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State Environment Protection Policy (Waters) Review
30 October 2018
As a key action in the implementation of Water for Victoria, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) have developed a new State Environment Protection Policy (Waters), merging the Waters for Victoria and Groundwaters for Victoria State Environment Protection policies.
SEPP (Waters) are established under the Environment Protection Act 1970 as a legal framework to protect and improve Victoria’s water environments, as well as the social and economic values they support, and are required to be reviewed every 10 years.
SEPPs ensure Victoria has clear and relevant standards, legal rules and statutory obligations to protect and improve the health of the state’s natural environment.
The new SEPP (Waters) formally commenced on 19 October 2018, and ensures that Victoria has a contemporary statutory policy for the protection and management of surface water and groundwater in Victoria. Clause 7 outlines to whom this policy applies and who will have responsibilities in relation to implementing this policy.
The review provides a simple, more streamlined policy that reflects community values, applies updated science, better clarifies industry obligations, and provides for greater accountability.
Further information is available on the EngageVictoria, DELWP, or EPA websites.
To learn more, download the SEPP (Waters) and the Policy Impact Assessment.
