Environment Protection Agencies exist in each state of Australia

Details of each organisation are :

Commonwealth Environment Protection Agency

Victorian Environment Protection Agency

 

Commonwealth Environment Protection Agency

 

Victorian Environment Protection Agency.

 

Some important sections of this Act:-

 

Section 3 (2).

This Act prevails over any other Act, Regulation, by-laws where there is a conflict.

 

Section 13.

(1)

      (a)  The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has the legislated responsibility to administer the Act and any regulations and

             Orders made thereunder.

     (b)   The EPA is responsible for and to co-ordinate all activities relating to the discharge of wastes into the environment

             and for preventing or controlling pollution and noise and protecting and improving the quality of the environment.

     (k)   The EPA is responsible to undertake investigations and inspections to ensure compliance with this Act and to investigate

            complaints relating to breaches of this Act.

     (l)    The EPA is responsible to provide information and education to the public regarding the protection and improvement

            of the environment.

 

Note:   The EPA categorically states that you cannot empty the washed contents of a domestic or commercial rubbish bin into the storm water system as this takes it directly into the marine environment.   The penalties are severe.

 

 

Note:   Research shows that you have the same capacity to impact the environment by emptying the contents of these bins onto gardens.   The evidence now shows that the pollution extends into the groundwater systems, causing environmental damage.

               

Section 1A.              

The purpose of this Act is to create a legislative framework for the protection of the environment in Victoria having regard to the principles of environment protection.   It enables the EPA to work with the community to protect, care for and improve our environment.

 

Section 1B.              

Principle of integration of economic, social and environmental considerations.

 

Section 1C.  

(1)   The precautionary principle.   If there are threats os serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation.

(2)   Decision making should be guided by_

            (a)               a careful evaluation to avoid serious or irreversible damage to environment wherever practicable: and

            (b)               an assessment of the risk-weighted consequences of various options.

 

Section 1D.              

Inte-rgenerational equity.

 

Section 1E.             

Principle of conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity –             fundamental in decision making.

 

Section 1F.           

(1)   Environmental factions to be included in valuations of assets and services.

(2)   Persons who generate pollution and waste should bear the cost of containment, avoidance and abatement.

(3)   Users of goods and services should pay prices based on full life cycle costs of providing the goods and services, including costs

       relating to the use of natural resources and the ultimate disposal of wastes.

(4)   Established environmental goals should be pursued in the most cost effective way by establishing incentive structures, including

       market mechanisms, which enable persons best placed to maximise benefits or minimise costs to develop solutions and responses

       to environmental problems.

 

Section 1G.             

Principle of shared responsibility.  This includes all levels of government and industry, business, communities and people of Victoria.

 

Section 1H.           

Principle of product stewardship. Shared responsibility to manage through the life cycle of goods and services, including the ultimate disposal of any wastes.

 

Section 1I.           

Principle of wastes hierarchy.   Wastes to be managed in accordance with the following hierarchy:-

          (a)   Avoidance

          (b)   Re-use

          (c)   Re-cycling

          (d)   Recovery of energy

          (e)   Treatment

          (f)    Containment

          (g)   Disposal.

 

Section 1J.           

Principle of integrated environmental management.

 

Section 1K.           

Principle of enforcement.   Enforcement of environmental requirements should be undertaken for the purpose of-

         (a)   Better protecting the environment and its economic and social uses,

         (b)   Ensuring that no commercial advantage is obtained by any person who fails to comply  with environmental requirements.

         (c)   Influencing the attitude and behaviour of persons who actions may have adverse environmental impacts or who develop,

                invest in, purchase or use goods and services which may have adverse environmental impacts.

 

Section 1L.

Principle of accountability.