Strengthening environmental protection in the ACT


Released 30/05/2016

Our ability to protect the ACT environment has been strengthened today with the release of the updated General Environmental Protection Policy (General EPP), head of the ACT Environment Protection Authority, Brett Phillips, announced today.

The General EPP describes a number of important environmental management tools designed to protect the environment from potential harm including environmental authorisations, environmental protection agreements, environmental audits and stronger mechanisms to restore environmental damage through enforceable undertakings.

"It will enhance our capacity to enforce environment protection laws whilst supporting and encouraging better environmental practices across the ACT community and industry," Mr Phillips said today.

The updated General EPP was developed after an extensive review of the Environmental Protection Act 1997 (the Act) and the Environment Protection Regulation 2005 (the Regulation) including a comprehensive community and stakeholder consultation process.

"This review was conducted to ensure our ACT environment protection laws are contemporary, reflect current best practice and remain responsive to the changing needs of the ACT community.

"It modernises and strengthens the tools available to the Environment Protection Authority to protect the environment and enhances our capacity to educate the community and administer the legislation," said Mr Phillips.

The General EPP is part of a group of policies that target eight key areas of environment protection including: general operation of the Act and Regulations, water quality, air quality, environmental noise, contaminated sites, hazardous materials, motor sport noise and outdoor concert noise.

"The main focus of the revised General EPP is to strengthen our protection of the environment in the ACT through a more practical, proactive approach," Mr Phillips said.

- Statement ends -

ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate | Media Releases

Media Contacts

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Alexandra Magee

6207 2464

0401 766 218

alexandra.magee@act.gov.au


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