Thanks Nick for sharing the recent changes to landfill compliance under the GED

Landfill Compliance is evolving under the GED. Do you know what you need to know?

Nick Simmons from Australian Environmental Auditors joined us to explore how landfill compliance is evolving under Victoria’s General Environmental Duty (GED). The shift from prescriptive regulation to risk-based responsibility is changing how landfill operators manage risk, demonstrate compliance, and maintain their “state of knowledge.”

Key takeaways:

• GED shifts responsibility to proactive risk management
  The EP Act 2017 requires duty holders to identify, assess and manage environmental risks; not just respond to exceedances or incidents.
• Compliance is moving beyond licences alone
  An operating landfill still relies on licence conditions, closed landfills are increasingly regulated under GED and contaminated land duties.
• Risk Management and Monitoring Plans (RMMP’s) are central to demonstrating compliance
  A RMMP must be built on a robust risk assessment and supported by ongoing audits and evidence of implementation.
• State of knowledge underpins defensible decisions
  Operators must draw on evolving guidance, industry standards and literature to ensure risk controls are proportionate and up to date.
• Monitoring data should drive continuous improvement
  Regular review of trends, controls and system performance is essential; not just reacting to exceedances.
• Auditors and regulators expect a proactive approach
  Clear roles, documented decisions and demonstrated follow-through are critical to showing compliance with GED.
• Capability and technical competency remain key gaps
  Ensuring adequate expertise and maintaining knowledge over time is a growing challenge, particularly for landfill aftercare.

In summary, Landfill compliance is no longer just about meeting licence conditions; it’s about demonstrating a proactive, evidence-based approach to risk management, grounded in strong technical understanding and continuous improvement.

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