The Victorian government has issued wide-ranging new environmental regulations and standards that will apply to businesses and organisations from July 1.
Victoria's Planning Minister today took over from councils responsibility for approving all energy projects greater than 1MW, including gas, pumped-hydro and waste-to-energy developments.
As the pandemic threat subsides, the Victorian government is under pressure to release statutory emissions targets and announce new coal power station licence conditions.
A tribunal has set aside a wind farm permit after finding that the developer failed to get the consent of the owners of buildings including a nearby converted dairy and a small cabin.
A new EPA Victoria regulatory strategy warns businesses that the agency now has new surveillance powers, and says companies face much higher penalties for offences including unlawful waste disposal.