ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT 1986

Table of Provisions

• Long Title

PART I -- Preliminary  

• 1 Short title
 
• 2 Commencement
 
• 3 Terms used
 
• 3A Terms used relating to pollution and environmental harm
 
• 4 Crown bound
 
• 4A Object and principles of Act
 
• 5 Inconsistent laws
 
• 6 Power of Minister or Authority to exempt

PART II -- Environmental Protection Authority

Division 1 -- Composition, procedure, etc. of Environmental Protection Authority  

• 7 Continuation and composition of Environmental Protection Authority
 
• 8 Independence of Authority and Chair
 
• 9 Remuneration and allowances of Authority members
 
• 10 Business of Authority
 
• 11 Meetings of Authority
 
• 12 Disclosure of interests by Authority members
 
• 13 Decisions of persons presiding at meetings of Authority
 
• 14 Minutes to be kept of meetings of Authority
 
• 14A Decision without meeting
 
• 15 Objectives of Authority
 
• 16 Functions of Authority
 
• 17 Powers of Authority
 
• 17A Provision of services, information etc. to Authority
 
• 18 Delegation by Minister
 
• 19 Delegation by Authority
 
• 20 Delegation by CEO
 
• 21 Authority to make annual report

Division 2 -- Staff of Department, etc.  

• 22 Appointment and engagement of staff generally
 
• 24 Use of staff and facilities of other departments etc.
 
• 25 Advisory groups, committees, councils and panels

PART III -- Environmental protection policies  

• 26 Draft policy, preparation and publicising of
 
• 27 Persons may make representations to Authority on draft policy
 
• 28 Consideration, revision and submission to Minister of draft policy by Authority
 
• 29 Public inquiry into draft policy
 
• 30 Minister to consult on draft policy
 
• 31 Minister to remit draft policy, or approve it (with or without amendments) or refuse to approve it
 
• 32 Reconsidering and resubmitting remitted draft policy
 
• 33 Approved policies, status and revocation of
 
• 34 Orders made under s. 31(d), Parliamentary oversight of
 
• 35 Content of approved policies
 
• 36 Review of approved policies
 
• 37 Minor changes to approved policies
 
• 37A NEPM may be declared to be approved policy

PART IV -- Environmental impact assessment

Division 1 -- Referral and assessment of proposals  

• 37B Terms used
 
• 38 Referral of proposals
 
• 38A Calling in a proposal
 
• 38B Requirements as to referrals
 
• 38C Proponent may amend a referred proposal
 
• 38D Proponent may give notice that a referred proposal will not proceed
 
• 38E Proposals derived from assessed strategic proposals
 
• 38F Request for further information
 
• 38G Authority must decide whether to assess a referred proposal
 
• 38H Nomination of person responsible for proposal
 
• 38I Change of person responsible for proposal
 
• 39 Authority to keep records of referred proposals
 
• 40 Assessing referred proposals
 
• 40AA Assessment of significant amendments
 
• 40A Termination of assessment
 
• 40B Application of assessment provisions to strategic proposals and strategic assessments
 
• 41 Decision-making authority not to approve proposal until certain events occur
 
• 41A Proposal not to be implemented before action under s. 45 taken
 
• 42 Conduct of public inquiries under s. 40(2)(c)
  43. Minister may direct Authority as to assessing proposal  
• 43A Amendments to proposals during assessment
 
• 44 Report by Authority on assessment of proposal

Division 2 -- Implementation of proposals  

• 44A Terms used
 
• 45 Procedure for deciding if assessed proposal may be implemented
 
• 45A Implementation conditions
 
• 45B Implementation of derived proposal
 
• 45C Amending approved proposals or implementation conditions without inquiry or assessment
 
• 45D Division or consolidation of proposals and issue of separate or combined Ministerial statements
 
• 46 Amending implementation conditions after inquiry
 
• 46A Interim conditions and procedures
 
• 47 Duties of proponents after service of Ministerial statement
 
• 47A Duration and withdrawal of Ministerial statement
 
• 48 Control of implementation of proposals

Division 2A -- Payments relating to proposals  

• 48AA Fees and charges for referral and assessment of proposals

Division 3 -- Assessment of schemes  

• 48AAA Certain schemes not required to be assessed
 
• 48A Authority to decide whether or not schemes to be assessed
 
• 48B Authority to keep public records of schemes referred to it
 
• 48C Authority’s powers for assessing referred schemes
 
• 48D Authority to report to Minister on schemes
 
• 48E Minister may direct Authority to assess etc. referred schemes

Division 4 -- Implementation of schemes  

• 48EA Terms used
 
• 48F Procedure for agreeing or deciding on conditions to which schemes are to be subject
 
• 48G Review of conditions in statements published under section 48F
  48H. Control of implementation of assessed schemes  
• 48I Which proposals under assessed schemes to be referred to Authority
 
• 48J Disputes between Minister and responsible Ministers, Governor to decide

PART V -- Environmental regulation

Division 1 -- Pollution and environmental harm offences  

• 49 Causing pollution and unreasonable emissions
 
• 49A Dumping waste
 
• 50 Discharging waste in circumstances likely to cause pollution
 
• 50A Causing serious environmental harm
 
• 50B Causing material environmental harm
 
• 50C Court may find accused guilty of alternative offences if charged with causing serious environmental harm
 
• 50D Regulations may require authorisation for conduct that might cause pollution or environmental harm
 
• 51 Occupiers of premises, duties as to emissions

Division 2 -- Clearing of native vegetation  

• 51A Terms used
 
• 51B Declaration of environmentally sensitive areas by regulation
 
• 51C Unauthorised clearing of native vegetation
 
• 51D Section 51C(a) does not apply to certain land
 
• 51DA Referral of proposed clearing to CEO for decision on whether a clearing permit should be obtained
 
• 51E How applications for clearing permits are made and dealt with
 
• 51F Effect of referred proposal on decisions about clearing
 
• 51G Duration of clearing permits
 
• 51H Clearing permit conditions
 
• 51I Some kinds of conditions
 
• 51J Contravening clearing permit conditions
 
• 51K Amending clearing permit
 
• 51KA Application to amend clearing permit
 
• 51KB Effect of referred proposal on application to amend clearing permit
 
• 51L Revoking or suspending clearing permit
 
• 51M Procedure for CEO when amending, revoking or suspending clearing permit
 
• 51MA Surrendering clearing permit
 
• 51N Continuation of area permit on change of ownership
 
• 51O Principles and instruments to be considered when making decisions as to clearing permits
 
• 51P Relationship between clearing permits and approved policies
 
• 51Q CEO to keep a record of clearing permits and related matters
 
• 51R Evidentiary matters
 
• 51S Clearing injunctions
 
• 51T Other laws as to clearing vegetation not affected by this Division

Division 3 -- Prescribed premises, works approvals and licences  

• 52 Changing premises to become prescribed premises requires approval
 
• 53 Prescribed premises, restrictions as to changes to etc.
 
• 54 Works approvals, applying for, granting, refusing etc.
 
• 55 Contravening conditions of works approvals
 
• 56 Occupiers of prescribed premises to be licensed for emissions etc.
 
• 57 Licences, applying for, granting, refusing etc.
 
• 58 Contravening licence conditions
 
• 59 Amending works approval or licence
 
• 59A Revoking or suspending works approval or licence
 
• 59B Procedure for amending, revoking or suspending works approval or licence
 
• 60 Relationship between works approvals or licences and approved policies
 
• 61 Duty of persons becoming occupiers of prescribed premises
 
• 62 Works approval and licence conditions
 
• 62A Some kinds of conditions
 
• 63 Duration of works approvals and licences
 
• 63A CEO to keep and publish record of works approvals and licences
 
• 64 Transfer of works approvals and licences

Division 4 -- Notices, orders and directions  

• 64A CEO to keep records of notices
 
• 65 Environmental protection notices, issue and effect of
 
• 66 Environmental protection notices, registration of etc. on land titles
 
• 67 Duties of person ceasing to be owner etc. of land subject to notice registered under s.
 
• 68 Restriction on subdividing etc. land subject to notice registered under s.
 
• 68A Closure notices, issue and effect of
 
• 69 Stop orders, issue and effect of
 
• 70 Vegetation conservation notices, issue and effect of
 
• 71 Environmental protection directions, issue and effect of
 
• 72 Duty to notify CEO of discharges of waste
 
• 73 Powers to deal with etc. discharges of waste, pollution and environmental harm
 
• 73A Prevention notices, issue and effect of
 
• 73B Breach of notice issued under s. 65, 70 or 73A, damages for

Division 5 -- Miscellaneous  

• 74 Defences to certain offences
 
• 74A Defences to offences of causing pollution etc.: authority of this Act
 
• 74B Other defences to environmental harm offences
 
• 75 Discharges or emissions in emergencies
 
• 76 Miscellaneous offences
 
• 77 Vehicles and vessels, duties of owners etc. of
 
• 78 Interfering with anti-pollution devices on vehicles or vessels
 
• 79 Unreasonable noise emissions from premises
 
• 80 Installing equipment emitting unreasonable noise
 
• 81 Noise abatement, powers for
 
• 81A Seizing noisy equipment
 
• 82 Ancillary powers for s. 81 and 81A
  83. Duty to give assistance and information to officials  
• 84 Excessive noise emissions from vehicles or vessels
 
• 85 Excessive noise emissions from equipment
 
• 86 Manufacture, sale etc. of products emitting excessive noise

PART VA -- Financial assurances  

• 86A Terms used
 
• 86B Financial assurance requirements, imposition and effect of
 
• 86C Minister’s consent needed to impose etc. financial assurance requirement
 
• 86D Amount of financial assurance
 
• 86E Claim on or realising of financial assurance
 
• 86F Lapsing of financial assurance requirement
 
• 86G Use of financial assurance not to affect other action

PART VI -- Enforcement  

• 87 Authorised persons, appointment of
 
• 88 Inspectors, appointment and purposes of
 
• 89 Entry powers of inspectors
 
• 89A Use of assistance and force
 
• 90 Powers of inspectors to obtain information
 
• 91 Entry powers of inspectors for s.
 
• 91A Stopping etc. vehicles and vessels, powers of inspectors and authorised persons as to
 
• 92 Inspectors may require details of certain occupiers and others
 
• 92A Seizing evidence etc.
 
• 92B Dealing with seized things
 
• 92C Returning seized things
 
• 92D Forfeiture of abandoned property
 
• 92E Person not to interfere with seized things
 
• 92G Inspector to try to minimise damage
 
• 92H Compensation for loss etc. due to enforcement action
 
• 93 Obstructing etc. inspectors or authorised persons
 
• 94 Analysts, appointment of
 
• 95 CEO may require information about industrial processes etc.
 
• 96 CEO may require information about vehicles or vessels
 
• 97 CEO may require vehicles, vessels and equipment to be made available for testing
 
• 98 Police officers’ powers for inspecting etc. vehicles and vessels
 
• 99 Police officers may stop audible alarms

PART VIA -- Legal proceedings and penalties

Division 1 -- Prescribed offences and modified penalties  

• 99AA Term used: prescribed offence
 
• 99A Modified penalty notice, issue of
 
• 99B Content of modified penalty notice
 
• 99C Extending time to pay modified penalty
 
• 99D Withdrawing modified penalty notice
 
• 99E Consequence of paying modified penalty
 
• 99F Register of modified penalty notices etc.
 
• 99G Application of penalties collected

Division 2 -- Infringement notice offences  

• 99H Terms used
 
• 99I Designated persons for s. 99K, 99M or 99N, appointment of
 
• 99J Infringement notice, issue of
 
• 99K Content of infringement notice
 
• 99L Some prior convictions and payments of modified penalties to be disregarded for s. 99K(3)
  99M. Extending time to pay modified penalty  
• 99N Withdrawing infringement notice
 
• 99O Consequence of paying modified penalty
 
• 99P Application of penalties collected

Division 3 -- Penalties  

• 99Q Penalties
 
• 99R Daily penalty
 
• 99S Attempt and accessory after the fact

Division 4 -- Additional powers available to the court  

• 99T Term used: convicted
 
• 99U Orders generally
 
• 99V Orders for forfeiture
 
• 99W Disposal of forfeited things
 
• 99X Orders for prevention, restoration etc.
 
• 99Y Orders for costs, expenses and compensation
 
• 99Z Orders regarding monetary benefits
 
• 99ZA Orders requiring public notice to be given etc.
 
• 99ZB Enforcing orders to pay moneys

PART VII -- Appeals  

• 100 Appeals against Authority’s decisions etc. as to proposals and schemes
 
• 101 Minister’s powers on appeals under s.
 
• 101A Appeals against decisions as to clearing permits
 
• 102 Appeals against decisions as to works approvals and licences
 
• 103 Appeals against decisions as to notices issued under s. 65, 68A, 70 or 73A
  104. Appeals against CEO’s requirements under s. 96 or   105. Matters that cannot be appealed  
• 106 Preliminary procedure on appeals
 
• 107 Minister’s powers on appeal
 
• 107A Appeals Convenor, appointment of
 
• 107B Functions of Appeals Convenor
 
• 107C Appeals panel, appointment of
 
• 107D Administrative procedures for appeals
 
• 108 Appeals committees, composition and remuneration of
 
• 109 Procedure of appeals committees
 
• 110 Minister’s decisions on appeals, implementation and publication of

PART VIIA -- Landfill levy

Division 1 -- Collection of levy imposed under Environmental Protection (Landfill) Levy Act 1998  

• 110A Terms used
 
• 110B Payment of levy
 
• 110C Financial assurance
 
• 110D Payment by instalments
 
• 110E Penalty for non-payment
 
• 110F Recovery of levy
 
• 110G Evading levy

Division 2 -- Waste Management and Recycling Account  

• 110H Waste Management and Recycling Account
 
• 110I Application of Financial Management Act 2006 and Auditor General Act 2006
 
• 110J Review of Part VIIA

PART VIII -- General  

• 111 Saving of rights at law to prevent etc. pollution etc.
 
• 111A Victimisation of informants etc.
 
• 112 False information
 
• 112A Self-incrimination
 
• 114 Prosecutions, who may institute
 
• 114A Prosecutions, limitation periods for
 
• 115 Investigation expenses
 
• 116 Disputes between Authority and other public authority
 
• 116A Proof not required of certain matters
 
• 116B Proof of remotely sensed images
 
• 117 Proof of documents
 
• 118 Establishing state of mind of body corporate
 
• 118A Liability of officers for offence by body corporate
 
• 119 Averment of occupation or control
 
• 120 Disclosing certain information restricted
 
• 121A Authority to perform certain functions in relation to Crown land for purposes of this Act
 
• 121 Protection from personal liability
 
• 122 Administrative procedures, Authority may establish
 
• 122A Codes of practice
 
• 122B Forms and other matters relating to documentation
 
• 123 Regulations
 
• 124 Review of Act

PART VIIIA -- Bilateral agreements with the Commonwealth  

• 124A Terms used
 
• 124B Effect of Part
 
• 124C Additional function of Authority
 
• 124D Application for a matter to be dealt with as a bilateral matter
 
• 124E Performance of functions in respect of bilateral matters
 
• 124F Fees in relation to bilateral matters
 
• 124G Disclosure of information for the purposes of bilateral agreements
 
• 124H Regulations

PART IX -- Transitional

Division 1 -- Transitional provisions for Environmental Protection Act 1986  

• 125 Interpretation Act 1984 not affected
 
• 126 Transitional provisions for Environmental Protection Act 1971
 
• 127 Transitional provisions not related to Environmental Protection Act 1971
 
• 128 General saving

Division 2 -- Transitional provisions for Approvals and Related Reforms (No. 1) (Environment) Act 2010 Part  

• 129 Term used: amending Act
 
• 130 Appeals in respect of proposals
 
• 131 Appeals in respect of clearing permits
 
• 132 Appeals in respect of works approvals and licences

Division 3 -- Transitional provisions for Approvals and Related Reforms (No. 1) (Environment) Act 2010 Part  

• 133 Minor or preliminary work that has Authority’s consent

Division 4 -- Transitional provisions for Environmental Protection Amendment Act 2020

• 133A Term used: amending Act
Subdivision 2 -- Transitional provisions relating to clearing matters  
• 133B Declaration of environmentally sensitive areas
 
• 133C Clearing permit applications
 
• 133D Clearing injunctions
Subdivision 3 -- Transitional provisions relating to works approvals and licences  
• 133E Terms used
 
• 133F Works approvals
 
• 133G Licences
 
• 133H Existing applications for works approvals or licences
 
• 133I Existing applications as to existing works approvals
 
• 133J Existing applications as to existing licences
 
• 133K Appeals in respect of refusal to grant works approvals and licences
 
• 133L Other appeals in respect of works approvals and licences
Subdivision 4 -- Other matters  
• 133M Referred proposals
 
• 133N Chair and Deputy Chair
 
• 133O Transitional regulations
 
• 133P Interpretation Act 1984 not affected

PART X -- Validation  

• 134 Terms used
 
• 135 Grounds of invalidity
 
• 136 Certain proceedings of Environmental Protection Authority and other things validated
 
• 137 Exclusions from validation
• SCHEDULE 1 -- Penalties
• SCHEDULE 2 -- Matters in respect of which regulations may be made
• SCHEDULE 3 -- Transitional provisions related to Environmental Protection Act 1971
• SCHEDULE 4 -- Transitional provisions not related to Environmental Protection Act 1971
• SCHEDULE 5 -- Principles for clearing native vegetation  
• SCHEDULE 6 -- Clearing for which a clearing permit is not required
• SCHEDULE 7 -- Appeals Convenor