What does EPA Victoria do?
EPA works with other government agencies, industry and people in the community to reduce and control air and water pollution, waste and noise.
All these people have expectations about the environment, and it is EPA job to ensure that we have the best environment possible. The Environment Protection Act 1970 forms the legal basis for EPA work. The Act outlines how EPA goes about protecting the environment and brings together the management of the whole environment; air, water and land together. This is the origin of EPA's umbrella logo.
EPA monitors industry to ensure that companies are being environmentally responsible. It works with other agencies to ensure residents are protected from excessive noise – from industry, motor sports and entertainment places. EPA also conducts research into environmental issues and monitors the environment in Victoria, so that we can all work towards a better environment. There is also EPA's Information Centre, which provides information, publications and brochures to people.
With all these activities, EPA works with all those involved, providing advice and support. However, sometimes this does not work and EPA can issue warnings or on the spot fines to people or companies. EPA also charges people or companies and takes them to court. This could lead to the people or company paying a fine and cleaning up any pollution they have caused or paying for the clean up.
EPA carries out the following activities to achieve its mission:
Research - EPA scientists conduct research to find out about environmental problems and work out how we can protect and improve the environment. The research can be carried out here, and EPA scientists can refer to research in other parts of the world.
Environmental policies - EPA develops policies and strategies for protecting the environment based on scientific research. These policies and strategies might involve different activities, such as new regulations, education programs or even further research.
Legislation and regulations - Under the powers of Victoria's Environment Protection Act 1970, EPA makes recommendations to the Government on the development of legislation and regulations.
Enforcement - EPA works with industry to help them to work out the best way that they can operate to protect our environment. However, occasionally, EPA has to take companies or individuals to court and fines may be imposed.
Education and training - EPA offers and delivers programs that are used to educate the community about environmental protection. For example there are industry training programs and school programs. See EPA partnerships and projects.
Look around EPA's website to find out many ways that you can help the environment.