered
owner of a vehicle is taken to have committed an
offence against section 115(1), (2), (3) or (4) if—
(a) a person deposits waste at premises or a
place contrary to whichever of those
subsections is applicable; and
(b) that person was seen arriving at or leaving
the premises or place in the registered
owner's vehicle.
(4) A Court must not find a person guilty of an
offence because of the operation of this section
unless the Court is satisfied that no other person
has been found guilty of an offence constituted by
the depositing of the waste referred to in
subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4), and—

146
No. 51 of 2017
(a) it is not practicable to discover who

deposited the waste; or
(b) it is not possible to file a charge-sheet
against the person who deposited the waste;
or
(c) it is unlikely that the filing of a charge-sheet
against the person who deposited the waste
would result in a finding of guilt.
(5) If the registered owner or the authorised user of a
vehicle is taken to have committed an offence as a
result of the operation of subsection (1), a Court
must not find the registered owner or the
authorised user guilty of the offence unless the
Court is satisfied that it is not possible to file a
charge-sheet against the driver of the vehicle at
the time of the offence.
117 Exceptions to liability of owners and drivers of S. 117
inserted by
vehicles in relation to littering of waste No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person specified in section 116(2) is not taken amended by
Nos 27/2019
to have committed an offence against section ss 12−30,
115(1), (2), (3) or (4) if the waste was deposited 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
from a vehicle and— s. 26).
(a) the vehicle is a train, tram, bus, ferry,
passenger vessel, passenger plane or other
public transport vehicle; and
(i) the waste was deposited by a passenger
of that vehicle; and
(ii) the vehicle was being used for a public
purpose at the time of the offence; or
(b) the vehicle is a commercial passenger
vehicle within the meaning of the
Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry
Act 2017 and the waste was deposited by a
passenger of the commercial passenger
vehicle at the time of the offence; or

147
No. 51 of 2017
(c) the person provides a written statement in

accordance with section 118.
(2) The registered owner or the authorised user of a
vehicle is not taken to have committed an offence
against section 115(1), (2), (3) or (4) if the
registered owner's vehicle was a stolen vehicle at
the time of the offence.
S. 118 118 Written statement
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person specified in section 116(2) is not taken
amended by to have committed an offence against section
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
115(1), (2), (3) or (4) if the person provides a
3/2020 ss 42– written statement in accordance with this section
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
to—
(a) a litter enforcement officer; or
(b) the litter authority that appointed the litter
enforcement officer referred to in paragraph
(a).
(2) A written statement under subsection (1) must—
(a) be in a form approved by the Authority; and
(b) state that the person specified in section
116(2) did not deposit the waste and either—
(i) saw another person deposit the waste;
or
(ii) did not see who deposited the waste but
reasonably believes that another person
was in or near the vehicle at the time
the waste was deposited; and
(c) contain sufficient information to identify and
locate the person referred to in paragraph
(b)(i) or (ii); and
(d) be provided within 10 business days of the
person being issued with an infringement
notice or served with a charge-sheet.

148
No. 51 of 2017
(3) If a person specified in section 116(2) is not a

natural person, the person must provide to a litter
enforcement officer a written statement that is
made by another person who was driving the
vehicle at the time of the offence.
(4) A written statement that complies with this section
is admissible as evidence of the matters stated in it
in any proceedings.
Division 4—Removal of waste and objects or things

119 Litter enforcement officer may request persons to S. 119
remove waste inserted by
No. 39/2018
A person who deposits waste in or on premises or s. 7 (as
amended by
a place must remove the waste if— Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) the waste is deposited in contravention of 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
this Part or a litter enforcement officer s. 26).
reasonably believes that the waste is
deposited in contravention of this Part; and
(b) the person is requested to do so by a litter
enforcement officer.
10 penalty units;
50 penalty units.
120 Court may order person to remove waste S. 120
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) If a Court finds a person guilty of an offence s. 7 (as
against this Part, the Court may— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) instead of, or in addition to, any other ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
penalty, order the person to do one of the 44, 47/2020
following actions within a specified time and s. 26).
under the supervision of a person nominated
by the Court (the supervisor)—
(i) to clear away and remove waste
deposited by the person;

149
No. 51 of 2017
(ii) to clear away and remove waste

deposited in or on any land or waters;
or
(b) in addition to any other penalty, order the
person to pay a sum of compensation for the
removal of the waste to another person who,
or a body which, has management or control
of the land or waters where the offence
occurred.
(2) In addition to an order made under subsection
(1)(a), the Court may also order that if the person
contravenes the order made under subsection
(1)(a), the person must pay a fine of not more than
40 penalty units.
(3) The following apply to an order made under
subsection (1)(a)—
(a) if the person complies with the order—the
supervisor must send a statement to that
effect to the person;
(b) if the person contravenes the order—the
Court may, on the application of the
supervisor—
(i) issue a summons requiring the person
to show cause as to why the fine
referred to in subsection (2) should not
be imposed on the person; and
(ii) make any order under this Act which it
considers appropriate in respect of the
person.
(4) An order made under subsection (1)(b) to pay a
sum of compensation is to be treated as a debt due
to a person who, or a body which, has
management or control of the land or waters
where the offence occurred.

150
No. 51 of 2017
121 Waste abatement notice S. 121

inserted by
(1) The Authority, any other litter authority or a litter No. 39/2018
enforcement officer may issue a person with a s. 7 (as
amended by
waste abatement notice if the Authority, the litter Nos 27/2019
authority or the litter enforcement officer (as the ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
case requires) reasonably believes that the 44, 47/2020
person— s. 26).
(a) has deposited waste or any other object or

thing in or on premises or a place that causes
risks of harm to human health or the
environment; or
(b) has deposited waste or any other object or
thing in or on premises or a place in such a
way as to make the premises or place
disorderly or detrimentally affect its proper
use; or
(c) has engaged in or proposes to engage in an
activity—
(i) that causes, or is likely to cause, the
deposit of waste in contravention of this
Part; or
(ii) that causes, or is likely to cause, the
deposit of waste or any other thing in a
way that makes, or is likely to make,
premises or a place disorderly or
detrimentally affect its proper use; or
(d) has deposited waste in contravention of this
Part.
(2) Despite subsection (1), a litter authority (other
than the Authority) must not issue a waste
abatement notice under that subsection unless the
deposit of waste, object or thing or activity occurs
on or in relation to land or waters of which the
litter authority has management or control.

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(3) A waste abatement notice in relation to waste or

an object, thing or activity may require the person
to whom it is issued to take one or more of the
following actions—
(a) to remove or dispose of the waste or the
object or thing within a specified time or in a
specified manner;
(b) to restore any premises or place affected by
the waste or the object, thing or activity to a
state as close as practicable to the state it was
in immediately before the waste or the object
or thing was deposited or the activity was
engaged in;
(c) to modify the way in which the person
engages in the activity;
(d) to do, or not do, specified things to ensure
that the person does not contravene this Part
within a specified time or in a specified
manner;
(e) to take any other action in relation to the
waste or the object, thing or activity that is
specified in the notice within a specified time
or in a specified manner.
(4) A waste abatement notice must—
(a) specify the name and address of the person
to whom the notice is issued; and
(b) state the grounds on which the notice is
issued; and
(c) specify the actions that the person must take
to comply with the notice; and
(d) specify the period within which the person
must comply with the notice; and
(e) set out the penalty for failing to comply with
the notice.

152
No. 51 of 2017
(5) A person must not, without reasonable excuse,

refuse or fail to comply with a waste abatement
notice issued under subsection (1).
40 penalty units;
200 penalty units.
(6) If a person referred to in subsection (1) has
deposited waste at a place or on premises in
contravention of this Part and cannot be located,
the Authority, any other litter authority or a litter
enforcement officer may, by written notice, direct
the occupier of the place or premises to remove or
dispose of the waste within the time specified in
the notice.
(7) An occupier who receives a notice under
subsection (6) must comply with that notice,
unless the occupier has a reasonable excuse.
40 penalty units;
200 penalty units.
(8) The Authority, any other litter authority or a litter
enforcement officer may vary or revoke a waste
abatement notice issued under subsection (1) at
any time by serving a written notice of variation
or revocation on the person to whom the waste
abatement notice applies.
(9) A reference under this section to an object or thing
does not include a reference to a fixture.

153
No. 51 of 2017
S. 122 122 Litter authority may take action following failure to

inserted by comply with waste abatement notice
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as (1) If a person fails to comply with a waste abatement
amended by
Nos 27/2019 notice issued under section 121(1) or a notice
ss 12−30, issued under section 121(6), the Authority or a
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 litter authority may remove or dispose of the
s. 26). waste or the object or thing.
(2) The Authority or other litter authority may recover
any reasonable costs incurred by it in taking
action under this section.
(3) The reasonable costs referred to in subsection (2)
are to be treated as a debt due to the Authority or
other litter authority that is payable by a person
who fails to comply with a waste abatement notice
or a notice under section 121(6).
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if an occupier fails
to comply with a notice under section 121(6)
because the occupier has a reasonable excuse.
S. 123 123 Occupier may recover cost of removing waste
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) An occupier of a place or premises may recover
amended by any reasonable costs in complying with a notice
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
under section 121(6), including any reasonable
3/2020 ss 42– costs incurred by the occupier in taking action
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
under this section.
(2) The reasonable costs referred to in subsection (1)
are to be treated as a debt due to the occupier that
is payable by a person who deposited the waste or
the object or thing.

154
No. 51 of 2017
Division 5—Powers of litter enforcement officers

and other matters
124 Powers of entry of litter enforcement officers S. 124
inserted by
For the purposes of performing a function or duty No. 39/2018
or exercising a power under this Part, a litter s. 7 (as
amended by
enforcement officer may enter a part of premises Nos 27/2019
or a place, at any reasonable time, if— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) that part is not being used as residential s. 26).
premises; and
(b) the officer reasonably believes that an
offence against section 115(1), (2), (3) or (4)
or section 121(5) or (7) is being, or is likely
to be, committed at any part of the premises
or place that is not being used for residential
premises.
125 Litter enforcement officer may ask person's name S. 125
inserted by
and address No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) If a litter enforcement officer reasonably believes amended by
Nos 27/2019
that a person is committing, is likely to commit or ss 12−30,
has committed an offence under this Part, the 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
officer may request the person to state the person's s. 26).
name and ordinary place of residence or business.
(2) In making a request of a person under subsection
(1), a litter enforcement officer must—
(a) inform the person of the reasons for the
officer's reasonable belief; and
(b) give the person sufficient information to
enable the person to understand the nature of
the offence the officer reasonably believes
that the person is likely to commit or has
committed.

155
No. 51 of 2017
(3) A natural person must not, without reasonable

excuse, fail to comply with a request made under
subsection (1).
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(4) A natural person must not, in response to a request
under subsection (1), state—
(a) a false name; or
(b) an address that is not the person's ordinary
place of residence or business.
(5) If a litter enforcement officer reasonably believes
that a person has stated a false name or address in
response to a request under subsection (1), the
officer may request that the person produce proof
of the person's name or address.
(6) A natural person must not, without reasonable
excuse, fail to comply with a request made under
subsection (5).
(7) A person does not contravene subsection (3) or (6)
if, at the time of making a request under
subsection (1) or (5) (as the case requires), a litter
enforcement officer does not inform the person
that it is an offence to fail to comply with the
officer's request.
S. 126 126 Litter enforcement officer to produce proof of
inserted by
No. 39/2018 identity and official status
s. 7 (as
amended by While exercising a power under this Part, a litter
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
enforcement officer must produce proof of the
3/2020 ss 42– officer's identity and official status if requested to
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
do so.

156
No. 51 of 2017
127 Waste information gathering notice S. 127

inserted by
(1) This section applies to a person that a litter No. 39/2018
enforcement officer reasonably believes— s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) previously had possession of waste; or ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(b) was responsible for commissioning the 44, 47/2020
production or distribution of, material that s. 26).
became waste.
(2) For the purposes of performing a function or duty
or exercising a power under this Part, the litter
enforcement officer may issue a waste
information gathering notice on the person
requiring the person to provide to the litter
enforcement officer any relevant information or
the class of information in relation to the waste
specified in the notice.
refuse or fail to comply with a waste information
gathering notice issued under subsection (2).
10 penalty units;
50 penalty units.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the information
sought by a waste information gathering notice is
not within the person's knowledge or in the
person's possession.
(5) If the information sought by a waste information
gathering notice is not within the person's
knowledge or in the person's possession, the
person must advise the litter enforcement officer
of this if requested to do so by the litter

157
No. 51 of 2017
(6) A person must provide the information sought by

a waste information gathering notice in writing if
requested to do so by the litter enforcement
officer.
(7) A person who fails to comply with a request of the
litter enforcement officer under subsection (5) or
(6) is taken to have committed an offence against
subsection (3).
(8) A reference to waste in this section and
section 128 includes a reference to any substance
that constitutes waste, regardless of whether that
substance was waste at the time it was in the
person's possession.
S. 128 128 Form of waste information gathering notice
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A waste information gathering notice must—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (a) specify the name and address of the person
ss 12−30, to whom the notice is issued; and
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (b) state the grounds on which the notice is
s. 26).
issued; and
the notice.
(2) A waste information gathering notice may request
the following information—
(a) how, when and where the waste came into or
left the person's possession;
(b) if the waste has left the person's
possession—the name and address of another
person who currently has possession of the
waste;

158
No. 51 of 2017
(c) the name and address of another person who

was involved in commissioning the
production or distribution of material that
became waste.
129 Extension of time under waste information S. 129
inserted by
gathering notice No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
A litter enforcement officer may, by written notice amended by
Nos 27/2019
given to the person to whom a waste information ss 12−30,
gathering notice has been issued— 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) extend the period for complying with the s. 26).
notice, if the litter enforcement officer is
satisfied that the circumstances of the case
justify an extension; and
(b) revoke or amend a requirement specified in
the notice.
130 Court orders S. 130
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A litter enforcement officer may apply to the s. 7 (as
Court for an order compelling a person to comply amended by
Nos 27/2019
with a waste information gathering notice. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(2) A litter enforcement officer may apply for an 44, 47/2020
order under subsection (1) whether or not a s. 26).
proceeding has been commenced for an offence
against this Act or the regulations.
131 Reports of littering offences to Authority or council S. 131
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person who sees another person committing an s. 7 (as
offence under this Part may inform the Authority amended by
Nos 27/2019
or the relevant council of this by giving the ss 12−30,
Authority or the council (as the case requires) a 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
signed written report containing— s. 26).
(a) the date, approximate time and place of the
offence; and
(b) the nature of the waste; and

159
No. 51 of 2017
(c) any evidence of the identity of the person

who is alleged to have committed the
offence.
(2) On receiving a written report under subsection (1),
the Authority or the council may take further
action against the person who is alleged to have
committed the offence.
S. 132 132 Offence to supply false or misleading information
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person must not provide false or misleading
amended by information or documents to any person or body
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
in connection with—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) a written statement under section 118; or
s. 26).
(b) a notice under section 127(2); or
(c) a report under section 131.
an offence.
40 penalty units;
200 penalty units.

160
No. 51 of 2017
Part 6.4—Duties relating to industrial waste
Part 6.4—Duties relating to industrial waste Pt 6.4

(Heading and
ss 133–137)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
133 Duties of persons depositing industrial waste S. 133

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person must not deposit or abandon industrial s. 7 (as
waste at a place or premises, unless the place or amended by
Nos 27/2019
premises is authorised to receive industrial waste. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
Note 44, 47/2020
See section 3(1) for the definition of authorised to receive s. 26).
industrial waste.
(2) A person must not deposit industrial waste at a
place or premises that is authorised to receive
industrial waste without obtaining the consent
of—
(a) the holder of the permission authorising the
place or premises to receive industrial waste;
or
(b) the occupier or person in management or
control of the place or premises.
Note
Section 314 provides that subsections (1) and (2) are civil
penalty provisions. The penalties for contravention of these
civil penalty provisions are set out in the table in
section 314.
(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2)
commits an offence.
2000 penalty units;

161
No. 51 of 2017

offence.
Note
S. 134 134 Duties of persons receiving industrial waste
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person in management or control of a place or
amended by premises must not receive industrial waste at the
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
place or premises, unless the place or premises is
3/2020 ss 42– authorised to receive industrial waste.
44, 47/2020
s. 26). Note
an offence.
2000 penalty units;
offence.
Note
S. 135 135 Duty of persons involved in transporting industrial
inserted by
No. 39/2018 waste
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) This section applies to a person who has the
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
management or control of industrial waste and
3/2020 ss 42– who proposes to relinquish management or
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
control of the industrial waste to another person
for the purposes of transporting the industrial
waste.

162
No. 51 of 2017
(2) Before relinquishing management or control of

the industrial waste, the person must take all
reasonable steps to ensure that the industrial waste
is or will be—
(a) transported to a place or premises that is
authorised to receive industrial waste; and
(b) received at a place or premises that is
authorised to receive industrial waste.
Note
an offence.
2000 penalty units;
offence.
Note
(5) For the purposes of subsection (2), taking
reasonable steps includes (but is not limited to)
the following—
(a) identifying and classifying the industrial
waste;
(b) providing to a person who is collecting,
consigning, transferring or transporting the
industrial waste sufficient information
regarding the industrial waste to enable
transportation to a place or premises that is
authorised to receive industrial waste;

163
No. 51 of 2017
(c) verifying that a place or premises that is

proposed to receive industrial waste is
authorised to receive industrial waste.
(6) For the purposes of subsection (2), a place or
premises in another State or Territory of the
Commonwealth is authorised to receive industrial
waste if the industrial waste may be transported
to, and received at, the place or premises under the
law of the State or Territory in which the place or
premises is located.
S. 136 136 Repeat industrial waste offenders
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
If—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (a) a natural person commits an offence (the
ss 12−30, current offence) against section 133(3),
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 134(2) or 135(3); and
s. 26).
(b) during the 5 years before the commission of
the current offence, the person has been
convicted of an offence (the relevant
offence) against section 133(3), 134(2) or
135(3)—
a Court may impose a penalty of up to 2 years
imprisonment in addition to, or in place of, the
penalty included in section 133(3), 134(2) or
135(3).
S. 137 137 Offence to supply false or misleading information or
inserted by
No. 39/2018 conceal information in connection with industrial
s. 7 (as waste
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(1) A person who has the management or control of
3/2020 ss 42– industrial waste must not—
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (a) provide false or misleading information or
documents to the Authority or any other
person or body in connection with—
(i) the type, properties and classification of
the industrial waste; or

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(ii) the risks of harm to human health or the

environment from the industrial waste;
or
(b) conceal information or documents from the
Authority or any other person or body in
connection with—
(i) the type, properties and classification of
the industrial waste; or
(ii) the risks of harm to human health or the
environment from the industrial waste;
or
(c) falsely represent to the Authority or any
other person or body that the person is
authorised to receive industrial waste; or
(d) provide false or misleading information in a
document required to be provided by the
person under this Part or the regulations.
Note
an offence.
500 penalty units;
2500 penalty units.
offence.
Note

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Part 6.5—Duties and controls relating to priority waste
Pt 6.5
(Heading and
Part 6.5—Duties and controls relating to
ss 138–143)
inserted by
priority waste
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 138 138 What is priority waste?
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
Priority waste is any waste, including municipal
amended by waste and industrial waste, that is prescribed to be
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
priority waste for the purposes of—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) eliminating or reducing risks of harm to
s. 26). human health or the environment posed by
the waste; or
(b) ensuring the priority waste is managed in
accordance with this Part; or
(c) facilitating waste reduction, resource
recovery and resource efficiency.
S. 139 139 Duties of persons managing priority waste
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person who has the management or control of
amended by priority waste must classify the priority waste in
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
accordance with this Act and the regulations.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (2) A person who has the management or control of
s. 26). priority waste must take all reasonable steps to
ensure that—
(a) the priority waste is contained in a manner
that prevents its escape; and
(b) the priority waste is isolated in a manner that
ensures resource recovery remains
practicable; and
(c) a person who collects, consigns, transfers or
transports the priority waste is provided the
following, where reasonably available—

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(i) information regarding the nature and

type of the priority waste;
(ii) information regarding any risks of harm
to human health or the environment that
exist in relation to the priority waste;
(iii) any other information that can
reasonably be expected to be necessary
for the person to comply with a duty in
relation to the priority waste under this
Act.
Note
Section 314 provides that subsections (1) and (2) are civil
penalty provisions. The penalties for contravention of these
civil penalty provisions are set out in the table in
section 314.
(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2)
commits an offence.
120 penalty units;
600 penalty units.
140 Duty to investigate alternatives to waste disposal S. 140
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person who has the management or control of s. 7 (as
priority waste must— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) take all reasonable steps to identify and ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
assess alternatives to waste disposal for the 44, 47/2020
priority waste, including— s. 26).
(i) reuse and recycling of the priority

waste; and
(ii) if the person produced or generated the
priority waste, avoiding producing or
generating similar priority waste in the
future; and

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(b) have regard to the following in making a

decision relating to management of the
priority waste—
(i) alternatives to waste disposal identified
and assessed under paragraph (a);
(ii) any guidelines issued by the Authority
relating to alternatives to waste disposal
for that type of priority waste;
(iii) the objects of this Chapter.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), taking
reasonable steps includes (but is not limited to)
the following—
(a) considering any guidelines issued by the
Authority relating to alternatives to waste
disposal for that type of priority waste;
(b) considering any other relevant guidelines or
publications;
(c) considering the availability of any relevant
technology used in resource recovery;
(d) consulting a person or body with relevant
expertise relating to alternatives to waste
disposal for that type of priority waste.
S. 141 141 Guidelines for alternatives to waste disposal
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Authority may issue guidelines setting out
amended by alternatives to waste disposal for a type of priority
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
waste.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (2) The Authority must consult with Sustainability
s. 26). Victoria before issuing guidelines under this
section.
(3) The Authority must cause to be published
guidelines issued under this section—
(a) in the Government Gazette; and
(b) on the Internet site of the Authority.

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142 Duty to notify of transaction in reportable priority S. 142

waste inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person undertaking a prescribed transaction in s. 7 (as
amended by
connection with reportable priority waste must— Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) record the prescribed transaction details in 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
the prescribed manner and form; and s. 26).
(b) provide the prescribed transaction details to a
prescribed person in the prescribed manner
and form.
Note
The Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing
additional controls for particular types of priority waste,
including reportable priority waste.
an offence.
240 penalty units;
1200 penalty units.
143 Duty of persons transporting reportable priority S. 143
inserted by
waste No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person must not— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) transport reportable priority waste other than ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
in accordance with a permission; or 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(b) cause or permit the transport of reportable

priority waste other than where the
reportable priority waste is transported in
accordance with a permission.

169
No. 51 of 2017
Notes
The Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing
additional controls for particular types of priority waste,
including reportable priority waste.
an offence.
240 penalty units;
1200 penalty units.
(3) It is a defence to a charge for an offence
constituted by a contravention of subsection (1)(b)
if a person took all reasonable steps to prevent a
contravention of that subsection.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), causing or
permitting the transport of reportable priority
waste includes consigning reportable priority
waste for transport.
Note
Section 68 deals with exemptions from a requirement to
hold a permission in connection with the transport of
reportable priority waste.

170
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Part 6.6—Waste levy scheme
Part 6.6—Waste levy scheme Pt 6.6

(Heading and
ss 144–152)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
144 Definitions S. 144

inserted by
No. 39/2018
In this Part— s. 7 (as
amended by
liable person means a person who— Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) holds a permission that requires or 3/2020 ss 42–
authorises the person to carry out a 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
prescribed levy activity on premises
subject to the waste levy; or
(b) does not hold a permission that requires
or authorises the person to carry out a
prescribed levy activity on premises
subject to the waste levy but should
have held a permission for the
prescribed levy activity;
premises subject to the waste levy means premises
at which a prescribed levy activity is
conducted.
145 Requirement to pay waste levy S. 145
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A liable person must pay to the Authority a waste s. 7 (as
levy for each tonne of waste (other than priority amended by
Nos 27/2019
waste) that is received at premises subject to the ss 12−30,
waste levy. 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) A liable person must pay to the Authority a waste s. 26).
levy for each tonne of priority waste that is
received at premises subject to the waste levy.

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(3) Subject to subsection (4), the amount of the waste

levy payable under subsections (1) and (2) is the
amount specified in Schedule 2 for the relevant
premises, period, type and category of waste.
(4) The amount of the waste levy payable under
subsection (2) for priority waste (other than
Category A waste, Category B waste, Category C
waste, Category D waste or packaged waste
asbestos)—
(a) is an amount—
(i) prescribed by the regulations; and
(ii) that is not more than the amount of the
waste levy payable for Category C
waste specified in Table 2 of
Schedule 2 for that period; or
(b) if no amount is prescribed by the regulations,
is an amount that would be payable under
Table 1 of Schedule 2 as if the waste that is
received was not priority waste.
(5) The waste levy must be paid to the Authority in
accordance with section 147.
S. 146 146 Minister may waive the requirement to pay waste
inserted by
No. 39/2018 levy
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) The Minister may waive the requirement to pay a
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
waste levy under section 145 for the purposes
3/2020 ss 42– of—
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (a) the disposal of waste generated from a
temporary emergency; or
(b) the temporary relief of a public nuisance or a
community hardship.
(2) A waiver under subsection (1) may specify—
(a) the area to which it applies; and

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(b) the waste or types and categories of waste to

which it applies; and
(c) the premises subject to the waste levy to
which it applies; and
(d) the period of time (not exceeding 120 days)
for which the waiver applies; and
(e) any conditions on the waiver that the
Minister considers appropriate.
(3) A waiver must be published in the Government
Gazette.
(4) If a liable person fails to comply with a condition
on a waiver—
(a) the waiver has no effect in relation to the
liable person; and
(b) the Authority may take appropriate action
against the person under section 152.
(5) A waiver takes effect on—
(a) the day on which it is published in the
Government Gazette under subsection (3); or
(b) any other day specified in the waiver.
147 Payment of waste levy to the Authority S. 147
inserted by
No. 39/2018
A liable person must— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) calculate in accordance with section 145 and Nos 27/2019
the regulations, the amount of the waste levy ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
payable; and 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(b) deduct from the amount under paragraph (a)
any prescribed allowable rebate; and
(c) if, after deducting any prescribed allowable
rebate from the amount under paragraph (a),
the resulting amount is a positive amount,
pay that amount to the Authority within the
prescribed time or at prescribed intervals.

173
No. 51 of 2017
S. 148 148 Calculation of levy that results in negative amount

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) If a liable person's calculation of the amount of the
s. 7 (as waste levy payable, less any prescribed allowable
amended by
Nos 27/2019 rebate, under section 147 results in a negative
ss 12−30, amount, the Authority must, within 21 business
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 days of receiving the prescribed information
s. 26). referred to in section 150, pay that amount to the
liable person.
(2) The Authority is not liable to pay any interest in
respect of any amount that it is required to pay
under this section.
(3) If the Authority has commenced an assessment
under section 151, the time in which the Authority
must pay an amount under subsection (1) does not
include the period from the date that the Authority
commences the assessment until the date on which
the Authority completes the assessment.
S. 149 149 Agreement to offset amount owing
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) This section applies if a liable person is owed an
amended by amount from the Authority under section 148.
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30, (2) A liable person and the Authority may agree that
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 the amount owed to the liable person is to be
s. 26). deducted from any future payment that the liable
person makes to the Authority instead of being
paid by the Authority in accordance with
section 148(1).
S. 150 150 Requirement to provide prescribed information
inserted by
No. 39/2018 regarding calculations of waste levy and allowable
s. 7 (as rebates to Authority
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(1) A liable person must provide to the Authority—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) the prescribed information detailing how the
s. 26). amount of the waste levy payable was
calculated under section 147; and

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(b) the prescribed information detailing how any

prescribed allowable rebate was calculated;
and
(c) any other prescribed information.
(2) The information referred to in subsection (1) must
be provided to the Authority—
(a) in a form approved by the Authority; and
(b) at the time of making a payment to the
Authority under section 147 or at any other
prescribed time.
151 Assessment by the Authority of waste levy liability S. 151
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority may, at any time— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) assess a liable person's calculations of— Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(i) the amount of the waste levy payable; 3/2020 ss 42–
and 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(ii) any prescribed allowable rebate; or
(b) assess any other matter that is relevant to
determining a liable person's liability to pay
the waste levy.
(2) If the Authority conducts an assessment under
subsection (1), the Authority must, as soon as
practicable—
(a) notify the liable person of the assessment;
and
(b) issue a notice of assessment to the liable
person after the Authority completes the
assessment.
(3) A notice of assessment must include—
(a) the Authority's calculation of the amount of
the waste levy payable by the liable person;
and

175
No. 51 of 2017
(b) the Authority's calculation of any prescribed

allowable rebate; and
(c) if the Authority's calculations under
paragraph (a) or (b) differ from any
calculations provided by the liable person,
the Authority's assessment of any amount
owed by the liable person or owing to the
liable person; and
(d) any other prescribed information.
(4) In conducting an assessment, the Authority must
have regard to any amount that the liable person
has already paid to the Authority under
section 147.
(5) In conducting an assessment, the Authority may—
(a) seek any information it sees fit to verify any
information provided by the liable person
under section 150(1) or any other relevant
matter; or
(b) conduct an audit or cause an audit to be
conducted of the information provided by the
liable person under section 150(1) or any
other relevant matter.
(6) If, after completing an assessment, the Authority
determines that an amount is owed by the liable
person under this Part, the Authority may require,
under a notice of assessment, that the liable person
pay that amount within 21 business days from the
date the notice of assessment is issued.
(7) If, after completing an assessment, the Authority
determines that an amount is owing to the liable
person under this Part—
S. 151(7)(a) (a) if section 148(3) applies, the Authority must
substituted by
No. 36/2022 pay the amount to the liable person within
s. 46. the time required by section 148; or

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(b) if section 148(3) does not apply, the

Authority must pay the amount to the liable
person within 21 business days from the date
the notice of assessment is issued.
152 Rights and powers of the Authority if waste levy is S. 152
inserted by
not paid No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) If a liable person fails to comply with section 150, amended by
Nos 27/2019
the Authority may suspend the permission or part ss 12−30,
of the permission held by the liable person as it 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
relates to premises subject to the waste levy, until s. 26).
the liable person provides the information
required under section 150 to the Authority.
(2) If a liable person fails to pay to the Authority any
amount required under this Part when it is due, the
Authority may—
(a) suspend the permission or part of the
permission held by the person as it relates to
premises subject to the waste levy and in
respect of which the amount is due, until the
person pays that amount (including any
accrued interest) to the Authority; or
(b) recover the amount (including any accrued
interest) in the Magistrates' Court as a debt
due to the Authority, at any time after the
payment is due.
(3) Interest is to accrue on any amount required to be
paid under this Part from the date it falls due at
the annual rate fixed from time to time under
section 2 of the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983.
(4) The jurisdictional limit for a civil proceeding
specified under section 100(1) of the Magistrates'
Court Act 1989 does not apply to an order made
by the Magistrates' Court under this section.

177
No. 51 of 2017
(5) Any outstanding amount required to be paid under

this Part by a liable person is a charge on the land
held by the liable person.

178
No. 51 of 2017
Chapter 7—Environmental management Ch. 7

(Headings
and ss 153–
177)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
Pt 7.1
s. 153)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

inserted by
No. 39/2018
Chapter. amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) Part 7.2 enables a substance to be declared to be ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
an environmentally hazardous substance and 44, 47/2020
provides for the making of orders to prohibit, s. 26).
control or regulate environmentally hazardous
substances.
(3) Part 7.3 provides for the making of orders
requiring the managers of land or infrastructure,
for the purposes of preventing or minimising risk
of harm to human health or the environment from
pollution or waste—
(a) to take specified actions in relation to the
land or infrastructure; or
(b) to take specified matters into account in
relation to the land or infrastructure; or

179
No. 51 of 2017
(c) to comply with a specified document, code,

standard or rule in relation to the land or
infrastructure.
(4) Part 7.4 enables the Authority to authorise a
temporary discharge, emission, deposit, storage,
treatment or handling of waste in the case of a
temporary emergency, a public nuisance or other
specified circumstances.
(5) Part 7.5 enables an order to be made declaring an
issue to be an issue of environmental concern and
specifying the persons or class of persons required
to address that issue.
(6) Part 7.6 prohibits the emission of unreasonable
and aggravated noise.

180
No. 51 of 2017
Part 7.2—Environmentally hazardous substances
Part 7.2—Environmentally hazardous Pt 7.2

(Heading and
substances ss 154, 155)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
154 Orders relating to environmentally hazardous S. 154

inserted by
substances No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Governor in Council, on the recommendation amended by
Nos 27/2019
of the Minister, may by Order published in the ss 12−30,
Government Gazette— 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) declare a substance to be an environmentally s. 26).
hazardous substance; and
(b) prohibit, control or regulate that substance.
(2) The Minister must not recommend that the
Governor make an Order under subsection (1)
unless the Minister is satisfied that the substance
that is the subject of the Order is—
(a) highly hazardous; or
(b) poses a serious risk of harm to human health
or the environment.
(3) An Order made under subsection (1)—
(a) must specify the substance that is the subject
of the order; and
(b) must declare that substance to be an
environmentally hazardous substance; and
(c) may specify that the order applies to a
specified area or class of person or body; and

181
No. 51 of 2017
(d) may impose specified notification and

reporting requirements on persons or bodies
that produce, store, treat, handle, use, supply,
transport, recycle, reuse or dispose of that
substance; and
(e) may prohibit or impose requirements on the
production, storage, treatment, handling, use,
supply, transport, recycling, reuse or disposal
of the substance, either generally or subject
to conditions; and
(f) may impose requirements on the testing,
assessment or detection of the substance,
either generally or subject to conditions; and
(g) may adopt, with or without modification, the
whole or part of any national standard or
code or other standard or code related to the
substance; and
(h) may require a financial assurance from
persons or bodies that produce, store, treat,
handle, use, supply, transport, recycle, reuse
or dispose of the substance; and
(i) may contain any prescribed information.
(4) An Order under subsection (1) may provide in a
specified case or class of case for the exemption
of persons or things or a class of persons or things
from any of the provisions of the Order, whether
unconditionally or on specified conditions and
either wholly or to the extent specified.

182
No. 51 of 2017
155 Failure to comply with Orders relating to S. 155

environmentally hazardous substances inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person to whom an Order made under s. 7 (as
amended by
section 154(1) applies must comply with that Nos 27/2019
Order. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
Penalty: In the case of a natural person, s. 26).
500 penalty units;
2500 penalty units.
Note
(2) An offence against subsection (1) is an indictable
offence.
Note

183
No. 51 of 2017
Part 7.3—Obligations for managers of land or infrastructure
Pt 7.3
(Heading and
Part 7.3—Obligations for managers of land
s. 156)
inserted by
or infrastructure
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 156 156 Obligations of managers of land or infrastructure
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Governor in Council may by Order published
amended by in the Government Gazette, for the purposes of
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
minimising risks of harm to human health or the
3/2020 ss 42– environment from pollution or waste, require a
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
council, public sector body or infrastructure
manager—
(a) to take a specified action in relation to land
or infrastructure managed, operated or
controlled by that council, public sector body
or infrastructure manager; or
(b) to take into account a specified matter when
managing land, managing or operating
infrastructure or planning the management of
land or infrastructure; or
(c) to comply with a specified document, code,
standard or rule, subject to any modification
specified in the order, when managing land,
managing or operating infrastructure or
planning the management of land or
infrastructure.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), an Order under
that subsection may—
(a) apply to a specified council, public sector
body or infrastructure manager or to a
specified class of council, public sector body
or infrastructure manager; or

184
No. 51 of 2017
(b) specify the land or infrastructure in relation

to which the order applies; or
(c) apply, adopt or incorporate, with or without
modification, any matter contained in any
document, code, standard or rule formulated,
issued, prescribed or published—
(i) as in force at a particular time; or
(ii) as amended, formulated, issued,
prescribed or published from time to
time.
(3) An Order under subsection (1) takes effect on the
day it is published in the Government Gazette or
on any later day specified in the Order.
infrastructure includes—
(a) roads and traffic facilities and
installations; and
(b) sewerage, storm water drainage and
water supply systems; and
(c) wastewater treatment and septic tank
systems; and
(d) electricity and gas transmission and
distribution networks; and
(e) telecommunication networks; and
(f) works to improve water edges and
water quality; and
(g) wharves, marinas and boat launching
and berthing facilities; and
(h) public transport facilities and
installations; and
(i) public parks and public spaces and
related facilities and installations;

185
No. 51 of 2017
infrastructure manager means a person or body

that—
(a) manages or operates infrastructure; or
(b) manages or controls the design,
construction or maintenance of
infrastructure.

186
No. 51 of 2017
Part 7.4—Authorisation of discharges or disposal
Part 7.4—Authorisation of discharges or Pt 7.4

(Heading and
disposal ss 157, 158)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
157 Authority may authorise emergency storage, use etc. S. 157

inserted by
of waste No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Despite anything to the contrary in or under this amended by
Nos 27/2019
Act, the Authority may, on application under this ss 12−30,
section, authorise— 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) the discharge, emission or deposit of waste s. 26).
from any place or premises into the
environment; or
(b) the storage, treatment, handling or disposal
of waste on or from any place or premises.
(2) The Authority must not grant an authorisation
under this section unless it is satisfied that the
authorised activity will not have significant
adverse effects on human health or the
environment, and that the authorisation is for the
purposes of—
(a) meeting a temporary emergency; or
(b) providing for the temporary relief of a public
nuisance or community hardship; or
(c) enabling the commissioning, repair,
decommissioning or dismantling of any item
of plant or equipment.
(3) An authorisation under this section has no effect
unless the conditions to which it is subject are
complied with.

187
No. 51 of 2017
(4) An application for an authorisation under this

section—
(a) must be made in the manner and form
approved by the Authority; and
S. 157(4)(b) (b) must be accompanied by the prescribed fee
amended by
No. 36/2022 (if any) for the application.
s. 47(1).
Note to Note
s. 157(4)(b)
No. 36/2022
s. 47(2).
(5) The Authority—

(a) must determine an application under this
section in a timely, efficient and fair manner;
and
(b) may do so with as little formality and
technicality as possible.
(6) The Authority may grant an authorisation under
this section subject to such conditions as the
Authority considers appropriate.
(7) An authorisation granted under this section is
subject to a condition that the authorised activity
must cease within the time specified in the
authorisation, being a period of no more than
120 days from the day on which the authorisation
is granted.
S. 157A 157A Notice and payment of additional application fee
inserted by
No. 36/2022
s. 48.
(1) The Authority may require an applicant for an
authorisation under section 157 to pay a fee for
the application—

188
No. 51 of 2017

the notice.
158 Complying with authorisation S. 158
inserted by
No. 39/2018
A person is taken to perform a duty or satisfy an s. 7 (as
obligation under this Act if— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) the person has been granted an authorisation ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
under section 157 that provides for how the 44, 47/2020
person is to perform the duty or satisfy the s. 26).
obligation; and
(b) the person complies with the authorisation to
the extent that the authorisation provides for
performing the duty or satisfying the
obligation.

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Part 7.5—Issues of environmental concern
Pt 7.5
(Heading and
ss 159–164)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 159 159 Notice of proposed declaration and notice of

inserted by
No. 39/2018 decision
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) The Minister may propose that an issue be
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
declared to be an issue of environmental concern
3/2020 ss 42– if the Minister reasonably believes that declaration
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
would promote a purpose or an object of this Act.
(2) Subject to section 163, if the Minister proposes
that an issue is to be declared an issue of
environmental concern, the Minister must ensure a
notice in accordance with subsection (3) is
published—
(b) on the Internet site of the Authority; and
(c) in or on at least one other publication or
Internet site that the Minister considers
appropriate.
(a) describe the nature and scope of the issue
that is the subject of the proposed
declaration; and
(b) state the reasons for, and the objectives of,
the proposed declaration; and
(c) describe the persons or class of persons that
would be required to address the issue of
environmental concern; and

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(d) describe the operation and impacts of the

proposed declaration including, but not
limited to the actions that a person or class of
persons described in paragraph (c) could take
to address the issue of environmental
concern; and
(e) invite public comments or submissions
within the time specified in the notice, being
not less than 20 business days from the
publication of the notice, as to—
(i) the need for the proposed declaration;
and
(ii) whether the persons who would be
required to address the issue of
environmental concern would consider
participating in a better environment
plan; and
(iii) alternative methods of addressing the
issue of environmental concern.
(4) After considering any comments or submissions
received under subsection (3)(e), the Minister
must ensure that a notice advising of the decision
to make or not to make the proposed declaration is
published—
(b) on the Internet site of the Authority; and
(c) in or on at least one other publication or
Internet site that the Minister considers
appropriate.
(5) Notice of a decision under subsection (4) must be
published as soon as practicable after the decision
has been made.

191
No. 51 of 2017
S. 160 160 Declaration of issue of environmental concern

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) After notice of a decision to make a proposed
s. 7 (as declaration is published under section 159(4), the
amended by
Nos 27/2019 Governor in Council may by Order published in
ss 12−30, the Government Gazette declare that the issue that
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 is the subject of the proposed declaration is an
s. 26). issue of environmental concern.
(2) An Order under subsection (1) must—
(a) describe the nature and scope of the issue
that is the subject of the declaration; and
(b) describe the operation and impacts of the
declaration including, but not limited to—
(i) the person or class of persons required
to address the issue of environmental
concern; and
(ii) actions that the person or class of
persons described in subparagraph (i)
may take to address the issue of
(c) invite the submission of a proposed better
environment plan to address the issue of
(d) set out the actions that may be taken if the
issue of environmental concern is not
addressed.
(3) On or before the sixth sitting day after an Order
has been published in the Government Gazette
under subsection (1), a copy of the Order must be
laid before each House of the Parliament.
(4) An Order may be disallowed in whole or in part
by either House of the Parliament.

192
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161 Amendment or revocation of declaration of issue of S. 161

environmental concern inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Governor in Council may by Order published s. 7 (as
amended by
in the Government Gazette revoke or amend an Nos 27/2019
Order under section 160(1). ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) Subject to subsection (3), section 160(2), (3) and s. 26).
(4) apply to an Order under subsection (1) as if an
Order under that subsection were an Order under
section 160(1).
(3) Section 160(2), (3) and (4) do not apply to an
Order under subsection (1) that—
(a) revokes an Order under section 160(1); or
(b) makes only a machinery or administrative
amendment to an Order under section
160(1).
162 Consideration of issues of environmental concern S. 162
inserted by
when issuing remedial notices No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) This section applies if— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) the Authority proposes to issue a remedial ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
notice to a person; and 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(b) the proposed remedial notice would require
the person to carry out an action or do a
thing to minimise a risk of harm to human
health or the environment that relates to an
issue of environmental concern; and
(c) the person is required to address that issue of
environmental concern.
(2) For the purposes of determining whether to issue
the remedial notice, the Authority must take into
account any better environment plan that
addresses the issue of environmental concern.

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remedial notice means—
(a) an environmental action notice; or
(b) an improvement notice; or
(c) a notice to investigate; or
(d) a prohibition notice.
S. 163 163 Combination of notice of proposed declaration with
inserted by
No. 39/2018 notice of proposed statutory rule or legislative
s. 7 (as instrument
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(1) This section applies if—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) the Minister proposes that an issue is to be
s. 26). declared an issue of environmental concern;
and
(b) a regulatory impact statement is prepared
under section 7 or 12E of the Subordinate
Legislation Act 1994 for a proposed
statutory rule or proposed legislative
instrument that relates to the proposed issue
of environmental concern.
(2) The notice of the proposed declaration required
under section 159(2) may be combined with the
notice required under section 11 or 12I of the
Subordinate Legislation Act 1994.
S. 164 164 Combination of notices of decision
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (a) notice of a decision to make or not make a
ss 12−30, proposed declaration must be published
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 under section 159(4); and
s. 26).
(b) a regulatory impact statement is prepared
under section 7 or 12E of the Subordinate
Legislation Act 1994 for a proposed
statutory rule or proposed legislative

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instrument that relates to the proposed issue

of environmental concern.
(2) Notice of decision to make or not make a
proposed declaration required under section
159(4) may be combined with the notice required
under section 12 or 12J of the Subordinate
Legislation Act 1994.

195
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Part 7.6—Control of unreasonable and aggravated noise
Pt 7.6
(Headings
Part 7.6—Control of unreasonable and
and ss 165–
177)
aggravated noise
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
Division 1—Meaning of residential premises
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 165 165 Meaning of residential premises
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
In this Part—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 residential premises—
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42– (a) means any premises used primarily for
44, 47/2020 residential purposes, including but not
s. 26).
limited to the following—
(i) any land, building or
appurtenances used for or in
connection with residential
premises;
(ii) an outbuilding situated on land
used for or in connection with
residential premises; and
(b) does not include land at any time when
construction, demolition or removal of
residential premises (other than
maintenance or repair of an existing
building) is being carried out on the
land.

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Division 2—Unreasonable and aggravated noise

166 Unreasonable noise S. 166
inserted by
A person must not, from a place or premises that No. 39/2018
are not residential premises— s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) emit an unreasonable noise; or ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(b) permit an unreasonable noise to be emitted. 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
Note
Unreasonable noise is defined in section 3(1).
167 Unreasonable noise from residential premises S. 167
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person must not— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) emit an unreasonable noise from residential Nos 27/2019
premises; or ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(b) permit an unreasonable noise to be emitted 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
from residential premises.
120 penalty units;
600 penalty units.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), a person is taken
to emit an unreasonable noise from residential
premises if the person uses a prescribed item,
except in a case of emergency—
(a) at any time prescribed as a prohibited time;
and
(b) if noise emitted by that item can be heard in
a habitable room in residential premises
other than premises in which the item is
being used, whether or not a window or door
in that room is open.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a habitable
room means a room other than a kitchen, storage
area, bathroom, laundry, toilet or pantry.

197
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S. 168 168 Aggravated noise

inserted by
No. 39/2018 A person must not emit or permit to be emitted
s. 7 (as noise that is prescribed to be aggravated noise.
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42– 500 penalty units;
44, 47/2020
s. 26). In the case of a body corporate,
2500 penalty units.
Note
Section 314 provides that this section is a civil penalty
S. 169 169 Unreasonable noise from entertainment venues
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) If a police officer receives a complaint from a
amended by person who lives near an entertainment venue and
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
is aggrieved by unreasonable noise emitted from
3/2020 ss 42– the entertainment venue the police officer may—
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (a) enter the entertainment venue; and
(b) direct any person apparently in charge of the
entertainment venue to take any action that
the police officer reasonably considers
necessary to abate the unreasonable noise.
(2) A direction under subsection (1)(b)—
(a) given before midnight takes effect at
midnight and remains in force until 8 o'clock
in the morning; or
(b) given after midnight takes effect
immediately and remains in force until
8 o'clock in the morning.

198
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(3) A person must comply with a direction given to

the person under subsection (1)(b).
120 penalty units;
600 penalty units.
Division 3—Enforcement
170 Persons who may take proceedings for certain S. 170
offences inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) This section applies despite anything to the s. 7 (as
amended by
contrary in section 347. Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(2) Proceedings for an offence against section 167(1) 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
may only be taken by— s. 26).
(a) a person claiming to be directly affected by
the alleged offence; or
(b) a police officer; or
(c) a residential noise enforcement officer.
(3) Proceedings for an offence against section 169(3)
may only be taken by a police officer.
may only be taken by—
(a) a police officer; or
(b) a residential noise enforcement officer.
(5) Proceedings for an offence against section 177
may only be taken by a police officer.
may only be taken by a residential noise

199
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S. 171 171 Residential noise enforcement officers

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 171(1) (1) A council may appoint as a residential noise

substituted by
No. 36/2022 enforcement officer—
s. 49.
(a) a person who is an employee, or each
member of a class of employee, of the
council; or
(b) a specified person or each member of a
specified class of persons.
(2) An appointment under subsection (1)—
(a) is subject to any conditions or limitations
specified in the appointment; and
(b) is subject to any prescribed conditions or
limitations; and
(c) may at any time be varied or revoked by the
council that made the appointment.
S. 172 172 Residential noise improvement notices
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A council may issue a person with a residential
amended by noise improvement notice if the council
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
reasonably believes that the person—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) has contravened a provision of this Part or
s. 26). the regulations relating to the emission of
noise from residential premises in
circumstances that make it likely that the
contravention is continuing or will re-occur;
or

200
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(b) is likely to contravene a provision of this

Part or the regulations relating to the
emission of noise from residential premises.
(2) A residential noise improvement notice may
require the person to whom it is issued—
(a) to abate the noise; or
(b) to do any other thing that the council
reasonably considers necessary to prevent or
minimise the noise.
(3) A requirement contained in a residential noise
improvement notice may be expressed to be
general or limited in operation as to particular
times, places or circumstances.
(4) A residential noise improvement notice must—
issued; and
the notice; and
(f) state that the person may apply to VCAT for
review of the decision to issue the notice.
(5) A council may, by notice in writing given to the
person to whom a residential noise improvement
notice has been issued—
(a) extend the period during which the person
must comply with the notice if the council is
satisfied that the circumstances of the case
justify an extension of that period; and

201
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(b) revoke or amend any requirement specified

in the notice.
(6) A person to whom a residential noise
improvement notice is issued must comply with
the notice.
120 penalty units;
600 penalty units.
S. 173 173 Proceedings for offences not affected by residential
inserted by
No. 39/2018 noise improvement notices
s. 7 (as
amended by The issue of a residential noise improvement
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
notice does not affect any proceedings for an
3/2020 ss 42– offence against this Act or the regulations in
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
connection with any matter in respect of which the
residential noise improvement notice was issued.
S. 174 174 Injunctions relating to residential noise
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) On an application by a council or a police officer,
amended by a Court may grant an injunction, in such terms as
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
the Court considers appropriate, if the Court is
3/2020 ss 42– satisfied that—
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (a) a person has engaged, or is proposing to
engage, in conduct that constitutes or would
constitute a contravention of a provision of
this Act or the regulations; and
(b) that contravention relates to the emission of
noise from residential premises.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), an order under
(a) restrain a person from engaging in specified
conduct that the Court reasonably considers
to be the source of, or contributing to, the
emission of noise; or

202
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(b) require a person to do a specified act or thing

that the Court considers reasonably
necessary to prevent, minimise or remedy the
contravention.
(3) A council or a police officer may apply for an
injunction under subsection (1) whether or not
proceedings have been taken for—
(a) an offence against this Act or the regulations;
or
(b) a contravention of a civil penalty provision
under this Act.
(4) The power of a Court to grant an injunction under
subsection (1) may be exercised whether or not
the conduct—
(a) is likely to result in substantial damage to
any person; or
(b) is likely to result in an infringement of the
rights of any person.
(5) An application for an order under subsection (1)
may be made ex parte.
175 Unreasonable noise directions S. 175
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) This section applies to a person who— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) a police officer or a residential noise Nos 27/2019
enforcement officer reasonably suspects is ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
committing or has committed an offence 44, 47/2020
against section 167(1); or s. 26).
(b) is apparently in charge of residential

premises on which a police officer or a
residential noise enforcement officer
reasonably suspects an offence against
section 167(1) is being committed or has
been committed.

203
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(2) A police officer or residential noise enforcement

officer may direct a person to take any action that
the officer considers necessary to stop a suspected
offence or to prevent a suspected offence from
recurring.
(3) A direction given under subsection (2) remains in
force for the period specified in the direction not
exceeding 72 hours after the direction is given.
(4) A person must comply with a direction given to
the person under subsection (2).
120 penalty units;
600 penalty units.
S. 176 176 Entry orders
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) On the application of a police officer, a court
amended by officer may make an order enabling the police
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
officer, using such force as is reasonably
3/2020 ss 42– necessary, to enter residential premises for the
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
purpose of investigating the emission of
unreasonable noise if the court officer is satisfied
that no other measure would be effective to abate
the noise.
(2) A police officer may apply to a court officer for
an order under subsection (1) if the police
officer—
(a) is of or above the rank of senior constable;
and
(b) reasonably believes that no other measure
would be effective to abate the unreasonable
noise.
(3) An order under subsection (1) may be made
subject to any conditions that the court officer

204
No. 51 of 2017
(4) A police officer using such force as is reasonably

necessary may enter any residential premises from
which unreasonable noise is emitted to investigate
the emission if an order to that effect has been
made under subsection (1).
(5) After entering any residential premises under an
order under subsection (1) and investigating the
emission of noise, the police officer may give any
direction under section 175(2) that the police
officer considers necessary to abate the
unreasonable noise.
177 Obstruction of police officer S. 177
inserted by
No. 39/2018
A person must not— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) hinder, delay or obstruct a police officer in Nos 27/2019
taking any action authorised by an order ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
under section 176; or 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(b) if the person is the occupier of any place or
premises, refuse to permit a police officer to
take any action authorised by an order under
that section.
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.

205
No. 51 of 2017
Ch. 8
(Headings
Chapter 8—Better environment plans,
and ss 178–
240)
environmental audits and other matters
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
Pt 8.1
(Heading and
s. 178)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by Chapter.
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30, (2) Part 8.2 provides for better environment plans.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (3) Part 8.3 provides for the appointment of
s. 26).
environmental auditors and the conduct of
preliminary risk screen assessments and
environmental audits.
(4) Part 8.4 provides for the Authority to require
financial assurances.
(5) Part 8.5 provides for the appointment of advisory
panels for the purposes of providing advice to the
Authority.
(6) Part 8.6 provides for the establishment of a
conference of interested persons.

206
No. 51 of 2017
Part 8.2—Better environment plans
Part 8.2—Better environment plans Pt 8.2

(Heading and
ss 179–188)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
179 Definition S. 179

inserted by
No. 39/2018
In this Part— s. 7 (as
amended by
participant, in a better environment plan, means a Nos 27/2019
person who has entered into the better ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
environment plan. 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
180 Purposes of better environment plans S. 180

inserted by
No. 39/2018
The purposes of better environment plans are— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) to enable persons to develop innovative ways Nos 27/2019
to comply with this Act or to exceed ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
compliance with this Act; and 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(b) to facilitate voluntary collaboration between
persons who must comply with this Act and
the Authority for the purposes of achieving
the purposes of this Act and objective of the
Authority.
181 Submission of proposed better environment plans S. 181
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person may submit a proposed better s. 7 (as
environment plan to the Authority. amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) A submission under subsection (1) must contain ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
the following information— 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(a) the objectives of the proposed better
environment plan including, but not limited
to, the risk of harm to human health or the

207
No. 51 of 2017
environment that the proposed plan

addresses;
(b) the participants in the proposed plan;
(c) any other person who is likely to be affected
by the proposed plan and whether that person
has been consulted, or will be consulted, in
relation to the proposed plan;
(d) the actions or responsibilities that each
participant must undertake under the
proposed plan;
(e) the reporting requirements for each
participant under the proposed plan;
(f) the time or day by which the participants
must undertake any action required under the
proposed plan;
(g) the time period during which the proposed
plan is to be in force.
(3) A submission under subsection (1) must—
(a) be made in the manner and form approved
(b) contain any prescribed information; and
S. 181(3)(c) (c) be accompanied by the prescribed fee (if
amended by
No. 36/2022 any) for the submission.
s. 50(1).
Note to Note
s. 181(3)(c)
No. 36/2022
s. 50(2).

208
No. 51 of 2017
181A Notice and payment of additional submission fee S. 181A

inserted by
(1) The Authority may require a person making a No. 36/2022
submission under section 181 to pay a fee for the s. 51.
submission—
(a) at a time after the submission is made and in
submission is made; and
(3) The Authority must give a person who is required
to pay a fee under subsection (1) written notice
specifying the fee no later than 10 business days
after determining the submission.
(4) A person to whom a notice of a fee is given under
subsection (3) must pay the fee specified in the
notice within 20 business days after issue of the
notice.
182 Authority may accept proposed better environment S. 182
inserted by
plans No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) On receiving a submission that complies with amended by
Nos 27/2019
section 181, the Authority must, within ss 12−30,
30 business days after receiving the submission— 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) accept the proposed better environment plan; s. 26).
or
(b) refuse to accept the proposal.
(2) When determining whether to accept a proposed
better environment plan, the Authority must take
into account—
(a) any guidelines issued under section 188; and
(b) any prescribed matter.

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No. 51 of 2017
(3) The Authority may—

(a) require the person who made the submission
to provide the Authority with information
relating to the proposed better environment
plan that the Authority considers necessary
to determine whether to accept the proposed
plan; and
(b) require the person who made the submission
to provide that information within the time
period specified in the request.
(4) If the Authority requires information under
subsection (3), the time in which the Authority
must deal with the submission does not include
the period from the date that the Authority makes
the request until the date on which the Authority
receives the information.
(5) The Authority may accept a proposed better
environment plan—
(a) if the Authority is satisfied that—
(i) the objectives of the proposed plan are
consistent with the purposes set out in
section 180; and
(ii) the implementation of the proposed
plan is likely to deliver the objectives
of the proposed plan; and
(b) subject to any conditions the Authority
(6) The Authority must, as soon as practicable after
making a decision whether or not to accept a
proposed better environment plan, give the person
who made the submission written notice stating—

210
No. 51 of 2017
(b) in the case of a decision to refuse to accept

the proposed plan, the reasons for the
decision.
183 Participant must notify Authority of change in S. 183
inserted by
circumstances No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
A participant in a better environment plan must amended by
Nos 27/2019
notify the Authority as soon as practicable after ss 12−30,
becoming aware of any circumstances that 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
materially affect— s. 26).
(a) any objective of the plan; or
(b) the capacity of any participant to comply
with the plan.
184 Amendment or revocation of better environment S. 184
inserted by
plans and removal of participants No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A participant in a better environment plan may amended by
Nos 27/2019
apply to the Authority for the amendment of the ss 12−30,
better environment plan. 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) On receiving an application under subsection (1), s. 26).
the Authority may—
(a) refuse to amend the better environment plan;
or
(b) amend the plan subject to any conditions that
the Authority considers appropriate.
(3) If the amendment proposed in an application
under subsection (1) affects any action or
responsibility that a participant must undertake
under a better environment plan, the Authority
may amend the plan only if that participant
consents to the amendment in writing.
(4) The Authority on its own motion may amend or
revoke a better environment plan or remove a
participant from a better environment plan if—

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No. 51 of 2017
(a) the Authority becomes aware of any

circumstances that materially affect—
(i) any objective of the plan; or
(ii) the capacity of any participant to
comply with the plan; or
(b) the submission of the proposed plan
contained false or misleading information; or
(c) a participant in the plan withdraws from the
plan under section 185; or
(d) the Authority reasonably considers that the
implementation of the plan is failing to
deliver any objective of the plan.
(5) Within 5 business days after amending or
revoking a better environment plan or removing a
participant from a better environment plan under
this section, the Authority must notify in writing
each participant in the plan of that amendment,
revocation or removal.
(6) The amendment or revocation of a better
environment plan or the removal of a participant
from a better environment plan under this section
takes effect on the day specified in the notice
under subsection (5) of the amendment,
revocation or removal, which must not be fewer
than 5 business days after the amendment,
revocation or removal is made.
S. 185 185 Withdrawal from better environment plans
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
A participant in a better environment plan may
amended by withdraw from that plan if the participant gives at
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
least 20 business days' notice to—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) the Authority; and
s. 26).
(b) all other participants in the plan.

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186 Effect of compliance with better environment plans S. 186

inserted by
A participant in a better environment plan is taken No. 39/2018
to perform a duty or satisfy an obligation under s. 7 (as
amended by
this Act if— Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) a better environment plan makes provision 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
for how the participant performs the duty or s. 26).
satisfies the obligation; and
(b) the participant complies with the better
environment plan to the extent that the plan
makes provision for performing that duty or
satisfying that obligation.
187 Failure to comply with better environment plans S. 187
inserted by
No. 39/2018
If a participant does not comply with a better s. 7 (as
environment plan, the Authority may— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) suspend the operation of the plan; or ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(b) suspend the participation of the participant in 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
the plan; or
(c) remove the participant from the plan; or
(d) revoke the plan.
188 Guidelines S. 188
inserted by
No. 39/2018
The Authority may issue guidelines relating to s. 7 (as
better environment plans, including but not amended by
Nos 27/2019
limited to guidelines relating to— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(a) the content of better environment plans; and 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(b) the circumstances in which better
environment plans may be used; and
(c) the objectives for which better environment
plans may be used; and
(d) the preparation and submission of better
environment plans; and
(e) the acceptance and amendment of better
environment plans.

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Part 8.3—Environmental audit system
Pt 8.3
(Headings
and ss 189–
217)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 189 189 Purpose of Part

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
The purpose of this Part is to provide for—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (a) the appointment of environmental auditors;
ss 12−30, and
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (b) a system of preliminary risk screen
s. 26).
assessments and environmental audits—
for use in the planning, approving, regulating,
managing or conducting of activities and in the
protection of human health and the environment.
Division 1—Environmental auditors

S. 190 190 Functions of environmental auditors
inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) An environmental auditor has the following
s. 7 (as functions—
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) to conduct preliminary risk screen
3/2020 ss 42– assessments and environmental audits;
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (b) to prepare preliminary risk screen assessment
statements, preliminary risk screen
assessment reports, environmental audit
statements and environmental audit reports;
(c) to perform any function conferred on an
environmental auditor under this or any other
Act;

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(d) to perform any prescribed function of an

environmental auditor.
(2) In carrying out any function of an environmental
auditor under this or any other Act, an
environmental auditor must have regard to—
(a) any guidelines issued by the Authority under
section 203; and
(b) any relevant environment reference standard
made under Part 5.2; and
(c) any relevant compliance code made under
Part 5.3; and
(d) any prescribed matter.
191 Application for appointment as environmental S. 191
inserted by
auditor No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Authority may, in writing, appoint a natural amended by
Nos 27/2019
person to be an environmental auditor in ss 12−30,
accordance with this Division. 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) A natural person may make an application to the s. 26).
Authority for appointment as an environmental
auditor.
(3) An application for appointment must—
(b) provide any information required by the
Authority; and
(c) be accompanied by any prescribed
application fee unless the person has been
exempted under section 196(2).
(4) The Authority may refer an application for
appointment to the advisory panel referred to in
section 192.

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(5) If the Authority considers it necessary for the

purposes of determining an application for
appointment, the Authority may require the
applicant to do one or more of the following—
(a) to provide further information to the
Authority within a specified time;
(b) to appear before the advisory panel for an
interview;
(c) to undergo an examination by the advisory
panel as to the applicant's suitability for
appointment.
S. 192 192 Advisory panel for application for appointment as
inserted by
No. 39/2018 environmental auditor
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) The Authority may by instrument appoint an
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
advisory panel.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (2) Section 235 applies to an advisory panel
s. 26). appointed for the purposes of this Division.
(3) The functions of an advisory panel appointed for
the purposes of this Division are—
(a) to make recommendations to the Authority
regarding the suitability of an applicant for
appointment as an environmental auditor;
and
(b) to provide any other advice to the Authority
on the Authority's request.
(4) An advisory panel appointed for the purposes of
this Division must have regard to any relevant
guidelines issued under section 203.
S. 193 193 Determination by Authority of application for
inserted by
No. 39/2018 appointment as environmental auditor
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) The Authority may approve or refuse an
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
application for appointment as an environmental
3/2020 ss 42– auditor.
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

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(2) In making a decision to approve or refuse an

application for appointment, the Authority must
have regard to—
(a) any relevant guidelines issued under
section 203; and
(b) if an advisory panel has made a
recommendation on the application, the
advisory panel's recommendation; and
(c) any prescribed matter.
(3) The Authority may refuse an application for
appointment—
(a) if the applicant fails to comply with section
191(3) or a requirement of the Authority
(b) if, in the opinion of the Authority, the
applicant fails to satisfy the requirements of
the guidelines issued under section 203 in
relation to eligibility for appointment as an
environmental auditor; or
(c) if the applicant was previously appointed as
an environmental auditor and, in the last 2
years before the date the application was
made, the Authority revoked, suspended or
refused to renew the appointment; or
(d) if the applicant was previously appointed as
an environmental auditor in another
jurisdiction and the appointment was
revoked or suspended; or
(e) if the applicant had previously made an
application for appointment as a
environmental auditor in another jurisdiction
and the application was refused; or
(f) if the applicant provided false or misleading
information to the Authority in the
application; or

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(g) for any other reason that the Authority

considers sufficient; or
(h) for any other prescribed reason.
S. 194 194 Refusal of application for appointment as
inserted by
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) If the Authority proposes to refuse an application
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
for appointment as an environmental auditor, the
3/2020 ss 42– Authority must give written notice to the applicant
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
that—
(a) the Authority intends to refuse the
application for appointment and the reasons
for the proposed refusal; and
(b) the applicant may make submissions to the
Authority in relation to the proposed refusal.
(2) The Authority must not refuse an application for
appointment unless the Authority—
(a) has given written notice to the applicant
under subsection (1); and
(b) has given the applicant a reasonable
opportunity to make submissions; and
(c) has taken into consideration any submissions
made by the applicant.
S. 195 195 Approval of application for appointment as
inserted by
s. 7 (as
amended by If the Authority decides to approve an application
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
for appointment as an environmental auditor, the
3/2020 ss 42– Authority must notify the applicant in writing
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
of—
(a) the Authority's decision; and
(b) any conditions to which the appointment is
subject; and
(c) the period of appointment (not exceeding
3 years).

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196 Application fee S. 196

inserted by
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person must not be No. 39/2018
appointed as an environmental auditor unless the s. 7 (as
amended by
person has paid the prescribed application fee to Nos 27/2019
the Authority. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) The Authority may exempt a person from the s. 26).
payment of the prescribed application fee under
subsection (1).
197 Conditions on appointment of environmental S. 197
inserted by
auditor No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Authority may appoint a person as an amended by
Nos 27/2019
environmental auditor— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(a) unconditionally; or 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(b) subject to conditions specified in the
environmental auditor's instrument of
appointment; or
(c) subject to any prescribed conditions.
(2) In addition to subsection (1), at any time during
the appointment of an environmental auditor, the
Authority may by written notice—
(a) impose conditions or further conditions on
the appointment; or
(b) vary or revoke any of the conditions to
which the appointment is subject.
(3) In making a decision to impose, vary or revoke
conditions on the appointment of an
environmental auditor, the Authority must have
regard to any relevant guidelines issued under
section 203.

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(4) A condition imposed on an appointment under

subsection (1)(b), (c) or (2)(a) or a variation or
revocation of a condition under subsection (2)(b)
takes effect on the date specified by the Authority
or the date on which the environmental auditor is
notified by the Authority, whichever is the later.
S. 198 198 Reappointment of environmental auditors
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) An environmental auditor may make an
amended by application to the Authority for reappointment as
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
an environmental auditor.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (2) An application for reappointment must—
s. 26).
(b) provide any information required by the
Authority; and
(c) be made within the prescribed time; and
(d) be accompanied by the prescribed
application fee.
(3) If the Authority considers it necessary for the
purpose of determining an application for
reappointment, the Authority may require the
applicant to provide further information to the
Authority within a specified time.
(4) The Authority may approve or refuse an
application for reappointment.
S. 199 199 Refusal of application for reappointment as
inserted by
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) The Authority may refuse an application for
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
reappointment—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) on any of the grounds referred to in section
s. 26). 193(3)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f); or

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(b) if the refusal of the application for

reappointment is justified having regard to—
(i) the quality of the environmental
auditor's work in relation to preliminary
risk screen assessments or
environmental audits conducted during
the environmental auditor's
appointment; or
(ii) the quality of the environmental
auditor's work in relation to any
prescribed function of an environmental
auditor; or
(iii) any formal or informal disciplinary
action taken against the environmental
auditor under this Act; or
(iv) any other matter that the Authority
considers to be relevant to the
environmental auditor's suitability for
reappointment; or
(v) for any other prescribed reason.
(2) In making a decision to approve or refuse an
application for reappointment, the Authority must
have regard to any relevant guidelines issued
under section 203.
(3) If the Authority proposes to refuse an application
for reappointment under this section, the
Authority must give written notice to the
environmental auditor that—
(a) the Authority intends to refuse an application
for reappointment and the reasons for the
proposed refusal; and
(b) the environmental auditor may make
submissions to the Authority in relation to
the proposed refusal.

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(4) The Authority must not refuse an application for

reappointment unless the Authority—
(a) has given the environmental auditor written
notice under subsection (3); and
(b) has given the environmental auditor a
reasonable opportunity to make submissions;
and
made by the environmental auditor.
(5) If the Authority decides to approve an application
for reappointment, the Authority must give written
notice to the environmental auditor of—
(a) the Authority's decision; and
(b) any conditions to which the reappointment is
subject; and
(c) the period of reappointment (not exceeding
3 years).
S. 200 200 Revocation or suspension of appointment of
inserted by
No. 39/2018 environmental auditors
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) The Authority may suspend or revoke the
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
appointment of an environmental auditor if—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) in the opinion of the Authority, the
s. 26). environmental auditor does not satisfy the
requirements of the guidelines issued under
section 203 in relation to eligibility for
appointment as an environmental auditor; or
(b) the environmental auditor has contravened—
(i) this Act; or
(ii) the regulations; or
(iii) a condition of the environmental
auditor's appointment; or

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(c) the environmental auditor is not carrying out

a sufficient amount of preliminary risk
screen assessments or environmental audits
to justify continued appointment as an
(d) the environmental auditor is appointed as an
environmental auditor in another jurisdiction
and that appointment has been changed
because of conduct that would (if it occurred
in Victoria) authorise revocation or
suspension of the environmental auditor's
appointment under this Act; or
(e) the environmental auditor provided false or
misleading information to the Authority in
an application for appointment or
reappointment; or
(f) the environmental auditor has contravened a
prescribed matter; or
(g) the suspension or revocation of the
appointment is justified having regard to—
(i) the quality of the environmental
auditor's work in relation to preliminary
risk screen assessments or
environmental audits conducted during
appointment; or
(ii) the quality of the environmental
auditor's work in relation to any
prescribed function of an environmental
auditor; or
(iii) any other matter that the Authority
considers to be relevant to the
environmental auditor's suitability for
appointment; or

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(h) any of the following circumstances apply to

a preliminary risk screen assessment or an
environmental audit conducted by the
environmental auditor—
(i) the environmental auditor is an
associate of the person who is
undertaking the activity or who owns or
occupies any part of the site that is the
subject of the preliminary risk screen
assessment or the environmental audit;
(ii) the environmental auditor has a direct
or indirect pecuniary or personal
interest in any part of the activity or the
site that is the subject of the
preliminary risk screen assessment or
the environmental audit;
(iii) the preliminary risk screen assessment
or the environmental audit conducted
by the environmental auditor involves
the environmental auditor reviewing—
(A) any aspect of work previously
carried out by the environmental
auditor or an associate of the
(B) a statement or report previously
prepared by the environmental
auditor or an associate of the
environmental auditor.
(2) The Authority may revoke the appointment of an
environmental auditor who is suspended.
(3) Despite subsection (1)(h)(iii), the Authority must
not suspend or revoke the appointment of an
environmental auditor if the preliminary risk
screen assessment or the environmental audit was
conducted by the environmental auditor in

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accordance with guidelines issued under

section 203 or with the approval of the Authority.
201 Matters to which Authority must have regard in S. 201
inserted by
deciding a suspension or revocation of appointment No. 39/2018
of environmental auditor s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
(1) In making a decision to suspend or revoke the ss 12−30,
appointment of an environmental auditor, the 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
Authority must have regard to any relevant s. 26).
guidelines issued under section 203.
(2) If the Authority proposes to suspend or revoke the
appointment of an environmental auditor under
this section (including a proposed revocation of
the appointment of an environmental auditor that
is suspended), the Authority must give written
notice to the environmental auditor that—
(a) the Authority intends to suspend or revoke
the environmental auditor's appointment and
the reasons for the proposed suspension or
revocation; and
(b) the environmental auditor may make
submissions to the Authority in relation to
the proposed revocation or suspension.
(3) The Authority must not suspend or revoke the
appointment of an environmental auditor unless
the Authority—
(a) has given written notice to the environmental
auditor under subsection (2); and
(b) has given the environmental auditor a
reasonable opportunity to make submissions;
and
made by the environmental auditor.

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(4) If the Authority decides to suspend the

appointment of an environmental auditor, the
Authority must give written notice to the
environmental auditor that the environmental
auditor's appointment is suspended—
(a) for a specified period; or
(b) until the fulfilment of specified conditions
set by the Authority; or
(c) until further notice by the Authority.
(5) If the Authority decides to suspend the
appointment of an environmental auditor under
subsection (4)(b), the Authority must give written
notice to the environmental auditor that the
environmental auditor's appointment will be
reinstated as soon as practicable after the
Authority is satisfied that the environmental
auditor has fulfilled the specified conditions.
(6) If the Authority decides to revoke the appointment
of an environmental auditor, the Authority must
give written notice to the environmental auditor
that the environmental auditor's appointment has
been revoked and the reasons for the revocation.
S. 202 202 When does a suspension or revocation take effect?
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A suspension of the appointment of an
amended by environmental auditor under section 200 has
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
effect—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) for the period specified by the Authority; or
s. 26).
(b) if no period is specified in a notice under
section 201(4)(a) or the appointment is
suspended until the fulfilment of specified
conditions under section 201(4)(b), for the
period—

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(i) commencing on the date specified in

the notice given under section 201(4) or
the date on which the Authority notifies
the environmental auditor of the
suspension, whichever is the later; and
(ii) ending on the date the Authority
notifies the environmental auditor that
appointment has been reinstated or
revoked.
(2) The appointment of an environmental auditor is
taken not to be in force during the period in which
a suspension has effect.
(3) A revocation of the appointment of an
environmental auditor takes effect on the date
specified in the notice given under section 201(6)
or the date on which the Authority notifies the
environmental auditor of the revocation,
whichever is the later.
203 Guidelines for environmental auditors S. 203
inserted by
No. 39/2018
The Authority may issue guidelines relating to— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) the appointment and reappointment of Nos 27/2019
environmental auditors; and ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(b) the suspension or revocation of the 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
appointment of environmental auditors; and
(c) conditions with which environmental
auditors must comply; and
(d) the performance of environmental auditors'
functions under this or any other Act.

227
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Division 2—Preliminary risk screen assessments

S. 204 204 Preliminary risk screen assessment
inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) A person may engage an environmental auditor to
s. 7 (as conduct a preliminary risk screen assessment.
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(2) The purpose of a preliminary risk screen
3/2020 ss 42– assessment is—
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (a) to assess the likelihood of the presence of
contaminated land; and
(b) to determine if an environmental audit is
required; and
(c) if an environmental audit is required, to
recommend a scope for the environmental
audit.
S. 205 205 Preliminary risk screen assessment statement
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) On completion of a preliminary risk screen
amended by assessment, an environmental auditor must
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
prepare a preliminary risk screen assessment
3/2020 ss 42– statement accompanied by a preliminary risk
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
screen assessment report.
(2) An environmental auditor must, within 5 business
days of completing a preliminary risk screen
assessment statement and a preliminary risk
screen assessment report, send a copy of the
preliminary risk screen assessment statement and
the preliminary risk screen assessment report to—
(a) the Authority; and
(b) the relevant planning authority within the
meaning of the Planning and Environment
Act 1987; and
(c) the responsible authority within the meaning
of the Planning and Environment
Act 1987.

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206 What is included in a preliminary risk screen S. 206

assessment statement? inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A preliminary risk screen assessment statement s. 7 (as
amended by
must— Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) specify the scope of the assessment 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
including— s. 26).
(i) the site in respect of which the
assessment was conducted; and
(ii) the use or proposed use for which the
site is being assessed; and
(iii) the elements of the environment
assessed; and
(iv) the standards considered in the
assessment; and
(v) any assumptions made by the
environmental auditor during the
assessment or any limitations on the
assessment; and
(vi) any exclusions from the assessment and
the rationale for these exclusions; and
(b) state the environmental auditor's assessment
that—
(i) an environmental audit is not required
for the purposes specified in the
statement; or
(ii) an environmental audit is required for
the purposes specified in the statement;
and
(c) if an environmental audit is required under
paragraph (b)(ii)—set out the proposed scope
of the environmental audit; and

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(d) state the name of the person who engaged

the environmental auditor to conduct the
assessment; and
(e) be signed by the environmental auditor; and
(f) state the environmental auditor's contact
details; and
(g) include any other prescribed matter.
(2) If the preliminary risk screen assessment
statement states that an environmental audit is
required, the Authority may—
(a) review the proposed scope of the
environmental audit set out by the
environment auditor in the statement; and
(b) endorse the proposed scope or determine a
revised scope of the environmental audit.
(3) Before endorsing the proposed scope of an
environmental audit under subsection (2)(b), the
Authority may request that the environmental
auditor provide further information in relation to
the proposed scope.
(4) If the Authority decides to review the proposed
scope of an environmental audit under subsection
(2)(a), the Authority must complete the review
within 30 business days of receiving the
preliminary risk screen assessment statement and
the preliminary risk screen assessment report.
(5) If the Authority makes a request for information
under subsection (3), the time in which the
Authority must complete the review under
subsection (4) does not include the period from
the date that the Authority makes the request until
the date on which the Authority receives the
information.

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207 What is included in a preliminary risk screen S. 207

assessment report? inserted by
No. 39/2018
A preliminary risk screen assessment report must s. 7 (as
amended by
include— Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) a review of the information collected by the 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
preliminary risk screen assessment; and s. 26).
(b) the reasons for the findings in the
preliminary screen risk assessment
statement; and
(c) any other prescribed matter.
Division 3—Environmental audits

208 Environmental audits S. 208
inserted by
(1) A person may engage an environmental auditor to No. 39/2018
conduct an environmental audit. s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) The purpose of an environmental audit is— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(a) to assess the nature and extent of the risk of 44, 47/2020
harm to human health or the environment s. 26).
from contaminated land, waste, pollution or
any activity; and
(b) to recommend measures to manage the risk
of harm to human health or the environment
from contaminated land, waste, pollution or
any activity; and
(c) to make recommendations to manage the
contaminated land, waste, pollution or
activity.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), an environmental
auditor must, before conducting an environmental
audit, submit a proposed scope of the audit to the
Authority together with any supporting
documentation in a manner and form approved by
the Authority.

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(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if—

(a) a preliminary risk screen assessment has
already been conducted; and
(b) the Authority has previously endorsed a
proposed scope or previously determined a
revised scope of the environmental audit
under section 206(2)(b); and
(c) the environmental auditor has not proposed
amendments to the proposed scope or the
revised scope.
(5) The Authority may—
(a) review the proposed scope of an
environmental audit provided under
subsection (3) or section 206(1)(c); and
(b) endorse the proposed scope or determine a
revised scope of the environmental audit.
(6) Before endorsing the proposed scope under
subsection (5)(b), the Authority may request that
an environmental auditor provide further
information in relation to the proposed scope.
(7) If the Authority decides to review the proposed
scope under subsection (5)(a), the Authority must
complete the review within 30 business days of
receiving the proposed scope of the environmental
audit from an environmental auditor under this
section.
(8) If the Authority makes a request for information
under subsection (6), the time in which the
Authority must complete the review under
subsection (7) does not include the period from
the date that the Authority makes the request until
the date on which the Authority receives the
information.

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209 Environmental auditor must notify the Authority of S. 209

environmental audit inserted by
No. 39/2018
If an environmental auditor is engaged to conduct s. 7 (as
amended by
an environmental audit, the environmental auditor Nos 27/2019
must, within 5 business days after receiving a ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
request to conduct the audit, send to the Authority 44, 47/2020
a statement in writing specifying— s. 26).
(a) the name of the person who has engaged the

environmental auditor to conduct the audit;
and
(b) the location of the site of the proposed audit;
and
(c) the proposed completion date of the audit.
210 Environmental audit statement S. 210
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) On completion of an environmental audit, an s. 7 (as
environmental auditor must prepare an amended by
Nos 27/2019
environmental audit statement accompanied by an ss 12−30,
environmental audit report. 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) An environmental auditor must, within 5 business s. 26).
days of completing an environmental audit
statement and an environmental audit report, send
a copy of the environmental audit statement and
the environmental audit report to the Authority
and—
(a) if the audit relates to a risk of harm to human
health or the environment from contaminated
land or potentially contaminated land, to the
relevant planning authority and the
responsible authority within the meaning of
the Planning and Environment Act 1987;
or

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(b) if required by the Authority, to the relevant

planning authority and the responsible
authority within the meaning of the
Planning and Environment Act 1987.
S. 211 211 What is included in an environmental audit
inserted by
No. 39/2018 statement?
s. 7 (as
amended by An environmental audit statement must—
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30, (a) specify the scope of the environmental audit
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 including—
s. 26).
(i) the site or the activity in respect of
which the audit was conducted; and
(ii) the use or proposed use for which the
site is being audited (if applicable); and
(iii) the elements of the environment in
respect of which the audit assessed; and
(iv) the standards and reference documents
considered in the audit; and
(v) any assumptions made by the
environmental auditor during the audit
or any limitations on the audit; and
(vi) any exclusions from the audit and the
rationale for these exclusions; and
(b) if the environmental audit assessed the use or
proposed use of a site in relation to the risk
from contaminated land, waste or pollution,
state the environmental auditor's assessment
that—
(i) the site is suitable for the purposes
specified in the statement; or

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No. 51 of 2017
(ii) the site is suitable for the purposes

specified in the statement if the
recommendations made in the
statement are complied with; or
(iii) the site is not suitable for the purposes
specified in the statement at the time
the statement was prepared; and
(c) specify the results of the environmental audit
and any recommendations; and
(d) state the name of the person who engaged
the environmental auditor to conduct the
audit; and
(e) be signed by the environmental auditor; and
(f) state the environmental auditor's contact
details; and
(g) include any other prescribed matter.
212 What is included in an environmental audit report? S. 212
inserted by
No. 39/2018
An environmental audit report must include— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) a review of all relevant information collected Nos 27/2019
by the environmental audit; and ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(b) the reasons for the findings and any 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
recommendations in the environmental audit
statement; and
Division 4—Offences and other matters

213 Withdrawal, amendment or issue of new S. 213
preliminary risk screen assessment statement or inserted by
No. 39/2018
environmental audit statement s. 7 (as
amended by
(1) If an environmental auditor believes that the Nos 27/2019
environmental auditor has issued a preliminary ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
risk screen assessment statement or an 44, 47/2020
environmental audit statement that is incorrect, the s. 26).

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No. 51 of 2017
environmental auditor may withdraw the

preliminary risk screen assessment statement or
the environmental audit statement and either—
(a) conduct another preliminary risk screen
assessment and issue a new preliminary risk
screen assessment statement or conduct
another environmental audit and issue a new
environmental audit statement; or
(b) issue a new preliminary risk screen
assessment statement or a new
environmental audit statement.
(2) Despite subsection (1), an environmental auditor
may amend a preliminary risk screen assessment
statement or an environmental audit statement to
correct—
(a) any clerical mistake or an unintentional error
or omission; or
(b) any figure that is miscalculated; or
(c) any misdescription of any person, thing or
property.
(3) If an environmental auditor withdraws a
preliminary risk screen assessment statement or an
environmental audit statement under subsection
(1), the environmental auditor must, within 5
business days of the withdrawal, notify the
Authority and—
(a) if the audit relates to a risk of harm to human
health or the environment from contaminated
land or potentially contaminated land, the
relevant planning authority and the
responsible authority within the meaning of
the Planning and Environment Act 1987;
or

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(b) if required by the Authority, the relevant

planning authority and the responsible
authority within the meaning of the
Planning and Environment Act 1987.
(4) If an environmental auditor has issued a new
preliminary risk screen assessment statement or a
new environmental audit statement under
subsection (1)(b) or amended a preliminary risk
screen assessment statement or an environmental
audit statement under subsection (2), the
environmental auditor must, within 5 business
days of amending or issuing it, send a copy of the
amended or new preliminary risk screen
assessment statement or the amended or new
environmental audit statement to—
(a) the Authority; and
(b) the relevant planning authority within the
meaning of the Planning and Environment
Act 1987; and
(c) the responsible authority within the meaning
of the Planning and Environment
Act 1987.
(5) If an environmental auditor is for any reason
unable to perform the functions and duties of an
environmental auditor during the environmental
auditor's appointment, the Authority may
withdraw a preliminary risk screen assessment
statement or an environmental audit statement
issued by the environmental auditor that is
incorrect.
(6) If the Authority withdraws an incorrect
preliminary risk screen assessment statement or an
incorrect environmental audit statement under
subsection (5), the Authority must, within
5 business days of the withdrawal, notify the

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relevant planning authority and the responsible

authority within the meaning of the Planning and
Environment Act 1987 of the withdrawal.
(7) Subsection (6) does not apply if the relevant
planning authority and the responsible authority
have not been sent a copy of the withdrawn
preliminary risk screen assessment statement or
environmental audit statement under section
205(2) or 210(2).
S. 214 214 Obligation of person in management or control to
inserted by
No. 39/2018 provide copy of preliminary risk screen assessment
s. 7 (as statement or environmental audit statement
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(1) If a preliminary risk screen assessment statement
3/2020 ss 42– or an environmental audit statement has been
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
issued in respect of a site, the person in
management or control of the site must provide a
copy of the preliminary risk screen assessment
statement or the environmental audit statement
(as the case requires) to any person who proposes
to become the person in management or control of
the site.
(2) If a person who previously had management or
control of a site fails to comply with subsection
(1), the person who currently has management or
control of the site may, within 12 months of
becoming the person in management or control,
recover in a Court from the person who previously
had management or control, any reasonable costs
incurred in complying with the preliminary risk
screen assessment statement or the environmental
audit statement.

238
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215 False or misleading preliminary risk screen S. 215

assessment statement or environmental audit inserted by
No. 39/2018
statement s. 7 (as
amended by
(1) When carrying out any function under this Act or Nos 27/2019
any other Act, an environmental auditor must ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
not— 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(a) issue a preliminary risk screen assessment
statement that is false or misleading; or
(b) issue an environmental audit statement that
is false or misleading; or
(c) issue any other document that is false or
misleading.
Note
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), a statement or
document may be false or misleading for the
purposes of this section if it contains a material
defect, omission or irregularity.
an offence.
offence.
Note
This offence may be heard and determined summarily (see
section 28 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009).
216 Environmental auditor must notify the Authority of S. 216
inserted by
imminent state of danger No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) When carrying out any function under this Act or amended by
Nos 27/2019
any other Act, an environmental auditor must ss 12−30,
notify the Authority as soon as practicable after 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
the environmental auditor becomes aware of— s. 26).

239
No. 51 of 2017
(a) an imminent state of danger to human health

or the environment from pollution or waste;
or
(b) any circumstances, which if not addressed,
are likely to become an imminent state of
danger to human health or the environment
from pollution or waste; or
Note
offence.
Note
S. 217 217 Fees to be paid by environmental auditor
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by days of completing a preliminary risk screen
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
assessment statement and a preliminary risk
3/2020 ss 42– screen assessment report, pay the prescribed fee to
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
the Authority.
days of completing an environmental audit
statement and an environmental audit report, pay
the prescribed fee to the Authority.

240
No. 51 of 2017
Part 8.4—Financial assurances
Part 8.4—Financial assurances Pt 8.4

(Heading and
ss 218–234)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
218 Purposes of this Part S. 218

inserted by
No. 39/2018
The purposes of this Part are— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) to provide for financial assurances as Nos 27/2019
security for the Authority for the costs and ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
expenses of remediation or clean up 44, 47/2020
activities; and s. 26).
(b) to enable the Authority to implement

financial assurances.
219 Authority may require financial assurance S. 219
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority may require a person undertaking a s. 7 (as
particular activity to provide a financial assurance amended by
Nos 27/2019
if any of the following apply— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(a) the Authority determines that provision of a 44, 47/2020
financial assurance by the person is a s. 26).
condition of a prescribed permission;
(b) the Authority determines that provision of a
financial assurance by the person is a
condition of a site management order;
(c) the Authority determines that provision of a
financial assurance by the person is a
condition of an environmental action notice;
(d) an Order relating to environmentally
hazardous substances requires the person to
provide a financial assurance.

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(2) The Authority may only make a determination

under subsection (1)(a),(b) or (c) if the Authority
is satisfied, having regard to the prescribed risk
assessment criteria, that a financial assurance is
necessary as security for the costs and expenses of
remediation or clean up in connection with the
particular activity.
(3) If the Authority requires a person to provide a
financial assurance, the Authority must notify the
person in writing of the form and amount of the
financial assurance.
(4) If a person is given notice under subsection (3),
the person must provide the financial assurance
within a period, not less than 30 business days, to
be specified by the Authority.
S. 220 220 Form of financial assurance
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority may
amended by determine, having regard to the prescribed risk
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
assessment criteria, the form of a financial
3/2020 ss 42– assurance.
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (2) A financial assurance must be provided in the
form of—
(a) a guarantee provided by a body that is
permitted to use the expression "bank" under
section 66 of the Banking Act 1959 of the
Commonwealth; or
(b) bonds; or
(c) any other form of security that the Authority
(d) any combination of paragraph (a), (b) or (c).

242
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221 Amount of financial assurance S. 221

inserted by
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority may No. 39/2018
determine the amount of a financial assurance. s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) In determining the amount of a financial ss 12−30,
assurance, the Authority must have regard to— 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) a reasonable estimate of the costs and s. 26).
expenses of remediation or clean up
activities for the particular activity; and
(b) any method for calculating the amount of
financial assurances published by the
Authority; and
(c) if the Authority has required an independent
assessment for the purpose of determining
the amount of a financial assurance and the
independent assessment has been provided
within the specified period, the independent
assessment.
222 Independent assessment of amount of financial S. 222
inserted by
assurance No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) For the purpose of determining the amount of a amended by
Nos 27/2019
financial assurance, the Authority may require a ss 12−30,
person to provide an independent assessment of a 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
matter contained in the prescribed risk assessment s. 26).
criteria, within a period specified by the
Authority.
(2) If the Authority requires a person to provide an
independent assessment under subsection (1), the
person must pay any costs associated with
obtaining the independent assessment.
(3) An independent assessment required by the
Authority under subsection (1) must be conducted
by a suitably qualified person.

243
No. 51 of 2017
S. 223 223 Method for calculating financial assurance amount

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) The Authority may publish, by notice in the
s. 7 (as Government Gazette, a method for calculating
amended by
Nos 27/2019 financial assurance amounts.
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42– (2) The method takes effect on the day notice is
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
published in the Government Gazette, or on any
later day if specified in the notice.
(3) The Authority must publish the method on the
Internet site of the Authority.
S. 224 224 Costs associated with financial assurance
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
A person who is required to provide a financial
amended by assurance is responsible for all reasonable costs
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
incurred by the Authority that are associated
3/2020 ss 42– with—
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (a) providing the financial assurance; and
(b) determining the form and amount of a
financial assurance.
S. 225 225 Authority may review financial assurance
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority may
amended by review the following—
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30, (a) the requirement for a person to provide a
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 financial assurance;
s. 26).
(b) the amount of a financial assurance;
(c) the form of a financial assurance.
(2) The Authority may review a financial assurance
if—
(a) a prescribed permission issued or granted
with a condition requiring the holder of the
permission to provide a financial assurance
is reviewed or varied; or

244
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(b) the financial assurance was provided as a

condition of a site management order and the
order is varied; or
(c) the financial assurance was provided as a
condition of an environmental action notice
and the notice is varied; or
(d) the financial assurance was provided as a
condition of an Order relating to
environmentally hazardous substances and
the Order is varied; or
(e) the Authority publishes an updated method
for calculating the amount of a financial
assurance that is relevant to the particular
activity that the financial assurance is
provided in relation to; or
(f) the person who provided the financial
assurance requests a review of the form or
amount of the financial assurance; or
(g) the Authority is satisfied, having regard to
the prescribed risk assessment criteria, that
there is a variation to the estimate of the
costs and expenses of remediation or clean
up activities for the particular activity that
the financial assurance is provided in relation
to.
226 Authority may amend financial assurance S. 226
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority may s. 7 (as
amend the following— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) the form of a financial assurance; ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(b) the amount of a financial assurance; 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(c) the form and the amount of a financial
assurance.

245
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(2) If following a review, the Authority proposes to

amend a financial assurance, the Authority must—
(a) notify the person who provided the financial
assurance in writing; and
(b) invite the person who provided the financial
assurance to make a submission on the
proposed amendment, within 20 business
days after the date of notice; and
(c) consider any submissions from the person
who provided the financial assurance.
(3) If the Authority decides to amend a financial
assurance, the Authority must notify the person in
writing of the decision.
(4) On amending a financial assurance, the
Authority—
(a) may make any changes the Authority
considers necessary to implement that
amendment in an instrument or document;
and
(b) despite anything to the contrary in this Act or
the regulations, may make any changes the
Authority considers necessary to implement
the amendment in a permission, site
management order or an environmental
action notice by complying only with this
section.
(5) If a person is given notice under subsection (3)
and is required to provide a further form, amount
or form and amount of a financial assurance, the
person must provide the further requirement
within a period, not less than 30 business days, to
be specified by the Authority.

246
No. 51 of 2017
227 Authority may make a claim on financial assurance S. 227

inserted by
(1) This section applies if— No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(a) the Authority determines that the person who amended by
Nos 27/2019
provided a financial assurance has failed to ss 12−30,
conduct the remediation or clean up 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
activities required by this Act or the s. 26).
regulations; or
(b) the Authority has exercised clean up powers
in accordance with section 294(1) in
connection with the particular activity that
the financial assurance was provided in
relation to.
(2) The Authority may make a claim on a financial
assurance for any reasonable costs incurred, or
that the Authority considers are likely to be
incurred, by the Authority in conducting the
remediation or clean up activities.
(3) The Authority may make a claim on a financial
assurance with respect to a power specified in
subsection (1)(b) whether or not any costs
incurred by the Authority in conducting the
remediation or clean up activities are the result of
an act or omission before the financial assurance
was provided.
(4) If the Authority makes a claim under this section
and the costs incurred by the Authority in
conducting the remediation or clean up activities
exceed the amount of the financial assurance, the
Authority may recover as a debt due to the Crown
in a court of competent jurisdiction any reasonable
costs incurred by the Authority in conducting the
remediation or clean up activities.
(5) If the Authority makes a claim under this section,
nothing in this Part prevents the Authority from
making a further claim for reasonable costs
incurred, or that the Authority considers are likely

247
No. 51 of 2017
to be incurred, in conducting clean up or

remediation activities.
(6) Any money recovered under this section is to be
paid into the Consolidated Fund.
S. 228 228 Procedure for claim on financial assurance in the
inserted by
No. 39/2018 event of a person's failure to remediate or clean up
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) Before the Authority makes a claim on a financial
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
assurance for a matter specified in section
3/2020 ss 42– 227(1)(a), the Authority must—
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (a) notify the person who provided the financial
assurance in writing; and
(b) invite the person who provided the financial
assurance to make a submission on the
Authority's intention to make a claim within
20 business days of the date of the notice;
and
(c) consider any submissions made within the
period specified in paragraph (b).
(2) The Authority may proceed with the claim
10 business days after the day the Authority
receives any submissions or within the period
specified in subsection (1)(b), whichever occurs
first.
(3) The Authority must notify the person who
provided the financial assurance of a decision
under subsection (2) in writing within 5 business
days of the day of the decision.
S. 229 229 Procedure for claim on financial assurance in the
inserted by
No. 39/2018 event of immediate or serious risk
s. 7 (as
amended by If the Authority makes a claim on a financial
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
assurance for a matter specified in section
3/2020 ss 42– 227(1)(b), the Authority must—
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

248
No. 51 of 2017
(a) notify the person who provided the financial

assurance in writing within 10 business days
of the date of the claim; and
(b) give reasons for making the claim.
Note
See section 294(1) for the Authority's power to conduct a
clean up if there is an immediate or serious risk of harm to
human health or the environment from pollution, waste or
contaminated land.
230 Notice to replenish financial assurance S. 230
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) If the Authority makes a claim on a financial s. 7 (as
assurance, the Authority may require the person amended by
Nos 27/2019
who provided the financial assurance to replenish ss 12−30,
the amount of the financial assurance by giving 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
notice in writing. s. 26).
(2) A notice under subsection (1) must set out the
amount the person is required to provide to
replenish the amount of the financial assurance
consequent to the claim.
(3) If a person is given notice under subsection (1),
the person must provide the amount required to
replenish the financial assurance within a period,
not less than 30 business days, to be specified by
the Authority.
231 Specified conditions for release of financial S. 231
inserted by
assurance No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Authority must release all or part of a amended by
Nos 27/2019
financial assurance (as the case requires) if the ss 12−30,
financial assurance is— 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) provided as a condition of a prescribed s. 26).
permission and the person who provided the
financial assurance no longer holds the
permission; or

249
No. 51 of 2017
(b) provided as a condition of a site management

order and the site management order no
longer applies to the person who provided
the financial assurance; or
(c) provided as a condition of an environmental
action notice and the notice no longer applies
to the person who provided the financial
assurance; or
(d) provided as a condition of an Order relating
to environmentally hazardous substances and
the Order no longer applies to the person
who provided the financial assurance; or
(e) no longer required following a review of the
financial assurance; or
(f) amended following a review of the financial
assurance.
(2) If the Authority releases all or part of a financial
assurance, the Authority must notify the person
who provided the financial assurance in writing.
S. 232 232 Application for release of financial assurance
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person who provides a financial assurance
amended by under this Part may apply at any time to the
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
Authority for the release of all or part of the
3/2020 ss 42– financial assurance.
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (2) In considering an application under subsection (1),
the Authority must—
(a) have regard to the prescribed risk assessment
criteria; and
(b) notify the person of the Authority's decision
within 40 business days after the date the
application is received.
(3) If, in considering an application under subsection
(1), the Authority determines further information
is required the Authority may—

250
No. 51 of 2017
(a) request the person to provide further

information; and
(b) extend the period specified in subsection
(2)(b).
233 Transfer of financial assurance S. 233
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority may transfer a financial assurance s. 7 (as
if— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) a person is required to provide a financial ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
assurance under section 219; and 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(b) that financial assurance may be released or
partly released to the person under
section 231 or 232; and
(c) the person is required to provide another
financial assurance under section 219.
(2) The Authority must notify the person in writing of
a decision to transfer a financial assurance.
(3) On transferring a financial assurance, the
Authority may make any changes the Authority
considers necessary to implement the transfer in
an instrument or document.
(4) If a person is given notice under subsection (2)
and is required to provide a further amount as a
financial assurance, the person must provide the
further amount of the financial assurance within a
period, not less than 30 business days, to be
specified by the Authority.
234 Enforcement of financial assurance S. 234
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person must not refuse or fail to do any of the s. 7 (as
following within the specified period— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) provide a financial assurance; ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(b) provide a further amount as a financial 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
assurance following amendment by the
Authority;

251
No. 51 of 2017
(c) replenish the amount of a financial assurance

consequent to a claim on the financial
assurance.
(2) If a person refuses or fails to fulfil a requirement
specified in subsection (1) when it is due, the
Authority may—
(a) suspend a permission issued or granted with
a condition requiring the holder of the
permission to provide a financial assurance,
until the person fulfils the requirement; or
(b) issue a prohibition notice in relation to the
particular activity for which the financial
assurance is provided.

252
No. 51 of 2017
Part 8.5—Advisory panels
Part 8.5—Advisory panels Pt 8.5

(Heading and
s. 235)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
235 Advisory panels S. 235

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority may establish advisory panels for s. 7 (as
the purpose of providing advice to the Authority amended by
Nos 27/2019
on any matter arising from the administration of ss 12−30,
this Act or the regulations. 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) The Authority may determine— s. 26).
(a) the process for establishing an advisory

panel; and
(b) the terms of reference for an advisory panel;
and
(c) matters relating to the procedure of an
advisory panel, including but not limited
to—
(i) the extent to which a panel can regulate
its own proceedings; and
(ii) reporting requirements; and
(iii) whether the panel may call for
submissions; and
(d) the terms and conditions of the appointment
of members of an advisory panel.
(3) The Authority may appoint any person to be a
member of an advisory panel that the Authority is
satisfied has the appropriate level of expert
knowledge, skills or experience.

253
No. 51 of 2017
Part 8.5—Advisory panels
(4) One member must be appointed as the chairperson

of the advisory panel.
(5) A member of the advisory panel is appointed for
the period (not exceeding 5 years) specified in the
instrument of appointment.
(6) A member of the advisory panel is eligible for
reappointment.
(7) A member of an advisory panel must be paid any
allowances and expenses that are determined by
the Authority.
(8) The Authority must have regard to, but is not
bound by, any advice provided by an advisory
panel.

254
No. 51 of 2017
Part 8.6—Conference of interested persons
Part 8.6—Conference of interested persons Pt 8.6

(Heading and
ss 236–240)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
236 Authority may establish conference of interested S. 236

inserted by
persons No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Authority may establish a conference of amended by
Nos 27/2019
interested persons in relation to any matter or ss 12−30,
decision under consideration by the Authority. 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) A conference established under this section is for s. 26).
the purposes of—
(a) assisting in the just resolution of the matter
or decision under consideration by the
Authority; and
(b) providing an informal means for the
Authority to consider the matter or decision.
(3) Subject to any rules made under section 239(1), in
establishing a conference of interested persons the
Authority may determine the procedure for—
(a) the convening and the conduct of the
conference of interested persons; and
(b) the making of recommendations arising out
of the conference of interested persons.
interested person means any of the following—
(a) a person, body or public entity that the
Authority considers has an interest in
the matter or decision under
consideration by the Authority;

255
No. 51 of 2017
(b) a person holding technical or scientific

expertise that the Authority considers
relevant to the matter or decision under
consideration by the Authority;
(c) a public entity that has requested to be
consulted in relation to the matter or
decision under consideration by the
Authority.
S. 237 237 Appointment of convenor
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) In establishing a conference of interested persons
amended by under section 236, the Authority must appoint a
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
person as the convenor of the conference.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (2) The function of a convenor appointed under
s. 26). subsection (1) is—
(a) to convene the conference of interested
persons; and
(b) to preside at the conference of interested
persons; and
(c) for the purposes of section 238, to make any
recommendations to the Authority arising
out of the conference of interested persons.
S. 238 238 Recommendations and additional material from
inserted by
No. 39/2018 conference of interested persons
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) A recommendation to the Authority arising out of
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
a conference of interested persons may include
3/2020 ss 42– any comments, discussion or resolutions of the
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
conference of interested persons.
(2) A recommendation to the Authority and any
comments, discussion or resolutions of the
conference of interested persons is not binding on
the Authority.

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(3) A recommendation to the Authority and any

comments, discussion or resolutions of the
conference of interested persons must be
considered by the Authority in the taking of any
action in relation to the matter or decision under
consideration by the Authority that the conference
of interested persons was established in relation
to, only to the extent that the recommendation or
the comments, discussion or resolutions are a
relevant consideration for the matter or decision.
239 Rules for conferences of interested persons S. 239
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority may make rules relating to s. 7 (as
conferences of interested persons by publishing a amended by
Nos 27/2019
notice of the rules in the Government Gazette. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(2) The rules made under subsection (1) take effect on 44, 47/2020
the day the notice of the rules is published in the s. 26).
Government Gazette, or on any later day specified
in the notice.
(3) The Authority must publish the rules made under
subsection (1) on the Internet site of the Authority.
240 Participation to be voluntary S. 240
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A conference of interested persons is voluntary s. 7 (as
and an interested person is under no obligation to amended by
Nos 27/2019
attend. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(2) An interested person may withdraw from a 44, 47/2020
conference of interested persons at any time. s. 26).

257
No. 51 of 2017
Ch. 9
(Headings
Chapter 9—Authorised officers, analysts and
and ss 241–
269)
other appointments
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
Pt 9.1
(Heading and
s. 241)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by Chapter.
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30, (2) Part 9.2 enables the Authority to appoint persons
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 as authorised officers and analysts and to other
s. 26). prescribed roles.
(3) Part 9.3 sets out the powers of entry and
inspection of authorised officers and persons
assisting authorised officers.
(4) An authorised officer may—
(a) request information for the purposes of
assisting with an investigation under this
Act; and
(b) give directions to address immediate risks of
harm to human health or the environment
from pollution or waste.

258
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(5) The Authority may require persons to provide the

Authority with information for the purposes of
performing its functions and exercising its powers
under this Act and the regulations.
(6) A person must not obstruct or assault, intimidate
or threaten an authorised officer performing a
function or exercising a duty under this Act and
the regulations.

259
No. 51 of 2017
Part 9.2—Appointment of authorised officers and analysts and appointments
to other roles
Pt 9.2
(Headings
Part 9.2—Appointment of authorised officers
and ss 242–
245)
and analysts and appointments to other roles
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
Division 1—Authorised officers
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 242 242 Authorised officers
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 242(1) (1) The Authority may appoint as an authorised

substituted by
No. 36/2022 officer, for the purposes specified in the
s. 52(1). instrument of appointment—
(a) a person who is an officer or employee, or
each member of a class of officer or
employee, of—
(i) the Authority; or
(ii) a public sector body; or
(iii) a council; or
(iv) the Environment Protection Authority
established under the Protection of the
Environment Administration Act 1991
of New South Wales; or
(v) the Environment Protection Authority
established under the Environment
Protection Act 1993 of South Australia;
or
(b) a specified person or each member of a
specified class of persons.

260
No. 51 of 2017
to other roles
(2) A public sector body or council to which the

Authority has delegated a power or function under
section 437(1) may by instrument appoint an
employee or class of employee as an authorised
officer for the purposes of the power or function
delegated to the body or council.
(2A) In addition to subsection (2), a council to which S. 242(2A)
inserted by
the Authority has delegated a power or function No. 36/2022
under section 437(1) may by instrument appoint a s. 52(2).
specified person or each member of a specified

class of persons as an authorised officer for the
purposes of the power or function delegated to the
council.
(2B) If so requested by the Authority, a public sector S. 242(2B)
inserted by
body or council who has appointed an authorised No. 36/2022
officer under subsection (2) or (2A), must prepare s. 52(2).
and give to the Authority a written report that

contains—
(a) details of the exercise of the powers or
functions by the authorised person; and
(b) any other information or matter required by
the Authority.
(3) An appointment under subsection (1), (2) S. 242(3)
amended by
or (2A)— No. 36/2022
s. 52(3).
(a) is subject to any conditions or limitations
specified in the appointment; and
(b) is subject to any prescribed conditions or
limitations; and
(c) may at any time be varied, suspended or
revoked by the person or body who made the
appointment.

261
No. 51 of 2017
to other roles
S. 243 243 Authorised officers' identity cards

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) A person or body must issue an identity card to
s. 7 (as each person that the person or body appoints as an
amended by
Nos 27/2019 authorised officer.
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42– (2) An identity card issued under subsection (1)
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
must—
(a) contain the name of the person to whom it is
issued; and
(b) contain a photograph of the person; and
(c) state that the person is an authorised officer
for the purposes of this Act.
(3) Authorised officers must produce their identity
card for inspection if asked to do so when
performing a function or exercising a power under
this Act.
(4) If a person to whom an identity card has been
issued under subsection (1) ceases to be an
authorised officer, the person must return the
identity card to the person or body that issued the
identity card as soon as practicable.
S. 244 244 Directions in respect of authorised officers
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Authority may give directions in respect of—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (a) the qualifications or training a person must
ss 12−30, have before the person may be appointed as
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 an authorised officer; or
s. 26).
(b) the procedure for appointing a person as an
authorised officer; or
(c) the conduct of authorised officers.
(2) A person or body who is given a direction under
subsection (1) must comply with that direction.

262
No. 51 of 2017
to other roles
Division 2—Other appointments by Authority

245 Authority may appoint analysts and prescribed S. 245
roles inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority may appoint as an analyst, for the s. 7 (as
amended by
purposes specified in the instrument of Nos 27/2019
appointment, any natural person or class of natural ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
person. 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(2) The Authority may appoint as the holder of a
prescribed role, for the purposes specified in the
instrument of appointment, any person or class of
person.
(3) The Authority may, in an instrument of
appointment under subsection (1) or (2)—
(a) specify the term of the appointment; and
(b) impose conditions on the appointment.
(4) The Authority may suspend, vary or revoke an
appointment under subsection (1) or (2).
(5) The Authority must not appoint a person under
subsection (1) or (2) unless the person has paid
any prescribed fee.

263
No. 51 of 2017
Part 9.3—Inspection and inquiry powers
Pt 9.3
(Headings
and ss 246–
269)
inserted by
Division 1—Powers of entry and inspection
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 246 246 Authorised officer may enter and inspect any place
inserted by
No. 39/2018 or premises
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) For the purpose of performing a function or duty
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
or exercising a power under this Act, an
3/2020 ss 42– authorised officer may enter and inspect a place or
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
premises.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), an authorised
officer may enter and inspect a place or premises
for the following purposes—
(a) determining if a person has contravened this
Act or the regulations;
(b) monitoring compliance with this Act or the
regulations;
(c) determining if there is a risk of harm to
human health or the environment from
pollution, waste or contaminated land;
(d) inspecting or testing equipment or a vehicle.
(3) An authorised officer may exercise a power to
enter and inspect a place or premises—
(a) at any reasonable time; and
(b) at any other time, if the authorised officer
reasonably believes there is an immediate
risk of material harm to human health or the
environment.

264
No. 51 of 2017
247 Entry and inspection of a place or premises when S. 247

open to the public inserted by
No. 39/2018
An authorised officer may enter and inspect a s. 7 (as
amended by
place or premises that is, at the time of entry, open Nos 27/2019
to the public. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
248 Residential premises S. 248

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) An authorised officer must not enter and inspect s. 7 (as
premises that are used only for residential amended by
Nos 27/2019
purposes except— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(a) with the consent of the occupier for the time 44, 47/2020
being of the premises; or s. 26).
(b) under the authority of a search warrant; or

(c) if the authorised officer reasonably believes
that a person has contravened, is
contravening or is about to contravene, a
provision of this Act or the regulations; or
(d) if the authorised officer reasonably believes
there is an immediate risk of material harm
to human health or the environment.
(2) An authorised officer may only exercise a power
to enter and inspect residential premises in
circumstances specified in subsection (1)(c) or (d)
in a part of the premises that the authorised officer
believes is necessary to enter and inspect for the
purpose of determining if—
(a) a person has contravened, is contravening or
is about to contravene, a provision of this
Act or the regulations; or
(b) if there is an immediate risk of material harm
to human health or the environment.

265
No. 51 of 2017
S. 249 249 Announcement on entry

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) Immediately on entering a place or premises under
s. 7 (as this Division, an authorised officer must take all
amended by
Nos 27/2019 reasonable steps to notify the occupier or apparent
ss 12−30, occupier for the time being of the place or
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 premises of the entry and produce the authorised
s. 26). officer's identity card for inspection by that
person.
(2) An authorised officer is not required to notify, or
produce the authorised officer's identity card for
inspection by a person if—
(a) to do so would unreasonably interfere with
performing a function or duty or exercising a
power under this Act or cause unreasonable
delay; or
(b) the person has been notified in advance of
the entry.
S. 250 250 Persons assisting authorised officer
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) An authorised officer may request the assistance
amended by of any person for the purpose of entry and
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
inspection of a place or premises and the taking of
3/2020 ss 42– any other action under this Division.
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (2) The occupier or person in management or control
of a place or premises must allow the person
assisting an authorised officer access to the place
or premises.
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.

266
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(3) If an authorised officer uses the assistance of an

interpreter—
(a) an enquiry or request made by the interpreter
on the authorised officer's behalf is taken to
be made by the authorised officer; and
(b) an answer given to the interpreter is taken to
be given to the authorised officer.
251 Powers on entry S. 251
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) An authorised officer who enters a place or s. 7 (as
premises under this Division may do or cause to amended by
Nos 27/2019
be done any thing or action the authorised officer ss 12−30,
reasonably believes is necessary for the purpose of 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
performing a function or duty or exercising a s. 26).
power under this Act.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), an authorised
officer who enters a place or premises under this
Division may do all or any of the following that
the authorised officer reasonably believes is
necessary for the purpose of performing a function
or duty or exercising a power under this Act—
(a) inspect, examine and make enquiries about a
thing at the place or premises;
(b) take and remove samples of a substance or
thing at the place or premises;
(c) carry out testing and examination;
(d) take photographic, audio, video or any other
type of recording;
(e) examine, copy or take extracts from a
document;
(f) inspect, examine or test any plant,
equipment, vehicle, or other thing;
(g) bring equipment or materials to the place or
premises;

267
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(h) seize and remove a thing connected with a

suspected contravention of this Act or the
regulations;
(i) request the assistance of a person at the place
or premises;
(j) take any other action.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(c) and (f), an
authorised officer may carry out or cause to be
carried out any testing and examination of a thing,
including testing of a thing that results in the
destruction of that thing.
(4) An authorised officer must take reasonable steps
to—
(a) minimise disruption caused by entry and
inspection of a place or premises and of
taking any action under this section; and
(b) ensure the authorised officer does not remain
at a place or premises any longer than is
reasonably necessary.
S. 252 252 Authorised officer may require production of
inserted by
No. 39/2018 documents
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) An authorised officer who enters a place or
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
premises under this Division may do all or any of
3/2020 ss 42– the following for the purpose of performing a
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
function or duty or exercising a power under this
Act—
(a) require a person to produce a document or
part of a document, located at the place or
premises, that is in the person's possession or
control;
(b) examine the document or part of the
document;

268
No. 51 of 2017
(c) retain the document or part of the document

for as long as is reasonably necessary to
fulfil the purpose that it is required for;
(d) take extracts from and make copies of the
document or part of the document.
refuse or fail to comply with a request under
subsection (1).
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.
253 Authorised officer may require information or S. 253
inserted by
answers No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) An authorised officer who enters a place or amended by
Nos 27/2019
premises under this Division may require a person ss 12−30,
at the place or premises to give any information or 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
answer any question for the purpose of performing s. 26).
a function or duty or exercising a power under this
Act.
(2) An authorised officer must only require
information or answers from a person if the
authorised officer reasonably believes that the
person has knowledge of a matter or thing
relevant to another person's compliance with this
Act or the regulations.
refuse or fail to comply with a request under
subsection (1).
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.

269
No. 51 of 2017
S. 254 254 Report to be given about entry and inspection of

inserted by place or premises
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as (1) An authorised officer who enters and inspects a
amended by
Nos 27/2019 place or premises under this Division must give a
ss 12−30, report concerning the entry to the occupier or
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 apparent occupier for the time being of the place
s. 26). or premises when, or as soon as practicable after,
the authorised officer leaves the place or premises.
(2) The report must be in writing and include the
following—
(a) the time of the entry and departure;
(b) the purpose of the entry and inspection;
(c) a description of any actions taken at the
place or premises;
(d) a summary of any observations of the
authorised officer at the place or premises;
(e) the procedure for contacting the Authority
and the authorised officer for further details
of the entry and inspection.
Division 2—Information gathering notices

S. 255 255 Authority may serve information gathering notice
inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) For the purpose of performing a function or duty
s. 7 (as or exercising a power under this Act, the
amended by
Nos 27/2019 Authority may serve an information gathering
ss 12−30, notice on a person requiring the person to do all or
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 any of the following—
s. 26).
(a) provide to the Authority any information or
class of information specified in the notice
before a specified time and in a specified
manner;

270
No. 51 of 2017
(b) produce to the Authority a document or class

of document specified in the notice that is in
the person's possession, custody or control,
before a specified time and in a specified
manner;
(c) to appear before the Authority at a time and
place specified in the notice to do all or any
of the following—
(i) to give information specified in the
notice, either orally or in writing;
(ii) to produce a document or class of
document specified in the notice that is
in the person's possession, custody or
control.
refuse or fail to comply with a requirement under
subsection (1).
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.
256 Form of information gathering notice S. 256
inserted by
No. 39/2018
An information gathering notice must— s. 7 (as
amended by
(a) be in writing; and Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(b) specify the following matters— 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(i) the person on whom it is served; s. 26).
(ii) the purpose of the information

gathering notice;
(iii) the period for complying with the
notice, being not less than 10 business
days; and

271
No. 51 of 2017
(c) in the case of a natural person, explain that

the person may refuse or fail to give the
information specified in the information
gathering notice if giving that information
would tend to incriminate the person.
Note
Under section 268 it is a reasonable excuse for a
natural person to refuse or fail to give information if
the giving of the information would tend to
incriminate the person. However that excuse does not
apply to the production of a document.
S. 257 257 Extension of time under information gathering
inserted by
No. 39/2018 notice
s. 7 (as
amended by The Authority may, by written notice given to the
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
person on whom an information gathering notice
3/2020 ss 42– has been served—
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (a) extend the period for complying with the
notice, if the Authority is satisfied that the
circumstances of the case justify an
extension; and
(b) revoke or amend a requirement specified in
the notice.
S. 258 258 Court orders
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Authority may apply to the Court for an order
amended by compelling a person to comply with an
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
information gathering notice.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (2) The Authority may apply for an order under
s. 26). subsection (1) whether or not a proceeding has
been commenced for an offence against this Act
or the regulations.

272
No. 51 of 2017
Division 3—Power to ask person's name and

address
259 Authorised officer may ask person's name and S. 259
address inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) An authorised officer may ask a person to state the s. 7 (as
amended by
person's name and address if the authorised officer Nos 27/2019
reasonably believes that the person— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) may be able to assist in the investigation of s. 26).
an indictable offence against this Act that has
been committed or is suspected of having
been committed; or
(b) has committed, is committing or is about to
commit an offence against this Act or the
regulations.
(2) The authorised officer must—
(a) inform the person of the reasons for the
authorised officer's belief; and
(b) if subsection (1)(b) applies, give the person
sufficient information to enable the person to
understand the nature of the offence the
authorised officer believes that the person
has committed, is committing or is about to
commit.
(3) If an authorised officer asks a natural person to
state the person's name and address, the person
must not do any of the following—
(a) refuse or fail to comply;
(b) state a name that is false in a material
particular;
(c) state an address other than the person's full
and correct address.

273
No. 51 of 2017
Division 4—Power to give directions

S. 260 260 Authorised officer may give directions
inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) An authorised officer may give a direction to a
s. 7 (as person to do, or cause to be done, any action or
amended by
Nos 27/2019 thing that the authorised officer reasonably
ss 12−30, believes is necessary to address the existence or
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 likely existence of an immediate risk of material
s. 26). harm to human health or the environment.
refuse or fail to comply with a direction given to
the person under subsection (1).
500 penalty units;
2500 penalty units.
(3) A direction under subsection (1) may be given
orally or in writing.
offence.
Note
(5) The Authority must pay to a person any
reasonable costs incurred by the person in
complying with a direction given under subsection
(1).
(6) Subsection (5) does not apply if the person caused
or permitted the situation giving rise to the
authorised officer's reasonable belief of the
existence or likely existence of an immediate risk
of material harm to human health or the
environment.

274
No. 51 of 2017
(7) The Authority may recover in a court of

competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the
Authority any payment made under subsection (5)
from a person who caused or permitted the
situation giving rise to the authorised officer's
reasonable belief of the existence or likely
existence of an immediate risk of material harm to
human health or the environment.
(8) Any costs recovered under this section are to be
Division 5—Search warrants

261 Authorised officer may apply for search warrants S. 261
inserted by
(1) An authorised officer may apply to a magistrate No. 39/2018
for the issue of a search warrant in relation to a s. 7 (as
amended by
place or premises if the authorised officer Nos 27/2019
reasonably believes that— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) there is, or may be within the next 72 hours, s. 26).
a particular thing (including a document) at
the place or premises; and
(b) the particular thing may afford evidence of
the commission of an offence against this
Act or the regulations.
(2) A magistrate may issue the search warrant if the
magistrate is satisfied by evidence given under
oath or affirmation, whether oral or by affidavit,
of the authorised officer's reasonable belief.
(3) The search warrant may authorise an authorised
officer and any assistants the authorised officer
considers necessary—
(a) to enter the place or premises named or
described in the warrant; and
(b) to search for the thing named or described in
the warrant.

275
No. 51 of 2017
(4) In addition to any other requirement, the search

warrant must state the following—
(a) the offence suspected;
(b) the place or premises to be searched;
(c) a description of the thing that the search is
made for;
(d) any conditions that the warrant is subject to;
(e) whether entry is authorised to be made at any
time or during specified hours;
(f) that the warrant authorises entry on only one
occasion;
(g) a day, not later than 7 days after the day the
warrant is issued, that the warrant ceases to
have effect;
(h) that the warrant is issued in accordance with
the Magistrates' Court Act 1989.
(5) A search warrant must be issued in accordance
with the Magistrates' Court Act 1989 and in the
form prescribed under that Act.
(6) The rules that apply to search warrants mentioned
in the Magistrates' Court Act 1989 extend and
apply to search warrants issued under this section.
S. 262 262 Announcement before entry on warrant
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Before executing a search warrant, the authorised
amended by officer executing the warrant or any assistant to
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
the authorised officer must—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) announce that the authorised officer is
s. 26). authorised by the warrant to enter the place
or premises to be searched; and
(b) give any person at the place or premises an
opportunity to allow that entry.

276
No. 51 of 2017
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the authorised

officer reasonably believes that complying with
subsection (1) would frustrate the effective
execution of the search warrant.
263 Copy of warrant to be given to occupier S. 263
inserted by
No. 39/2018
If an occupier or apparent occupier is present at a s. 7 (as
place or premises that is named or described in a amended by
Nos 27/2019
search warrant at the time an authorised officer ss 12−30,
executes the search warrant, the authorised officer 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
must— s. 26).
(a) produce the authorised officer's identity card
for inspection; and
(b) give that person a copy of the execution copy
of the warrant.
Division 6—Return and forfeiture of seized things

264 Return of seized things S. 264
inserted by
(1) As soon as possible after an authorised officer No. 39/2018
seizes or obtains a thing (including a document) s. 7 (as
amended by
under this Part, the Authority must return the thing Nos 27/2019
to the owner unless— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) the Authority considers it necessary to retain s. 26).
the thing because it may afford evidence in a
proceeding that has been, or may be,
commenced for an offence against this Act
or the regulations; or
(b) the thing is forfeited to the Authority under
section 265; or
(c) the Authority is otherwise authorised,
whether by an Act or other law or by a court
order, to retain, destroy or dispose of the
thing.

277
No. 51 of 2017
(2) The Authority may return the thing

unconditionally or on such terms and conditions
as the Authority considers appropriate to minimise
risks of harm to human health or the environment
(3) If the Authority imposes terms or conditions on
the return of a thing, the owner must comply with
the terms and conditions.
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.
S. 265 265 Forfeiture of seized things
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Any thing (including a document) that an
amended by authorised officer has seized and retained under
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
this Part is forfeited to the Authority if the
3/2020 ss 42– Authority—
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (a) cannot find the owner despite making
reasonable enquiries; or
(b) cannot return it to the owner despite making
reasonable efforts; or
(c) considers it necessary to retain the thing to
prevent the commission of an offence against
this Act or the regulations.
(2) If a thing is forfeited to the Authority under
subsection (1)(c), the Authority must give the
owner written notice and set out how the owner
may apply to VCAT for review of the decision to
forfeit the thing, unless the Authority cannot find
the owner despite making reasonable enquiries.

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Division 7—Offences relating to authorised officers

266 Obstruction of authorised officer S. 266
inserted by
If an authorised officer is performing a function or No. 39/2018
duty or exercising a power under this Act, a s. 7 (as
amended by
person must not do any of the following— Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) hinder, delay or obstruct the authorised 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
officer or any person assisting the authorised s. 26).
officer;
(b) conceal from the authorised officer the
location or existence of any person or thing;
(c) use abusive, threatening or insulting
language to the authorised officer or any
person assisting the authorised officer.
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.
267 Assault, intimidation or threatening of authorised S. 267
inserted by
officer No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
If an authorised officer is performing a function or amended by
Nos 27/2019
duty or exercising a power under this Act, a ss 12−30,
person must not do any of the following—— 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) assault the authorised officer or any person s. 26).
assisting the authorised officer;
(b) directly or indirectly intimidate or threaten
the authorised officer or any person assisting
the authorised officer;
(c) attempt to assault, intimidate or threaten the
authorised officer or any person assisting the
authorised officer.

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Penalty: In the case of a natural person, 2 years

imprisonment, or 240 penalty units, or
both;
1200 penalty units.
Division 8—General
S. 268 268 Protection against self-incrimination
inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) It is a reasonable excuse for a natural person to
s. 7 (as refuse or fail to give information, or do any other
amended by
Nos 27/2019 thing that the person is required to do, under this
ss 12−30, Part if the giving of the information or the doing
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 of the thing would tend to incriminate the person.
s. 26).
(2) Despite subsection (1), it is not a reasonable
excuse for a natural person to refuse or fail to
produce a document that the person is required to
produce under this Part if the production of the
document would tend to incriminate the person.
S. 269 269 Motor vehicle compliance
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
If a police officer or an officer authorised under
amended by section 13 of the Road Safety Act 1986 lawfully
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
stops a motor vehicle, an authorised officer may
3/2020 ss 42– conduct any inspection, measurement or test in
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
relation to the motor vehicle, for the purpose of
performing a function or duty or exercising a
power under this Act.

280
No. 51 of 2017
Chapter 10—Notices Ch. 10

(Headings
and ss 270–
298)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
Pt 10.1
s. 270)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

inserted by
No. 39/2018
Chapter. amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) Part 10.2 enables the Authority to issue ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
improvement and prohibition notices in 44, 47/2020
circumstances where the Authority believes that a s. 26).
person—
(a) is contravening this Act; or
(b) is not complying with a permission under
this Act; or
(c) is likely to cause harm to human health or
the environment from pollution or waste.
(3) Part 10.3 enables the Authority to issue notices to
investigate and environmental action notices in
circumstances where the Authority believes that—
(a) land is or may be contaminated; or

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(b) a pollution incident has occurred; or

(c) industrial waste is at a place or premises
unlawfully; or
(d) there is a risk to human health or the
environment arising from pollution or the
depositing, storage or handling of waste.
(4) Part 10.4 enables the Authority to issue a site
management order in circumstances where the
Authority believes that long-term management of
the site is necessary because contamination,
pollution or waste poses a risk of harm to human
health or the environment.
(5) Part 10.5 enables the Authority to issue non
disturbance notices in order to facilitate the
performance of its functions or exercise of its
powers under this Act.
(6) Part 10.6 deals with general matters relating to
notices, such as amendment, notification and
continuing effect of notices.
(7) Part 10.7 enables the Authority to redirect
obligations under a notice or order from a body
corporate to a related entity or an officer of the
body corporate.
(8) Part 10.8 sets out the offences relating to notices
and orders under this Chapter.
(9) Part 10.9 enables the Authority—
(a) to exercise clean up powers when it believes
there is immediate or serious risk of harm to
human health or the environment arising
from pollution, waste or contamination; and
(b) to recover costs of conducting activities
under this Chapter.

282
No. 51 of 2017
Part 10.2—Improvement and prohibition notices
Part 10.2—Improvement and prohibition Pt 10.2

(Headings
notices and ss 271,
272)
inserted by
Division 1—Improvement notices No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
271 Improvement notices S. 271

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority or an authorised officer may issue a s. 7 (as
person with an improvement notice if the amended by
Nos 27/2019
Authority or authorised officer reasonably ss 12−30,
believes that the person— 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) is contravening or has contravened a s. 26).
provision of this Act, the regulations or a
subordinate instrument made under this Act;
or
(b) is not complying or has not complied with a
permission issued or granted under this Act;
or
(c) has engaged in or proposes to engage in an
activity that has caused or is likely to cause
harm to human health or the environment
(2) An improvement notice may require the person to
whom it is issued—
(a) to take any action that the Authority or
authorised officer reasonably considers
necessary to remedy the contravention, or
the matters or activities that are causing the
contravention; or
(b) to remedy the activity that has caused or is
likely to cause harm to human health or the

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(3) A requirement contained in an improvement

notice may include directions as to the measures
to be taken for the purpose of remedying the
matters referred to in subsection (2), including but
not limited to clean up measures.
(4) An improvement notice must—
issued; and
the notice; and
(f) specify how the person may seek review of
the decision to issue the notice.
Division 2—Prohibition notices

S. 272 272 Prohibition notices
inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) The Authority or an authorised officer may issue a
s. 7 (as person with a prohibition notice if the Authority
amended by
Nos 27/2019 or authorised officer reasonably believes—
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42– (a) that the person—
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (i) is contravening or has contravened a
provision of this Act, the regulations or
a subordinate instrument made under
this Act; or
S. 272(1)(a)(ii) (ii) is not complying or has not complied
amended by
No. 36/2022 with a permission issued or granted
s. 53. under this Act; or

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(iii) has engaged in or proposes to engage in

an activity that has caused or is likely to
cause harm to human health or the
and
(b) that, having regard to the immediacy of the
risk and degree of harm that could occur,
prohibiting the person from engaging in an
activity is necessary to prevent or minimise
any harm to human health or the
(2) A prohibition notice may—
(a) prohibit the person to whom it is issued from
engaging in the activity, whether or not the
person is engaging in the activity at the time
the notice is issued; and
(b) require the person to do any other thing that
the Authority or authorised officer
reasonably considers necessary to prevent or
minimise the harm or risk of the harm.
(3) A prohibition notice must—
issued; and
(d) specify the date from which the prohibition
takes effect and the period within which the
person must do any other thing required by
the notice; and

285
No. 51 of 2017

the notice; and
(f) specify how the person may seek review of

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No. 51 of 2017
Part 10.3—Notices to investigate and environmental action notices
Part 10.3—Notices to investigate and Pt 10.3

(Headings
environmental action notices and ss 273,
274)
inserted by
Division 1—Notice to investigate No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
273 Notice to investigate S. 273

inserted by
No. 39/2018
person referred to in subsection (2) with a notice amended by
Nos 27/2019
to investigate if the Authority or the authorised ss 12−30,
officer reasonably believes any of the following 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
circumstances exist— s. 26).
(a) land is or may be contaminated;
(b) a pollution incident has occurred;
unlawfully;
(d) there is a risk of harm to human health or the
environment arising from pollution or the
depositing, storage or handling of waste.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a notice to
investigate may be issued to any of the
following—
(a) the person who the Authority or authorised
officer reasonably believes caused or
permitted the circumstances which are the
subject of the notice (the relevant
circumstances);
(b) the current owner or occupier of the land at
which the relevant circumstances exist;

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(c) the owner or occupier of the land at which

the relevant circumstances exist, at the time
the relevant circumstances first came into
being.
(3) A notice to investigate may require the person to
whom it is issued to do any or all of the
following—
(a) investigate whether the relevant
circumstances exist;
(b) investigate the nature and extent of the
relevant circumstances, including the nature
and extent of any harm or risk of harm to
human health or the environment arising
from the relevant circumstances;
(c) to report to the Authority on, or provide the
Authority with, any specified information
regarding the investigation;
(d) conduct the investigation in the manner and
within the time specified by the notice.
(4) A notice to investigate must—
issued; and
the notice; and
(f) specify how the person may seek a review of

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No. 51 of 2017
Division 2—Environmental action notice

274 Environmental action notice S. 274
inserted by
(1) The Authority or an authorised officer may issue a No. 39/2018
person referred to in subsection (2) with an s. 7 (as
amended by
environmental action notice if the Authority or the Nos 27/2019
authorised officer reasonably believes any of the ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
following circumstances exist— 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(a) land is or may be contaminated;
(b) a pollution incident has occurred or is
occurring that has caused, or is likely to
cause, harm to human health or the
environment;
unlawfully;
(d) any other circumstances exist arising from
pollution or the depositing, storage or
handling of waste that have caused or are
likely to cause harm to human health or the
environment;
(e) a person referred to in subsection (2) was
issued with a notice to investigate and has
failed to comply with that notice.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), an
environmental action notice may be issued to any
of the following—
(a) the person who the Authority or authorised
officer reasonably believes caused or
permitted the circumstances which are the
subject of the notice (the relevant
circumstances);
(b) the current owner or occupier of the land at
which the relevant circumstances exist;

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(c) the owner or occupier of the land at which

the relevant circumstances exist, at the time
the relevant circumstances first came into
being.
(3) An environmental action notice must—
issued; and
the notice; and
(f) specify how the person may seek a review of
(4) The Authority or an authorised officer may
specify in an environmental action notice any
condition, requirement, restriction, performance
standard or level that the Authority or the
authorised officer thinks fit, including a
requirement to do any or all of the following—
(a) to take the clean up measures as specified in
the notice;
(b) to take waste to a place or premises that may
lawfully accept that waste;
(c) to cease accepting industrial waste at a place
or premises where it cannot be lawfully
accepted;
(d) to reduce stockpiles of waste at a place or
premises;

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(e) to remediate contaminated land through

active or passive measures, or a mixture of
both;
(f) if the notice is issued in the circumstances of
a person's failure to comply with a notice to
investigate, to do any of the things specified
in the notice to investigate that have not been
done.
(5) An environmental action notice applies
notwithstanding anything to the contrary in—
(a) the Planning and Environment Act 1987 or
any regulations, planning scheme or permit
made, approved or granted under that Act;
and
(b) the Building Act 1993 or any regulations or
permit made or granted under that Act.
incurred in complying with an environmental
action notice, including any reasonable costs
incurred by the person in taking action under this
section, against any person responsible for causing
or contributing to contamination of the land.

291
No. 51 of 2017
Part 10.4—Site management orders
Pt 10.4
(Heading and
ss 275–277)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 275 275 Site management orders

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Subject to subsection (4), the Authority may issue
amended by a site management order in respect of any site
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(other than a prescribed site) if the Authority
3/2020 ss 42– reasonably believes that long-term management of
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
the site is necessary because land on the site is
contaminated, or there is harm or a risk of harm to
human health or the environment from pollution
or waste.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Authority
may consider harm that would be caused or would
be likely to be caused if—
(a) an existing measure is not maintained or
modified; or
(b) a new measure is not put in place; or
(c) a specific event, activity or land use takes
place on the site.
(3) A site management order may be issued to any of
the following persons—
(a) the current owner or occupier of the site;
(b) in the case of a site that is on Crown land,
the person that has the management or
control of the land for the time being.

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(4) The Authority must consult with the Minister

administering the Mineral Resources
(Sustainable Development) Act 1990 before
issuing a site management order to a person in
respect of—
(a) a mine (within the meaning of that Act); or
(b) a site where extractive industry (within the
meaning of that Act) is occurring or has
occurred.
(5) A site management order must—
(a) describe the site to which it applies; and
(b) set out the grounds on which it is issued; and
(c) set out the measures to be undertaken.
(6) A site management order may—
(a) specify a time within which to undertake a
measure; or
(b) specify that a measure must be undertaken
until a specified event or circumstance
occurs or a specified outcome is achieved; or
(c) not specify any time frame.
(7) The measures that may be set out in a site
management order include, but are not limited to,
any of the following—
(a) developing or implementing a plan for
managing environmental risks on the site;
(b) installing management infrastructure or
monitoring equipment;
(c) undertaking monitoring activities;
(d) reporting to the Authority or another
specified person on specified matters at
specified periods;

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No. 51 of 2017
(e) notifying the Authority or another specified

person if a specified event occurs;
(f) undertaking a specified course of action if a
specified event occurs;
(g) maintaining or increasing any management
control measures that are already being
undertaken on the site;
(h) not carrying out, or allowing other persons to
carry out, any specified activities on the site;
(i) not using the site, or allowing other persons
to use the site, for specified purposes;
(j) long-term or passive remediation actions.
Note
The Authority can require the occupier of a site that is the
subject of a site management order to make a financial
assurance—see Part 8.4.
(8) A site management order operates for the period
specified in the order (if any) and may operate
indefinitely.
(9) The Authority may vary or revoke a site
management order as it considers appropriate,
either on its own motion or on application under
section 277.
(10) The Authority must revoke a site management
order if it considers that long term management of
the site is no longer necessary.
incurred in complying with a site management
order, including any reasonable costs incurred by
the person in taking action under this section,
against any person responsible for causing or
contributing to contamination of the land.

294
No. 51 of 2017
276 Status of site management orders S. 276

inserted by
(1) A site management order is binding on— No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(a) the owner, occupier or person that has the amended by
Nos 27/2019
management or control of the land who is ss 12−30,
served with it; and 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(b) each subsequent owner, occupier or person s. 26).
with the management or control of the land
for the time being, as if each such person had
been served with the site management order
on becoming the owner, occupier or person
with the management or control of the land.
(2) A site management order is a statutory charge
within the meaning of the Transfer of Land
Act 1958, as if the Authority is the person who
benefits from the statutory charge.
(3) A site management order applies notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in—
(a) the Planning and Environment Act 1987 or
any regulations, planning scheme or permit
made, approved or granted under that Act;
and
(b) the Building Act 1993 or any regulations or
permit made or granted under that Act.
277 Application to vary or revoke site management S. 277
inserted by
order No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A person who is bound by a site management amended by
Nos 27/2019
order may apply to the Authority for the variation ss 12−30,
or revocation of the order on the following 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
grounds— s. 26).
(a) the measures specified in the order are not
reasonably practicable or proportionate to the
grounds specified in the order;
(b) long-term management of the site is no
longer necessary.

295
No. 51 of 2017
S. 277(2) (2) An application under subsection (1) must be

amended by accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any) for the
No. 36/2022
s. 54(1). application.
Note to Note
s. 277(2)
No. 36/2022
s. 54(2).
S. 277A 277A Notice and payment of additional application fee

inserted by
No. 36/2022
s. 55.
(1) The Authority may require a person making an
application under section 277 to pay a fee for the
application—
(3) The Authority must give a person who is required
to pay a fee under subsection (1) written notice
specifying the fee no later than 10 business days
after determining the application.
(4) A person to whom a notice of a fee is given under
subsection (3) must pay the fee specified in the
notice within 20 business days after issue of the
notice.

296
No. 51 of 2017
Part 10.5—Non-disturbance notices
Part 10.5—Non-disturbance notices Pt 10.5

(Heading and
s. 278)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
278 Power to issue a non-disturbance notice S. 278

inserted by
No. 39/2018
non-disturbance notice to a person who is or amended by
Nos 27/2019
appears to be the occupier for the time being of a ss 12−30,
place or premises if the Authority or the 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
authorised officer reasonably believes it is s. 26).
necessary to do so to facilitate the performance of
functions or exercise of powers under this Act in
relation to the place or premises.
(2) A non-disturbance notice may require a person
to—
(a) stop the use or movement of, or interference
with, any specified plant, equipment,
substance or other thing at the place or
premises; and
(b) prevent the disturbance of the specified
plant, equipment, substance or other thing or
a specified area of the place or premises
where the plant, equipment, substance or
other thing is located.
(3) A non-disturbance notice must specify the period
(of no more than 7 days) for which it applies and
set out—
(a) the obligations of the person to whom the
notice is issued; and
(b) the penalty for contravening the notice; and

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No. 51 of 2017
Part 10.5—Non-disturbance notices
(c) how the person may seek review of the issue

of the notice.
(4) The Authority or an authorised officer may issue
one or more subsequent non disturbance notices to
a person, whether before or after the expiry of the
previous notice, each of which must comply with
this section.

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No. 51 of 2017
Part 10.6—General matters relating to notices
Part 10.6—General matters relating to Pt 10.6

(Heading and
notices ss 279–282)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
279 Amendment of notices S. 279

inserted by
No. 39/2018
The Authority or an authorised officer may, by s. 7 (as
notice in writing given to the person to whom a amended by
Nos 27/2019
notice under Part 10.2 or 10.3 has been issued— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(a) extend the period during which the person 44, 47/2020
must comply with the notice if the Authority s. 26).
or authorised officer is satisfied that the
circumstances of the case justify an
extension of that period; and
(b) revoke or amend any requirement specified
in the notice.
280 Notification of notices S. 280
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The occupier of any place or premises to whom a s. 7 (as
notice or an order has been issued under this amended by
Nos 27/2019
Chapter and that is still in force must provide to ss 12−30,
any person who proposes to become the occupier 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
of that place or premises as to— s. 26).
(a) a copy of the notice or order; and
(b) details of the steps which have been taken
(if any) to comply with the notice or order.
(2) If a person becomes the occupier of any place or
premises and the previous occupier did not
comply with subsection (1), the current occupier
may, within 12 months of becoming the occupier,
recover from the previous occupier in a court of
competent jurisdiction any reasonable costs
incurred in complying with any requirements

299
No. 51 of 2017
Part 10.6—General matters relating to notices
contained in a notice or an order issued to the

previous occupier that were not complied with.
S. 281 281 Proceedings for offences not affected by notices
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
The issue, variation or cancellation of a notice or
amended by an order under this Chapter does not affect any
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
proceedings for an offence against this Act or the
3/2020 ss 42– regulations in connection with any matter in
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
respect of which the notice or order was issued.
S. 282 282 Continuing effect of notices and conditions
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A notice or an order issued under this Act that
amended by specifies a time by which, or period within which,
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
the notice or order, or a condition of the notice or
3/2020 ss 42– order, must be complied with continues to have
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
effect until the notice, order or condition is
complied with even though the time has passed or
the period has expired.
(2) A notice or an order that does not specify a time
by which, or period within which, the notice or
order must be complied with continues to have
effect until the notice or order is complied with.
(3) This section does not apply to the extent that any
requirement under a notice or an order is revoked.
(4) Nothing in this section affects the powers of the
Authority with respect to the enforcement of a
notice or an order.

300
No. 51 of 2017
Part 10.7—Redirection of corporate obligations
Part 10.7—Redirection of corporate Pt 10.7

(Heading and
obligations ss 283–285)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
283 Redirection of obligations of related or associated S. 283

inserted by
entities No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Authority may by notice in writing direct a amended by
Nos 27/2019
body corporate to comply, subject to any ss 12−30,
modification specified by the Authority, with a 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
specified environmental action notice or site s. 26).
management order issued to a related entity or
associated entity over which the body corporate
had control (within the meaning of the
Corporations Act) at the time the notice or order
was issued if—
(a) the entity—
(i) is being or has been wound up within
the 2-year period before the direction is
made; or
(ii) has failed to comply with the
environmental action notice or site
management order; and
(b) the Authority is satisfied that the body
corporate or an officer of the body
corporate—
(i) knew or ought reasonably to have
known of the circumstances that
resulted in the issuing of the

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No. 51 of 2017
(ii) was in a position to influence the entity

in relation to its compliance with the
(iii) in the case of a failure to comply with
an environmental notice or site
management order, failed to exercise
due diligence to ensure that the entity
complied with the environmental action
notice or site management order.
(2) If the Authority gives a direction under subsection
(1) to a body corporate that is a corporation within
the meaning of section 57A of the Corporations
Act, the body corporate must comply with the
environmental action notice or site management
order, subject to any modification by the
Authority.
S. 284 284 Redirection of obligations to officers
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Authority may by notice in writing direct a
amended by person to comply, subject to any modification
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
specified by the Authority, with a specified
3/2020 ss 42– environmental action notice or site management
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
order issued to a body corporate if—
(a) the body corporate—
made; or
(ii) has failed to comply with the
(b) the Authority is satisfied that—
(i) the person was an officer of the body
corporate at the time the direction was
issued; and

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(ii) the person knew or ought reasonably to

have known of the circumstances that
resulted in the issuing of the
(iii) the person was in a position to
influence the body corporate in relation
to its compliance with the
(iv) in the case of a failure to comply with
an environmental notice or site
management order, the person failed to
exercise due diligence to ensure that the
body corporate complied with the
(v) it would not be oppressive, unjust or
unreasonable for the Authority to give
the direction.
(1) to a person, the person must comply with the
environmental action notice or site management
order, subject to any specified modification.
285 Redirection of obligations in case of transfer of land S. 285
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority may by notice in writing direct a s. 7 (as
body corporate to comply, subject to any amended by
Nos 27/2019
modification specified by the Authority, with a ss 12−30,
specified site management order issued to a 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
related entity or associated entity if— s. 26).
(a) the body corporate transfers to the entity any
land in relation to which the site
management order requires an action to be
taken within the 2-year period before the
direction is made; and

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(b) the entity—

made; or
(ii) has failed to comply with the site
(c) the Authority is satisfied that the body
corporate or an officer of the body corporate
knew or ought reasonably to have known—
(i) of the circumstances that resulted in the
issuing of the site management order;
and
(ii) that the entity was likely to be wound
up, or was likely to fail to comply with
the site management order.
(1) to a body corporate, the body corporate must
comply with the site management order, subject to
any specified modification.

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Part 10.8—Offences relating to notices and orders
Part 10.8—Offences relating to notices and Pt 10.8

(Heading and
orders ss 286–293)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
286 Non-compliance with improvement notice S. 286

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) Subject to section 288, a person to whom an s. 7 (as
improvement notice is issued must not, without amended by
Nos 27/2019
reasonable excuse, fail to comply with that notice. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
Penalty: In the case of a natural person, 44, 47/2020

2500 penalty units.
Note
offence.
Note
287 Non-compliance with prohibition notice S. 287
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) Subject to section 288, a person to whom a s. 7 (as
prohibition notice is issued must not, without amended by
Nos 27/2019
reasonable excuse, fail to comply with that notice. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
Penalty: In the case of a natural person, 44, 47/2020

2500 penalty units.

305
No. 51 of 2017
Note
offence.
Note
S. 288 288 Failure to report
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
If an improvement notice or a prohibition notice
amended by requires the person to whom it is issued to report
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
to the Authority on a specified matter, the person
3/2020 ss 42– must not fail to comply with that requirement.
44, 47/2020
s. 26). Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.
S. 289 289 Non-compliance with notice to investigate
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person to whom a
amended by notice to investigate is issued must not, without
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
reasonable excuse, fail to comply with that notice.
3/2020 ss 42–
600 penalty units.
Note

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No. 51 of 2017
(2) A person to whom a notice to investigate is issued

must not fail to comply with any reporting
requirement specified in that notice.
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.
290 Non-compliance with environmental action notice S. 290
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) Subject to subsection (3), a person to whom an s. 7 (as
environmental action notice is issued must not, amended by
Nos 27/2019
without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with ss 12−30,
that notice. 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
Penalty: In the case of a natural person, s. 26).
500 penalty units;
2500 penalty units.
Note
offence.
Note
(3) A person to whom an environmental action notice
is issued must not fail to comply with any
reporting requirement specified in that notice.
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.

307
No. 51 of 2017
S. 291 291 Reasonable excuse where entry refused

inserted by
No. 39/2018 It is a reasonable excuse to an offence under
s. 7 (as section 289 or 290 if entry to land was necessary
amended by
Nos 27/2019 for the person to comply with the notice and the
ss 12−30, occupier of the land refused the person entry.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 292 292 Non-compliance with site management order

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who is bound
amended by by a site management order must not, without
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
reasonable excuse, fail to comply with that order.
3/2020 ss 42–
2500 penalty units.
Note
(2) A person who is bound by a site management
order must not fail to comply with any reporting
requirement specified in that order.
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.
offence.
Note

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293 Non-compliance with non-disturbance notice S. 293

inserted by
(1) A person to whom a non-disturbance notice has No. 39/2018
been issued must not, without reasonable excuse, s. 7 (as
amended by
fail to comply with the notice. Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
Penalty: In the case of a natural person, 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
2500 penalty units.
Note
offence.
Note

309
No. 51 of 2017
Part 10.9—Clean up and cost recovery powers
Pt 10.9
(Headings
Part 10.9—Clean up and cost recovery
and ss 294–
298)
powers
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
Division 1—Clean up powers
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 294 294 Circumstances in which Authority may exercise
inserted by
No. 39/2018 clean up powers
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
Act, but subject to this Division, if the Authority
3/2020 ss 42– considers that there is an immediate or serious risk
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
arising from pollution, waste or contaminated
land, the Authority may take any action that the
Authority considers necessary to eliminate or
reduce that risk, including, but not limited to,
conducting a clean up or causing a clean up to be
conducted.
(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Act, but subject to this Division, if—
(a) the Authority determines it has grounds to
make a claim on a financial assurance under
section 227(1)(a); and
(b) the Authority gives notice to the person who
provided the assurance in accordance with
section 295; and
(c) the person fails to complete the required
activities within the time set out in
section 295—
the Authority may take any action the Authority
considers necessary to conduct the clean up
activities required by this Act or the regulations,

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including, but not limited to, conducting a clean

up or causing a clean up to be conducted.
295 Authority to give notice of intention to exercise clean S. 295
inserted by
up powers in case of financial assurance No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
Before the Authority takes action under section amended by
Nos 27/2019
294(2), the Authority must give the person who ss 12−30,
provided the financial assurance a written notice 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
stating that— s. 26).
(a) the person has 20 business days (or such
greater period as specified in the notice) to
undertake certain clean up activities required
by this Act or the regulations; and
(b) if the person does not complete the required
activities within the time stated in the notice,
that the Authority will take action under this
Division and may make a claim on the
financial assurance for the reasonable costs
of so doing.
296 Matters relating to Authority entering land S. 296
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) This section applies if the Authority takes action s. 7 (as
under this Division. amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) The Authority may authorise a person and any ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
person assisting that person to enter any land and 44, 47/2020
do anything that in the Authority's opinion is s. 26).
necessary for the purpose of taking an action
under this Division.
(3) If it is necessary for an authorised person or a
person assisting an authorised person to enter land
under subsection (2), the Authority must, except
in a case of emergency—
(a) if the land is private land, give reasonable
notice of the entry to the owner and the
occupier of the land; and

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(b) if the land is Crown land, give reasonable

notice of the entry to the Crown land
Minister; and
(c) ensure that the person enters the land at a
reasonable time; and
(d) if the land is used only for residential
purposes, obtain, or take all reasonable steps
to obtain, the consent of the occupier of the
land.
Division 2—Cost recovery powers

S. 297 297 Cost recovery powers
inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) The Authority may recover in any court of
s. 7 (as competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the
amended by
Nos 27/2019 Authority any reasonable costs incurred by the
ss 12−30, Authority in, or incidental to, taking any of the
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 following actions—
s. 26).
(a) any action under Division 1;
(b) issuing—
(i) an improvement notice under Part 10.2;
or
(ii) a prohibition notice under Part 10.2; or
(iii) an environmental action notice under
Part 10.3; or
(iv) a site management order under
Part 10.4;
(c) any action taken in connection with
monitoring or enforcing compliance with a
notice or order referred to in paragraph (b);
(d) any prescribed action.

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(2) The Authority may recover reasonable costs under

this section from any of the following persons—
(a) the person who the Authority reasonably
believes caused the circumstances that
required the action to be taken (the relevant
circumstances);
(b) the owner or occupier of the place or
premises at which the relevant circumstances
exist;
(c) a previous owner or occupier of the place or
premises at which the relevant circumstances
exist, at the time the relevant circumstances
first came into being;
(d) a person issued with a notice or order
referred to in subsection (1)(b).
(3) For the purposes of this Division, reasonable costs
includes but is not limited to the following costs,
determined on such basis as the Authority
considers appropriate and incurred as a result of or
apportionable to any action taken by the Authority
referred to in subsection (1)—
(a) labour, administrative and overhead costs;
(b) legal costs, equipment costs and fees paid.
(4) Any costs recovered under this Division are to be
(5) This section applies despite anything to the S. 297(5)
inserted by
contrary in Chapter 5 of the Corporations Act. No. 36/2022
s. 56.
297A Displacement of other laws S. 297A

inserted by
No. 36/2022
The provisions of section 297 are declared to be s. 57.
Corporations legislation displacement provisions
for the purposes of section 5G of the Corporations
Act in relation to the provisions of Chapter 5 of
that Act.

313
No. 51 of 2017
Note
Section 5G of the Corporations Act provides that if a State law
declares a provision of a State law to be a Corporations legislation
displacement provision for the purposes of that section, any
provision of the Corporations legislation with which the State
provision would otherwise be inconsistent does not operate to the
extent necessary to avoid the inconsistency.
S. 298 298 Unrecovered costs can become charge on property
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) If the Authority cannot recover costs under this
amended by Division from an owner or occupier of a place or
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
premises, the costs become a charge on the
3/2020 ss 42– property of the occupier or the land of which the
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
place or premises forms part (as the case may be)
after an advertisement under subsection (2) has
been published.
(2) The advertisement must specify—
(a) the purpose of the advertisement and the
section of this Act under which it is made;
and
(b) the amount in respect of which the charge is
to be imposed; and
(c) if the property charged is land, the land on
which the charge is to be imposed.
(3) The Authority must publish the advertisement
by—
(a) if the property charged is land, displaying a
copy of the advertisement on the land (if this
is possible); and
(b) publishing the advertisement on the Internet
site of the Authority; and
(c) publishing the advertisement in at least one
other manner that the Authority considers
appropriate.

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(4) If the property charged is land, the Authority may

lodge with the Registrar of Titles a notice in
accordance with section 106B of the Transfer of
Land Act 1958.
Note
Section 106B of the Transfer of Land Act 1958 provides
for the manner of lodging a notice of a statutory charge.
(5) The Registrar of Titles must make in the Register
a recording of a notice lodged under this section.
(6) Despite subsection (1), if the property charged is
land, the charge does not take effect until the
Registrar of Titles makes a recording of the
charge in the Register.
(7) If—
(a) a charge on land under this section has
existed for at least 12 months; and
(b) an amount is still owing under the charge—
the Authority may serve a notice of intention to
sell the land.
(a) be in writing; and
(b) be—
(i) displayed on the land (if this is
possible); and
(ii) published on the Internet site of the
Authority; and
(iii) published in at least one other manner
that the Authority considers
appropriate—
not less than one month before the intended
sale.

315
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(9) If the land to be sold is not under the Transfer of

Land Act 1958, it must be brought under that Act
before it is sold.
(10) Section 77 of the Transfer of Land Act 1958
applies to the sale as if—
(a) the charge were a registered first mortgage
registered in priority to other registered
encumbrances; and
(b) the Authority were a mortgagee under that
mortgage; and
(c) the owner of the land were a mortgagor
under that mortgage; and
(d) the requirement relating to the giving of
notice were deleted; and
(e) subsection (3)(d) of that section of that Act
were deleted.
(11) If there is any amount left over from a sale of
property after the Authority has deducted its
charge and any costs associated with realising the
charge, and the owner of the property cannot be
found, the Authority must pay the amount to the
Registrar of Unclaimed Money appointed under
section 4 of the Unclaimed Money Act 2008.
(12) Any money recovered by the Authority under a
charge under this Division is to be paid into the
Consolidated Fund.

316
No. 51 of 2017
Chapter 11—Enforcement and proceedings Ch. 11

(Headings
and ss 299–
354)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
Pt 11.1
s. 299)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

inserted by
No. 39/2018
Chapter. amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) Part 11.2 provides for the acceptance by the ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
Authority of enforceable undertakings. 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(3) Part 11.3 provides for the issue of infringement
notices under this Act.
(4) Part 11.4 details civil remedies that are available
to the Authority and eligible persons.
(5) Part 11.5 provides for the Authority to apply to
the Court for a civil penalty order in relation to
contravention of a civil penalty provision.
(6) Part 11.6 details the powers of Courts under this
Act including the power to make various
sentencing orders.

317
No. 51 of 2017
(7) Part 11.7 sets out evidentiary and related

enforcement provisions.
(8) Part 11.8 provides for the liability of officers of
corporations and the liability of corporations in
relation to the conduct of its employees, agents or
officers.
(9) Part 11.9 sets out a general defence that applies to
offences against, and contraventions of, provisions
throughout this Act.

318
No. 51 of 2017
Part 11.2—Enforceable undertakings
Part 11.2—Enforceable undertakings Pt 11.2

(Heading and
ss 300–306)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
300 Authority may accept enforceable undertaking S. 300

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority may accept an enforceable s. 7 (as
undertaking from a person in connection with— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) any matter the Authority has a function in ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
relation to by operation of this Act or the 44, 47/2020
regulations, or any other Act or the s. 26).
regulations made under any other Act; or
(b) any matter the Authority has a power over by
operation of this Act or the regulations, or
any other Act or the regulations made under
any other Act.
(2) An enforceable undertaking accepted by the
Authority under subsection (1) must be in writing
and signed by the Authority and the person
offering the undertaking.
(3) A person may withdraw or vary an enforceable
undertaking accepted by the Authority under
subsection (1) with the consent of the Authority.
301 Enforcement S. 301
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority may apply to the Court for an s. 7 (as
enforcement order under subsection (2) if the amended by
Nos 27/2019
Authority considers that a person has breached an ss 12−30,
enforceable undertaking. 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) If the Court is satisfied a person has breached an s. 26).
enforceable undertaking, the Court may make any
of the following orders—

319
No. 51 of 2017
(a) an order directing the person to comply with

the enforceable undertaking;
(b) an order that the person take any specified
action for the purpose of complying with the
enforceable undertaking;
(c) an order that the person take any specified
action to minimise risks of harm to human
health or the environment resulting from the
breach of the enforceable undertaking;
(d) an order that the person pay an amount in
compensation to the Authority for any costs
reasonably incurred by the Authority in
taking any action to minimise risks of harm
to human health or the environment resulting
from the breach of the enforceable
undertaking;
(e) an order that the person pay an amount in
compensation to any other person who has
suffered loss or damage as a result of the
breach;
(f) an order that the person pay an amount
pursuant to a monetary benefits order;
(g) an order revoking the enforceable
undertaking;
(h) any other order that the Court considers
appropriate in the circumstances.
S. 302 302 Authority may take specified actions
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) If a person fails to comply with an order to take
amended by specified actions made under section 301(2), the
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
Authority may take the specified actions.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

320
No. 51 of 2017
(2) The Authority must not take any specified actions

under subsection (1) unless—
(a) the Authority gives the person written notice
advising that the Authority intends to take
the specified actions; and
(b) the Authority invites the person to provide
the following within a specified period,
being 10 business days after the day the
notice is given—
(i) proof that satisfies the Authority that
the person has taken the specified
actions;
(ii) such reasons that satisfy the Authority
that the person will carry out the
specified actions within a period
specified by the Authority as acceptable
for carrying out the specified actions;
and
(c) the person given the notice fails to—
(i) carry out the specified actions within
10 business days after the day the
notice is given or the final day of the
period specified by the Authority as
acceptable for carrying out the
specified actions (whichever is the
later); or
(ii) give the Authority a response satisfying
the Authority that the person will carry
out the specified actions within
10 business days after the day the
notice is given or the final day of the
period specified by the Authority as
acceptable for carrying out the
specified actions (whichever is the
later).

321
No. 51 of 2017
(3) In taking any action under subsection (1), the

Authority—
(a) may do any thing that is necessary or
expedient to carry out any action that
remains to be done under the order and that
is still practicable; and
(b) may publicise the failure of the person to
comply with the order.
(4) The Authority may recover any cost reasonably
incurred in taking specified actions under this
section as a debt due and payable by the person
against whom the order was made under
section 301(2).
S. 303 303 No criminal proceedings while enforceable
inserted by
No. 39/2018 undertaking in force
s. 7 (as
amended by If the Authority accepts an enforceable
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
undertaking in relation to a contravention or
3/2020 ss 42– alleged contravention of this Act or the
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
regulations, or any other Act or the regulations
made under any other Act, while the enforceable
undertaking is in force, the Authority must not
commence criminal proceedings for an offence
that is constituted by the contravention or alleged
contravention that the undertaking is given in
relation to.
S. 304 304 Proceedings following withdrawal of enforceable
inserted by
No. 39/2018 undertaking
s. 7 (as
amended by If the Authority accepts an enforceable
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
undertaking in relation to a contravention or
3/2020 ss 42– alleged contravention of this Act or the
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
regulations, or any other Act or the regulations
made under any other Act and the person
withdraws the enforceable undertaking before the
Authority is satisfied the enforceable undertaking
has been complied with, the Authority may
commence proceedings for any offence that is

322
No. 51 of 2017
constituted by the contravention or alleged

relation to.
305 No further proceedings if enforceable undertaking is S. 305
inserted by
complied with No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
If the Authority accepts an enforceable amended by
Nos 27/2019
undertaking in relation to a contravention or ss 12−30,
alleged contravention of this Act or the 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
regulations, or any other Act or the regulations s. 26).
made under any other Act and the Authority is
satisfied the enforceable undertaking has been
complied with, the Authority must not commence
criminal proceedings for an offence that is
constituted by the contravention or alleged
relation to.
306 Contempt of court S. 306
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) Nothing in section 302 prevents the s. 7 (as
commencement or continuation of contempt of amended by
Nos 27/2019
court proceedings against a person who fails to ss 12−30,
comply with an order under section 301(2). 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(2) If a person is found in contempt of court for s. 26).
failing to comply with an order under section
301(2), the Authority—
(a) may do any thing that is necessary or
remains to be done under the order and that
is still practicable; and
(3) The Authority may recover any costs reasonably
incurred in taking a specified action under this
section as a debt due and payable by the person
against whom the order was made under
section 301(2).

323
No. 51 of 2017
Part 11.3—Infringement notices
Pt 11.3
(Heading and
s. 307)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 307 307 Infringement notices

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) A prosecution officer may serve an infringement
amended by notice on a person who the prosecution officer
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
reasonably believes has committed a prescribed
3/2020 ss 42– offence or an offence against section 64.
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (2) An offence referred to in subsection (1) for which
an infringement notice may be served is an
infringement offence within the meaning of the
Infringements Act 2006.
(3) The infringement penalty for an offence referred
to in subsection (1) is the prescribed infringement
penalty in respect of that offence.
(4) In this section, prosecution officer means—
(a) in relation to an infringement offence other
than an offence that relates to noise from
residential premises, a person appointed
under section 347 to take proceedings for
offences against this Act or the regulations;
or
(b) in relation to an infringement offence under
section 167(1) or 175(4), a residential noise
enforcement officer or a police officer; or
(c) in relation to an offence under section
172(6), a residential noise enforcement
officer; or
(d) in relation to an infringement offence under
section 169(3), a police officer; or

324
No. 51 of 2017
(e) in relation to an infringement offence under

Part 6.3, a litter enforcement officer; or
(f) in relation to an offence against section 64,
the Authority or an authorised officer.

325
No. 51 of 2017
Part 11.4—Civil remedies
Pt 11.4
(Heading and
ss 308–313)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 308 308 Eligible persons

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) In this Part—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 eligible person, in relation to an application under
ss 12−30, this Part, means a person—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) whose interests are affected by the
s. 26).
contravention or non-compliance in
relation to which the application is
made; or
(b) who has the leave of the Court to make
the application.
(2) The Court must not give a person leave to make
an application for the purposes of subsection
(1)(b) unless the Court is satisfied that—
(a) the application would be in the public
interest; and
(b) the person has requested in writing that the
Authority take enforcement action or
compliance action in relation to the
contravention or non-compliance; and
(c) the Authority has not, within a reasonable
time after receiving that request, taken
enforcement action or compliance action.

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No. 51 of 2017
(3) An eligible person must not apply to the Court for

an order under this Part before the day that is the
anniversary of the day on which the Environment
Protection Act 1970 is repealed.
(4) Nothing in this Part prevents or limits an eligible
person from applying for any injunction or order
under any other Act or law.
309 Court orders S. 309
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) On an application by the Authority or an eligible s. 7 (as
person, a Court may make an order restraining a amended by
Nos 27/2019
person from engaging in specified conduct or ss 12−30,
requiring a person to take any specific action, in 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
such terms as the Court considers appropriate, if s. 26).
the Court is satisfied that a person—
(a) is not complying or has not complied with a
permission issued or granted under this Act;
or
(b) is contravening or has contravened any other
requirement or duty imposed on the person
by or under this Act.
(a) require a person to do a specified act or thing
that the Court considers reasonably
necessary to prevent, minimise or remedy the
contravention or non-compliance; or
(b) require a person to provide a financial
assurance as a condition for engaging in
specified conduct.
(3) The Authority or an eligible person may apply for
an order under subsection (1) whether or not
proceedings have been taken for—
(a) an offence against this Act or the regulations;
or

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No. 51 of 2017
(b) a contravention of a civil penalty provision

under this Act.
(4) The power of a Court to grant an order under
subsection (1) may be exercised whether or not
the contravention or non-compliance—
(a) is likely to result in harm to any person or
the environment; or
(b) is likely to result in an infringement of the
rights of any person.
(5) An application for an order under subsection (1)
may be made ex parte.
S. 310 310 Interim orders
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) On the application of the Authority or an eligible
amended by person, a Court may make an interim order, in
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
such terms as the Court considers appropriate,
3/2020 ss 42– pending the determination of an application under
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
section 309.
(2) An application for an interim order under
subsection (1) may be made ex parte.
(3) If the Court has determined to grant an interim
order under subsection (1), the Court must not, as
a condition of granting the interim order, require
the Authority to give any undertaking as to
damages or costs.
S. 311 311 Consent orders
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
The Court may make an order under section 309
amended by restraining a person from engaging in specified
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
conduct or requiring a person to take any specific
3/2020 ss 42– action whether or not the Court is satisfied that the
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
person has engaged, or is proposing to engage, in
conduct that constitutes or would constitute a
contravention or non-compliance as required by
section 309 if all parties to the proceeding consent
to the making of the order.

328
No. 51 of 2017
312 Ancillary orders S. 312

inserted by
On making an order under section 309, 310 or No. 39/2018
311, the Court may make any ancillary order it s. 7 (as
amended by
considers appropriate to enable the order to be Nos 27/2019
given effect. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
313 Compensation orders S. 313

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) In any proceedings for an offence against, or a s. 7 (as
contravention of, this Act or the regulations amended by
Nos 27/2019
(including an application under section 309), a ss 12−30,
Court may make a compensation order if the 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
Court finds that— s. 26).
(a) the person against whom the proceedings
were taken has contravened a provision of
this Act or the regulations or a condition of a
permission or notice issued or granted under
this Act; and
(b) the Authority or another person (the injured
person) has suffered or may suffer injury,
loss or damage as a result of the
contravention.
that subsection may require the person against
whom the proceedings are brought to pay
compensation to the Authority or the injured
person for—
(a) any injury, loss or damage suffered by the
Authority or the injured person as a result of
the contravention; or
(b) any costs reasonably incurred by the
Authority or the injured person in the course
of taking action to prevent, minimise or
remedy any injury, loss or damage suffered

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No. 51 of 2017
by the Authority or the injured person as a

result of the contravention; or
(c) any costs reasonably incurred by the
Authority in the course of taking action to
prevent, minimise or remedy any harm to
human health or the environment caused by
the contravention.

330
No. 51 of 2017
Part 11.5—Civil penalties
Part 11.5—Civil penalties Pt 11.5

(Heading and
ss 314–326)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
314 Civil penalty provision S. 314

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A provision of this Act that is set out in the table s. 7 (as
to subsection (3) is a civil penalty provision. amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) Subject to this Part, the Authority may (in addition ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
or as an alternative to, a criminal proceeding or an 44, 47/2020
order under Division 2 of Part 11.6) apply to a s. 26).
Court for a civil penalty order in relation to a
contravention of a civil penalty provision set out
in column 2 of an item of the table to subsection
(3).
(3) The Court may only make a civil penalty order or
an order under Division 2 of Part 11.6 in relation
to a person's contravention of a civil penalty
provision referred to in item 1 or 3 of the table if
the person—
(a) contravenes that civil penalty provision in
the course of conducting a business or an
undertaking; or
(b) is an officer of a body corporate who
contravenes that civil penalty provision in
the course of conducting a business or an
undertaking and the person contravenes the
civil penalty provision as a result of
Part 11.8.

331
No. 51 of 2017
Table
Maximum Maximum
penalty for penalty for
contravention by contravention by
Item Civil penalty provision a natural person a body corporate
1. Section 25(1) 2000 penalty 10 000 penalty
(Breach of general units units
environmental duty)
2. Section 28(1) (Breach 2000 penalty 10 000 penalty
of duty not to engage units units
in conduct that results
in material harm)
3. Section 32(2) (Failure 240 penalty units 1200 penalty
to notify Authority of units
notifiable incident)
4. Section 40(1) (Failure 120 penalty units 600 penalty units
of person in
management or control
to notify the Authority
of notifiable
contamination)
(Engaging in a units units
specified activity
without a development
licence)
prescribed operating
activity without an
operating licence)
7. Section 46(1) 1000 penalty 5000 penalty
prescribed permit
activity without a
permit)
8. Section 47(1) 500 penalty units 2500 penalty
(Engaging in a units
prescribed registration
activity without a
registration)
9. Section 63(1) (Breach 2000 penalty 10 000 penalty
of condition of units units
licence)

332
No. 51 of 2017
Maximum Maximum
10. Section 63(2) (Breach 1000 penalty 5000 penalty
of condition of permit) units units
11. Section 63(3) (Breach 500 penalty units 2500 penalty
of condition of a units
registration)
(Prohibited person units.
engaging in an activity
prescribed for the
purposes of section 88)
(Unlawful deposit of units units
industrial waste)
(Deposit of industrial units units
waste without consent
of holder of
permission or
occupier)
15. Section 134(1) 2 000 penalty 10 000 penalty
(Unlawful receipt of units units
industrial waste)
16. Section 135(2) 2 000 penalty 10 000 penalty
(Failure by person in units units
of industrial waste to
take reasonable steps
in relation to
transporting industrial
waste)
(Provision of false or units
misleading
information in
connection with
industrial waste)
18. Section 139(1) 120 penalty units 600 penalty units
(Failure to classify
priority waste by
person in management
or control)

333
No. 51 of 2017
Maximum Maximum
(Failure by person in
to take reasonable
steps in relation to
priority waste)
(Failure to record or units
provide the prescribed
transaction details in
connection with
reportable priority
waste)
(Improper transport of units
reportable priority
waste)
(Failure to comply units
with order relating to
environmentally
hazardous substances)
23. Section 168 (Emit or 500 penalty units 2500 penalty
permit noise that is units
prescribed to be
aggravated noise)
24. Section 215(1) 500 penalty units
(Environmental
auditor issuing false or
misleading preliminary
risk screen assessment
statement or
environmental audit
statement)
25. Section 216(1) 500 penalty units
(Failure of
environmental auditor
to notify the Authority
of imminent state of
danger)

334
No. 51 of 2017
Maximum Maximum
with improvement
notice)
with prohibition
notice)
(Failure to comply
with notice to
investigate)
with environmental
action notice)
with site management
order)
with non-disturbance
notice)
(Providing false or units
misleading
information or a
document or conceal
information or a
document)
315 Civil penalty orders S. 315

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Court may make one or more of the following s. 7 (as
orders in relation to a person who has contravened amended by
Nos 27/2019
a civil penalty provision— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(a) an order that the person pay a pecuniary 44, 47/2020
penalty of not more than the maximum s. 26).
penalty referred to in column 3 or 4 of the

335
No. 51 of 2017
item of the table in section 314 in respect of

the civil penalty provision;
(b) any other order that the Court considers
appropriate.
(2) For the purposes of determining the amount of a
civil penalty order under this Part, the Court may
have regard to any relevant matter including, but
not limited to the following—
(a) the nature and extent of the conduct
constituting the contravention;
(b) the nature and extent of any loss or damage
suffered as a result of the conduct including
the cost of remedying any harm;
(c) the circumstances in which the contravention
took place;
(d) whether the person who contravenes a civil
penalty provision had previously
contravened a civil penalty provision;
(e) any enforceable undertaking that is accepted
by the Authority in relation to the conduct.
(3) Nothing in this section is to be construed as
limiting any other power of the Court.
(4) Proceedings under this provision are civil
proceedings for all purposes.
S. 316 316 Persons involved in contravening civil penalty
inserted by
No. 39/2018 provision
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) A person must not—
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30, (a) attempt to contravene a civil penalty
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 provision; or
s. 26).
(b) aid, abet, counsel or procure a contravention
of a civil penalty provision; or
(c) induce (by threats, promises or otherwise) a
contravention of a civil penalty provision; or

336
No. 51 of 2017
(d) be in any way directly or indirectly

knowingly concerned in, or party to, a
contravention of a civil penalty provision; or
(e) conspire to contravene a civil penalty
provision.
(2) This Act applies to a person who contravenes
subsection (1) in relation to a civil penalty
provision as if the person had contravened the
provision.
317 Further orders for contravening civil penalty S. 317
inserted by
provision No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
The Court may make an order under Division 2 of amended by
Nos 27/2019
Part 11.6 against a person for conduct that is the ss 12−30,
same, or substantially the same, as conduct that 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
may constitute the contravention of a civil penalty s. 26).
provision regardless of whether the Court has
previously made a civil penalty order against the
person in relation to the contravention.
318 Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings S. 318
inserted by
No. 39/2018
The Court must not make a civil penalty order s. 7 (as
against a person if the person who contravened a amended by
Nos 27/2019
civil penalty provision has been convicted of an ss 12−30,
offence constituted by conduct that is the same, or 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
substantially the same, as the conduct alleged to s. 26).
constitute the contravention.
319 Criminal proceeding during proceeding for a civil S. 319
inserted by
penalty order No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Proceedings for a civil penalty order against a amended by
Nos 27/2019
person for the contravention of a civil penalty ss 12−30,
provision are stayed if— 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
(a) criminal proceedings are instituted or have s. 26).
already been instituted against the person for
an offence; and

337
No. 51 of 2017
(b) the offence is constituted by conduct that is

substantially the same as the conduct alleged
to constitute the contravention.
(2) If a person referred to in subsection (1)—
(a) is not convicted of the offence—the
proceedings for the civil penalty order may
be resumed; or
(b) is convicted of the offence—the proceedings
for the civil penalty order are dismissed.
S. 320 320 Criminal proceeding commenced after proceeding
inserted by
No. 39/2018 for civil penalty order
s. 7 (as
amended by Criminal proceedings may be instituted against a
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
person for conduct that is substantially the same
3/2020 ss 42– as conduct constituting the contravention of a civil
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
penalty provision regardless of whether a civil
penalty order has been made against the person.
S. 321 321 Evidence given or produced during proceeding for
inserted by
No. 39/2018 civil penalty order
s. 7 (as
amended by (1) Evidence of information given or evidence of
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
documents produced by an individual is not
3/2020 ss 42– admissible in criminal proceedings against the
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
person if—
(a) the person previously gave the evidence or
produced the documents in proceedings for a
civil penalty order against the person for a
contravention of a civil penalty provision
(whether or not the order was made); and
(b) the conduct alleged to constitute the offence
is substantially the same as the conduct that
was claimed to constitute the contravention.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to criminal
proceedings in respect of the falsity of the
evidence given by the person in the proceedings
for the civil penalty order.

338
No. 51 of 2017
322 Conduct contravening more than one civil penalty S. 322

provision inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) If a person contravenes 2 or more civil penalty s. 7 (as
amended by
provisions, a proceeding for a civil penalty order Nos 27/2019
may be commenced against the person in relation ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
to the contravention of any one or more of those 44, 47/2020
civil penalty provisions. s. 26).
(2) Despite subsection (1), a person is not liable to

pay more than one civil penalty in relation to the
same conduct.
323 Multiple contraventions of civil penalty provisions S. 323
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Court may order that s. 7 (as
a person pay a single civil penalty for multiple amended by
Nos 27/2019
contraventions of a civil penalty provision if— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(a) the multiple contraventions are based on the 44, 47/2020
same facts; or s. 26).
(b) the multiple contraventions form, or are part

of, a series of contraventions of the same or a
similar nature.
(2) A single civil penalty ordered under subsection (1)
must not exceed the sum of the maximum
penalties that the Court may have ordered if
separate civil penalties were ordered for each of
the contraventions.
324 Multiple proceedings for civil penalty order to be S. 324
inserted by
heard together No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
The Court may direct that 2 or more proceedings amended by
Nos 27/2019
for a civil penalty order are to be heard together. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

339
No. 51 of 2017
S. 325 325 Jurisdictional limit of Magistrates' Court does not

inserted by apply to civil penalty order
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as The jurisdictional limit for a civil proceeding
amended by
Nos 27/2019 specified under section 100(1) of the Magistrates'
ss 12−30, Court Act 1989 does not apply to a proceeding
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 for a civil penalty order under this Part.
s. 26).
S. 326 326 Recovery of a pecuniary penalty

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
If the Court orders a person to pay a civil penalty
amended by for the contravention of a civil penalty provision,
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
the order is enforceable as a judgment debt.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

340
No. 51 of 2017
Part 11.6—Powers of Courts
Part 11.6—Powers of Courts Pt 11.6

(Headings
and ss 327–
Division 1—Application of Part 11.6 336)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
327 Application of Part 11.6 S. 327

inserted by
No. 39/2018
This Part applies if, in civil or criminal s. 7 (as
proceedings— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) a person is convicted or found guilty of an ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
offence against this Act or the regulations; or 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(b) a person is found to have contravened a civil
penalty provision.
Division 2—Orders
328 General S. 328
inserted by
(1) The Court may make an order under this Division No. 39/2018
in addition to, or instead of, any other penalty that s. 7 (as
amended by
the Court may impose on the person under this Nos 27/2019
Act. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
Note 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
See section 313 for the Court's power to make a
compensation order.
(2) The amount of money that the Court may order a
person to pay under this Division is not limited
by—
(a) any penalty that may be imposed under this
Act; or
(b) the jurisdictional limit for a civil proceeding
specified under section 100(1) of the
Magistrates' Court Act 1989.

341
No. 51 of 2017
(3) The Court may make an order under this Division

on the application of the Authority or on its own
motion.
(4) In making an order, the Court may specify the
period within which specified actions must be
taken and may impose any other requirement that
the Court considers necessary or expedient to
make the order effective.
S. 329 329 Monetary benefit orders
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Court may order the person to pay an amount
amended by not exceeding the amount that the Court is
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
satisfied on the balance of probabilities represents
3/2020 ss 42– the amount of any monetary benefits acquired by
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
the person, or accrued or accruing to the person,
as a result of the commission of the offence or
contravention in relation to which the order is
made.
(2) When determining an amount that the person must
pay under an order under subsection (1), the Court
may take into account—
(a) the person's financial circumstances; and
(b) any amount submitted to the Court by the
Authority under subsection (3).
(3) The Authority may submit to the Court the
amount the Authority considers to be a reasonable
estimate of the amount of monetary benefits
acquired by the person, or accrued or accruing to
the person, as a result of the commission of the
offence or contravention in relation to which the
order under subsection (1) is sought, as
determined in accordance with—
(a) a prescribed guideline, method or protocol;
or
(b) any other method the Authority considers
appropriate.

342
No. 51 of 2017
(4) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Court may

assume that an amount represents the amount of
any monetary benefits acquired by a person, or
accrued or accruing to the person, as a result of
the commission of an offence or contravention
if—
(a) the Authority submits that amount to the
Court under subsection (3); and
(b) the Authority determined that amount in
accordance with a prescribed guideline,
method or protocol.
(5) Nothing in this section or an order made under
subsection (1) limits or otherwise affects the
operation of Part 8 of the Confiscation Act 1997.
(6) Any amount received as the payment of an order
made under subsection (1) must be paid into the
Consolidated Fund.
monetary benefits means monetary, financial or
economic benefits and includes any
monetary, financial or economic benefit the
person acquires or accrues by avoiding or
delaying the person's compliance with the
provision, condition or duty to which the
person's offence or contravention relates.
330 Adverse publicity orders S. 330
inserted by
No. 39/2018
The Court may order the person to do one or more s. 7 (as
of the following— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) take any specified action that the Court ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
considers reasonably necessary to 44, 47/2020
publicise— s. 26).
(i) the person's offence or contravention;

or

343
No. 51 of 2017
(ii) any impacts on human health or the

environment or other consequences
arising or resulting from the offence or
contravention; and
(iii) any penalties imposed, or other orders
made, as a result of the commission of
the offence or contravention; and
(iv) any additional information the Court
considers appropriate;
(b) take any specified action that the Court
considers reasonably necessary to notify a
specified person or class of person of the
matters listed in paragraph (a).
S. 331 331 General restoration and prevention orders
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) The Court may order the person to take any
amended by specified action that the Court considers
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
reasonably necessary—
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (a) to prevent, minimise or remedy any harm
s. 26). caused by the offence or contravention; or
(b) to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm
caused by the offence or contravention; or
(c) to prevent any continuation or recurrence of
the offence or contravention.
that subsection may require the person to do one
or more of the following—
(a) establish an education and training program,
or compliance program, for the person's
employees or other persons involved in the
person's business or undertaking in relation
to the offence or contravention;
(b) revise the internal operations of the person's
business or undertaking that led to the
offence or contravention;

344
No. 51 of 2017
(c) provide a financial assurance as a condition

for engaging in specified conduct.
332 Restorative project orders S. 332
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Court may order the person to carry out a s. 7 (as
project for the restoration or enhancement of the amended by
Nos 27/2019
environment in a public place or for the public ss 12−30,
benefit, whether or not the project is related to the 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
offence or contravention. s. 26).
that subsection may require the person to pay an
amount of money, for the carrying out of a project
for the restoration or enhancement of the
environment in a public place or for the public
benefit, to—
(a) a specified person or organisation; or
(b) the Restorative Project Account.
333 Environmental audit orders S. 333
inserted by
No. 39/2018
The Court may order the person to engage an s. 7 (as
environmental auditor to conduct a preliminary amended by
Nos 27/2019
risk screen assessment or an environmental audit. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
Division 3—Enforcement of orders

334 Enforcement of orders S. 334
inserted by
(1) If a person is found in contempt of court for No. 39/2018
failing to comply with an order made under s. 7 (as
amended by
Division 2, the Authority— Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) may do anything that is necessary or 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
expedient to carry out any action that s. 26).
remains to be done under the order and that it
is still practicable to do; and

345
No. 51 of 2017

(2) If a person fails to comply with an order made
under section 330 or 333, the Authority may give
the person a written notice advising the person
that it intends to carry out specified actions that
remain to be done under the order unless the
person can, within 10 business days after being
given the notice, satisfy it that the person will
carry out those actions within a period of time
acceptable to the Authority.
(3) If a person who has been given notice under
subsection (2) fails to give the Authority a
satisfactory response within the 10 business days,
or fails to comply with any undertaking given to
the Authority in response to such a notice, the
Authority—
(a) may do anything that is necessary or
remains to be done under the order and that it
is still practicable to do; and
(4) Nothing in subsection (2) or (3) prevents contempt
of court proceedings from being started or
continued against a person who has failed to
comply with an order made under Division 2.
(5) The Authority may recover any cost it incurs in
taking action under subsection (1) or (3) as a debt
due and payable by the person against whom the
order was made.

346
No. 51 of 2017
Division 4—Impact statements

335 Court may consider impact statements S. 335
inserted by
(1) If the Court considers it appropriate for the person No. 39/2018
or organisation to do so, a person or an s. 7 (as
amended by
organisation may make a statement to the Court Nos 27/2019
for the purpose of assisting the Court in ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
determining— 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(a) the sentence for an offence against this Act
or the regulations; or
(b) the penalty for the contravention of a civil
penalty provision; or
(c) whether the Court should make an order
under this Act and, if so, the conditions that
should be imposed on the order.
(2) A statement made under subsection (1) may
include any information relevant to—
(a) the impact of the offence or contravention on
the environment; or
(b) the risk of harm to human health or the
environment caused by the offence or
contravention; or
(c) any injury, loss or damage caused by the
offence or contravention; or
(d) the impact of the offence or contravention on
any person, organisation or community
including, but not limited to, the impact on
any environmental value.
(3) Nothing in this section limits or otherwise affects
the ability of a person or body to make a victim
impact statement under the Sentencing Act 1991.

347
No. 51 of 2017
Division 5—Restorative justice processes

S. 336 336 Adjournment of proceedings for restorative justice
inserted by process
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as (1) A Court may at any time adjourn civil or criminal
amended by
Nos 27/2019 proceedings under this Act so that a restorative
ss 12−30, justice process may be conducted.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(2) The Court may adjourn proceedings under
subsection (1) of its own motion or on the
application of a party to the proceedings.
(3) A Court may consider the outcome of a restorative
justice process when making any determination
for the purposes of the proceedings including, but
not limited to—
(a) determining a sentence or penalty; or
(b) determining whether to make an order under
this Act or the conditions to be imposed on
such an order.
relevant parties means—
(a) the parties to the proceedings; and
(b) any person or body that all parties to
the proceedings agree may participate
in a restorative justice process,
including but not limited to the
following—
(i) any person or body affected by the
alleged offence or contravention;
(ii) any person or body that the parties
agree represents the interests of
the environment or any part of the
environment;

348
No. 51 of 2017
restorative justice process means any process by

which the relevant parties seek an agreed
resolution of a matter arising from the
alleged offence or contravention.

349
No. 51 of 2017
Part 11.7—Evidentiary and related enforcement provisions
Pt 11.7
(Heading and
Part 11.7—Evidentiary and related
ss 337–348)
inserted by
enforcement provisions
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
S. 337 337 Reports and certificates
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) An analyst who carries out an analysis may
amended by prepare and sign a certificate in writing of the
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
analysis.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (2) An authorised officer who, for the purposes of this
s. 26). Act or the regulations, does any of the following
things—
(a) takes a measurement, recording or sample;
(b) conducts an inspection, calculation or test;
(c) analyses recordings of noise emissions;
(d) inspects and evaluates the records of
monitoring equipment, or of other equipment
or installations—
may prepare and sign a report in writing about the
thing done.
(3) If an authorised officer inspects monitoring
equipment, or other equipment or installations, the
authorised officer may give a report in writing to
the Authority stating—
(a) the possible offences against this Act or the
regulations detected and recorded by the
equipment or installations; and
(b) the information supplied by the equipment or
installations, and the officer's evaluation of
that information.

350
No. 51 of 2017
(4) An authorised officer or a police officer who

observes or inspects a motor vehicle may sign a
report to the effect that—
(a) the motor vehicle did not comply with a
provision of this Act or the regulations; or
(b) the motor vehicle was used on a highway; or
(c) a specified person was the driver of the
motor vehicle.
(5) A police officer, or an officer authorised under
section 13 of the Road Safety Act 1986, who
stopped a motor vehicle being used on a highway
may sign a report to the effect that—
(a) the police officer or the officer lawfully
stopped the motor vehicle; and
(b) the motor vehicle was being used on a
highway.
338 Certificate concerning ownership of vehicle or vessel S. 338
inserted by
No. 39/2018
In proceedings against a registered owner of a s. 7 (as
vehicle or vessel, a certificate from— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) the Roads Corporation or the Director, ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
Transport Safety; or 44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(b) a corresponding person or body in the
Commonwealth or another State or a
Territory—
stating that a person was the registered owner of a
vehicle or vessel on a specified date is evidence
that that person was the registered owner of the
vehicle or vessel on that date.

351
No. 51 of 2017
S. 339 339 Certificate concerning litter offences

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) In proceedings under Part 6.3, a certificate given
s. 7 (as by a litter authority stating—
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) that a specified person is, or was on a
3/2020 ss 42– specified date, a litter enforcement officer; or
44, 47/2020
s. 26). (b) that land is, or was on a specified date, or
that waters are, or were on a specified date,
under the control or management of the litter
authority—
is evidence of that fact.
(2) All Courts and persons acting judicially—
(a) must take judicial notice of the signature or
seal of a litter authority affixed to the
certificate; and
(b) must, until the contrary is proved, presume
that the signature or seal was properly
affixed.
S. 340 340 Reports and certificates to be served with summons
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) This section applies if a person (the accused) is
amended by served with a summons to answer to a charge of
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
an offence against this Act or the regulations.
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 (2) A copy of a report or certificate under this Act
s. 26). that the prosecutor intends to use in the
proceedings for the offence must be served with
the summons.
(3) Service of a copy of a report or certificate with the
summons may be proved in any manner in which
service of the summons may be proved.
(4) If the accused does not give at least 7 days' notice
in writing before the hearing that the accused
requires the person giving the report or certificate
to be called as a witness, the report or certificate is
sufficient evidence of the facts stated in it.

352
No. 51 of 2017
341 Statement to be evidence of authority S. 341

inserted by
A statement in writing purporting to be signed by No. 39/2018
the Authority is prima facie evidence of the s. 7 (as
amended by
matters stated in it, if it is to the effect— Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
(a) that a specified person has been appointed by 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
the Authority— s. 26).
(i) as an authorised officer; or
(ii) as an analyst; or
(iii) to take proceedings for offences against
this Act or the regulations; or
(b) that a specified person was served with a
notice under this Act and failed to comply
with that notice; or
(c) that a specified person has not been
appointed by the Authority as an authorised
officer; or
(d) that an exemption has been granted, or one
or more conditions have been imposed, or
that a variation or revocation of a condition
or exemption has been made under this Act;
or
(e) that a permission of a specified kind was, or S. 341(e)
amended by
was not, issued or granted under this Act to a No. 36/2022
specified person; or s. 58.
(f) that no exemption of a specified kind has

been granted under this Act in favour of a
specified person; or
(g) that a document, a copy of which is attached
to the statement, is a document referred to in
a regulation or other instrument under this
Act; or
(h) that a public statement or a public warning
made by the Authority was published under
section 454; or

353
No. 51 of 2017
(i) that a document was or was not lodged with,

received by or served on the Authority.
S. 342 342 Judicial notice of signatures
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
All Courts and persons acting judicially—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (a) must take judicial notice of—
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42– (i) the signature or facsimile signature of
44, 47/2020 the Chairperson affixed to any
s. 26).
document; and
(ii) the signature or facsimile signature of
any officer of the Authority to whom
for the time being the Authority has
delegated power to sign a document;
and
(iii) the signature or facsimile signature of
any authorised officer; and
(b) must, until the contrary is proved, presume
that the signature was properly affixed.
S. 343 343 Evidence
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) Monitoring equipment, or other equipment or
amended by installations, used by an authorised officer or an
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
analyst is presumed to be accurate and precise,
3/2020 ss 42– unless evidence to the contrary is presented in
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
proceedings under this Act.
(2) Despite the rule against hearsay, the results of any
analysis based on analytical techniques that by
their nature infringe the rule against hearsay are
admissible in evidence in proceedings under this
Act.
(3) Each attribute of a sample taken for any purpose
under this Act is presumed not to be materially
affected by its method of storage or preservation
unless evidence to the contrary is presented.

354
No. 51 of 2017
(4) A finding by a Court that an attribute of a sample

was materially affected by its method of storage
or preservation does not displace the presumption
in relation to the other attributes of the sample.
(5) Despite the rule against hearsay, a transport
certificate relating to the transport of reportable
priority waste is admissible in evidence in
proceedings under this Act and is prima facie
evidence of the matters stated in the transport
certificate.
344 Service of documents S. 344
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A document required to be given to or served on a s. 7 (as
person by or under this Act may be given or amended by
Nos 27/2019
served personally on the person or by— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
(a) sending it by post to the person at the 44, 47/2020
person's usual or last known residential or s. 26).
business address; or
(b) leaving it at the person's usual or last known
residential address with a person on the
premises who is apparently at least 16 years
old; or
(c) leaving it at the person's usual or last known
business address with a person who is
apparently employed at the premises and is
apparently at least 16 years old; or
(d) sending it by electronic communication to
the person at the person's usual or last known
electronic address.
(2) A document under this Act required to be given to
or served on a body corporate may be given or
served by giving it to, or sending it by post or
electronic communication to, the body corporate
at the head office, registered office or principal
place of business of the body corporate.

355
No. 51 of 2017
(3) If a document relates to a contravention of this

Act by a person, the following is taken to be the
person's usual or last known residential or
business address unless there are circumstances to
suggest that the person resides or carries on
business elsewhere—
(a) in the case of a contravention arising out of
the driving or use of a motor vehicle—the
address appearing as the person's address in
the licence to drive (if any) produced by the
person at the time of the contravention or
when it is investigated;
(b) in the case of a contravention by the
registered owner of a motor vehicle—the
address appearing as the address of the
owner in the certificate of registration of the
motor vehicle for the time being in force
under the Road Safety Act 1986 or under a
corresponding law of the Commonwealth, a
State or a Territory;
(c) in the case of a contravention by the
registered owner of a vessel—the address
appearing as the address of the owner—
(i) for a recreational vessel within the
meaning of section 3(1) of the Marine
Safety Act 2010, in the certificate of
registration of the vessel for the time
being in force under the Marine Safety
Act 2010 or under a corresponding law
of the Commonwealth, a State or a
Territory; or
(ii) for a domestic commercial vessel
within the meaning of section 3(1) of
the Marine Safety Act 2010, in the
certificate of survey of the domestic
commercial vessel for the time being in
force under the Marine Safety

356
No. 51 of 2017
(Domestic Commercial Vessel)

National Law.
(4) If this Act requires or authorises a document to be
given to or served on the master or owner of a
vessel, and the notice is given to or served on an
agent of the vessel in accordance with this section,
the notice is taken to have been given to or served
on the owner or master of the vessel.
(5) If—
(a) person is charged with an offence alleged to
have been committed on board a vessel; and
(b) the vessel is for the time being out of the
jurisdiction—
documents relating to the offence are taken to be
served on the person by being served on the agent
of the vessel in respect of which the offence is
alleged to have occurred.
(6) Subject to subsection (7), the provisions of this
section are in addition to, and not in derogation
from, the Interpretation of Legislation
Act 1984, the Electronic Transactions
(Victoria) Act 2000 and sections 109X
and 601CX of the Corporations Act.
(7) Section 8(2) of the Electronic Transactions
(Victoria) Act 2000 does not apply to service of a
notice or order under this section.
(8) In this section, a reference to a contravention
includes a reference to an alleged contravention.
345 Service of documents—alternative to attendance S. 345
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person who gives or serves a document under s. 7 (as
this Act may, instead of attending proceedings amended by
Nos 27/2019
under this Act— ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).

357
No. 51 of 2017
(a) make an affidavit endorsed on, or attached to

and identifying, the original document
stating the time and manner in which the true
copy of the document was given or served;
and
(b) transmit the original document for
production at the proceedings.
(2) A document purporting to be an affidavit under
subsection (1) is to be received in proceedings as
prima facie evidence of the statements contained
therein.
S. 346 346 Authority to be able to recover costs of analysis
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) In proceedings under this Act in which legal costs
amended by are awarded to the Authority or to a person
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
appointed by the Authority to take proceedings,
3/2020 ss 42– the Court may include in those costs the
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
reasonable cost of work conducted by the
Authority.
(2) A document that—
(a) sets out charges for work similar to work
conducted by the Authority; or
(b) purports to estimate the reasonable cost of
work conducted by the Authority; and
(c) is signed by, or on behalf of, a person who
purports to be a person who charges for
doing work similar to that conducted by the
Authority—
is evidence of the reasonable cost of work
conducted by the Authority.
(3) For the purposes of this section, work conducted
by the Authority includes, but is not limited to,
analysis, measurement, recording, evaluation,
testing or inspection conducted by the Authority.

358
No. 51 of 2017
347 Persons who may take proceedings S. 347

inserted by
(1) The Authority may appoint a person who is an No. 39/2018
employee or an officer of the Authority to take s. 7 (as
amended by
proceedings for offences against this Act or the Nos 27/2019
regulations. ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
(2) Subject to subsections (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7), S. 347(2)
amended by
proceedings for an offence against this Act or the No. 36/2022
regulations may only be taken by a person s. 59(1).
appointed under subsection (1).

(3) A person may take proceedings for an offence S. 347(3)
amended by
against a provision relating to permits that the No. 36/2022
regulations specify are to be enforced by a council s. 59(2).
if appointed to do so by the council.

(4) A litter authority or litter enforcement officer may
take proceedings for an offence against a
provision of Part 6.3.
(5) A prescribed person may take proceedings for an
offence against the regulations.
(6) A person who may serve an infringement notice
under section 307(1) may, if a person who is
served with an infringement notice elects to have
the matter of the infringement offence heard and
determined by the Magistrates' Court, take
proceedings for that offence.
(7) If a council or public sector body has been S. 347(7)
inserted by
delegated powers or functions in relation to any No. 36/2022
offences against section 25, 27, 286, 287 or 288, s. 59(3).
the council or public sector body may appoint a

person who is an employee or an officer of the
council or public sector body (as the case may be)
to take proceedings for those offences.

359
No. 51 of 2017
S. 347(8) (8) A council or public sector body who makes an

inserted by appointment under subsection (7) may impose any
No. 36/2022
s. 59(3). conditions on the appointment that the council or
public sector body considers necessary.
S. 348 348 Contraventions on shared premises
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
If—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (a) premises are shared by a body corporate and
ss 12−30, one or more bodies corporate that is a
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 subsidiary (within the meaning of the
s. 26). Corporations Act) of that body corporate;
and
(b) one of those bodies corporate is the holder of
a permission in respect of those premises;
and
(c) a contravention of a condition of the
permission occurs—
the holder of the permission is, in the absence of
evidence to the contrary, to be taken to have
caused that contravention.

360
No. 51 of 2017
Part 11.8—Officers' liabilities and conduct of employees and agents
Part 11.8—Officers' liabilities and conduct of Pt 11.8

(Headings
employees and agents and ss 349–
353)
inserted by
Division 1—Officers' liabilities No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
349 Liability of officers of bodies corporate—failure to S. 349

inserted by
exercise due diligence No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
(1) If a body corporate that is a corporation within the amended by
Nos 27/2019
meaning of section 57A of the Corporations Act ss 12−30,
commits an offence against, or by contravening, a 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
provision specified in subsection (2), an officer of s. 26).
the body corporate also commits an offence
against, or by contravening, the provision if the
officer failed to exercise due diligence to prevent
the commission of the offence by the body
corporate.
provisions are specified—
(a) section 40(1);
(b) section 64;
(c) section 115(3) and (4);
(d) section 121(5) and (7);
(e) section 139(1);
(f) section 142(1);
(g) section 143(1);
(h) section 155(1);
(i) section 168;
(j) section 255(2);
(k) section 288;

361
No. 51 of 2017
(l) section 289(1) and (2);

(m) section 290(1);
(n) section 292(2);
(o) section 293(1);
(p) section 462(1).
(3) In determining whether an officer of a body
corporate failed to exercise due diligence, a Court
may have regard to—
(a) what the officer knew, or ought reasonably
to have known, about the commission of the
offence by the body corporate; and
(b) whether or not the officer was in a position
to influence the body corporate in relation to
corporate; and
(c) what steps the officer took, or could
reasonably have taken, to prevent the
commission of the offence by the body
corporate; and
(d) any other relevant matter.
(4) Without limiting any other defence available to
the officer, an officer of a body corporate may
rely on a defence that would be available to the
body corporate if it were charged with the offence
with which the officer is charged and, in doing so,
the officer bears the same burden of proof that the
body corporate would bear.
(5) An officer of a body corporate may commit an
offence against, or by contravening, a provision
specified in subsection (2) whether or not the
body corporate has been prosecuted for, or found
guilty of, that offence.

362
No. 51 of 2017
350 Liability of officers of bodies corporate—failure to S. 350

exercise due diligence (legal burden of proof) inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) If a body corporate that is a corporation within the s. 7 (as
amended by
meaning of section 57A of the Corporations Act Nos 27/2019
commits an offence against, or by contravening, a ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
provision specified in subsection (2), an officer of 44, 47/2020
the body corporate also commits an offence s. 26).
against, or by contravening, the provision.

provisions are specified—
(a) section 25(1);
(b) section 27(1);
(c) section 28(1);
(d) section 32(2);
(e) section 44(1);
(f) section 45(1);
(g) section 46(1);
(h) section 47(1);
(i) section 63(1), (2) and (3);
(j) section 88(2);
(k) section 133(1) and (2);
(l) section 134(1);
(m) section 135(2);
(n) section 137(1);
(o) section 286(1);
(p) section 287(1);
(q) section 290(1);
(r) section 292(1);
(s) section 463(2).

363
No. 51 of 2017
(3) It is a defence to a charge for an offence against,

or committed by contravening, a provision
specified in subsection (2) for an officer of a body
corporate to prove that the officer exercised due
diligence to prevent the commission of the offence
by the body corporate.
(4) In determining whether an officer of a body
corporate exercised due diligence, a Court may
have regard to—
(a) what the officer knew, or ought reasonably
to have known, about the commission of the
offence by the body corporate; and
(b) whether or not the officer was in a position
to influence the body corporate in relation to
corporate; and
(c) what steps the officer took, or could
reasonably have taken, to prevent the
corporate; and
(d) any other relevant matter.
offence against, or by contravening, a provision
specified in subsection (2) whether or not the
body corporate has been prosecuted for, or found
guilty of, that offence.

364
No. 51 of 2017
351 Liability of officers of bodies corporate—accessorial S. 351

liability inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) If a body corporate that is a corporation within the s. 7 (as
amended by
meaning of section 57A of the Corporations Act Nos 27/2019
commits an offence against a provision of this ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
Act, other than an offence against, or committed 44, 47/2020
by contravening, a provision specified in section s. 26).
349(2) or 350(2), an officer of the body corporate

also commits the offence if the officer—
(a) authorised or permitted the commission of
the offence by the body corporate; or
(b) was knowingly concerned in any way
(whether by act or omission) in the
corporate.
offence against a provision of this Act, other than
an offence against, or committed by the
contravention of, a provision specified in section
349(2) or 350(2), whether or not the body
corporate has been prosecuted for, or found guilty
of, that offence.
352 Application of civil penalties to officers of bodies S. 352
inserted by
corporate No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
If a body corporate that is a corporation within the amended by
Nos 27/2019
meaning of section 57A of the Corporations Act ss 12−30,
contravenes a civil penalty provision that is 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
specified in section 349(2) or 350(2), sections 349 s. 26).

365
No. 51 of 2017
and 350 apply to an officer of the body

corporate—
(a) as if a reference to the commission of an
offence were a reference to a contravention
of the civil penalty provision; and
(b) as if a reference to a defence to a charge for
an offence were a reference to a defence to
the alleged contravention of the civil penalty
provision; and
(c) as if a reference to a prosecution or finding
of guilt for an offence were a reference to the
bringing of proceedings for, or a finding of a
contravention in relation to, a contravention
of the civil penalty provision; and
(d) with any other necessary modifications.
Division 2—Conduct of employees and agents

S. 353 353 Conduct of employee, agent or officer taken to be
inserted by conduct of body corporate
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as For the purposes of this Act, any conduct engaged
amended by
Nos 27/2019 in on behalf of a body corporate by an employee,
ss 12−30, agent or officer of the body corporate is also taken
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020 to be conduct engaged in by the body corporate if
s. 26). the employee, agent or officer is acting within the
actual or apparent scope of the employee's, agent's
or officer's employment or authority.

366
No. 51 of 2017
Part 11.9—Defence of emergency
Part 11.9—Defence of emergency Pt 11.9

(Heading and
s. 354)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 7 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 12−30,
3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
s. 26).
354 Emergency S. 354

inserted by
No. 39/2018
It is a defence to any offence against, or s. 7 (as
contravention of, a provision of this Act or the amended by
Nos 27/2019
regulations if the act or omission alleged to ss 12−30,
constitute the offence or contravention occurred in 3/2020 ss 42–
44, 47/2020
an emergency to prevent danger to life or limb s. 26).
other than an emergency arising from the
negligent act or omission of the person who is
alleged to have committed the offence or
contravention.

367
No. 51 of 2017
S. 4
substituted as
Chapter 12—Environment Protection
Ch. 12
(Headings
Authority
and s. 355) by
No. 39/2018
s. 8.
Pt 12.1
(Heading)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 8.
substituted as
s. 355 by
No. 39/2018
s. 8. Chapter.
(2) The Environment Protection Authority continues
in existence under Part 12.2 and has the objective,
functions, powers, officers and staff provided for
in that Part.
(3) Part 12.3 contains provisions relating to the
following matters—
(a) the application of the Public
Administration Act 2004 to the Authority;
(b) the remuneration and expenses of the
Governing Board of the Authority;
(c) notifications by the Authority to IBAC.

368
No. 51 of 2017
Part 12.2—Environment Protection Authority
Part 12.2—Environment Protection Pt 2 (Heading)

substituted as
Authority Pt 12.2
(Heading) by
No. 39/2018
s. 9.
356 Environment Protection Authority S. 5

renumbered
as s. 356 by
(1) The Environment Protection Authority No. 39/2018
established under section 5(1) of the s. 22.
Environment Protection Act 1970 as in force
immediately before the commencement day
continues in existence in accordance with this Act.
(2) The Authority—
(a) is a body corporate with perpetual
succession; and
(b) has an official seal; and
(c) may sue and be sued; and
(d) may acquire, hold and dispose of real and
personal property; and
(e) may do and suffer all acts and things that a
body corporate may by law do and suffer.
(3) All courts must take judicial notice of the official
seal of the Authority affixed to a document and,
until the contrary is proved, must presume that it
was duly affixed.
(4) The official seal of the Authority must—
(a) be kept in such custody as the Authority
determines; and
(b) not be used except as authorised by the
Authority.
(5) The Authority continues to be the same body
despite the re-constitution of the body by this Act.

369
No. 51 of 2017
S. 5(6) (6) In this section—

inserted by
No. 39/2018 commencement day means 1 July 2018.
s. 10,
renumbered
as s. 356(6) by
No. 39/2018
s. 22.
S. 6 357 Objective of the Authority

renumbered
as s. 357 by
No. 39/2018
(1) The objective of the Authority is to protect
s. 22. human health and the environment by reducing
the harmful effects of pollution and waste.
S. 6(2) (2) The Authority must exercise its powers and
amended by
No. 39/2018 perform its duties and functions under this Act or
s. 11, any other Act for the purposes of achieving the
renumbered
as s. 357(2) by objective set out in subsection (1) to the extent
No. 39/2018 that it is practicable to do so having regard to the
s. 22.
nature of the power being exercised or the duty or
function being performed.
S. 7 358 Functions of the Authority
substituted as
s. 358 by
No. 39/2018
The functions of the Authority are—
s. 12 (as
amended by (a) to monitor and assess environmental quality;
No. 27/2019 and
s. 31).
(b) to identify, assess and monitor risks of harm
to human health and the environment; and
(c) to respond to harm and risks of harm to
human health and the environment; and
(d) to identify and respond to opportunities to—
(i) eliminate or reduce risks of harm to
human health and the environment; and
(ii) improve environmental quality; and
(e) to provide advice and recommendations to
the Minister in relation to human health and
the environment including, but not limited

370
No. 51 of 2017
to, the making of subordinate legislation and

environment reference standards; and
(f) to liaise and collaborate with
Commonwealth, State, Territory and local
governments for the purposes of achieving
the objective of the Authority specified in
section 357 and administering this Act; and
(g) to provide information and education to the
Victorian community in relation to—
(i) environmental quality; and
(ii) risks of harm to human health and the
environment; and
(iii) environmental best practice and
improvements; and
(h) to promote the prevention of harm, and the
elimination and reduction of risks of harm, to
pollution and waste; and
(i) to administer the provisions of this Act and
the regulations relating to permissions; and
(j) to administer the provisions of this Act
relating to waste and to pursue the objects set
out in section 111; and
(k) to monitor and review the performance of the
Authority's functions and duties; and
(l) to promote, monitor and enforce compliance
with this Act; and
(m) to perform other functions conferred on the
Authority under this Act or under any other
Act.

371
No. 51 of 2017
S. 359 359 Powers of the Authority

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) The Authority has—
s. 12 (as
amended by (a) any power conferred on the Authority under
No. 27/2019
s. 31).
this or any other Act; and
(b) the power to do all things that are necessary
or convenient to be done for or in connection
with the performance of the Authority's
functions and duties and to enable the
Authority to achieve its objective.
(2) The Authority may give advice to a person who
has a duty or obligation under this Act about
complying with that duty or obligation.
(3) The Authority's power under subsection (2) to
give advice may also be exercised by an
authorised officer.
(4) The giving of advice under subsection (2) by the
Authority or an authorised officer does not give
rise to—
(a) any liability of, or other claim against, the
Authority; or
(b) any right, expectation, duty or obligation that
would not otherwise be conferred or imposed
on the person given the advice; or
(c) any defence that would not otherwise be
available to that person.
(5) The Authority has power—
(a) to apply for, obtain and hold intellectual
property rights (including patents,
copyrights, trade marks and registered
designs); and
(b) to enter into agreements or arrangements for
the commercial exploitation within or
outside Victoria of those intellectual property
rights and ancillary services on any terms or

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No. 51 of 2017
conditions as to royalties, lump sum

payments or otherwise as the Authority may
see fit.
360 Staff S. 8
renumbered
as s. 360 by
(1) There may be employed under Part 3 of the No. 39/2018
Public Administration Act 2004 any persons that s. 22.
are necessary for the purposes of performing the
duties and functions of the Authority.
(2) The Authority may enter into agreements or
arrangements for the use of the services of any
staff of a Department, statutory authority or other
public body.
361 Environment Protection Authority Governing S. 9
renumbered
Board as s. 361 by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority has a governing body known as s. 22.
the Environment Protection Authority Governing
Board.
(2) The Governor in Council must appoint, on the
recommendation of the Minister, not less than
5 and not more than 9 persons to be members of
the Governing Board.
(3) In recommending a person for appointment as a
member of the Governing Board, the Minister
must—
(a) ensure that at least one of the persons
recommended has qualifications or
experience in science or engineering; and
(b) ensure that at least one of the persons
recommended is a person nominated by the
Minister responsible for the administration of
the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008
who has qualifications or experience in
health; and

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No. 51 of 2017
(c) ensure that collectively the persons

recommended have skills, knowledge or
experience in relation to the following—
(i) environment protection or regulation;
(ii) regulation of industry;
(iii) local government;
(iv) public administration or governance;
(v) finance or accounting;
(vi) legal practice.
S. 10 362 Functions of the Governing Board
renumbered
as s. 362 by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Governing Board—
s. 22.
(a) is responsible for the governance, strategic
planning and risk management of the
Authority; and
(b) is responsible for pursuing the objective of
the Authority; and
(c) may perform the duties and functions and
exercise the powers of the Authority.
(2) All acts and things done in the name of, or on
behalf of, the Authority by or with the authority of
the Governing Board are taken to have been done
by the Authority.
S. 11 363 Chairperson and deputy Chairperson
renumbered
as s. 363 by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Governor in Council, on the recommendation
s. 22. of the Minister, must appoint—
(a) one member of the Governing Board to be
the Chairperson; and
(b) one member of the Governing Board to be
the deputy Chairperson.

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No. 51 of 2017
(2) A person appointed as Chairperson or deputy

Chairperson of the Governing Board ceases to
hold that office on ceasing to be a member of the
Governing Board.
364 Conditions of office for Governing Board members S. 12
renumbered
as s. 364 by
(1) A member of the Governing Board— No. 39/2018
s. 22.
(a) holds office for the period, not exceeding
5 years, specified in the instrument of
appointment; and
(b) holds office on the terms and conditions
(including remuneration and allowances)
specified in the instrument of appointment;
and
(c) is eligible for reappointment for one further
term of office; and
(d) in respect of the office of member of the
Governing Board, is subject to the Public
Administration Act 2004 (other than Part 3
of that Act).
(2) An instrument of appointment may specify
other terms and conditions of appointment not
inconsistent with this Act.
365 Vacancies, resignations and removal from office S. 13
renumbered
as s. 365 by
(1) The office of a member of the Governing Board No. 39/2018
becomes vacant if that member— s. 22.
(a) becomes an insolvent under administration;

or
(b) is convicted or found guilty of—
(i) an indictable offence; or
(ii) an offence that, if committed in
Victoria, would be an indictable
offence; or

375
No. 51 of 2017
(c) is absent from 2 consecutive meetings of the

Governing Board without the approval of the
Governing Board; or
(d) is removed from office; or
(e) retires or resigns; or
(f) dies.
S. 13(2) (2) If the office of a member of the Governing
amended by
No. 39/2018 Board becomes vacant before the end of the term
s. 13(1), of office, the Governor in Council may appoint a
renumbered
as s. 365(2) by person in accordance with section 366 to fill the
No. 39/2018 vacancy and to hold office, subject to this Act, for
s. 22.
the remainder of the term.
(3) If the office of a member of the Governing
Board becomes vacant within 6 months before the
end of the term of the office, the office may be left
vacant for the remainder of the term.
(4) A member of the Governing Board may resign
from office by delivering a signed letter of
resignation to the Minister.
of the Minister, may remove a member of the
Governing Board from office—
(a) if that member becomes incapable of
performing the member's duties; or
(b) if the member is negligent in the
performance of those duties; or
(c) if the member engages in improper conduct;
or
S. 13(5)(d) (d) if the member fails to disclose a pecuniary
amended by
No. 39/2018 interest as required by section 370; or
s. 13(2)(a),
renumbered
as s. 365(5)(d)
by
No. 39/2018
s. 22.

376
No. 51 of 2017
(e) if the member is convicted or found guilty S. 13(5)(e)

of an offence against this Act; or amended by
No. 39/2018
s. 13(2)(b),
renumbered
as s. 365(5)(e)
by
No. 39/2018
s. 22.
(f) if the member is no longer suitable to hold

office as a member of the Governing Board.
366 Acting appointments S. 14
renumbered
as s. 366 by
(1) The deputy Chairperson must act as No. 39/2018
Chairperson— s. 22.
(a) if the office of Chairperson is vacant; or

(b) during any period when the Chairperson is
absent; or
(c) if the Chairperson is, for any other reason,
unable to attend meetings of the Governing
Board or otherwise unable to perform the
duties of the office.
(2) While the deputy Chairperson is acting as
Chairperson, the deputy Chairperson—
(a) has and may exercise all the powers, and
must perform all the duties and functions, of
the Chairperson; and
(b) is entitled to be paid the remuneration and
allowances to which the Chairperson would
have been entitled.
of the Minister, may appoint a member of the
Governing Board to act as deputy Chairperson—
(a) during a vacancy in the office of deputy
Chairperson; or
(b) during any period when the deputy
Chairperson is absent; or

377
No. 51 of 2017
(c) during any period when the deputy

Chairperson is acting as Chairperson; or
(d) if the deputy Chairperson is, for any other
reason, unable to attend meetings of the
Governing Board or otherwise unable to
perform the duties of the office.
(4) While a member of the Governing Board is acting
as deputy Chairperson, the member has and may
exercise all the powers, and must perform all the
duties and functions, of the deputy Chairperson.
of the Minister, may appoint a person to act as a
member of the Governing Board (other than the
Chairperson or deputy Chairperson)—
(a) during a vacancy in the office of a member;
or
(b) during any period when a member is absent;
or
(c) during any period when a member is acting
as deputy Chairperson; or
(d) if a member is, for any other reason, unable
to attend meetings of the Governing Board or
otherwise unable to perform the duties of the
office.
(6) While a person is acting as a member of the
Governing Board, the person—
(a) has and may exercise all the powers, and
must perform all the duties and functions, of
a member; and
(b) is entitled to be paid the remuneration and
allowances to which the member would have
been entitled.

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No. 51 of 2017
(7) In recommending a person for an appointment

under subsection (5), the Minister must ensure
that the recommended person, together with the
members of the Governing Board, collectively
have skills, knowledge or experience in relation
to the following—
(a) environment protection or regulation;
(b) regulation of industry;
(c) local government;
(d) public administration or governance;
(e) finance or accounting;
(f) legal practice.
(8) In recommending a person for an appointment
under subsection (5), the Minister must ensure
that, of the members of the Governing Board and
the recommended person—
(a) at least one has qualifications or experience
in science or engineering; and
(b) at least one is a person nominated by the
Minister responsible for the administration of
the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008
who has qualifications or experience in
health.
367 Validity of acts or decisions S. 15
renumbered
as s. 367 by
An act or a decision of the Governing Board is not No. 39/2018
invalid by reason only of— s. 22.
(a) any vacancy in the office of a member; or

(b) any defect or irregularity in or in connection
with the appointment of a member.

379
No. 51 of 2017
S. 16 368 Proceedings of the Governing Board

renumbered
as s. 368 by (1) Meetings of the Governing Board must be held at
No. 39/2018 the times and places determined by the Governing
s. 22.
Board.
(2) A majority of the members of the Governing
Board for the time being, of whom one member
must be the Chairperson or deputy Chairperson,
constitutes a quorum of the Governing Board.
(3) A question arising at a meeting of the Governing
Board must be determined by a majority of votes
of members present and voting on the question.
(4) If the voting is equal, the person presiding has a
casting, as well as a deliberative vote.
(5) A meeting of the Governing Board may be
conducted by telephone, closed-circuit television
or other means of communication that does not
require the physical presence of each member of
the Governing Board in the same room.
(6) The person presiding at a meeting must ensure
that minutes of the meeting are kept.
(7) Subject to this Act, the Governing Board may
regulate its own proceedings.
S. 17 369 Resolutions without meetings
renumbered
as s. 369 by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Governing Board may—
s. 22.
(a) determine that it may make a proposed
resolution without a meeting; and
(b) determine a method by which members
of the Governing Board are to indicate
agreement with any proposed resolution.

380
No. 51 of 2017
(2) The Governing Board is taken to have made a

resolution at a meeting if—
(a) without meeting, a majority of the members
of the Governing Board entitled to vote on
the proposed resolution indicate agreement
with the resolution; and
(b) that agreement is indicated in accordance
with the method determined by the
Governing Board under subsection (1)(b);
and
(c) all the members were informed of the
proposed resolution, or reasonable efforts
were made to inform the members of the
proposed resolution.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), a member
of the Governing Board is not entitled to vote on
a proposed resolution if the member would not
have been entitled to vote on that resolution if the
matter had been considered at a meeting of the
Governing Board.
(4) The Governing Board must keep a record of the
resolutions made in accordance with this section.
370 Pecuniary interests of members of the Governing S. 18
renumbered
Board as s. 370 by
No. 39/2018
(1) A member of the Governing Board who has a s. 22.
pecuniary interest in a matter being considered or
to be considered by the Governing Board, as soon
as practicable after the relevant facts have come to
the member's knowledge, must disclose the nature
of that interest at a meeting of the Governing
Board.

381
No. 51 of 2017
(2) If the Chairperson has a pecuniary interest in a

matter being considered or to be considered by
the Governing Board, the Chairperson, as soon as
practicable after the relevant facts come to the
Chairperson's knowledge, must disclose the nature
of that interest to the Minister.
(3) The person presiding at a meeting at which a
disclosure is made under this section must cause a
record of the disclosure to be made in the minutes
of the meeting.
(4) Subject to subsection (5), a member of the
Governing Board who has made a disclosure
under subsection (1) or (2) must not be present
during any deliberation with respect to, or vote on,
the matter in respect of which the disclosure is
made.
(5) Subsection (4) does not apply if a member has
made a disclosure to the Governing Board and the
Governing Board resolves that the member may
be present during any deliberation with respect to,
or vote on, the matter in respect of which the
disclosure is made.
S. 19 371 Improper use of information
renumbered
as s. 371 by
No. 39/2018
A person who is, or has been, a member of the
s. 22. Governing Board, the chief executive officer, an
authorised officer or an employee of the Authority
must not make improper use of any information
acquired in the course of the person's duties to
obtain, directly or indirectly, any pecuniary or
other advantage for that person or for any other
person.

382
No. 51 of 2017
372 Governing Board may establish advisory S. 20

committees renumbered
as s. 372 by
(1) The Governing Board may establish committees No. 39/2018
s. 22.
for the purpose of providing advice and
information to assist the Governing Board in the
performance of its functions.
(2) The Governing Board may determine—
(a) the process for establishing an advisory
committee; and
(b) the terms of reference for an advisory
committee; and
(c) matters relating to the procedure of an
advisory committee; and
(d) the terms and conditions of the appointment
of members of an advisory committee.
(3) The Governing Board may appoint any person to
be a member of an advisory committee.
(4) A member of an advisory committee must be paid
any allowances and expenses that are determined
by the Governing Board.
373 Chief executive officer S. 21
renumbered
as s. 373 by
(1) The Governing Board must appoint a person to be No. 39/2018
the chief executive officer of the Authority. s. 22.
(2) The chief executive officer—

(a) must not be a member of the Governing
Board; and
(b) may attend meetings of the Governing
Board.
(3) The chief executive officer is employed subject to
terms and conditions (including remuneration and
allowances) that are specified in the instrument of
appointment.

383
No. 51 of 2017
S. 21(4) (4) Subject to and in accordance with directions given

amended by to the chief executive officer by the Governing
No. 39/2018
s. 14, Board for the purposes of section 362, the chief
renumbered executive officer is responsible to the Governing
as s. 373(4) by
No. 39/2018 Board for the administration of the day to day
s. 22. management of the affairs of the Authority.
(5) The chief executive officer may delegate any
power or function of the chief executive officer
under this Act or the regulations, other than this
power of delegation, to—
(a) an officer or employee of the Authority; or
(b) the holder of an office or position with the
Authority.
S. 22 374 Chief environmental scientist
renumbered
as s. 374 by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Governing Board must appoint a person to be
s. 22. the chief environmental scientist of the Authority.
(2) The person appointed as the chief environmental
scientist is employed under Part 3 of the Public
Administration Act 2004.
(3) Subject to and in accordance with the directions
given to the chief environmental scientist by the
chief executive officer, the chief environmental
scientist is responsible for the provision of advice
to the Authority relating to—
S. 22(3)(a) (a) the objective of the Authority set out in
amended by
No. 39/2018 section 357; or
s. 15,
renumbered
as s. 374(3)(a)
by
No. 39/2018
s. 22.
(b) the duties and functions of the Authority.

384
No. 51 of 2017
Part 12.3—General provisions
Part 12.3—General provisions Pt 3 (Heading)

substituted as
Pt 12.3
(Heading) by
No. 39/2018
s. 16.
375 Application of the Public Administration Act 2004 S. 23

renumbered
as s. 375 by
The Public Administration Act 2004 No. 39/2018
applies to the Authority as if the Authority was a s. 22.
public entity, but not a small entity, within the
meaning of that Act, established on or after the
commencement of Part 5 of that Act.
376 Remuneration and expenses S. 24
amended by
No. 39/2018
The remuneration and expenses of the members s. 17,
of the Governing Board, members of advisory renumbered
as s. 376 by
committees, the chief executive officer and the No. 39/2018
chief environmental scientist and all other s. 22.
expenses lawfully incurred by the Authority
and the Governing Board under this Act are to be
paid out of the Environment Protection Fund
established under section 441 and moneys
provided by Parliament for the purpose.
377 Mandatory notification of corrupt conduct to IBAC S. 377
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) Subject to any exemption notice issued under s. 18 (as
section 57B of the Independent Broad based amended by
Nos 27/2019
Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011, the ss 32−40,
Chairperson must notify the IBAC of any matter 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
that the Chairperson suspects on reasonable s. 27).
grounds involves corrupt conduct occurring or
having occurred, of which the Chairperson
becomes aware in the performance of functions or
duties or the exercise of powers under this Act or
any other Act.
(2) This section does not apply to corrupt conduct of
the IBAC or IBAC personnel.

385
No. 51 of 2017
(3) This section does not apply to a matter referred to

the Authority by the IBAC under section 73 of the
Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption
Commission Act 2011.
(4) If the Chairperson considers at any time that any
matter described in subsection (3) appears to
involve conduct that is corrupt conduct, the
Chairperson must inform the IBAC.
S. 378 378 Consultation prior to notification
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
For the purposes of deciding whether to make a
amended by notification under this Part to the IBAC, the
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
Chairperson may consult the IBAC.
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
S. 379 379 Communication of information to the IBAC

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(1) At any time, the Chairperson may provide or
amended by disclose any information received or obtained in
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
the course of the performance of functions or
3/2020 ss 45, duties or the exercise of powers of the Authority
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
under this Act or any other Act to the IBAC if the
Chairperson considers that—
(a) the information is relevant to the
performance of the functions or duties or the
exercise of powers of the IBAC; and
(b) it is appropriate for the information to be
brought to the attention of the IBAC, having
regard to the nature of the information.
(2) This section applies subject to any restriction on
the provision or disclosure of information under
this Act or any other Act (including any
Commonwealth Act).

386
No. 51 of 2017
380 Authority not to prejudice investigations of the S. 380

IBAC inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) If the Authority is, or becomes, aware of an IBAC s. 18 (as
amended by
investigation, the Authority must take all Nos 27/2019
reasonable steps to ensure that the performance of ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
its functions or duties or the exercise of its powers 46, 47/2020
does not prejudice the IBAC investigation. s. 27).
(2) For the purposes of ensuring compliance with

subsection (1), the Authority may consult the
IBAC.

387
No. 51 of 2017
Ch. 13 * * * * *
(Headings
and ss 381–
427)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27),
amended by
No. 55/2021
ss 192, 193,
198, 200–207,
repealed by
No. 36/2022
s. 60.

388
No. 51 of 2017
Chapter 14—General Ch. 14

(Headings
and ss 428–
463)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
Pt 14.1
s. 428)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).

inserted by
No. 39/2018
Chapter. amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) Certain persons may apply— ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
(a) to the Authority for the review of a decision 46, 47/2020
s. 27).
of an authorised officer; or
(b) to VCAT for decisions specified in
Division 2 of Part 14.2.
(3) The Authority may delegate its powers and
functions under Part 14.3.
(4) Part 14.4 sets out the fees and penalties under this
Act that must be paid into the Consolidated Fund
and provides for the establishment of the
following accounts—
(a) in the Trust Fund, the Environment
Protection Fund;

389
No. 51 of 2017
(b) in the Environment Protection Fund—

(i) the General Waste Levy Account; and
(ii) the Restorative Project Account;
(c) the Municipal and Industrial Waste Levy
Trust Account of the Department of
Environment, Land, Water and Planning;
(d) the Sustainability Fund Trust Account of the
Department of Environment, Land, Water
and Planning.
(5) Part 14.5 regulates the collection, use, disclosure
and publication of information under this Act.
(6) Part 14.5 requires the Authority to establish and
maintain a Public Register in which is recorded
the details of decisions, authorisations or
documents made, issued, granted or prepared
under this Act including, but not limited to,
enforceable undertakings, permissions,
exemptions, site management orders and better
environment plans.
(7) Part 14.6 provides for the Authority to designate
specified responsibilities to any Victorian
Government agency in areas that pose risk of
harm to human health or the environment.
(8) Part 14.7 provides for when the Authority may
grant exemptions to this Act.
(9) Part 14.8 prohibits impersonation of certain
persons, false representation, interference with
monitoring equipment and providing false
information.

390
No. 51 of 2017
Part 14.2—Review of decisions
Part 14.2—Review of decisions Pt 14.2

(Heading and
ss 429–436)
Division 1—Review by the Authority inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
429 Review by the Authority S. 429

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person may apply to the Authority for review of s. 18 (as
a decision by an authorised officer to issue a amended by
Nos 27/2019
notice to the person or to amend a notice issued by ss 32−40,
an authorised officer to the person. 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
(2) A person may apply for review under subsection s. 27).
(1) within—
(a) 10 business days after the day on which
notice of the decision is served on the
person; or
(b) any longer period allowed by the Authority.
(3) The application must be in the form and manner
approved by the Authority.
(4) If an application is made to the Authority in
accordance with this section, the Authority may
make a decision—
(a) to affirm or vary the decision; or
(b) to set aside the decision and substitute
another decision that the Authority considers
appropriate.
(5) The Authority must ensure that a review under
this section of a decision is not conducted by a
person who was involved in the making of the
decision under review.

391
No. 51 of 2017
(6) The Authority must, within 10 business days after

the application is made under subsection (1), give
a written notice to the applicant for review setting
out the Authority's decision under subsection (4)
and the reasons for the decision.
(7) If the Authority does not notify an applicant of a
decision in accordance with subsection (6), the
Authority is taken to have made a decision to
affirm the reviewable decision.
(8) An application under this section does not affect
the operation of the reviewable decision or
prevent the taking of any action to implement it
unless the Authority, on its own initiative or on
the application of the applicant for review, stays
the operation of the decision pending the
determination of the review.
(9) The Authority must make a decision on an
application for a stay under subsection (8) by—
(a) if the Authority receives the application
during business hours on a business day, the
same time as the time the application is
received on the second business day after the
application is received; or
(b) if the Authority receives the application on a
day that is not a business day or after 5 p.m.
on a business day, 5 p.m. on the second
business day after the application is received.
(10) If the Authority does not make a decision in
accordance with subsection (9), the Authority is
taken to have made a decision to grant the stay.
(11) The Authority may attach any conditions to a stay
of the operation of a reviewable decision that it

392
No. 51 of 2017

notice means one of the following notices—
(a) an improvement notice;
(b) a prohibition notice;
(c) a notice to investigate;
(d) an environmental action notice.
Division 2—Review by VCAT

430 Decisions reviewable by VCAT S. 430
inserted by
(1) The table to subsection (4) sets out— No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(a) decisions made under this Act that are amended by
Nos 27/2019
reviewable by VCAT in accordance with this ss 32−40,
Division (reviewable decisions); and 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
(b) persons who are eligible to apply for review s. 27).
of that reviewable decision (the eligible
person in relation to the reviewable
decision).
(2) A person who is liable to pay a fee under this
Act—
(a) may apply to VCAT for review of the fee on
the ground that the fee has been incorrectly
calculated; and
(b) for the purposes of this Part is an eligible
person in relation to that reviewable
decision.
(3) To avoid doubt, sections 4 and 5 of the Victorian
Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998
apply for the purposes of this Part.
Note
Section 4 of the Victorian Civil and Administrative
Tribunal Act 1998 sets out when a person makes a
decision. Section 5 of that Act sets out when a person's
interests are affected by a decision.

393
No. 51 of 2017
(4) An eligible person in relation to a reviewable

decision is taken to be a person whose interests
are affected by that decision for the purposes of
the Victorian Civil and Administrative
Tribunal Act 1998.
Table
Provision under which Eligible person in relation

Item reviewable decision is made to reviewable decision
1. 56(4) Applicant for transfer
2. 57(4) Holder of permission
3. 58(1)(c) Holder of permission
5. 60(1), (7) Holder of permission
7. 69(1) Applicant for development
licence
8. 74(1) Applicant for operating
licence
9. 76(3) Holder of operating
licence
10. 78(1) Applicant for pilot project
licence
11. 80(4) Applicant for exemption
12. 81(1)(a) or (b) Applicant for permit
15. 84(4) Applicant for renewal
16. 90(3) Applicant for
authorisation
17. 90(4)(b) Applicant for
authorisation
18. 121(1), (8) Person to whom waste
abatement notice issued

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No. 51 of 2017

18A. 121(6) Person to whom notice
under section 121(6)
issued
19. 151(2)(b) Liable person to whom
notice of assessment
issued
20. 172(1) Person to whom
residential noise
improvement notice issued
21. 184(2) Participant in better
environment plan
22. 184(4) Participant in better
environment plan
23. 200(1), (2) Environmental auditor
whose appointment is
suspended or revoked
24. 206(2)(b) A person whose interests
are directly affected by the
endorsement or
determination of scope of
environmental audit
25. 208(5)(b) A person whose interests
are directly affected by the
endorsement or
determination of scope of
environmental audit
26. 219(1) Person required to provide
financial assurance
financial assurance
financial assurance
financial assurance
financial assurance

395
No. 51 of 2017

financial assurance
32. 265(1)(c) Owner of forfeited thing
improvement notice issued
prohibition notice issued
35. 273(1) Person to whom notice to
investigate issued
environmental action
notice issued
37. 275(1) Person on whom site
management order is
binding
38. 277(1) Applicant for variation or
revocation
39. 279(b) Person to whom notice
issued
40. 283(1) Body corporate to which
direction is given
41. 284(1) Person to whom direction
is given
42. 285(1) Body corporate to which
direction is given
43. 429(8), (11) Applicant for stay of
operation of reviewable
decision
44. 458(1)(b), (c) Agency designated to be
responsible

396
No. 51 of 2017
431 Applications for review by VCAT S. 431

inserted by
(1) An eligible person may apply to VCAT for review No. 39/2018
of a reviewable decision within 15 business days s. 18 (as
amended by
after— Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
(a) the day on which the decision first came to 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
the eligible person's notice; or s. 27).
(b) if the decision is reviewed by the Authority
under section 429, the day on which the
Authority makes a decision under section
429(4).
(2) If an eligible person may apply under section 429
to the Authority for review of a reviewable
decision—
(a) the eligible person may not apply to VCAT
under subsection (1) for a review of that
decision unless the decision is first reviewed
under section 429; and
(b) the decision on review under section 429(4)
is taken to be the reviewable decision.
(3) An eligible person may not apply to VCAT under
subsection (1) for the review of the decision to
issue a development licence—
(a) if the application for the licence specifies an
activity that is works to which the
Environment Effects Act 1978 applies—
(i) the notice of the application for the
licence under section 52 is combined
with any notice under the
Environment Effects Act 1978 in
accordance with section 70; and
(ii) the licence is substantially in
accordance with the assessment, by the
Minister administering that Act, of the
Environment Effects Statement

397
No. 51 of 2017
prepared under that Act for those

works; or
(b) if the application for the licence specifies an
activity that requires a planning permit or the
preparation of an amendment to a planning
scheme under the Planning and
Environment Act 1987—
with any notice under the Planning
and Environment Act 1987 in
(ii) a panel has been appointed under that
Act to hear the application or
amendment; and
(iii) the licence is substantially in
accordance with the application or
amendment as heard by the panel.
S. 432 432 Specific grounds of review
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
An eligible person in relation to the following
amended by reviewable decisions may apply to VCAT for
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
review on the following grounds only—
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 (a) in the case of a decision that a person is
s. 27). liable to pay a fee or levy under this Act, that
the fee has been incorrectly calculated;
(b) in the case of a decision to issue a waste
abatement notice under section 121, that the
notice is oppressive, unjust or unreasonable;
(c) in the case of the decision to issue a
residential noise improvement notice under
section 172, that the notice is oppressive,
unjust or unreasonable;
(d) in the case of the decision to issue a notice of
assessment under section 151, that the
amount owed by the liable person or owing

398
No. 51 of 2017
to the liable person has been incorrectly

calculated.
433 Joinder of parties S. 433
inserted by
No. 39/2018
Without limiting section 60 of the Victorian Civil s. 18 (as
and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998, VCAT amended by
Nos 27/2019
may order that a person be joined as a party to a ss 32−40,
review of a failure by the Authority to determine 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
under section 69 whether to issue a development s. 27).
licence if VCAT is satisfied that—
(a) the person's interests are affected by the
decision whether to issue that licence; and
(b) there is evidence to establish one or more of
the grounds for review set out in
section 434(3).
434 Application for review by third parties S. 434
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) A person who is not an eligible person in relation s. 18 (as
to a reviewable decision specified in subsection amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) may, if the person's interests are affected by ss 32−40,
the decision, apply to VCAT for review of the 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
decision within 15 business days after the day on s. 27).
which the decision was made.
(2) The following reviewable decisions are specified
for the purposes of subsection (1)—
(a) the issue of a development licence;
(b) the removal of the suspension of an
operating licence.
(3) An application under subsection (1) for the review
of a decision may only be made on one or more of
the following grounds—
(a) the decision unreasonably and adversely
affects the financial, physical or personal
interests of the applicant;

399
No. 51 of 2017
(b) the licence to which the decision relates

authorises a licence activity that, if
conducted in accordance with the licence,
would lead to a contravention of the general
environmental duty;
(c) the licence authorises a licence activity that,
if conducted in accordance with the licence,
would pose an unacceptable risk of harm to
human health or the environment;
(d) any condition of the licence that specifies
how a person is to comply with the general
environmental duty when engaging in a
licence activity is not sufficient to minimise
the risks of harm to human health or the
environment from pollution or waste to
which the condition relates, so far as
reasonably practicable.
(4) Without limiting section 5 of the Victorian Civil
and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998, VCAT
may take into account the following matters when
determining whether a person's interests are
affected by a decision—
(a) the principles of environment protection
specified in Chapter 2 and the purposes of
this Act;
(b) the objective of the Authority specified in
section 357;
(c) the nature of the licence activity specified in
the licence that is the subject of the decision;
(d) the impact of the licence activity on human
health and the environment;
(e) whether the person has a genuine connection
with the subject of the decision, including
but not limited to whether the person made
comments or submissions to the Authority in
relation to the application for, or the review
400
No. 51 of 2017
of, the licence that is the subject of the

decision.
(5) A person may not apply to VCAT under
subsection (1) for the review of the decision to
issue a development licence—
(a) if the application for the licence specifies an
activity that is works to which the
Environment Effects Act 1978 applies—
with any notice under the
Environment Effects Act 1978 in
(ii) the licence is substantially in
accordance with the assessment, by the
Minister administering that Act, of the
Environment Effects Statement
prepared under that Act for those
works; or
(b) if the application for the licence specifies an
activity that requires a planning permit or the
preparation of an amendment to a planning
scheme under the Planning and
Environment Act 1987—
with any notice under the Planning
and Environment Act 1987 in
(ii) a panel has been appointed under that
Act to hear the application or
amendment; and
(iii) the licence is substantially in
accordance with the application or
amendment as heard by the panel.

401
No. 51 of 2017
S. 435 435 Matters VCAT must take into account

inserted by
No. 39/2018 In determining an application for review under
s. 18 (as this Division, VCAT must take into account—
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
(a) any relevant planning scheme approved
3/2020 ss 45, under the Planning and Environment
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
Act 1987; and
(b) if VCAT considers it appropriate, any
planning scheme that, at the time VCAT
considers the application, is not approved
under the Planning and Environment
Act 1987; and
(c) any relevant environment reference standard
or order under section 156(1); and
(d) if VCAT considers it appropriate, any
agreement entered into under section 173 of
the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
S. 436 436 Application for declaration
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(1) A person may apply to VCAT for a declaration
amended by concerning any matter in relation to which the
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
person may apply to VCAT under this Act or
3/2020 ss 45, anything done by the Authority under this Act.
46, 47/2020
s. 27). (2) On an application under subsection (1) VCAT
may make any declaration it thinks appropriate in
the circumstances.
(3) VCAT's power to make a declaration under this
section is exercisable only by a presidential
member of the Tribunal.
(4) Without limiting subsection (1), a person
proposing to engage in an activity may apply to
VCAT for a declaration as to whether or not a
permission is required to engage in that activity.

402
No. 51 of 2017
Part 14.3—Delegations
Part 14.3—Delegations Pt 14.3

(Heading and
s. 437)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
437 Delegation S. 437

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Governing Board may by instrument delegate s. 18 (as
all or any of the Authority's powers and functions amended by
Nos 27/2019
under this Act to— ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
(a) a public sector body; or 46, 47/2020 s.
27).
(b) a council; or
(c) an officer or employee, or class of officer or
employee, of the Authority; or
(d) an officer or employee, or class of officer or
employee, of any other public sector body or
a council.
(2) If the Governing Board delegates a power or
function to a public sector body or council under
subsection (1), the body or council may, either
generally or as otherwise provided by the
instrument of delegation, in writing, delegate the
delegated power or function—
(a) to an officer or employee of the body or
council; or
(b) to a class of officer or employee of the body
or council.
(3) If the Governing Board delegates a power or
function to the chief executive officer under
subsection (1), the chief executive officer may,
either generally or as otherwise provided by the

403
No. 51 of 2017
Part 14.3—Delegations
instrument of delegation, in writing, delegate the

delegated power or function to—
(a) an officer or employee of the Authority; or
(b) the holder of an office or position with the
Authority.
(4) The Governing Board may give directions in
respect of the exercise of a power or the carrying
out of a function delegated under subsection (1),
(2) or (3).
(5) Without limiting subsection (4), a direction given
under that subsection may—
(a) impose conditions or limitations on the
exercise of the power or the carrying out of
the function specified in the instrument of
delegation; and
(b) be of general or limited application.

404
No. 51 of 2017
Part 14.4—Financial matters
Part 14.4—Financial matters Pt 14.4

(Heading and
ss 438–451)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
438 Fees and penalties to be paid into the Consolidated S. 438

inserted by
Fund No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(1) Subject to sections 439 and 440, the following amended by
Nos 27/2019
fees and penalties must be paid into the ss 32−40,
Consolidated Fund— 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
(a) any fee paid under this Act; s. 27).
(b) any penalty for an offence against this Act or

the regulations;
(c) a civil penalty for a contravention of a civil
penalty provision under this Act.
(2) Any fee paid under this Act to a body (other than S. 438(2)
amended by
a council) that has delegated powers or functions No. 36/2022
of the Authority must be paid by the body to the s. 61.
Authority for payment into the Consolidated

Fund.
439 Exceptions to requirement to pay fees and penalties S. 439
inserted by
into the Consolidated Fund No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
(1) Any fee paid under this Act to a council is not S. 439(1)
substituted by
required to be paid into the Consolidated Fund No. 36/2022
and may be retained by the council. s. 62(1).

405
No. 51 of 2017
S. 439(2) (2) Any penalty for an offence or an infringement

amended by offence under this Act (other than Part 6.3) or the
No. 36/2022
s. 62(2). regulations where a prosecution was undertaken,
or an infringement notice was issued by a person
authorised for that purpose by a council, is not
required to be paid into the Consolidated Fund
and must be paid to the council once the penalty
has been recovered.
S. 439(3) (3) Any civil penalty for a contravention of a civil
inserted by
No. 36/2022 penalty provision under this Act (other than
s. 62(3). Part 6.3) or the regulations payable in respect of a
proceeding taken by a council as a delegate of the
Authority, is not required to be paid into the
Consolidated Fund and must be paid to the
council once the penalty has been recovered.
S. 439(4) (4) A fee specified in subsection (5) charged by an
inserted by
No. 36/2022 approved motor vehicle tester is not required to be
s. 62(3). paid into the Consolidated Fund and may be
retained by that approved motor vehicle tester.
S. 439(5) (5) For the purposes of subsection (4), the following
inserted by
No. 36/2022 fees are specified—
s. 62(3).
(a) a fee for inspecting, measuring or testing a
motor vehicle to determine compliance with
the regulations in relation to emissions from
motor vehicles;
(b) a fee for issuing a certificate of compliance
with the regulations in relation to emissions
from motor vehicles.
S. 440 440 Further exceptions to requirement to pay fees and
inserted by
No. 39/2018 penalties into the Consolidated Fund in relation to
s. 18 (as Part 6.3
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 (a) a prosecution has been undertaken for an
s. 27). offence under Part 6.3 by a person authorised
for that purpose, a litter authority or a litter
enforcement officer; or
406
No. 51 of 2017
(b) an infringement notice has been issued for an

infringement offence under Part 6.3 by a
litter enforcement officer.
(2) The following penalties must be paid by the
Authority into the Environment Protection Fund
once the penalty has been recovered—
(a) the penalty for the offence;
(b) the penalty for the infringement offence.
(3) The penalties specified in subsection (2) must be
paid by any litter authority (other than the
Authority) once the penalty has been recovered—
(a) into the litter authority's fund; or
(b) if the litter authority does not have a fund but
administers or uses money paid to or
collected by the litter authority, to the litter
authority.
441 Environment Protection Fund S. 441
inserted by
No. 39/2018
There must be established in the Public Account s. 18 (as
as part of the Trust Fund an account to be known amended by
Nos 27/2019
as the Environment Protection Fund. ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
442 Investment of money from Environment Protection S. 442

inserted by
Fund No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
Any money standing to the credit of the amended by
Nos 27/2019
Environment Protection Fund may be invested in ss 32−40,
any securities approved by the Treasurer. 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).

407
No. 51 of 2017
S. 443 443 Treasurer may make grants or advances out of the

inserted by Environment Protection Fund
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as (1) The Treasurer may make a grant or an advance
amended by
Nos 27/2019 out of the Environment Protection Fund to a body
ss 32−40, corporate under any Act if—
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
(a) the grant or the advance is for or towards the
cost of carrying out any necessary works for
the treatment or disposal of waste in
accordance with this Act and the regulations;
and
(b) the existing facilities for the treatment or
disposal of waste are or are likely to become
inadequate to comply with this Act or the
regulations.
(2) An advance made by the Treasurer under
subsection (1) must be subject to conditions as
agreed to between the Treasurer and the body
corporate in relation to the repayment of the
advance and any interest on the advance.
S. 444 444 Payments into the Environment Protection Fund
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
There must be paid into the Environment
amended by Protection Fund—
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40, (a) all money provided by Parliament for the
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 purposes of the Fund; and
s. 27).
(b) all money collected as an environment
protection levy under Part 4.8; and
(c) all money collected as a waste levy under
section 145(2); and
(d) any other money collected as a waste levy
under Part 6.6; and
(e) all money collected as a fee for conducting a
preliminary risk screen assessment or an
environmental audit under Part 8.3; and

408
No. 51 of 2017
(f) all money collected under an order made

under section 332; and
(g) all interest earned from the investment of
money standing to the credit of the
Environment Protection Fund; and
(h) all money repaid to the Treasurer in relation
to an advance made by the Treasurer under
section 443 and all interest earned on the
advance.
445 Payments out of the Environment Protection Fund S. 445
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) Money paid out of the Environment Protection s. 18 (as
Fund must— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) in the case of money paid into the ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
Environment Protection Fund under section 46, 47/2020
444(b) or (c) or any penalty paid into the s. 27).
Environment Protection Fund under section
440(2)—be applied by the Authority for the
purposes of protecting human health or the
environment from pollution or waste; or
(b) in the case of money paid into the
444(d)—be applied by the Authority in
accordance with section 448; or
(c) in the case of money paid into the
444(e)—be applied by the Authority for the
purposes of Part 8.3.
(2) In addition to subsection (1), money may be paid
out of the Environment Protection Fund if the
Authority is required—
(a) to pay an amount to a liable person under
Part 6.6; and
(b) to refund money paid into the Environment
Protection Fund under section 444(c) or (d)
as a result of a miscalculation or an error.

409
No. 51 of 2017
S. 446 446 General Waste Levy Account

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) Within the Environment Protection Fund, the
s. 18 (as Authority must establish and maintain an account
amended by
Nos 27/2019 to be known as the General Waste Levy Account.
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45, (2) The Authority must credit to the General Waste
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
Levy Account all amounts paid into the
444(d).
(3) This section does not affect the operation of
section 445(2).
S. 447 447 Restorative Project Account
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(1) Within the Environment Protection Fund, the
amended by Authority must establish and maintain an account
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
to be known as the Restorative Project Account.
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
(2) The Authority must credit to the Restorative

Project Account any money paid into the
Environment Protection Fund under section 444(f)
that specifies that the money is to be paid into the
Restorative Project Account.
(3) Money standing to the credit of the Restorative
Project Account must be applied by the Authority
to enable a person or organisation to carry out—
(a) if the order under section 332 specifies the
project for the restoration or enhancement of
the environment for which the money is to
be applied, that project; or
(b) in any other case, any project for the
restoration or enhancement of the
environment.

410
No. 51 of 2017
448 Municipal and Industrial Waste Levy Trust S. 448

Account inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Department of Environment, Land, Water and s. 18 (as
amended by
Planning must establish and maintain an account Nos 27/2019
to be known as the Municipal and Industrial ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
Waste Levy Trust Account. 46, 47/2020
s. 27).
(2) The Authority must credit to the Municipal and
Industrial Waste Levy Trust Account any amount
standing to the credit of the General Waste Levy
Account at the end of each quarter by the 15th day
of the following quarter.
(3) There may be paid out of the Municipal and S. 448(3)
amended by
Industrial Waste Levy Trust Account an amount No. 36/2022
to one or more of the following— s. 72(1).
(a) the Authority;

(b) Sustainability Victoria;
* * * * * S. 448(3)(c)
repealed by
No. 55/2021
s. 209.
(ca) the Head, Recycling Victoria; S. 448(3)(ca)

inserted by
No. 36/2022
s. 72(2).
(d) a public entity or other body if—

(i) that body is established for a public
purpose; and
(ii) the amount is paid out for the purposes
of environmental assessment,
environmental protection,
environmental restoration or
environmental improvement.

411
No. 51 of 2017
(4) Any amount paid out under subsection (3) must be

paid out in accordance with a determination made
(5) The Minister must make a determination
specifying—
S. 448(5)(a) (a) an amount to be paid to one or more of the
amended by
No. 36/2022 person or bodies referred to in subsection (3)
s. 72(3). or the methods by which the amount to be
paid is to be calculated; and
(b) the times at which the amount must be paid;
and
(c) the period for which the determination
applies.
(6) This section does not affect the operation of
section 445(2).
S. 449 449 Sustainability Fund Account
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(1) The Department of Environment, Land, Water and
amended by Planning must establish and maintain an account
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
to be known as the Sustainability Fund Account.
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 (2) The Department of Environment, Land, Water and
s. 27). Planning must credit to the Sustainability Fund
Account any amount standing to the credit of the
Municipal and Industrial Waste Levy Trust
Account at the end of each quarter.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), money paid out of the
Sustainability Fund Account must be applied, with
the consent of the Premier and the Minister, for
the following purposes—
(a) to foster environmentally sustainable uses of
resources and best practices in waste
management to advance the social and
economic development of Victoria;

412
No. 51 of 2017
(b) either—
(i) to foster community action or
innovation in relation to the reduction
of greenhouse gas substance emissions;
or
(ii) to adapt or adjust to climate change in
Victoria.
(4) The Premier and the Minister must not consent to
the application of money paid out of the
Sustainability Fund Account for the purposes
referred to in subsection (3) unless—
(a) a priority statement has been produced and
published in accordance with section 450
that sets out, in order of priority, the matters
in respect of which the Premier and Minister
intend to pay out money from the
Sustainability Fund Account in the relevant
period; and
(b) guidelines are in force that detail how the
Premier and the Minister will exercise their
powers under subsection (3) and those
guidelines have been published in
accordance with section 451(2).
450 Priority statement S. 450
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Minister must prepare a statement setting out, s. 18 (as
in order of priority, the matters in respect of which amended by
Nos 27/2019
the Premier and the Minister intend money to be ss 32−40,
paid out of the Sustainability Fund Account under 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
section 449(3). s. 27).
(2) A statement under subsection (1) must be
produced and published in accordance with the
following steps—
(a) the Minister must produce a draft statement;

413
No. 51 of 2017
(b) notice of the draft statement must be

advertised in a newspaper circulating
generally throughout Victoria;
(c) the advertisement must include—
(i) an outline of the draft statement; and
(ii) advice as to where a copy of the draft
statement can be obtained or examined;
and
(iii) a statement inviting any person with an
interest in the draft statement to make
comments to the Premier or the
Minister within 15 business days after
the date of publication of the
advertisement;
(d) a copy of the draft statement and a copy of
the statement required under paragraph
(c)(iii) must be published on the Internet site
of the Department of Environment, Land,
Water and Planning;
(e) the Premier and the Minister must consider
any comments that are made in response to
the invitation referred to in paragraph (c)(iii)
before approving and publishing the
statement;
(f) a copy of the approved statement must be
published in the Government Gazette.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if the statement—
(a) only revokes an existing statement; or
(b) only amends an existing statement and the
amendment is of a machinery or
administrative nature.

414
No. 51 of 2017
451 Sustainability Fund Account guidelines S. 451

inserted by
(1) The Minister must cause to be published any No. 39/2018
guidelines made for the purposes of section s. 18 (as
amended by
449(4)(b)— Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
(a) in the Government Gazette; and 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
(b) on the Internet site of the Department of s. 27).
Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
(2) A guideline made for the purposes of section
449(4)(b) has no effect until it is published in the
Government Gazette.
(3) On or before the 6th sitting day after a guideline
has been published in the Government Gazette,
the Minister must ensure that a copy of the
guideline is laid before each House of the
Parliament.
(4) A failure to comply with subsection (3) does not
affect the operation or effect of the guideline but
the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee
of the Parliament may report the failure to each
House of the Parliament.
(5) A guideline may be disallowed in whole or in part
by either House of Parliament.
(6) Part 5 of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994
applies to a guideline as if—
(a) a reference in that Part to a "statutory rule"
was a reference to the guideline; and
(b) a reference in section 23(1)(c) of that Part
to "section 15(1)" was a reference to
subsection (3).

415
No. 51 of 2017
Part 14.5—Information sharing
Pt 14.5
(Heading and
ss 452–457)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
Division 1—Collection, use, disclosure and
s. 18 (as publication of information
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
S. 452 452 Authority may collect, use, disclose or publish

inserted by
No. 39/2018 information
s. 18 (as
amended by (1) Subject to anything to the contrary in this or
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
another Act, the Authority may collect, use,
3/2020 ss 45, disclose or publish any information if the
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
collection, use, disclosure or publication is
necessary for the Authority—
(a) to perform its functions under this or another
Act; or
(b) to exercise its powers under this Act or
another Act.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Authority
may, subject to anything to the contrary in this or
another Act—
(a) use or disclose information if—
(i) the Authority has reason to suspect that
unlawful activity has been, is being or
may be engaged in; and
(ii) the use or disclosure is a necessary part
of the Authority's investigation or
reporting of the matter; or
(b) disclose information to any law enforcement
agency to enable the Authority to perform
any of its functions or powers in
collaboration with that agency; or

416
No. 51 of 2017
(c) obtain or receive from a law enforcement

agency any information necessary for the
exercise of any of the Authority's powers or
functions, including but not limited to the
exercise of a power or function in
collaboration with the agency; or
(d) collect or use information from, or disclose
information to, another government agency
if the collection, use or disclosure is—
(i) necessary for research or the compiling
or analysis of statistics; and
(ii) is in the public interest; or
(e) use or disclose information if the Authority
reasonably believes that the use or disclosure
is necessary to prevent or minimise a serious
risk of harm to human health or the
environment.
another government agency means—
(a) a public sector body; or
(b) a council; or
(c) a public sector body of another State, a
Territory or the Commonwealth.
453 Unauthorised disclosure of commercially sensitive S. 453
inserted by
information No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(1) A person must not disclose any commercially amended by
Nos 27/2019
sensitive information obtained by the person ss 32−40,
during the exercise of a power or performance of a 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
function or duty under this Act except in s. 27).
accordance with this Part.

417
No. 51 of 2017
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the following

disclosures of commercially sensitive
information—
(a) a disclosure made in the exercise of a power
or the performance of a function under, or in
connection with, this Act or another Act or
the regulations;
(b) a disclosure made with the consent of the
person to whom the information relates;
(c) a disclosure made to a court or tribunal in the
course of legal proceedings;
(d) a disclosure made pursuant to an order of a
court or tribunal;
(e) a disclosure of information that is in the
public domain at the time of the disclosure
other than as the result of a disclosure
prohibited under this or another Act;
(f) a disclosure made to an Australian legal
practitioner for the purposes of obtaining
legal advice or representation;
(g) a disclosure to the IBAC made as required or
authorised by or under this Act or the
Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption
Commission Act 2011;
(h) a disclosure made under section 452(2)(a) or
(e) to another government agency within the
meaning of section 452;
(i) a disclosure made under section 452(2)(b).
S. 454 454 Public warning statements
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
The Authority may publish a public statement or
amended by issue a public warning, identifying and giving
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
information about the following—
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 (a) environmental conditions in Victoria or any
s. 27). area within Victoria;

418
No. 51 of 2017
(b) any risk of harm to human health or the

(c) any other matter that may result in a risk of
harm to human health or the environment.
Division 2—Public Register

455 Public Register S. 455
inserted by
(1) The Authority must establish and maintain the No. 39/2018
Public Register. s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) The Authority may establish and maintain the ss 32−40,
Public Register in any form and manner that the 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
Authority thinks appropriate. s. 27).
456 Information to be kept on the Public Register S. 456

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) Subject to subsection (2), details of the following s. 18 (as
must be kept on the Public Register— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) any enforceable undertaking that is in force ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
including, but not limited to, the date on 46, 47/2020
which the enforceable undertaking was s. 27).
accepted;
(b) any licence issued by the Authority that is in
force, including, but not limited to—
(i) the holder of the licence; and
(ii) any conditions to which the licence is
subject; and
(iii) the period during which the licence is
in force; and
(iv) any extension of the period during
which a licence activity must be
completed; and
(v) any suspension, revocation or surrender
of the licence; and

419
No. 51 of 2017
(vi) any exemption granted under

section 80;
(c) any permit or registration issued or granted
by the Authority that is in force, including,
but not limited to—
(i) the holder of the permit or registration;
and
(ii) any conditions to which the permit or
registration is subject; and
(iii) the period during which the permit or
registration is in force; and
(iv) any suspension, revocation or surrender
of the permit or registration; and
(v) in the case of a permit, any exemption
granted under section 82;
(d) any exemption granted under section 459,
other than an exemption granted under that
section to a class of persons;
(e) any site management order that is in force;
(f) the final determination of any proceedings
taken under this Act to which the Authority
is a party;
(g) any preliminary risk screen assessment
statement prepared under section 205;
(h) any environmental audit statement prepared
under section 210;
(i) any advisory panel established under
section 235 including, but not limited to—
(i) the panel's terms of reference; and
(ii) any report produced by the panel; and
(iii) any recommendation made by the
panel;

420
No. 51 of 2017
(j) any better environment plan that is in force,

including, but not limited to the following—
(i) any suspension of the operation of the
better environment plan under
section 187;
(ii) any revocation under section 184 or
187 of the better environment plan;
(iii) any amendment under section 184 of
the better environment plan;
(iv) any removal under section 184 or 187
of a participant in the better
environment plan;
(v) any suspension under section 187 of the
participation of a participant in the
better environment plan;
(k) any compliance code approved under
Part 5.3;
(l) any position statement made under
section 105;
(m) any guidelines issued by the Authority under
this Act;
(n) any prescribed information.
(2) Information under subsection (1) that is prescribed
for the purposes of this subsection is not required
to be kept on the Public Register in relation to any
prescribed permit or registration or a permit or
registration included in any prescribed class of
permit or registration.
(3) The Public Register may contain any further
information that the Authority considers
appropriate.

421
No. 51 of 2017
S. 457 457 Public access to the Public Register

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority must
s. 18 (as ensure that the Public Register is available for
amended by
Nos 27/2019 inspection by the public—
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45, (a) during the prescribed time and in the
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
prescribed manner; and
(b) on payment of any prescribed fee.
(2) The Authority must ensure that commercially
sensitive information that is kept in the Public
Register is not available for public inspection
except with the consent of the person to whom the
information relates.

422
No. 51 of 2017
Part 14.6—Designated agencies
Part 14.6—Designated agencies Pt 14.6

(Heading and
s. 458)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
458 Power of Authority to designate agency to have S. 458

inserted by
specified responsibilities etc. in areas that pose risk No. 39/2018
of harm to human health or the environment s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
(1) If it appears to the Authority that circumstances ss 32−40,
exist or are likely to exist in an area that present a 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
risk of harm to human health or the environment s. 27).
from pollution or waste, the Authority may—
(a) designate any Victorian Government agency
as having jurisdiction and control over the
area and to be responsible for it, either
wholly or to the extent limited by the
Authority; and
(b) specify the actions or measures to be taken
by a designated agency for the management
or control of the area or for eliminating or
reducing any risk of harm to human health or
the environment; and
(c) direct a designated agency to construct,
maintain, and operate such works, facilities
and equipment for eliminating or reducing
risks of harm to human health or the
environment as are specified by the
Authority.
(2) In this section, Victorian Government agency
means any of the following—
(a) a public sector body within the meaning of
the Public Administration Act 1994;

423
No. 51 of 2017
Part 14.6—Designated agencies
(b) a Council within the meaning of the Local

Government Act 1989.

424
No. 51 of 2017
Part 14.7—Exemptions
Part 14.7—Exemptions Pt 14.7

(Heading and
s. 459)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
459AA Notice and payment of additional application fee S. 459AA

inserted by
No. 36/2022
(1) The Authority may require an applicant for an s. 63.
exemption under section 459 to pay a fee for the
application—
the notice.
459 Exemptions S. 459
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Authority may exempt a person or class of s. 18 (as
persons from any provisions of the regulations or amended by
Nos 27/2019
of a legislative instrument (within the meaning of ss 32−40,
the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994) made 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
under this Act in accordance with this section. s. 27).

425
No. 51 of 2017
(2) The Authority may grant an exemption on its own

motion or on the application of a person seeking
the exemption.
S. 459(3) (3) An application for an exemption must—
substituted by
No. 36/2022
s. 64(1).
(a) be made in the form approved by the
Authority; and
(b) be accompanied by the prescribed fee (if
any) for the application.
Note
An additional fee may be payable under
section 459AA.
(4) The Authority must not grant an exemption unless
it is satisfied that—
(a) the exemption will not pose a serious risk of
harm to human health or the environment;
and
(b) it is not practicable for the person to comply
with the provision for which the exemption
is sought, or the exemption is necessary to
enable the efficient administration of the
relevant regulation or legislative instrument
(as the case may be).
(5) The Authority may refuse to grant an exemption if
it considers that it would be more appropriate for
an application for an exemption to be made under
another provision of the Act or regulations.
S. 459(6) * * * * *
repealed by
No. 36/2022
s. 64(2).
(7) An exemption may be subject to any conditions
that the Authority considers appropriate.
(8) An exemption has effect for the period specified
in the exemption and may be varied, revoked or
renewed as the Authority considers appropriate.

426
No. 51 of 2017
(8A) An exemption to a class of persons may apply, S. 459(8A)

adopt or incorporate, with or without inserted by
No. 36/2022
modification, any matter contained in any s. 64(3).
document, code, standard, rule, specification or
method formulated, issued, prescribed or
published by any person or body—
(9) If the Authority grants an exemption to a class of
persons, it must publish the following details of
the exemption in the Government Gazette as soon
as practicable after it is granted—
(a) the class of persons to whom the exemption
applies;
(b) the provision of the regulations or legislative
instrument in respect of which the exemption
is granted;
(ba) details of any matter contained in any S. 459(9)(ba)
inserted by
document, code, standard, rule, specification No. 36/2022
or method that is applied, adopted or s. 64(4).
incorporated by the exemption;

(c) any conditions to which the exemption is
subject.
(10) An exemption published in the Government
Gazette takes effect from the date it is published
in the Gazette, or on a later date specified in the
exemption.
(11) An exemption has no effect unless the conditions
to which it is subject are complied with.

427
No. 51 of 2017
S. 459A 459A Timing for dealing with applications for exemptions

inserted by
No. 36/2022 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority must
s. 65. determine an application for an exemption under
section 459 within 15 business days of receiving
the application.
(2) The time in which the Authority must deal with
the application for an exemption under
section 459 does not include—
(a) if the Authority requires information under
section 459B, the period from the date that
the Authority makes the request until the
date on which the Authority receives the
information; or
(b) any period that the Authority and the
applicant agree is not to be included in that
time.
S. 459B 459B Authority may require additional information
inserted by
No. 36/2022
s. 65.
The Authority may require an applicant for an
exemption under section 459 to provide the
Authority with any information relating to the
application that the Authority considers necessary.

428
No. 51 of 2017
Part 14.8—Impersonation, interference, and information offences
Part 14.8—Impersonation, interference, and Pt 14.8

(Heading and
information offences ss 460–463)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
460 Impersonation S. 460

inserted by
No. 39/2018
A person must not falsely hold themself out to be s. 18 (as
all or any of the following— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) an analyst; ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
(b) an authorised officer; 46, 47/2020
s. 27).
(c) a council officer who is performing a
function or duty or exercising a power under
this Act ;
(d) an environmental auditor;
(e) a litter enforcement officer;
(f) a residential noise enforcement officer;
(g) a person or a member of a class of person
that is a prescribed role;
(h) any other person performing a function or
duty or exercising a power under this Act.
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.

429
No. 51 of 2017
S. 461 461 False representations relating to Authority approval

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) A person must not—
s. 18 (as
amended by (a) falsely hold themself out as having been
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
issued or granted a permission; or
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 (b) falsely represent any goods for manufacture
s. 27). or for sale by the person as having Authority
approval; or
(c) falsely represent any carrying out or offering
of services by the person as having Authority
approval; or
(d) falsely advertise goods or services as having
Authority approval.
60 penalty units;
300 penalty units.
Authority approval means—
(a) approved by the Authority; or
(b) used by the Authority in the
performance of the Authority's
functions or duties or the exercise of
the Authority's powers.
S. 462 462 Interference with equipment
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(1) A person must not—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (a) unlawfully interfere with monitoring
ss 32−40, equipment that is used by the Authority or an
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 authorised officer; and
s. 27).
(b) unlawfully interfere with monitoring
equipment that is used by any other person
for the purpose of performance of a function
or duty, exercise of a power, or satisfaction

430
No. 51 of 2017
of an obligation or requirement imposed by

or under this Act.
500 penalty units;
2500 penalty units.
offence.
Note
463 Provision of false information S. 463
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) This section applies if— s. 18 (as
amended by
(a) a person provides information or documents Nos 27/2019
to the Authority or an authorised officer ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
under this Act; or 46, 47/2020
s. 27).
(b) an authorised officer is performing a
function or duty or exercising a power under
this Act and requires a person to provide
information or documents.
(2) A person must not do any of the following—
(a) provide information or make a statement that
is false or misleading in a material particular;
(b) conceal any materially relevant information
or document;
(c) produce a document that is false or
misleading in a material particular, without
indicating in what respect it is false or
misleading and, if practicable, providing the
relevant correct information.
Note

431
No. 51 of 2017

an offence.
500 penalty units;
2500 penalty units.
offence.
Note
(5) This section does not apply to the provision of
information or documents by a person under
Part 6.3.

432
No. 51 of 2017
Chapter 15—Regulations Ch. 15

(Headings
and ss 464–
466)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
Pt 15.1
s. 464)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).

inserted by
No. 39/2018
Chapter. amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) Part 15.2 sets out the powers of the Governor in ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
Council to make regulations. 46, 47/2020
s. 27).

433
No. 51 of 2017
Part 15.2—Regulations
Pt 15.2
(Heading and
ss 465, 466)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
S. 465 465 Regulations

inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(1) The Governor in Council may make regulations
amended by for or with respect to any matter or thing required
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
or permitted by this Act to be prescribed or
3/2020 ss 45, necessary to be prescribed to give effect to this
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
Act.
(2) Without limiting any power of the Governor in
Council to make regulations under this Act, the
Governor in Council may make regulations—
(a) for or with respect to any of the matters set
out in Schedule 1; or
(b) prescribing forms; or
(c) prescribing fees including, but not limited
to—
(i) fees for doing an act or providing a
service under this Act; and
S. 465(2)(c)(ia) (ia) fees for an act or service (including fees
inserted by
No. 36/2022 referred to in section 439(5)) provided
s. 66(1). by an approved motor vehicle tester
under this Act or the regulations; and
S. 465(2)(c)(ib) (ib) variable fees for determining an
inserted by
No. 36/2022 application or accepting a submission
s. 66(1). under this Act or the regulations; and

434
No. 51 of 2017
(ii) in the case of fees prescribed for

operating licences, fees that are higher
than the cost of administration of, or
provision of, services in connection
with operating licences; or
(ca) prescribing the method for calculating fees S. 465(2)(ca)
inserted by
payable under this Act or the regulations for No. 36/2022
decisions in respect of applications, s. 66(2).
submissions or other matters, whether

payable at the time the application,
submission or other matter is made or at a
later time; or
(d) regulating or prohibiting the waiver or
refund of fees; or
(e) prescribing offences; or
(f) prescribing a penalty for any contravention
of the regulations not exceeding—
(i) 100 penalty units for a natural person;
or
(ii) 500 penalty units for a body corporate,
or 5 times the penalty prescribed for
such a contravention by a natural
person, whichever is the lesser; or
(g) prescribing offences under this Act or the
regulations to be infringement offences; or
(h) in relation to each infringement offence,
prescribing the penalty in respect of the
offence.
(3) Regulations made under this Act—
(a) may be of general or limited application;
(b) may differ according to differences in time,
place or circumstance;

435
No. 51 of 2017
S. 465(3)(c) (c) may leave any matter or thing to be from

amended by time to time approved, determined, applied,
No. 36/2022
s. 66(3). dispensed with declared or designated or
regulated by a specified person or class of
persons;
(d) may provide in a specified case or class of
case for the exemption of persons or things
or a class of persons or things from any of
the provisions of the regulations, whether
unconditionally or on specified conditions
and either wholly or to the extent specified;
(e) may confer powers or impose duties in
connection with the regulations on any
specified person or specified class of
persons;
(f) subject to subsection (4), may apply, adopt
or incorporate, with or without modification,
any matter contained in any document, code,
standard, rule, specification or method
formulated, issued, prescribed or published
by any person or body—
(i) wholly or partially or as amended by
the regulations; or
(ii) as formulated, issued, prescribed
(whether under this or any other Act) or
published at the time the regulations are
made or at any time before then; or
(iii) as formulated, issued, prescribed
(whether under this or any other Act) or
published from time to time.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3)(f), the Minister
must ensure that the National Environment
Protection Council is consulted before the
Minister recommends that a regulation be made if
it is proposed that the regulation is to incorporate

436
No. 51 of 2017
a measure that is more stringent than a national

environment protection measure.
(5) Before the Governor in Council makes regulations
under subsection (1), the Minister must have
regard to the principles of environment protection.
465A Incorporation powers for certain documents S. 465A
inserted by
No. 36/2022
(1) A relevant document may apply, adopt or s. 67.
incorporate, with or without modification, any
matter contained in any document, code, standard,
rule, specification or method formulated, issued,
prescribed or published by any person or body—
(2) In subsection (1)—
relevant document means—
(a) any document made or issued by the
Authority under the Environment
Protection Regulations 2021 that is—
(i) a designation setting out the waste
classification for waste or relating
to mixing, blending or diluting
waste; or
(ii) a determination or declaration
regarding receiving or using
waste; or
(b) any equivalent to a document to which
paragraph (a) applies made under a re-
making of those Regulations to which
section 30 of the Interpretation of
Legislation Act 1984 applies; or
(c) a determination of the background level
in relation to waste, a chemical
substance or a prescribed substance,

437
No. 51 of 2017
referred to in section 36(a)(ii), made by

the Authority in accordance with the
regulations; or
(d) a notice published by the Authority
under section 48.
S. 466 466 Effect of compliance with regulations
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
If—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (a) the regulations make provision for or with
ss 32−40, respect to a duty or obligation imposed by
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 this Act or the regulations; and
s. 27).
(b) a person complies with the regulations to the
extent that it makes that provision—
the person is, for the purposes of this Act and the
regulations, taken to have complied with this Act
or the regulations in relation to that duty or
obligation.

438
No. 51 of 2017
Chapter 16—Transitional provisions Ch. 16

(Headings
and ss 467–
499)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
Pt 16.1
s. 467)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).

inserted by
No. 39/2018
Chapter. amended by
Nos 27/2019
(2) Part 16.2 provides for general transitional matters, ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
including defined expressions. 46, 47/2020
s. 27).
(3) Part 16.3 preserves certain instruments such as
permissions, notices and directions under the new
Act.
(4) Part 16.4 provides for environmental audits
underway at the commencement day.
* * * * * S. 467(5)
repealed by
No. 36/2022
s. 68.
(6) Part 16.6 provides for certain financial matters.

(7) Part 16.7 preserves certain existing appointments.

439
No. 51 of 2017
(8) Part 16.8 provides for transitional matters relating

to VCAT.
(9) Part 16.9 provides for transitional provisions
relating to regulations, including—
(a) preserving certain regulations; and
(b) providing for regulations to be made in
relation to transitional matters.

440
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.2—General
Part 16.2—General Pt 16.2

(Heading and
ss 468, 469)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
468 Definitions S. 468

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) In this Chapter— s. 18 (as
amended by
commencement day means the day on which Nos 27/2019
section 7 of the Environment Protection ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
Amendment Act 2018 comes into operation; 46, 47/2020
s. 27).
equivalent, in relation to an old permission, has
the meaning given by section 470;
new Act means this Act;
new permission means a permission within the
meaning of the new Act;
old Act means the Environment Protection
Act 1970 as in force from time to time
before its repeal by this Act;
old permission means an approval, permission,
authorisation or licence (however described)
within the meaning of the old Act.
(2) For the purposes of this Chapter an application is
finally determined when—
(a) a decision made in respect of the application
is not subject to any form of reconsideration
or review; or
(b) a decision made in respect of the application
was subject to some form of reconsideration
or review, but the period within which such a
reconsideration or review could be instituted

441
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.2—General
has ended without a reconsideration or

review having been instituted.
S. 469 469 General transitional provisions
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(1) Except where the contrary intention appears, this
amended by Chapter, and regulations under this Chapter, do
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
not affect or take away from the Interpretation of
3/2020 ss 45, Legislation Act 1984.
46, 47/2020
s. 27). (2) If a provision of the old Act continues to have
effect because of this Chapter, or regulations
under this Chapter, the following provisions also
continue to have effect—
(a) any other provisions of the old Act that are
related to the continued provision and that
need to continue to be in force in order for
the continued provision to have full force
and effect, including any relevant definition;
(b) any regulations made under the old Act for
the purposes of the continued provision.
(3) This Chapter, and regulations under this Chapter,
apply despite anything to the contrary in the old
Act.

442
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.3—Transitional provisions: permissions, notices, directions and
orders
Part 16.3—Transitional provisions: Pt 16.3

(Headings
permissions, notices, directions and orders and ss 470–
477)
inserted by
Division 1—Permissions No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
470 When a new permission is the equivalent of an old S. 470

inserted by
permission No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
For the purposes of this Part, a new permission amended by
Nos 27/2019
specified in, or prescribed as mentioned in, ss 32−40,
column 3 of an item of the Table is the equivalent 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
of an old permission specified in column 2 of that s. 27).
item of the Table.
Table
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3

Item Old permission New permission
1 A works approval under A development licence
section 19B
2 A research, development A pilot project licence
or demonstration approval
under section 19D
3 A licence under section 20 A prescribed new permission
4 An emergency waste An authorisation under
authorisation under section 157
section 30A
5 A permit to transport A prescribed new permission
prescribed waste or
prescribed industrial waste
under section 53F
6 A prescribed old A prescribed new permission
permission

443
No. 51 of 2017
orders
S. 471 471 Continuation of permissions

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) This section applies if—
s. 18 (as
amended by (a) immediately before the commencement day,
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
a person holds an old permission; and
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 (b) under the new Act, there is a new permission
s. 27). that is the equivalent of the old permission
(see section 470).
(2) The person is taken to hold the new permission on
and from the commencement day.
(3) Subject to section 472, the new permission is
taken to be subject to the same conditions as those
to which the old permission was subject
immediately before the commencement day.
S. 471(4) (4) Subsection (2) applies as if—
inserted by
No. 36/2022
s. 73.
(a) the new permission the person is taken to
hold is the new permission referred to in
Column 3 of the Table at the foot of
section 470 opposite the equivalent old
permission; and
(b) the new permission had been issued or
granted (as the case requires) under the
relevant provision of this Act.
S. 471A 471A New permissions issued or granted by council or
inserted by
No. 36/2022 Authority
s. 74.
On and from the commencement day, a new
permission is taken to have been issued or
granted—
(a) in the case of a permit that is the equivalent
of a permit issued under section 53M of the
old Act, by the council that issued the permit
under section 53M; or
(b) in any other case, by the Authority.

444
No. 51 of 2017
orders
471B New permissions equivalent to old permissions S. 471B

issued under section 20 of old Act inserted by
No. 36/2022
(1) On and from the commencement day, a new s. 74.
permission that is the equivalent of an old

permission listed in Column 2, item 3 of the Table
at the foot of section 470, that is taken to be a
prescribed new permission, continues in
perpetuity until it is revoked.
(2) On and from the commencement day, a new
permission that is the equivalent of an old
permission listed in Column 2, item 3 of the Table
at the foot of section 470, that is taken to be a
prescribed new permission, is taken to have been
issued on the day that the old permission was
issued under the old Act.
472 Amendment of new permissions by Authority S. 472
inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) If a person is taken to hold a new permission s. 18 (as
because of section 471, the Authority may, during amended by
Nos 27/2019
the period of 12 months beginning on the ss 32−40,
commencement day, do any of the following for 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
the purposes of ensuring that the new permission s. 27).
is consistent with the kinds of conditions that may
be imposed under the new Act—
(a) amend one or more conditions of the new
permission;
(b) revoke one or more conditions of the new
permission;
(c) impose one or more additional conditions on
the new permission;
(d) make any consequential amendments
necessary to the permission.
(2) Before exercising a power under subsection (1),
the Authority must, at least 10 business days
before the Authority exercises the power, give the
person a written notice stating—

445
No. 51 of 2017
orders
(a) that the Authority intends to exercise the

power; and
(b) if the Authority proposes to amend one or
more conditions or impose one or more
additional conditions, that the person may
make a request under subsection (3) (which
deals with additional time to comply).
(3) A person who has been given a notice under
subsection (2) may make a written request to the
Authority that the person not be required to
comply with the proposed amended or additional
conditions until 6 months after the conditions are
amended or imposed.
(4) After exercising a power under subsection (1), the
Authority must give the person a written notice
stating—
(a) the amended or additional condition or
conditions, as the case requires; and
(b) if the person made a request under
subsection (3)—that the person is not
required to comply with the amended or
additional conditions until 6 months after the
conditions are amended or imposed.
S. 473 473 Continuation of exemptions
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (a) immediately before the commencement day,
ss 32−40, a person is exempt from a requirement to
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 hold an old permission; and
s. 27).
(b) under the new Act, there is a new permission
that is the equivalent of the old permission,
and it is possible under the new Act to obtain
an exemption from the requirement to hold
the new permission.

446
No. 51 of 2017
orders
(2) The person is taken, for the purposes of the new

Act, to be exempt from the requirement to hold
the new permission.
(3) Despite subsection (2), an exemption continued in
force under that subsection ceases to be in force at
the end of the period of 5 years beginning on the
commencement day.
474 Pending application for old permission to be treated S. 474
inserted by
as application for new permission No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(1) This section applies if— amended by
Nos 27/2019
(a) before the commencement day, a person had ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
made an application (the old application) for 46, 47/2020
an old permission; and s. 27).
(b) under the new Act, there is a new permission

that is the equivalent of the old permission;
and
(c) as at the commencement day, the old
application had not been finally determined.
(2) The person is taken to have made an application
(the new application) for the new permission.
(3) The new application is to be determined under the
new Act.
(4) Before deciding the new application, the
Authority must give the person a reasonable
opportunity to provide the Authority with any
further information that the Authority requires in
order to decide the new application.
(5) The Authority may treat anything done for the
purposes of, or in relation to, the old application
as having been done for the purposes of, or in
relation to, the new application.

447
No. 51 of 2017
orders
S. 475 475 Certain other pending applications

inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) This section applies if—
s. 18 (as
amended by (a) a person is taken to hold a new permission
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
because of the operation of section 471; and
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 (b) before the commencement day, the person
s. 27). had made an application in relation to the old
permission under a prescribed provision; and
(c) as at the commencement day, the application
had not been finally determined.
(2) The person is taken to have made an application
(the new application) under a prescribed
provision in respect of the new permission.
(3) The new application is to be determined under the
new Act.
(4) Before deciding the new application, the
Authority must give the person a reasonable
opportunity to provide the Authority with any
further information that the Authority requires in
order to decide the new application.
Division 2—Notices, directions and orders

S. 476 476 Continuation of notices and directions
inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) A notice or direction (however described) that was
s. 18 (as given under the old Act and is in force
amended by
Nos 27/2019 immediately before the commencement day
ss 32−40, continues in force on and after the commencement
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 day as if the old Act had not been repealed.
s. 27).
(2) Despite subsection (1), a notice or direction
continued in force under that subsection ceases to
be in force at the end of the period of 2 years
beginning on the commencement day.

448
No. 51 of 2017
orders
477 Notifiable chemical orders S. 477

inserted by
On the commencement day, a notifiable chemical No. 39/2018
order under section 30D of the old Act is taken to s. 18 (as
amended by
be an order made under section 154 of the new Nos 27/2019
Act. ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).

449
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.4—Transitional provisions: Environmental audits
Pt 16.4
(Heading and
Part 16.4—Transitional provisions:
ss 478, 479)
inserted by
Environmental audits
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
S. 478 478 Environmental audits
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(1) This section applies if, before the commencement
amended by day, an environmental auditor has notified the
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
Authority that the auditor has been engaged to
3/2020 ss 45, conduct an environmental audit under section 53U
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
of the old Act and the environmental audit has not
been completed as at the commencement day.
(2) The environmental auditor may conduct the
environmental audit under the old Act or the new
Act.
(3) Subject to this section, if the environmental
auditor conducts the environmental audit under
the old Act, the following apply to the conduct of
the audit—
(a) Part IXD of the old Act continues in effect as
if it had not been repealed;
(b) the auditor must comply with section 216 of
the new Act in relation to an imminent state
of danger or any prescribed matter or thing
of which the auditor becomes aware when
conducting the audit;
(c) an environmental audit report, certificate of
environmental audit or statement of
environmental audit issued under the old Act
is taken—

450
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.4—Transitional provisions: Environmental audits
(i) to satisfy the requirements of Part 8.3

of the new Act; and
(ii) to have been issued under the new Act.
479 Certificates of environmental audits and statements S. 479
inserted by
of environmental audit No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(1) This section applies to a certificate of amended by
Nos 27/2019
environmental audit or statement of environmental ss 32−40,
audit— 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
(a) issued under the old Act before the s. 27).
commencement day; or
(b) taken to have been issued under the new Act
because of section 478.
(2) The certificate of environmental audit or
statement of environmental audit may be
withdrawn or amended under section 53ZA of the
old Act.
(3) Section 213(5) and (6) of the new Act apply, with
any necessary modifications, to the certificate of
environmental audit or a statement environmental
audit.
(4) Section 53ZE of the old Act continues to apply to
the statement of environmental audit, as if that
section had not been repealed, until the end of the
period of 12 months beginning on the
commencement day.

451
No. 51 of 2017
Pt 16.5 * * * * *
(Heading and
ss 480–487)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27),
repealed by
No. 36/2022
s. 69.

452
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.6—Transitional provisions: financial matters
Part 16.6—Transitional provisions: financial Pt 16.6

(Headings
matters and ss 488–
494)
inserted by
Division 1—Funds No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
488 Money standing to the credit of Environment S. 488

inserted by
Protection Fund No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
On the commencement day, any money standing amended by
Nos 27/2019
to the credit of the Environment Protection Fund ss 32−40,
as in existence immediately before the 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
commencement day is taken to be money standing s. 27).
to the credit of the Environment Protection Fund
that is established under section 441 on and after
the commencement day.
489 Money standing to the credit of General Landfill S. 489
inserted by
Levy account No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
Nos 27/2019
to the credit of the General Landfill Levy Account ss 32−40,
as in existence immediately before the 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
commencement day is taken to be money standing s. 27).
to the credit of the General Waste Levy Account
that is established and maintained under section
446 on and after the commencement day.
490 Money standing to the credit of Municipal and S. 490
inserted by
Industrial Landfill Levy Trust Account No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
Nos 27/2019
to the credit of the Municipal and Industrial ss 32−40,
Landfill Levy Trust Account as in existence 3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
immediately before the commencement day is s. 27).
taken to be money standing to the credit of the
Municipal and Industrial Waste Levy Trust

453
No. 51 of 2017
Account that is established and maintained under

section 448 on and after the commencement day.
S. 491 491 Money standing to the credit of Sustainability Fund
inserted by
No. 39/2018 Account
s. 18 (as
amended by On the commencement day, any money standing
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
to the credit of the Sustainability Fund Account as
3/2020 ss 45, in force immediately before the commencement
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
day is taken to be money standing to the credit of
the Sustainability Fund Account that is established
and maintained under section 449 on and after the
commencement day.
S. 492 492 Priority statement and guidelines
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
On the commencement day—
amended by
Nos 27/2019 (a) a priority statement prepared under section
ss 32−40, 70B(1AA) of the old Act as in force
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 immediately before the commencement day
s. 27). is taken to be a priority statement that is
prepared under section 450 of the new Act
on and after the commencement day; and
(b) any guidelines made for the purposes of
section 70A(1)(b) of the old Act as in force
immediately before the commencement day
are taken to be guidelines made under
section 451 of the new Act on and after the
commencement day.
Division 2—Landfill levy

S. 493 493 Requirement to pay landfill levy
inserted by
No. 39/2018 (1) This section applies if, immediately before the
s. 18 (as commencement day, the holder of a licence in
amended by
Nos 27/2019 respect of a scheduled premises who is liable to
ss 32−40, pay a landfill levy under section 50S of the old
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020 Act is required—
s. 27).

454
No. 51 of 2017
(a) to calculate the amount of the landfill levy

that is payable in respect of the waste
deposited at the premises for the quarters
specified in section 50SB(1) of the old Act
and pay that amount to the Authority in
accordance with section 50SB(3) for the
relevant quarter; and
(b) to calculate the amount of the landfill levy
that is payable in respect of the waste
deposited at the premises for the last
financial year and pay that amount to the
Authority on or before 30 September in
accordance with section 50SB(5); and
(c) to give the Authority a written statement on
or before 1 September in accordance with
section 50W of the old Act.
(2) On the commencement day, sections 50SB and
50W of the old Act, as in force immediately
before the commencement day, continue to apply
to the holder of a licence who is liable to pay a
landfill levy under section 50S for waste deposited
at the premises until the first 30 June that occurs
after the commencement day.
Division 3—Financial assurances

494 Transitional provision—financial assurances S. 494
inserted by
On the commencement day, a financial assurance No. 39/2018
required by the Authority under section 67B of the s. 18 (as
amended by
old Act is taken to be a financial assurance Nos 27/2019
required by the Authority for the purposes of ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
Part 8.4 of the new Act. 46, 47/2020
s. 27).

455
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.7—Transitional provisions: Continuation of certain appointments and
roles
Pt 16.7
(Heading and
ss 495–498)
inserted by
Continuation of certain appointments and
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
roles
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
S. 495 495 Litter enforcement officers
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
On the commencement day, a person holding
amended by office as a litter enforcement officer under the old
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
Act is taken to have been appointed as a litter
3/2020 ss 45, enforcement officer under whichever of section
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
114(1), (2) or (3) of the new Act is applicable on
the same terms as applied to that person
immediately before that day.
S. 496 496 Residential noise enforcement officers
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
On the commencement day, a person who is a
amended by council officer within the meaning of section
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
48A(1) of the old Act is taken to be a residential
3/2020 ss 45, noise enforcement officer appointed under
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
section 171 of the new Act on the same terms as
applied to that person immediately before that
day.
S. 497 497 Environmental auditors
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
On the commencement day, a person who is an
amended by environmental auditor appointed under section
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
53S of the old Act is taken to have been appointed
3/2020 ss 45, as an environmental auditor under Division 1 of
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
Part 8.3 of the new Act on the same terms as
applied to that person immediately before that
day.

456
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.7—Transitional provisions: Continuation of certain appointments and
roles
498 Analysts S. 498

inserted by
On the commencement day, a person who is an No. 39/2018
analyst appointed under section 57 of the old Act s. 18 (as
amended by
is taken to have been appointed as an analyst Nos 27/2019
under section 245 of the new Act on the same ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
terms as applied to that person immediately before 46, 47/2020
that day. s. 27).

457
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.8—Transitional provisions: VCAT matters
Pt 16.8
(Heading and
Part 16.8—Transitional provisions: VCAT
s. 499)
inserted by
matters
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
S. 499 499 General provisions relating to VCAT
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 18 (as
(1) Subject to section 475, an application to VCAT
amended by for review of a decision made under a provision of
Nos 27/2019
ss 32−40,
the old Act before the commencement day that
3/2020 ss 45, had not been finally determined before that day is
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
to continue to be determined on and after that day
as if the old Act were still in force.
(2) Subject to section 475, a person who, immediately
before the commencement day—
(a) had a right to make an application to VCAT
for review of a decision made under a
provision of the old Act; and
(b) had not done so before that day—
may make such an application on or after that day,
within the period allowed under the old Act for
making that application, as if the old Act were still
in force and the application is to be determined as
if the old Act were still in force.
(3) Subsection (4) applies to a decision made under a
provision of the old Act before the
commencement day that, on or after that day, is
under the Victorian Civil and Administrative
Tribunal Act 1998—
(a) affirmed or varied by VCAT; or
(b) set aside and another decision substituted for
it by VCAT; or

458
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.8—Transitional provisions: VCAT matters
(c) set aside by VCAT and another decision

made by the decision-maker on the matter
being remitted to the decision-maker by
VCAT for re-consideration.
(4) A permission arising by operation of the decision
is taken to be a permission under the new Act of a
kind that it would have been taken to be by
operation of this Chapter had an application not
been made to VCAT for review of the decision
made under the old Act.
Note
See also section 51(3) of the Victorian Civil and
Administrative Tribunal Act 1998.

459
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.9—Transitional provisions: Regulations
Pt 16.9
(Heading)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
Regulations
s. 18 (as
amended by
Nos 27/2019
Division 1—Saving of Environment Protection
ss 32−40, (Industrial Waste Resource) Regulations 2009
3/2020 ss 45,
46, 47/2020
s. 27).
S. 25 500 Saving of the Environment Protection

substituted by
No. 39/2018 (Industrial Waste Resource) Regulations 2009
s. 19,
renumbered Despite section 5 of the Subordinate
as s. 500 by
No. 39/2018
Legislation Act 1994, the Environment Protection
s. 22. (Industrial Waste Resource) Regulations 2009,
as in force immediately before 1 July 2019, are
taken to remain in force until the day on which
section 63 of the Environment Protection
Amendment Act 2018 comes into operation.
S. 26
substituted as
Pt 16.9 Div. 2
Division 2—Saving of Environment Protection
(Heading and (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2013
s. 501) by
No. 39/2018
s. 20.
S. 26 501 Saving of the Environment Protection (Vehicle

substituted as
s. 501 by Emissions) Regulations 2013
No. 39/2018
s. 20. Despite the repeal of the old Act, the Environment
Protection (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2013
as in force immediately before the commencement
day, are taken to remain in force during the
period—
(a) beginning on the commencement day; and
(b) ending on 10 December 2023 or, if the
regulations are revoked before that date, on
the day on which they are revoked.

460
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.9—Transitional provisions: Regulations
Division 3—Transitional regulations Pt 16.9 Div. 3

(Heading and
s. 502)
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 20.
502 Transitional regulations S. 502

inserted by
No. 39/2018
(1) The Governor in Council may make regulations s. 20.
containing provisions of a savings or transitional
nature consequent on the enactment of this Act.
(2) A regulation mentioned in subsection (1) may be
retrospective in operation to the commencement
of this Act.
(3) Regulations referred to in subsection (1) have
effect despite anything to the contrary in any Act
(other than this Act or the Charter of Human
Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006) or in any
subordinate instrument.
(4) Without limiting this section, regulations made as
mentioned in subsection (1) may continue in
effect for a period of not more than 2 years
beginning on the commencement day, any
instrument or policy under the old Act.
(5) This section expires 2 years after the
commencement day.

461
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.10—Transitional provisions—Victorian Waste and Resource
Recovery Infrastructure Planning Framework
Pt 16.10
(Heading and
Part 16.10—Transitional provisions—
s. 503)
inserted by
Victorian Waste and Resource Recovery
No. 36/2022
s. 70.
Infrastructure Planning Framework
S. 503 503 Saving of the Victorian Waste and Resource
inserted by Recovery Infrastructure Planning Framework
No. 36/2022
s. 70. Despite the repeal of Chapter 13 by section 60 of
the Environment Legislation Amendment
(Circular Economy and Other Matters)
Act 2022, until the date on which the approved
inaugural Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan
takes effect in accordance with section 37I of the
Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and
Recycling) Act 2021—
(a) the State-Wide Waste and Resource
Recovery Infrastructure Plan in force
immediately before the repeal of Chapter 13
remains in force as if that Chapter had not
been repealed and may be amended or varied
in accordance with that Chapter as in force
immediately before its repeal; and
(b) a Regional Waste and Resource Recovery
Implementation Plan in force immediately
before the repeal of Chapter 13 remains in
force as if that Chapter had not been repealed
and may be amended or varied in accordance
with that Chapter as in force immediately
before its repeal; and
(c) any guidelines made under section 427
before the repeal of Chapter 13, being
guidelines that applied to the Plans referred
to in paragraphs (a) and (b) immediately
before the repeal of that Chapter, continue in
force in relation to those Plans as if that
Chapter had not been repealed; and

462
No. 51 of 2017
Part 16.10—Transitional provisions—Victorian Waste and Resource
Recovery Infrastructure Planning Framework
(d) sections 424 and 426 as in force immediately

before the repeal of Chapter 13 continue to
apply as if that Chapter had not been
repealed.

463
No. 51 of 2017
Part 17.1—Transitional provisions—Environment Legislation Amendment
(Circular Economy and Other Matters) Act 2022
Ch. 17
(Headings
Chapter 17—Further transitional provisions
and ss 503–
505)
inserted by
No. 36/2022
s. 75.
Pt 17.1
(Heading and
ss 503–505)
Part 17.1—Transitional provisions—
inserted by
No. 36/2022
Environment Legislation Amendment
s. 75.
(Circular Economy and Other Matters)
Act 2022
S. 503 503 Definitions
inserted by
No. 36/2022 In this Part—
s. 75.
extant relevant permission application means a
relevant permission application, within the
meaning of section 49A, that is on foot but
not determined immediately before the
commencement of section 31;
2022 Act means the Environment Legislation
Amendment (Circular Economy and
Other Matters) Act 2022.
S. 504 504 Application fees
inserted by
No. 36/2022
s. 75.
(1) On and from the commencement of section 31 of
the 2022 Act—
(a) section 50A applies to an extant relevant
permission application, if a prescribed fee
accompanying the application has not been
paid; and
(b) this Act applies to an extant relevant
permission application, if a prescribed fee
accompanying the application has been paid,
as if section 50A had not been enacted.

464
No. 51 of 2017

the 2022 Act—
(a) section 90A applies to an application for an
authorisation under section 90 that is on foot
but not determined immediately before that
commencement, if a prescribed fee
paid; and
(b) this Act applies to an application for an
authorisation under section 90 that is on foot
the 2022 Act—
(a) section 157A applies to an application for an
authorisation under section 157 that is on
foot but not determined immediately before
that commencement, if a prescribed fee
paid; and
authorisation under section 157 that is on
the 2022 Act—
(a) section 181A applies to a submission under
section 181 that is on foot but not determined
immediately before that commencement, if a
prescribed fee accompanying the submission
has not been paid; and

465
No. 51 of 2017
(b) this Act applies to a submission under

prescribed fee accompanying the submission
has been paid, as if section 181A had not
been enacted.
the 2022 Act—
(a) section 277A applies to an application under
prescribed fee accompanying the application
has not been paid; and
(b) this Act applies to an application under
prescribed fee accompanying the application
has been paid, as if section 277A had not
been enacted.
the 2022 Act—
(a) section 459AA applies to an application for
an exemption under section 459 that is on
paid; and
exemption under section 459 that is on foot
as if section 459AA had not been enacted.

466
No. 51 of 2017
505 Time for determining applications, request for S. 505

additional information inserted by
No. 36/2022
(1) On and from the commencement of section 32 of s. 75.
the 2022 Act, sections 51A and 51B apply to any

relevant permission application that is on foot but
not determined immediately before that
commencement.
the 2022 Act, sections 459A and 459B apply to an
application for an exemption under section 459
that is on foot but not determined immediately
before that commencement.

467
No. 51 of 2017
Pt 4 * * * * *
(Headings
and ss 27−46)
repealed by
No. 51/2017
s. 46.2

468
No. 51 of 2017
Schedule 1—Regulations
Schedule 1—Regulations Sch. 1

inserted by
1 Duties No. 39/2018
s. 23 (as
amended by
1.1 Regulating the way in which duties or obligations Nos 27/2019
imposed by this Act or the regulations, including ss 41, 42,
47/2020 s. 28).
but not limited to the general environmental duty,
are performed.
1.2 Prescribing standards for the performance of
functions or duties imposed by this Act or the
regulations.
2 Septic tanks
2.1 The construction, installation, alteration,
maintenance, repair, notification and monitoring
of septic tank systems.
* * * * * Sch. 1 item 3
amended by
No. 55/2021
s. 210,
repealed by
No. 36/2022
s. 71(1).
4 Contaminated land
4.1 Investigation and assessment of suspected
contaminated land.
4.2 Assessment, management and remediation of
contaminated land.
4.3 Exempting a person or class of person in
management or control of land from a duty to
manage contaminated land or a duty to notify of
notifiable contamination, whether unconditionally
or on specified conditions and to any extent as
specified in the regulations.
5 Financial assurances
5.1 Circumstances in which the provision of a
financial assurance by a person is a condition of a
permission.

469
No. 51 of 2017
5.2 Exempting a person or class of person from the

requirement to provide a financial assurance as a
condition of a permission.
5.3 Prescribing the financial assurance risk
assessment criteria.
6 Waste
6.1 Regulating or prohibiting things that may become
litter or waste.
6.2 Further regulating waste in connection with Part
6.3, including in relation to the loading, or moving
of, vehicles.
6.3 Regulating or prohibiting the deposit, affixing and
commission of documents (including unsolicited
documents) or advertising material.
6.4 Prohibiting the defacement of, or setting fire to,
public litter receptacles.
6.5 Regulating or prohibiting the production,
generation, collection, consignment, transfer,
transport, receipt, handling, storage, use,
management, containment, treatment and
processing of waste.
6.6 Regulating or prohibiting waste disposal.
Sch. 1 6.6A Regulating what constitutes the background level
item 6.6A
inserted by of waste, a chemical substance or a prescribed
No. 36/2022 substance in relation to land or prescribing
s. 71(2).
methods for determining that.
6.7 Regulating resource recovery.
6.8 Regulating or prohibiting reuse of waste and the
use of recycled substances.
6.9 Allocating responsibility for operations in relation
to waste management, waste disposal and resource
recovery.

470
No. 51 of 2017
6.10 Regulating or prohibiting the supply or sale of

plastic products, plastic packaging or plastic bags.
6.11 Requiring supply of alternatives to plastic
products, plastic packaging or plastic bags.
6.11A Prohibiting the provision of false or misleading
information relating to plastic products, plastic
packaging or plastic bags.
6.12 Prescribing the period of time after which storage
of a prescribed type, class or category of waste is
taken to be waste disposal, including where stored
at the same location as the operation that
generated the waste.
6.13 Prescribing any waste or class of waste to be
priority waste.
6.14 Prescribing types, classes or categories of waste to
be industrial waste.
6.15 Prescribing priority waste to be any of the
following types of priority waste—
(a) Category A priority waste;
(b) Category B priority waste;
(c) Category C priority waste;
(d) packaged waste asbestos;
(e) any other category of priority waste.
6.16 Regulating or prohibiting any matter relating to
transport of industrial waste and the receipt of
industrial waste at any place or premises.
6.17 Prescribing any conditions or controls that apply
to any type, class or category of priority waste.
6.18 Exempting any type, class or category of priority
waste from a requirement under this Act.

471
No. 51 of 2017
6.19 Prescribing requirements for making and keeping

records relating to the production, generation,
collection, consignment, transfer, transport,
receipt, handling, storage, use, management,
containment, treatment and processing of waste,
waste disposal or resource recovery.
6.20 Prescribing requirements for notification and
reporting relating to the production, generation,
collection, consignment, transfer, transport,
receipt, handling, storage, use, management,
containment, treatment and processing of waste,
waste disposal or resource recovery.
6.21 Prohibiting disposal of any type, class or category
of waste at a landfill site.
6.22 Exempting a person, or class of person, with
management or control of priority waste from the
duty to identify and assess alternatives to waste
disposal for the priority waste, whether
unconditionally or on specified conditions and to
any extent as specified in the regulations.
7 Waste levy scheme
7.1 The municipal districts that are subject to higher
municipal and industrial waste levy rates.
7.2 The calculation and payment of a waste levy.
7.3 The calculation of allowable rebates, including the
criteria and conditions for claiming allowable
rebates.
7.4 Regulating any other matter relevant to the
calculation or determination of a person's liability
to pay a waste levy.

472
No. 51 of 2017
8 Pollution and pollution incidents

8.1 Regulating matters in connection with pollution
incidents and notifiable incidents.
8.2 Regulating or prohibiting the discharge, emission
or deposit into the environment of any substance
or matter.
8.3 Monitoring or observation of any discharge,
emission or deposit into the environment of any
substance or matter.
8.4 Prescribing emission standards (including noise
emission standards) and standards of maximum
permissible concentrations for emissions or
discharges to the environment.
8.5 Regulating or prohibiting the emission or
discharge of greenhouse gas substances, including
for the purposes of contributing to the State’s
long-term emissions reduction target and interim
emissions reduction targets under the Climate
Change Act 2017.
8.6 Prescribing standards for the emission or
discharge of greenhouse gas substances, including
emission intensity standards and maximum levels
of emissions of greenhouse gas substances.
8.7 Prescribing the conditions under which
greenhouse gas substances may be emitted or
discharged.
9 Environmental audits
9.1 Appointing and reappointing environmental
auditors, including the suspension and revocation
of the appointment of environmental auditors.
9.2 Regulating matters in connection with the conduct
and oversight of environmental auditors.
9.3 Regulating matters in connection with preliminary
risk screen assessments and environmental audits.

473
No. 51 of 2017
10 Permissions
10.1 Prescribing activities or classes of activity to be
development activities, operating activities, permit
activities or registration activities.
10.2 Regulating or prohibiting exemptions from a
requirement to hold a permission.
10.3 Prescribing circumstances in which persons may,
or must not, engage in an activity or class of
activity without a permission.
10.4 Prescribing permission activities that a person or
class of person, including prohibited persons, may
not engage in.
10.5 Prescribing activities or classes of activities to be
permit activities to be administered by a council.
10.6 Determining the type of permission that must be
held by a person engaging in an activity or class
of activity.
10.7 Determining the process for changing the type of
permission that must be held by a person engaging
in an activity or a class of activity.
10.8 Regulating or prohibiting conditions to which
permissions are subject.
10.9 Regulating or prohibiting the surrender or
revocation of permissions.
10.10 Regulating procedures relating to permissions,
including applications for permissions.
10.11 Regulating the review of permissions or decisions
relating to permissions.
10.12 Regulating or prohibiting the factors considered
during the determination of decisions relating to
permissions.
10.13 Regulating consultation procedures and
requirements relating to permissions.

474
No. 51 of 2017
11 Appointments
11.1 Regulating the appointment of authorised officers.
11.2 Regulating the conditions that may be placed on
the appointment of a person or a class of person
under this Act.
12 Noise
12.1 Regulating the prevention, minimisation or
control of noise, including—
(a) regulating or prohibiting the use, supply,
distribution or sale of any item, equipment or
vehicle; and
(b) regulating or prohibiting the manufacture or
assembly of any item, equipment or vehicle.
12.2 Prescribing noise that is not to be unreasonable Sch. 1
item 12.2
noise. inserted by
No. 36/2022
s. 71(3).
13 Better environment plans

13.1 Regulating the submission and acceptance of
proposed better environment plans.
13.2 Regulating the content of better environment
plans.
14 Issues of environmental concern
14.1 Regulating or prohibiting issues declared to be
issues of environmental concern.
15 Public Register
15.1 Regulating or prohibiting the information to be
contained in the Public Register.
16 Economic instruments
16.1 Regulating the administration, implementation,
compliance and enforcement of economic
instruments.

475
No. 51 of 2017
16.2 Prescribing the circumstances in which

compliance with a requirement under an economic
instrument is taken to be compliance with, or an
exemption from, a requirement under this Act.
16.3 Regulating the rights and duties of holders of
entitlements held in relation to an economic
instrument.
16.4 Prescribing the circumstances in which the
application of an economic instrument to a
specific person or class of persons, geographical
area, segment of the environment, pollution or
class of pollution, waste or class of waste may be
set by Order of the Authority.
16.5 Regulating the approval or recognition of
compensatory measures.
17 Product or substance regulation
17.1 Regulating the labelling of products with respect
to standards of environmental performance.
17.2 Regulating or prohibiting the sale or supply of
products that do not comply with standards of
environmental performance.
17.3 Regulating or prohibiting the sale, use,
manufacture, assembly, construction or
installation of vehicles, facilities, equipment or
machinery or other products to ensure compliance
with prescribed standards.
17.4 Regulating or prohibiting the production of petrol.
17.5 Regulating or prohibiting the storage, use,
manufacture, containment, handling, transport or
disposal of chemical substances.

476
No. 51 of 2017
18 Records and notifications

18.1 Regulating the making and keeping of records
required under this Act by persons performing
functions or duties, or exercising powers, under
this Act.
18.2 Regulating the giving of notifications required
under this Act.
18.3 Regulating the provision or reporting of
information under this Act.

477
No. 51 of 2017
Schedule 2—Amount payable as waste levy
Sch. 2
inserted by
No. 39/2018
s. 23 (as Table 1
amended by
Nos 27/2019 Amount of waste levy payable under
ss 41, 42,
47/2020 s. 28).
section 145(1) for each tonne of waste received
Premises in Premises that are not
prescribed municipal in prescribed
districts municipal districts
Date when waste is Municipal Industrial Municipal Industrial
received Waste Waste Waste Waste
On or after 1 July 2021 $105.90 $105.90 $52.95 $93.19
and before 1 July 2022
On or after 1 July 2022 $125.90 $125.90 $62.95 $110.79
and before 1 July 2023
On or after 1 July 2023 8·13 fee 8·13 fee 4·06 fee 7·15 fee
units units units units
Note
The regulations may prescribe municipal districts that are subject
to a higher waste levy payable for each tonne of municipal waste
or industrial waste that is received.
Table 2
Amount of waste levy payable under
section 145(2) for each tonne of priority
waste received
Packaged
Date when waste is waste Category Category Category
received asbestos B waste C waste D waste
On or after 1 July 2021 2·06 fee 17·15 fee $105.90 $105.90
and before 1 July 2022 units units
On or after 1 July 2022 2·06 fee 17·15 fee $125.90 $125.90
and before 1 July 2023 units units
On or after 1 July 2023 2·06 fee 17·15 fee 8·13 fee 8·13 fee
units units units units
Note
There is no amount of waste levy payable for receiving Category
A waste as receiving Category A at a landfill is prohibited.

478
No. 51 of 2017
The regulations may prescribe an amount payable as the waste

levy for each tonne of priority waste (other than Category B waste,
Category C waste, Category D waste or packaged waste asbestos)
that is received.
═════════════

479
No. 51 of 2017
Endnotes
Endnotes
1 General information
See www.legislation.vic.gov.au for Victorian Bills, Acts and current
authorised versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.
Minister's second reading speech—
Legislative Assembly: 7 June 2017
Legislative Council: 22 August 2017
The long title for the Bill for this Act was "A Bill for an Act to provide for
the continuation of the Environment Protection Authority, to specify a new
objective of the Authority, to provide for a new governance structure of the
continued Authority, to provide for the Governing Board of the Authority
and to make consequential amendments to the Environment Protection
Act 1970 and the Public Administration Act 2004 and for other purposes."
The Environment Protection Act 2017 was assented to on 24 October 2017
and came into operation as follows:
Sections 1, 2, 4, 30–32 on 1 January 2018: Special Gazette (No. 433) 12
December 2017 page 1; sections 3, 5–29, 33–46 on 1 July 2018: section 2(2).
INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)

Style changes
Section 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in
Schedule 1 to that Act.
References to ILA s. 39B
Sidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which
provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended
by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section
or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the
insertion of the expression "(1)" at the beginning of the original section or
clause.
Interpretation
As from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the
following effects:
• Headings
All headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001
form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed
before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms
part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in

480
No. 51 of 2017
Endnotes
a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams;

notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).
• Examples, diagrams or notes
All examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or
after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes
inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed
on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).
• Punctuation
All punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001
forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed
before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms
part of that Act. See section 36(3B).
• Provision numbers
All provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether
inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers
include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs.
See section 36(3C).
• Location of "legislative items"
A "legislative item" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October
2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the
foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative
item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a
provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be
regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.
• Other material
Any explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and
other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.
See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).

481
No. 51 of 2017
Endnotes
2 Table of Amendments
This publication incorporates amendments made to the Environment
Protection Act 2017 by Acts and subordinate instruments.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Environment Protection Act 2017, No. 51/2017
Assent Date: 24.10.17
Commencement Date: S. 46 on 1.7.18: s. 2(2)
Note: S. 46 repealed Pt 4 (ss 27–46) on 1.7.19
Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s
amending the Environment Protection Act 2017
Environment Protection Amendment Act 2018, No. 39/2018 (as amended by
Nos 27/2019, 3/2020, 11/2020, 47/2020)
Commencement Date: S. 19 on 28.8.18: s. 2(2) (as amended by No. 11/2020
s. 54); ss 4–18, 20–23 on 1.7.21: Special Gazette
(No. 124) 16.3.21 p. 1
Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2019, No. 49/20193
Commencement Date: S. 186(Sch. 4 item 18) on 1.1.20: Special Gazette
(No. 514) 10.12.19 p. 1
Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021, No. 55/2021
Commencement Date: Ss 192, 193, 197, 198, 200−207, 209, 210 on 1.7.22:
Special Gazette (No. 285) 7.6.22 p. 1

482
No. 51 of 2017
Endnotes
Environment Legislation Amendment (Circular Economy and Other Matters)

Act 2022, No. 36/2022
Assent Date: 6.9.22
Commencement Date: S. 27 on 1.7.21: s. 2(2)(a); s. 53 on 1.7.21: s. 2(2)(b);
s. 58 on 1.7.21: s. 2(2)(c); ss 73, 74 on 1.7.21:
s. 2(2)(d); s. 26(1) on 7.9.22: s. 2(3)(b); s. 28 on
7.9.22: s. 2(3)(c); s. 45 on 7.9.22: s. 2(3)(d); s. 46 on
7.9.22: s. 2(3)(e); s. 49 on 7.9.22: s. 2(3)(f); s. 52 on
7.9.22: s. 2(3)(g); ss 56, 57 on 7.9.22: s. 2(3)(h); s. 59
on 7.9.22: s. 2(3)(i); s. 62(3) on 7.9.22: s. 2(3)(j);
s. 64(3)(4) on 7.9.22: s. 2(3)(k); s. 66(1)(2) on 7.9.22:
s. 2(3)(l); s. 67 on 7.9.22: s. 2(3)(m); s. 71(3) on
7.9.22: s. 2(3)(n); s. 72 on 7.9.22: s. 2(3)(o); ss 25,
26(2), 29–44, 47, 48, 50, 51, 54, 55, 60, 61, 62(1)(2),
63, 64(1)(2), 65, 66(3), 68–70, 71(1)(2), 75 on 1.6.23:
s. 2(5)
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

483
No. 51 of 2017
Endnotes
3 Explanatory details
1
S. 3(1) def. of North East Waste and Resource Recovery Region
(repealed): The amendment proposed by section 41 of the Alpine Resorts
Legislation Amendment Act 2022, No. 9/2022 is not included in this
publication due to the earlier repeal of the section 3(1) definition of North
East Waste and Resource Recovery Region by section 197(c) of the
Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021,
No. 55/2021.
Section 41 reads as follows:
41 Amendment of section 3 of the Environment
Protection Act 2017
In section 3(1) of the Environment Protection
Act 2017, in the definition of North East Waste
and Resource Recovery Region—
(a) before paragraph (a) insert—
"(aa) Alpine Resorts Victoria, established
under the Alpine Resorts
(Management) Act 1997;";
(b) paragraphs (c), (f) and (g) are repealed.
2
Pt 4 (Headings and ss 27−46) (repealed): The amendment proposed by
section 21 of the Environment Protection Amendment Act 2018,
No. 39/2018 (as amended by Nos 27/2019, 3/2020, 11/2020, 47/2020) is not
included in this publication due to the earlier repeal of Part 4 by section 46 of
the Environment Protection Act 2017, No. 51/2017.
Section 21 reads as follows:
21 Part 4 repealed
Part 4 of the Principal Act is repealed.
3
Table of Amendments (Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2019):
The amendment proposed by section 186(Schedule 4 item 18.1) of the
Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2019, No. 49/2019 is not included
in this publication because section 338(a) is not part of this Act on the
commencement date of section 186(Schedule 4 item 18.1).

484
No. 51 of 2017
Endnotes
Section 186(Schedule 4 item 18.1) reads as follows:

18 Environment Protection Act 2017
18.1 In section 338(a), for "Roads Corporation"
substitute "Secretary to the Department of
Transport".

485

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Authorised Version No.

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

48 Determination that person does not require a permission 72

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

75 Term of operating licences 105

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

98 Notice of review determination 133

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

121 Waste abatement notice 151

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

152 Rights and powers of the Authority if waste levy is not

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

172 Residential noise improvement notices 200

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

199 Refusal of application for reappointment as environmental

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

225 Authority may review financial assurance 244

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

249 Announcement on entry 266

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

Division 2—Prohibition notices 284

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

295 Authority to give notice of intention to exercise clean up

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

321 Evidence given or produced during proceeding for civil

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

Part 11.8—Officers' liabilities and conduct of employees and

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

Part 12.3—General provisions 385

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

451 Sustainability Fund Account guidelines 415

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

Part 16.2—General 441

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

Part 16.7—Transitional provisions: Continuation of certain

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

The Parliament of Victoria enacts:

Chapter 1—Preliminary Pt 1 (Heading)

(f) to set out the legislative framework for the S. 1(f)

(g) to provide for a general environmental duty S. 1(g)

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

S. 1(h) (h) to establish a permissions scheme that

S. 1(k) (k) to enable the Environment Protection

S. 1(m) (m) to provide for a system of civil remedies and

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

advisory committee means a committee S. 3(1) def. of

agent of a vessel means a person or body that S. 3(1) def. of

analysis includes the taking of a sample or any S. 3(1) def. of

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

S. 3(1) def. of analyst means a person appointed as an analyst

S. 3(1) def. of approved motor vehicle tester means a person

S. 3(1) def. of associate, of another person, means any of the

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

(i) if the other person is a body corporate,

authorised officer means a person appointed as an S. 3(1) def. of

authorised to receive industrial waste, in relation S. 3(1) def. of

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel

(d) specified by operation of section 48 as