Victoria’s new environment protection laws are intended to take effect on 1 July 2021. These laws mean that you have a responsibility to identify and understand your risks, and put in place controls that eliminate or reduce your risk of causing harm to human health and the environment.
We know that with the introduction of the new environment protection laws, some small businesses may need support to understand what these new laws mean for them. In particular, how the general environmental duty applies to them and the activities they undertake.
EPA’s Small Business Program pilot offers free expert advice about managing risks under the new environment protection laws to a limited number of eligible small businesses across Victoria
If you participate in this program, the advice you’ll receive is:
Free – EPA will cover the costs of the advice you will receive.
Personal – you will have an “in person” visit from an experienced consultant who will work with you to build your very own action plan. This will help identify ways your business can establish, maintain or improve your compliance with the new environment protection laws.
Private – while all action plans will be shared with EPA (to help us understand where more support is required), it will be de-identified. EPA will not be able to identify which plan relates to which participating business.
Who can participate
If you operate a dry cleaning, automotive repair or maintenance or automotive body repair business that employs less than 60 employees, you can apply to participate in the Small Business Program pilot.
You do not need to have participated in any other program with EPA to join.
We will look to have a maximum of 100 participants from across the State, so register early to avoid missing out.
How it works
Having a sustainable and livable Victoria is important to everyone. We must all work together to prevent and reduce the harmful effect of pollution and waste on Victoria’s environment and people.
As part of the Small Business Program pilot you will receive direct and tailored advice from consultants who specialise in supporting business to comply with laws that seek to prevent harm, such as the environment protection laws.
This free advice will help you identify ways your business could meet its obligations under the new environment protection laws. You will learn how to identify, manage and monitor your environmental risks so that you can help us protect the environment now and in the future.
The pilot phase
The pilot phase of the program opens in November 2020, when businesses can register to participate. Visits will commence in February 2021 and will remain open for about 12 months (with visits set to close in February 2022).
If you’d like to participate in the program you will need to sign up no later than 28 February 2022.
Next steps
As at 18 November, many businesses have already signed up to participate in the pilot, with over 60% of the spots now filled. Sign up today to secure your spot.
Frequently asked questions
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What are the new environment protection laws?
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What is the Small Business Program pilot?
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Why isn’t the program pilot open to everyone?
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How long is the program pilot open for?
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If I don’t want to or don’t qualify to participate, where can I get more information about what I am required to do (i.e. how else is EPA helping me understand my obligations)?
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How do I get in contact with EPA to learn more about the program or other support available to me?
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What is an ‘action plan’?
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How much of my time will it take to participate in the program?
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If I participate, am I expected to prepare anything in advance of my visits?
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Can I choose my own consultant to deliver the services?
Reviewed 19 November 2020