Environmental auditing
An environmental audit is an assessment of the nature and extent of harm (or risk of harm) to the environment posed by an industrial process or activity, waste, substance or noise.
An environmental audit must be able to deliver authoritative advice, on which individuals and organisations are able to rely in making decisions which affect the future of our community.
An environmental audit must be independent, objective, credible and transparent.
Many organisations are now using environmental audit as a tool to assist in assessing the condition of the environment they manage (or can influence), prioritise actions to reduce risks to the environment as a result of their activities or to demonstrate accountability to third parties.
Environmental auditing in Victoria
EPA administers the Environmental Audit System and maintains its ongoing integrity by thoroughly assessing applications and enforcing the mechanisms in place to ensure audits are rigorous and independent, and audit findings are addressed.
Environmental auditors
Appointed environmental auditors are highly qualified and skilled individuals with extensive experience in environmental science and or engineering, as well as environmental auditing. This section provides a list of appointed environmental auditors.
Contaminated land, industrial facilities and natural resources environmental auditor appointment - 2008
Applications are sought from suitably qualified individuals to be appointed as Environmental Auditors under Section 53S of the Victorian Environment Protection Act 1970. Individuals are invited to apply to be appointed as Environmental Auditors in the categories of Contaminated Land, Industrial Facilities and or Natural Resources .
More about contaminated land, industrial facilities and natural resource environmental auditors
Environmental auditing of forestry in Victoria
EPA is responsible for appointing independent environmental auditors to audit timber harvesting on public land in Victoria. Each year, since 2003, the audit findings are documented and reported to the public.
Management of the Goulburn River
In response to a substantial kill of native fish in the Goulburn River downstream of the Goulburn Weir in January 2004, the Minister for the Environment and Water called for an independent environmental audit of the management of the Goulburn River. The audit report and response to recommendations are also available.
Publications
This section provides links to information about the Environmental Audit System, guidance for environmental auditors, land and groundwater issues, and online copies of environmental audit reports.
Contact details
For more information about the Environmental Audit System, environmental auditing of forestry and the Goulburn River audit, please contact us.
Goulburn River
In response to a kill of fish in the Goulburn River in 2004, an environmental audit of the management of the river took place in 2004 and 2005; view the audit report. More »
Maribyrnong, Yarra and Stony Creek
EPA has appointed an environmental auditor to conduct an overarching environmental audit of the lower Maribyrnong River, lower Yarra River and Stony Creek Backwash. More »