January Policy Update

Guidance material to support implement of General Environment Duty under the EP Act

Over the course of December 2021, the consultants continued to accept industry feedback on the proposed flow charts, with the view of having completed documentation in late January 2022.

At the time of writing, the consultants were still awaiting feedback from EPA on the proposed flow charts.

On 4 January 2022, EPA, through the Engage Victoria website, released two consultation documents with respect to the new contaminated land duties under GED: Duty to Manage and Duty to Notify (The new contaminated land duties: Duty to Manage and Duty to Notify | Engage Victoria)

As part of the finalisation process, these documents will be reviewed to ensure that the proposed contaminated land flow chart is consistent with the released consultation documents.

Practical guidance documents to support the implementation of EPA revised guideline for water recycling

The first workshop was held, as scheduled, on 26 November 2021.  The consultants are now writing up the outcomes of this workshop, with the view of having a report back to participants in early- to mid-February 2022.

The schedule for the other workshops will likely be released in late February 2022, once the outputs from Workshop 1 have been finalised.

Planning Codes for Sustainable Animal Industries

No change from the November 2021 update; awaiting feedback from DJPR on any further involvement that they would like from water corporations prior to the finalisation of these Planning Codes.

Cost of compliance project

Quotations were received in late December 2021, and it is hoped that the successful consultant will be engaged by the end of January 2022.

Proposed changes to the Workplace Exposure Standards for Hydrogen Sulfide

As noted in the last update, VicWater wrote to WorkSafe Victoria on this issue.   We are still awaiting a response from WorkSafe Victoria.

In addition to this, VicWater continues to attend meetings of the working group that WSAA has formed to work through this issue.