The regulations contain detailed obligations to manage risks to air and water. Many of these were in the state environment protection policies (SEPPs) and waste management policies (WMPs).

For air, this includes an obligation to:

• control emissions of class-three substances. These substances are those that are high risk because they’re carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. This means they could be harmful to human health.
• maintain supply and manufacturing standards for solid wood heaters
• manage and contain ozone-depleting substances
• continue to report emissions under the National Pollutant Inventory.

For water, the regulations:

• prohibit the discharge of waste from vessels except in specific circumstances. For example, when cleaning the vessel in the water
• regulate the approval of discharges of wastewater in special water supply catchments
• prescribe the cleanup of non-aqueous phase liquids
• create a new permit requirement to legally discharge waste to aquifers.

The Environment protection (transitional) regulations keep several clauses from the Water SEPP. These clauses are valid for two years under these transitional Regulations. During this time, the clauses will be assessed to see if they need to be kept in other instruments.

Read more about the Regulations

Summary of regulations

Summary of contaminated land regulations

Summary of financial assurance regulations

Summary of litter regulations

Summary of noise regulations

Summary of onsite wastewater management regulations

Summary of permissions regulations

Summary of waste regulations

Environment reference standard