October Policy Update
Guidance material to support implement of General Environment Duty under the EP Act
A consultant has been appointed, and they are well advanced in preparing a draft set of guidance material. They have received a range of valuable advice and suggestions from the water corporations on the Working Group that has been formed to support this project.
Once the draft guidance material is finalised, EPA will be consulted to ensure that the material is consistent with the approach to GED.
The finalised guidance material is anticipated to be available to all water corporations by the end of November 2021.
You can read about the project background here.
Practical guidance documents to support the implementation of EPA revised guideline for water recycling
Consultants have been appointed to deliver the guidance material, and a supporting Working Group, which has both central agency (DELWP, EPA, DoH, Ag Vic) and water corporation representation, has been formed.
The form and content of a series of stakeholder workshops to support the development of each guidance document is being shaped up, with the expectation that the first round of workshops will be held during October 2021. Information on the workshops will be sent to members as soon as dates are set.
The delivery of the guidance documents is now running a little bit behind schedule, but it is anticipated that they will be available in early 2022.
You can read background on the project here.
Planning Codes for Sustainable Animal Industries
On Wednesday 22 September 2021, DJPR project manager met with representatives from most of the state’s water corporations and VicWater to run them through the draft Planning Codes and take initial feedback on the drafts.
Industry representatives have been provided with access to the draft Codes, and DJPR is seeking feedback by 20 October 2021. VicWater will work with water corporation representatives to ensure that comments are submitted on the draft Planning Codes.
You can read about the project background here.
Cost of compliance project
An initial project plan/proposal was signed off in April 2021. Progress was delayed, partly with respect to the departure of VicWater’s Policy and Regulation Manager. Now that that role has been filled, a more detailed concept will be put together for the consideration of members. It is anticipated that this more detailed concept will be available by mid-October 2021.
You can read background on the project here.
