There are 11 principles set out in the Environment Protection Act 2017(opens in a new window). They guide decisions and actions to protect Victoria's environment from pollution and waste.
They are of equal importance. No one principle has more influence than another.
1. Principle of integration of environmental, social and economic considerations
Environmental, social and economic considerations should be effectively integrated.
This principle:
- provides for all three considerations to be considered when making decisions and actions under the Act
- assists us to reach a balanced decision.
2. Principle of proportionality
A decision, action or thing directed towards minimising harm or a risk of harm to human health or the environment should be proportionate to the harm or risk of harm that is being addressed.
For example, the larger the possible harm:
- the more consideration and care is needed when making a decision
- the greater the measures taken to prevent the harm.
3. Principle of primacy of prevention
Prevention of harm to human health and the environment is preferred to remedial or mitigation measures.
This means it is better to prevent harm than:
- to reduce it
- repair the harm caused.
4. Principle of shared responsibility
Protection of human health and the environment is a responsibility shared by all levels of government, industry, business, communities and the people of Victoria.
Everyone has a responsibility to protect human health and the environment.
5. Principle of polluter pays
Persons who generate pollution and waste should bear the cost of containment, avoidance and abatement.
Those responsible for generating pollution or waste should bear the costs of:
- preventing pollution and managing waste
- addressing the impacts of pollution and waste.
6. Principle of waste management hierarchy
Waste should be managed in accordance with the following order of preference, so far as reasonably practicable:
- avoidance
- reuse
- recycling
- recovery of energy
- containment
- waste disposal.
It is better to avoid generating waste than to manage its consequences. Disposal of waste to landfill is the least preferred option.
7. Principle of evidence-based decision making
Actions or decisions under this Act should be based on the best available evidence in the circumstances that is relevant and reliable.
Your actions and decisions should be informed by the best evidence that is practically available.
8. Precautionary principle
If there exist threats of serious or irreversible harm to human health or the environment, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent or minimise those threats.
Even if you do not have full certainty of the risks, you should still act to prevent or minimise possible harm.
9. Principle of equity
- All people are entitled to live in a safe and healthy environment irrespective of their personal attributes or location.
- People should not be disproportionately affected by harm or risks of harm to human health and the environment.
- The present generation should ensure the state of the environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations.
Everyone living today and in the future has the right to live in an environment that keeps them healthy. The people living today should protect the environment for the future.
10. Principle of accountability
Members of the public should:
- have access to reliable and relevant information in appropriate forms to facilitate a good understanding of issues of harm or risks of harm to human health and the environment and of how decisions are made under this Act; and
- be engaged and given opportunities to participate in decisions made under this Act, where appropriate to do so; and
- have their interests taken into account in decisions made under this Act.
This means that everyone should be informed and heard when environmental decisions and actions impact them.
11. Principle of conservation
Biological diversity and ecological integrity should be protected for purposes that include the protection of human health.
Protecting our health is one of the important reasons we need to protect our environment.
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