Environment Reference Standard

The Environment Reference Standard (ERS):

• identifies environmental values that the Victorian community want to achieve and maintain
• provides a way to assess, monitor and report on environmental conditions in locations across Victoria.

An environmental value is an outcome that Victorians want for human health and the environment – for example:

• clean water to swim in
• sound levels that let us sleep at night
• air quality that supports human health and the environment.

Values are set for 4 elements of Victoria’s environment:

1. ambient air
2. ambient sound
3. land
4. water (surface water and groundwater).

Indicators and objectives are set for each environmental value.

An indicator is what we can measure. For example, carbon monoxide is one indicator used to measure ambient air quality. An objective is the level of an indicator that we're aiming for. For example, the objective for carbon monoxide in ambient air is 9.0 parts per million maximum concentration.

The indicators and objectives allow decision makers to assess the:

• achievement
• maintenance, or
• threat to environmental values.

Most objectives are scientifically based and are quantitative. This means they are something we can count or measure. A small number of objectives are qualitative – they are descriptive. For example, assessing ambient sound in natural areas relies on the kinds of sounds heard, not the levels of sound.

The ERS defines the parts of Victoria that a standard relates to. Some standards apply broadly. For example, the ambient air standards relate to all of Victoria’s ambient air environment. Other standards only apply to specific areas.

The ERS is a reference to help make decisions. It does not:

• create specific obligations you must follow
• set out enforceable compliance limits
• describe levels that it is okay to pollute up to.

There are not standards that must be met. Instead, everyone must meet the general environmental duty.

View the ERS:

The ERS helps decision making

The ERS provides a benchmark to assess the potential impacts of a decision – for example, how granting a development proposal may impact the environment in the area.

The ERS may not apply to a decision where legislation already applies.

Any decision maker can use the ERS to help make an environment protection decision. This includes local councils deciding on applications for planning permits.

However, there are decision makers who must apply the ERS when making decisions that affect Victoria’s environment.

For more information about how to use the ERS to support decision making, visit our Guide to the Environment Reference Standard. The guide can assist applicants of proposals assessed with reference to the ERS. This includes:

• new developments
• new infrastructure
• new sites.

The guide can also assist site owners, environmental managers and consultants.

How we use the ERS

We use the ERS as a guide when we:

• monitor and assess environmental quality
• inform and educate the Victorian community about environmental conditions – for example, through Check air and water quality
• identify and respond to threats to the environment and human health
• take opportunities to improve environmental quality
• act as the environment protection regulator – for example, assessing permission applications
• provide advice and recommendations to other decision makers
• engage with Traditional Owners to develop indicators to identify risk cultural values
• advise the Minister for Environment about significant impacts on the environment and human health.

Permissions and the ERS

We consider the potential impact on ERS values when assessing permission applications.

Activities that comply with the general environmental duty can still impact the environment. The ERS is the benchmark for looking at the size and nature of impacts on the environmental values we want to protect.

When assessing a permission application, we also consider:

• measures to comply with the general environmental duty
• the principles of environment protection in the Environment Protection Act
• the best available techniques and technologies.

We consider all relevant issues to make a decision.

Planning permit assessments and the ERS

Local councils usually assess planning permits under the Planning and Environment Act 1987. They are usually the responsible Authority. They may consider any relevant standard if the circumstances appear to require it.

The responsible authority must always consider any significant impact:

• a proposal may have on the environment
• the environment may have on a proposal.

The ERS is one way of looking at what is a significant impact. Councils use it when a proposal:

• involves significant risks to the environment or human health
• could impact relevant environmental values.

Environmental audits and the ERS

Environmental auditors must consider the ERS when carrying out their functions. This includes preliminary risk screening assessments and environmental audits.

For environmental auditors, the ERS is a reference tool to help identify potential risks of harm from:

• contaminated land
• pollution
• waste
• a particular activity.

In line with the scope of an audit, the ERS helps environmental auditors to determine if they need to recommend more:

• investigation
• assessment
• remediation
• management.

ERS review and amendment

The ERS must be reviewed every 10 years from the day it was made. It can also be reviewed when new knowledge becomes available.

The review process includes:

• public notice of the review
• invitation to comment
• consideration of comments by the Minister.

The consultation process is carried out by us and the Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). For more information on how we consult, view Charter of consultation [PDF 5.6MB].

The ERS is created and updated by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister for Environment.

The process for updating the ERS must be consistent with the requirements of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994.

An ERS Technical Advisory Group provides advice to us any revision or addition to the ERS. Their advice is independent, high quality, technical and evidence-based. This advice then informs what we recommend to the Minister.