We review every report to assess the impact of pollution to human health and the environment. This includes reports from businesses.
We assess the risk of pollution
To assess the impact on human health and the environment, we consider 2 key factors:
- potential harm to human health, the environment and the livability of the community
- how likely we are to detect and reduce harm and prevent future harm.
When reviewing reports we look at:
- actual or potential harm
- amount of public concern
- whether the pollution has occurred before
- how many reports have been made about the pollution
- our records about the alleged source of the pollution
- where the pollution has taken place
- how detailed the report is
- whether the report is from someone known to us or from a self-reporting business.
We prioritise the biggest risks
We use a risk-based approach to assess and respond to reports. The greater the risk to human health or the environment, the more urgent our response.
Immediate response
We need to respond immediately and will defer other planned inspections. For example, a report of pollution entering a waterway may need a fast response, particularly if the pollution is still occurring.
Planned response
We inspect the site within 28 days of a report. How soon we respond depends on the availability of our authorised officers or other authorities – such as the local council. We may escalate our response if many people are affected.
We may plan an inspection based on reporting patterns. For example, if noise is always reported between 8 pm and 9 pm on weeknights, we would plan an inspection for that time.
Desktop response
We conduct a desktop investigation within 28 days. This can involve:
- reviewing any past reports
- contacting the reporter for more information
- sending letters of advice to alleged sources of pollution
- working with the reporter to document the pollution.
We may escalate our response based on insights from our desktop investigation.
Referral
We refer the report to another authority, such as a local council or water corporation, when:
- the report is outside of our jurisdiction
- another authority is better equipped to respond.
For example, reports of noise from private residences or small-scale burning off in residential areas would both be referred to the local council.
No action
If the risk of pollution is low, we log the report in our system to help with any future assessments on the same issue. We may follow up at a later date.
For example, we may not inspect a business that self-reports a small spill they have cleaned up. However, we will record it in our system. If we visit the site in the future, we would review and consider the report during our visit.
We sometimes receive reports where there's not enough information to follow up. We will try to contact the reporter for more information.
We enforce the law
We take an escalating approach to enforcement. This means we respond more harshly if a person or business is resistant or evasive or fails to account for its risks.
Under the Environmental Protection Act 2017, we have powers to encourage compliance and enforce the law. These include:
- education and guidance
- notices and directions that mean a person must take action or remedy non-compliance
- penalties and fines.
We appoint authorised officers to investigate, monitor and support compliance with environmental laws. We also appoint our staff as litter enforcement officers. These officers can investigate and take enforcement action for certain litter and waste offences.
Learn more about our enforcement approach.
We send you updates
When you report pollution on our website or over the phone, we ask you for your contact details. This is so we can contact you if we need more information and we can update you on the progress of your report.
It may take up to 28 days to receive an update. You can opt out of updates if you change your mind.
Privacy collection notice
When you make a pollution report, we collect your information to identify who is making the report and for what reason. This information may be used to investigate and evaluate non-compliance or contravention of the Environment Protection Act.
We may use your information to contact you so we can provide updates on your report or get more details about it. If you consent for us to do so, your information may be provided to relevant local councils, Parks Victoria or WorkSafe Victoria.
We may use or disclose your information to investigate any false information you provide.
If you do not provide all the information we need when you report, we may not be able to act on your report.
You can call 1300 372 842 or email contact@epa.vic.gov.au to ask for access to your personal information.
For more information, visit our Privacy policy.
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