What constitutes pollution is different in each Australian State and Territory. Generally speaking, ‘pollution’ is the release of matter into a medium (such as water, air or soil) where such release harms or may harm the quality of that medium or the health or survival of any plant or animal living within it. Pollution generally includes air, water, land and noise pollution.
The Environment Protection Act 1970 (the EP Act) is the key piece of Victorian legislation concerning pollution control and sets up the various legal pollution controls discussed in this chapter. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is the main body responsible for pollution control in Victoria, although your local council may also deal with pollution issues at a local level.
In this chapter we will look at waste and the different types of pollution (air, water, land and noise), the methods for enforcing the pollution controls (works approvals and licences, pollution abatement notices and clean-up notices) as well as the powers of EPA officers to investigate pollution complaints and any appeal rights.
A series of State Environmental Protection Policies (SEPPs) provide more detailed requirements and guidance on how the provisions of the EP Act are applied. The various SEPPs relate to air quality and air quality management, water protection policies, control of noise from public premises and industry, and prevention and management of contamination of land and Victoria’s groundwaters.
There are also several industrial-waste management policies that deal with the movement of controlled waste, prescribed industrial waste, controlling ozone-depleting substances, the national pollutant inventory, managing waste acid sulfate soils, landfills, solid fuel heating, used packaging material and ship’s ballast water.
For more information on any of the SEPPs or industrial-waste management policies visit:
1. The SEPPs section of the EPA website; and
2. The Waste Management Policies section of the EPA website.
For more information on pollution control than provided in this chapter:
1. Contact the EPA information centre on (03) 9695 2722; or
2. Contact your regional EPA office; or
3. Visit the EPA website at www.epa.vic.gov.au and follow the links through to Air; Land; Noise or Water.
What are the common types of rural pollution
Some of the more common types of rural pollution are:
- fumes from agricultural and industrial processes, as well as vehicle exhausts;
- dangerous discharges into drains and waterways;
- offensive smells from animal carcasses, droppings, chicken coops, abattoirs and other food-processing factories; and
- dumping of toxic materials, mining tailings and other unacceptable landfill practices.
This chapter will look at waste and the different forms of pollution (air, water, land and noise) and set out your requirements in relation to each of these.
If you are unsure whether your activities are polluting, contact the EPA information centre on (03) 9695 2722 or your regional EPA office.
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