About Environment Protection Authority
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) provide a technical support agency role in Victoria’s emergency management arrangements. Technical advice is provided before, during and after emergencies to the Control agency, government, industry and the community through scientific, engineering and regulatory expertise on the environmental and public health impacts of pollution and waste.
The Chief Environmental Scientist (CES) has an important role during emergencies involving significant pollution consequences by supporting the Emergency Management Commissioner (EMC), State Controller and Chief Health Officer (CHO) with expert advice on the practical measures to protect the environment and public health from the impacts of pollution and waste. The CES also provides a trusted and authoritative public face for the communication of complex pollution and waste advice.
Mitigation
Activity | Critical task alignment / activity source |
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Provide technical support in the prevention, mitigation and risk reduction of pollution and waste emergencies by applying and enforcing the Environment Protection Act, including: |
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1.2 |
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10.4, 16.8 |
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4.5, 4.6 |
Participating agency for the following bushfire mitigation activity: community education, awareness and engagement to prevent and respond to bushfire and bushfire smoke |
Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation |
Participating agency for the following hazardous materials (including industrial waste) incident mitigation activities:
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Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation |
Response (including Relief)
Activity | Critical task alignment / activity source |
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Lead Response Support Agency (RSA) for the functional area of environmental impact (air, land and water quality) |
Table 10: Support agencies for response |
As a technical support agency: |
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4.5, 4.6, 13.2, 13.3 |
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3.2 |
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2.1, 2.3, 13.2, 13.5 |
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4.5, 4.6, 13.1, 13.2 |
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16.2 |
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2.3, 4.4, 4.5, 11.2, 18.2, 18.4 Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment |
Recovery
Activity | Critical task alignment / activity source |
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Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) to provide advice and information services to recovery agencies, Municipal councils, duty holders and community on; the environmental and public health impacts of pollution and waste, environmental clean-up methods and appropriate disposal of waste |
Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment |
Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) to provide waste pollution management strategies |
Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment |
Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) in undertaking the assessment, restoration, clearing and rehabilitation of public buildings and assets (e.g. roads, bridges, sporting facilities, public amenities, station buildings, schools, hospitals) where an agency is the owner or manager of that respective building or asset |
Table 17: Recovery coordination: Built environment |
Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) to BRV to coordinate approved state-led or supported clean-up of residential property |
Table 17: Recovery coordination: Built environment |
Provide a technical support agency role through approvals under the Environment Protection Act |
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Assurance and Learning
Activity | Critical task alignment / activity source |
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Provide technical support in the prevention, mitigation and risk reduction of pollution and waste emergencies by undertaking regulatory, enforcement and investigative activities under the Environment Protection Act |
Footnotes
1. For example, if it is determined to be the result of a pollution event, EPA will conduct the regulatory action as per its role. If it is determined to be a natural event, EPA will provide clean-up and waste management advice to the asset manager. The EPA will advise on the required management actions following assessment based on the information available and communicate this to agencies.Management action may include:
- Identification and transfer to the relevant agency for ongoing management, (e.g. asset manager or lead agency nominated in the State Emergency Management Plan).
- Stakeholder communications – EPA will liaise with the VFA and other agencies to facilitate effective communication with key stakeholder groups (e.g. fishers).
- Clean-up and waste management advice to the asset manager.
- Referral to another agency for follow up investigation under other legislation.