The Environment Protection Act 2017 (the Act) provides new community protections and rights. Under the new laws:
- businesses must work to protect the environment and human health from the impacts of pollution and waste
- EPA has greater powers to pursue and prosecute offenders
- fines have increased
- you have rights if a person or company’s failure to comply with the Act has affected you.
The Act also promotes greater information sharing and community participation.
About community protections and new tools under the Act
- Better information sharing
- A clearer penalty structure
- Permissions for industry activities
- EPA’s tools and powers
- Your third-party rights
Read more about the new Act
What the new Act means for the Victorian community
What the new Act means for Victorian businesses
We all have a duty to prevent harm: general environmental duty
Reviewed 6 September 2021