Version No. 216
Environment Protection Act 1970
No. 8056 of 1970
Version incorporating amendments as at
24 March 2021
table of provisions
Section Page
Part I—Introduction
1Short title and commencement
1APurpose of Act
1BPrinciple of integration of economic, social and environmental considerations
1CThe precautionary principle
1DPrinciple of intergenerational equity
1EPrinciple of conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity
1FPrinciple of improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms
1GPrinciple of shared responsibility
1HPrinciple of product stewardship
1IPrinciple of wastes hierarchy
1JPrinciple of integrated environmental management
1KPrinciple of enforcement
1LPrinciple of accountability
2Application of Act
3Extra-territorial application of Act
4Definitions
Part II—Environment protection bodies
13Powers, duties and functions of Authority
Part III—Environment protection
Division 1—Declaration of policy
16State environment protection policy
16AWaste management policy
17Orders may make provisions for certain matters
17AOrder may incorporate NEPM
18Content of Orders
18APreparation of policies
18BCertification of waste management policies
18CPolicy impact assessment
18DConsideration of Order by Parliament
18ESaving of former industrial waste management policies
19Review of policies
Division 1A—Economic measures
19AAEconomic measures
19ABTradeable emission scheme
19ACOffence
Division 1B—Neighbourhood environment improvement plans
19ADDefinitions
19AESubmission of voluntary proposal
19AFImpetus for a directed proposal
19AGSubmission of directed proposal
19AHEndorsement of a directed or voluntary proposal
19AIApproval of neighbourhood environment improvement plan
19AJReview and amendment of approved neighbourhood environment improvement plan
19AKConsideration of guidelines by Parliament
Division 2—Works approval
19AScheduled premises
19BWorks approval
19CPower of Authority to amend works approval
19CADuration of works approval
19DApplication for research, development and demonstration approval
19EConsideration of application
19FDuration and effect of approval
19GOffences
Division 3—Control of wastes and noise
20Licensing of certain premises
20AAmendment of licence
20AAJoint advertisement
20BConferences
20CConsideration of policy
21Special conditions
22Power of Authority to require further information
23Register of works approvals and licences
23ASurrender of licence
24Fees in respect of licences and works approvals
24AEnvironment protection levy
25Transfer of works approvals or licences
26Duration of licence
Division 4—Accreditation
26AApplication for accreditation
26BGrant of accreditation
26DAdministrative arrangements
26EReview of accreditation
Division 5—Offences and powers of the Authority
27Offences
27AOffences relating to industrial waste
28Orders to public authorities etc. to curtail services etc.
28APower to require information
28BAbatement notice
30Liability of licence holder
30AAuthority may authorise emergency storage, use etc. of waste
30BDefence to offence
30CNotifiable chemicals
30DOrder relating to notifiable chemicals
31Authority may order licensed persons to cease discharge etc. in certain circumstances
31APollution abatement notice
31BMinor works pollution abatement notice
31CEnvironment improvement plan
31DAnnual performance statement
Part IV—Reviews by Tribunal
32Jurisdiction of Tribunal
33Reviews with respect to works approvals
33AReviews with respect to licences
33BApplications for review by third parties
33CWhat matters can Tribunal consider in reviews of conditions of works approvals and licences?
34Reviews in respect of section 28B notices
35Reviews in respect of notices under section 31A
35AReviews in respect of directions under section 19AG
36Certain notices do not take effect pending review
36AAReviews in respect of section 45Y directions and litter abatement notices
36AReviews in respect of permits
36BReviews of fees
36BAReviews in respect of section 49AF, 49AH or 49AL requirements
36CReviews in respect of financial…