Introduction
The report of the Independent Inquiry (Inquiry)
into the Environment Protection Authority Victoria
(EPA) has recently been released. It contains 48
recommendations to improve the EPA's ability to address future
challenges and meet community, industry and government
expectations. The Victorian government has indicated that it will
respond to the recommendations later this year.
The Inquiry was asked to consider the EPA's role, governance
and funding, powers and tools. Its key recommendations are
considered below.
Role, governance and funding
Legislative overhaul
One in four submissions to the Inquiry included comments on the
EPA's governance arrangements and the way the organisation
operates. A key problem identified by the Inquiry is that the
Environment Protection Act 1970 (EP Act)
specifies that the EPA's Chairman is the 'Authority'
with sole oversight and responsibility for the body's
regulatory activity. A significant overhaul of the EP
