General Duty of Care

“A person who is engaging in an activity that may give rise to risks of harm to human health or the environment from pollution or waste must minimise those risks, so far as reasonably practicable.”

Reform milestones

1 July 2020 – Expected commencement of the amended Environment Protection Act 2017

August 2018 – The Environment Protection Amendment Bill 2018 passed by Victorian Parliament and received Royal Assent, becoming the Environment Protection Amendment Act 2018.

1 July 2018 – The Environment Protection Act 2017 came into full effect, establishing EPA as an independent statutory authority and legislating the role of a Governing Board, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Environmental Scientist. The Governing Board also commenced.

20 June 2018 – The second reading of the Environment Protection Amendment Bill 2018 occurred in the Legislative Assembly of the Victorian Parliament.

May 2018 – EPA Governing Board announced: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-epa-governance-board-finalised/

October 2017 – The Environment Protection Bill 2017 was passed by the Victorian Parliament and received Royal Assent, becoming the Environment Protection Act 2017.