--- title: Victoria's new Environmental Protection Law description: Since 1 July 2021, the new Environmental Protection Act 2017 became enforceable after a one year postponement in its implementation to provide businesses and the public an opportunity to first manage image: https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/chart-1024x375-1.jpg --- [![Indigo by AWA logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Indigo_colour.png?height=24&name=Indigo_colour.png)](https://indigo.awa.asn.au/) [![Ozwater logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Ozwater.png?height=24&name=Ozwater.png)](https://www.ozwater.org/) [![Careers in Water logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png?height=24&name=Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png)](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/) [![NWW logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/NWW.png?height=24&name=NWW.png)](https://www.nationalwaterweek.org/) - [Join ![user icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-user-icon.svg "user icon")](https://www.awa.asn.au/new-registration) - 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The new laws are a major change to Victoria’s environmental protection regulations and require Victorians to understand and minimise risks of harm to human health and the environment, from pollution and waste. For businesses already managing their environmental risks through existing arrangements, these new laws likely mean little to no change. **Timeline - Environment Protection Act 2017 [![](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/chart-1024x375-1.jpg?width=1024&height=375&name=chart-1024x375-1.jpg)](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/chart-1.jpg)** The new Act, the subordinate legislation and the EPA guidance are meant to provide clarity around good environmental practices for businesses and promote a proactive approach in managing their environmental obligations. In the first instance, the EPA is inviting businesses to start identifying their risks, assessing their impact to human health and environment, and implementing suitable risk control measures. Should the EPA be required to be involved at any stage, it is expected that businesses respond quickly to EPA advice and cooperate with EPA authorised officers during their inspections.  For more information and resources relating to the water industry specifically, you can visit the [EPA website.](https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/find-your-industry/water)  [ News ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/news) Share [![email icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-email.svg "email icon") ](mailto:?subject=Victoria's%20new%20Environmental%20Protection%20Law&body=Check%20out%20https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/news/victorias-new-environmental-protection-law) [![facebook-icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-facebook.svg "facebook icon") ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/news/victorias-new-environmental-protection-law) [![LinkedIn icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-linkedin.svg "LinkedIn icon") ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/news/victorias-new-environmental-protection-law) [![Twitter icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-twitter.svg "Twitter icon") ](https://twitter.com/home?status=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/news/victorias-new-environmental-protection-law) ## RELATED NEWS [![](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/melbourne-4848144_1920.jpg?width=352&name=melbourne-4848144_1920.jpg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/awa-victoria-branch-presidents-address) ### [ AWA Victoria Branch President's Address ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/awa-victoria-branch-presidents-address) Emma Milburne & Suzanne Knight As we near the end of 2023, the Victorian Branch and YWP committees would like to thank AWA members across the state for the… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/awa-victoria-branch-presidents-address) ### [ The research project helping future-proof Victoria’s water supply ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/research/victorian-water-climate-initiative-helping-future-proof-victorias-water-supply) Water Source With streamflows in Victoria forecast to potentially halve by 2065 and the population set to double by 2050, the state has put a… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/research/victorian-water-climate-initiative-helping-future-proof-victorias-water-supply) [![](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Picture5-3.jpg?width=352&name=Picture5-3.jpg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/connecting-ideas-and-innovation-awa-victorias-hybrid-event-success) ### [ Connecting Ideas and Innovation: AWA Victoria's Hybrid Event Success ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/connecting-ideas-and-innovation-awa-victorias-hybrid-event-success) Deepak Surendhra Mallya On June 25th, 2024, the AWA Victorian Branch successfully hosted a hybrid Technical Event showcasing the best Victorian papers from… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/connecting-ideas-and-innovation-awa-victorias-hybrid-event-success) Advertising --- ### Subscribe to our newsletters Sign up to get the latest news and insights from us Advertising --- ![white arrow pointing upwards](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-white-arrow-up.svg) Top [![Footer-logo-02](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/Footer-logo-02.svg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/) The **Australian Water Association** acknowledges the Traditional Custodians across Australia, where we live, work and play, for their deep connection to our precious waters and land. 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