A new era of industrial facility environmental management

The Victorian EP Act 2018 brings (as of July 1) a different framework of responsibility for all Victorians, including the owners and operators of industrial facilities such as landfills and wastewater treatment plants. A transition is under way, moving from a compliance approach, to an approach that is aimed at more active prevention of environmental impacts. What does this mean for operators, and how can technology help to make this transition a good outcome for the environment, regulators and the operators?

Tony provided an overview of the key legislative and operational changes that are in train and outlined the form of the EPA guidance which is emerging. He outlined the new process for assessing land contamination and discussed the duties and obligations of facility Licence Holders, under the new Act and the transition process that is being applied by EPA. Parallels were drawn with the structure of other similar legislation and how it is applied.