When you need a licence for this activity
You must get a permission from us to conduct certain activities that have risk of harm to human health and the environment. These are called prescribed activities and are defined in Schedule 1 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.
Under the Regulations, you need H03 – Ceramics development and operating licences for processing any of the following in dryers or kilns at a designed throughput of at least 10,000 tonnes per year of ceramic products:
- bricks
- tiles
- pipes
- pottery goods or refractories.
Exemptions
Under some circumstances, you can apply for a development licence exemption or an operating licence exemption.
Information to include in your application
When you submit your application in the portal, it must include certain information and supporting evidence. To learn more, visit Apply for a development licence or Apply for an operating licence.
If you're unsure of the type of permission you need, use our free permission pathway process before you start your application.
Application fee
For a list of current fees and how they're calculated, visit Fees. An extra fee may apply if we need more time than specified in the Regulations to assess your application.
If an application fee applies, we cannot assess your application until we've received and processed this fee.
How long your licence is valid for
If we issued your operating licence before 1 July 2021, there's no expiry date. If we issued it after 1 July 2021, then your licence is valid for:
- up to 99 years for a waste management activity at a current or former landfill site
- up to 20 years in any other case.
The duration of a development licence depends on the activity. This is stated in a condition when we issue the licence. To extend the duration, you must apply for an amendment.
How we assess your application
Find out how we assess your application and how long it takes.
Development and operating licence conditions
Permission conditions outline the legal obligations for the permission holder. They set up a framework for risk management, record keeping and reporting.
Where a condition includes:
- the word 'placeholder', values will be populated with information that's specific to your site
- a reference to a 'figure' or 'appendix', information will be populated that's specific to your site.
'Authority' means Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
Other conditions may apply.
Condition code | Description |
OL_G01 | A copy of this licence must be kept at the activity site and be easily accessible to persons who are engaging in an activity conducted at the activity site. Information regarding the requirements of the licence and the Act duties must be included in site induction and training information. |
OL_G02 | You must immediately notify the Authority by calling 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842) in the event of: |
OL_G03 | You must notify the Authority within 48 hours of the occurrence of any the following: |
OL_G04a | You must provide to the Authority with a Permission Information and Performance Statement (PIPS) in the form determined by the Authority within 2 months of receiving notification in writing from the Authority. The PIPS may be released to the public (in whole or in part). |
OL_G04b | Information and monitoring records used for the preparation of, inclusion in, or support of, any reporting or notification that is required of you by the Authority (including data reporting, performance reporting, documents evidencing any risk and monitoring program) must be: |
OL_G05 | 1. You must develop a risk management and monitoring program for your activities which: |
OL_G07 | You must: |
OL_DA01 | Discharge of waste to air must be in accordance with Appendix 5. |
OL_DA02 | Visible emissions to air other than steam must not be discharged from the activity site, except as permitted by this licence. |
OL_WM13 | Notwithstanding the discharge limits set out in this licence, the licence holder’s risk management and monitoring program must address: (a) Causes of short-term variation in emissions (which may include equipment or process failures and replacement of components); (b) Opportunities to reduce long term and event-driven emissions through practices or controls; and (c) Key indicators of emission variation including process and system indicators. |
OL_WM14 | All plant and equipment must be maintained and operated in proper working condition, in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. |
Manage your licence
To amend, transfer or surrender your licence, visit Manage your permission.
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