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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.


ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1996

Clause                                                                Page

   Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996
                                    Act No.


                         TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Clause                                                                Page
  1.   Purpose                                                           1
  2.   Commencement                                                      2
  3.   Substitution of sections 8-10                                     2
       8.      Environment Protection Board                              2
       9.      Members of the Board                                      3
       10.     Conditions of office of members                           3
       11.     Procedure and meetings of the Board                       5
  4.   Change to method of payment of co-opted experts                   5
  5.   Authority may authorise emergency storage, use etc. of waste      6
  6.   Substitution of Divisions 1 and 2 of Part IX                      7
         Division 1--Object                                                7
         49.      Object of this Part                                     7
         Division 2--EcoRecycle Victoria                                   7
         49A. EcoRecycle Victoria                                          7
         49B. Function                                                     8
         49C. Powers                                                      10
         49D. Members                                                     10
         49E.     Conditions of appointment of members                    11
         49F.     Meetings of the members                                 12
         49G. Pecuniary interests of members                              12
         49H. Staff                                                       14
         49I.     Minister may give directions to EcoRecycle Victoria     14
         49J.     Annual business plan                                    14
         49K. Compulsory distribution of copies of strategies             15
  7.     Insertion of section 50GA                                        15
         50GA. Formation of regional waste management groups on the
                  Minister's initiative                                   15
  8.     Changes to the functions of regional waste management groups     16
  9.     Additional matter to be provided for in constitutions            18
  10.    Changes concerning group budgets                                 18
  11.    Substitution of section 50QC                                     18
         50QC. Groups must provide certain reports to the Minister etc.   18
  12.    Changes concerning regional waste management plans               19




                                        i
531082B.I1-12/11/96                           BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Clause Page 13. Substitution of section 50S 19 50S. Landfill levy--amount payable 20 50SA. Rebate for recycled waste 20 50SB. Payment of the levy 21 50SC. Refunds by the Authority 22 14. Consequential amendments 22 15. Substitution of sections 50U and 50V 23 50U. Calculation of estimates of weight 23 50V. Requirement to keep appropriate records 24 16. Insertion of section 50WA 25 50WA. Information about waste categories must be given 25 17. Substitution of section 50X 25 50X. Authority may increase low estimates 25 50XA. AAT may review revised estimates 27 50XB. Rights and powers of the Authority if levy not paid 27 50XC. Agreement to offset refund owing 28 18. Changes concerning industry waste reduction agreements 28 19. Substitution of Division 5 of Part IX 29 Division 5--Amendment of Schedule C 29 51R. Governor in Council may amend Schedule C 29 20. Change concerning the Resource Recovery Fund 29 21. Substitution of sections 52B and 52C 29 52B. How landfill levy to be distributed 30 22. Additional regulation-making power 31 23. Substitution of Schedules C and D 31 SCHEDULE C 32 24. Minor and consequential amendments 32 25. Abolition of the Environment Council 32 26. Abolition of the Recycling and Resource Recovery Council 33 27. Abolition of the Waste Management Council 33 28. Updating of the constitutions of existing regional waste management groups 33 29. Initial quarterly payment of the landfill levy 34 30. Statute law revision 34 NOTES 37 ii 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

A BILL to amend the Environment Protection Act 1970 and for other purposes. Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows: 1. Purpose The purpose of this Act is to amend the Environment Protection Act 1970-- (a) to replace the Environment Council with the Environment Protection Board; and 5 (b) to replace the Recycling and Resource Recovery Council and the Waste Management Council with EcoRecycle Victoria; and 1 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 2 Act No. (c) to make changes concerning the landfill levy, regional waste management groups and the distribution of payments from the Resource Recovery Fund; and (d) to generally improve the operation of the 5 Act. 2. Commencement (1) This section and sections 1, 4, 5, 7, 8 to 12, 18, 22, 28 and 30 come into operation on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent. 10 (2) Sections 3 and 24(1) come into operation on a day to be proclaimed. (3) Sections 6, 20, 21, 24(2) and 25 to 27 come into operation on a day to be proclaimed. (4) Sections 13 to 17, 19, 23 and 29 come into 15 operation on 1 July 1997. (5) If a provision referred to in sub-section (2) or (3) does not come into operation before 1 March 1997, it comes into operation on that day. 3. Substitution of sections 8-10 20 For sections 8, 9 and 10 of the Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- "8. Environment Protection Board (1) There is established an Environment Protection Board. 25 (2) The functions of the Board are-- (a) to advise the Minister and the Chairman on-- (i) the administration, policies and strategic directions of the 30 Authority; and (ii) the Authority's corporate plan; and 2 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 3 Act No. (iii) national and international trends of significance in environment protection; and (b) to advise on the appointment of the Chairman when that position is vacant; 5 and (c) to inquire into, and to report on, any matter or thing relating to the administration or business practices of the Authority that is referred to it by the 10 Minister or the Chairman; and (d) generally to carry out any other function or duty given to it, or imposed on it, by this Act or any other Act. (3) The Board may do all things that are 15 necessary or convenient to enable it to perform its functions. 9. Members of the Board (1) The Board consists of 3 people appointed by the Governor in Council on the 20 recommendation of the Minister who, in the opinion of the Minister, have skills, experience or knowledge that will assist the Board to carry out its functions. (2) The Governor in Council, on the 25 recommendation of the Minister, must appoint one of the people appointed under sub-section (1) to be the President of the Board. (3) An act or decision of the Board is not invalid 30 by reason only of vacancies in the membership of the Board or of defects in the appointment of the members of the Board. 10. Conditions of office of members 3 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 Act No. (1) A member of the Board (other than the Chairman)-- (a) holds office for the period specified in her or his instrument of appointment, which must be a period of not more 5 than 3 years; (b) holds office on a part-time basis on the terms and conditions determined by the Governor in Council; (c) may be re-appointed; 10 (d) may resign from office by delivering a signed letter of resignation to the Governor; (e) may be removed from office at any time by the Governor in Council. 15 (2) The Public Sector Management Act 1992 (including Part 9) does not apply to a member in respect of the office of member. (3) The Governor in Council must remove a member from office if the member-- 20 (a) becomes an insolvent under administration within the meaning of the Corporations Law; or (b) is convicted of an indictable offence or is imprisoned for any offence. 25 4 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 4 Act No. 11. Procedure and meetings of the Board (1) The Board must meet at least 4 times each year. (2) The President is to chair meetings of the Board, if present. 5 (3) If the President is not present at a meeting, the meeting is to be chaired by a member chosen by the members present at the meeting. (4) A matter cannot be decided at a meeting of 10 the Board unless more than half of its current members are present. (5) The decision on a question of the majority of the members present and voting on the question is the decision of the Board. 15 (6) The Board may conduct all or any part of a meeting by using telephones, video links or any other system of telecommunication. (7) In all other respects the Board may regulate its own procedure.". 20 4. Change to method of payment of co-opted experts In section 13(1)(h) of the Environment Protection Act 1970, for all words after "fees and allowances" substitute-- "-- 25 (i) determined by the Authority in accordance with the relevant guidelines published from time to time by the Office of the Public Service Commissioner; or (ii) fixed for the purpose by Order of the 30 Governor in Council". 5 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 5 Act No. 5. Authority may authorise emergency storage, use etc. of waste (1) For section 30A(1) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- "(1) Despite anything to the contrary in or under 5 this Act, the Authority may approve-- (a) the discharge, emission or deposit of waste from any premises into the environment; or (b) the storage, treatment, handling or 10 disposal of waste on or from any premises. (1A) The Authority may only grant its approval under this section for the purposes of-- (a) meeting a temporary emergency; or 15 (b) providing for the temporary relief of a public nuisance or community hardship; or (c) enabling the commissioning, repair, decommissioning or dismantling of any 20 item of industrial plant or fuel burning equipment. (1B) An approval has no effect unless the conditions to which it is subject are complied with.". 25 (2) For section 30A(3) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- "(3) The Authority must grant its approval if it is satisfied that the activity for which approval is sought will not cause a long term 30 interference with any beneficial use if the approval is granted.". 6 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 6 Act No. (3) In section 30A(5) of the Environment Protection Act 1970, for "discharge, emission or deposit" substitute "approved activity". 6. Substitution of Divisions 1 and 2 of Part IX For Divisions 1 and 2 of Part IX of the 5 Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- "Division 1--Object 49. Object of this Part The object of this Part is to foster environmentally sustainable uses of 10 resources and best practices in waste management in order to advance the social and economic development of Victoria. Division 2--EcoRecycle Victoria 49A. EcoRecycle Victoria 15 (1) There is established a body corporate called EcoRecycle Victoria. (2) EcoRecycle Victoria-- (a) has perpetual succession; (b) is capable of acquiring, holding and 20 disposing of property; (c) may sue and be sued in its corporate name; (d) has a common seal; (e) subject to this Act, may do and suffer 25 all acts and things that a body corporate may by law do and suffer. (3) The common seal of EcoRecycle Victoria can only be used in a way approved by EcoRecycle Victoria. 30 7 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 6 Act No. (4) All courts and people acting judicially must take judicial notice of the seal of EcoRecycle Victoria. (5) EcoRecycle Victoria does not represent the Crown. 5 49B. Function (1) The function of EcoRecycle Victoria is to protect the environment by facilitating the achievement of-- (a) waste reduction objectives identified in 10 Victorian legislation and government policies; and (b) best practices in waste management. (2) EcoRecycle Victoria is to perform its function by-- 15 (a) contributing to the development of government policies on waste management; (b) providing a Statewide forum for collaboration on waste avoidance, 20 waste reduction, waste management and related matters; (c) promoting throughout Victoria waste avoidance, waste reduction and the recovery, re-use and recycling of 25 resources and best practices in waste management; (d) developing and publishing implementation strategies for the achievement of government policy 30 objectives for waste management; (e) developing and implementing community education and awareness strategies in relation to waste reduction; 8 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 6 Act No. (f) developing and implementing strategies to foster sustainable markets for recovered resources and recycled materials; (g) contributing to the development of 5 waste and litter reduction targets and performance measures for industry, the community and governments to enable the measurement of progress in meeting policy objectives; 10 (h) monitoring and reporting on the achievement of waste and litter reduction targets; (i) commissioning, supporting and collaborating on research into waste 15 reduction and waste management; (j) contributing to the development of waste reduction and waste management infrastructure and technologies; (k) developing guidelines, emergency 20 procedures and codes of practice to facilitate compliance with relevant legislation and State environment protection policies and conformity of standards in waste management 25 services in consultation with the Authority, industry and regional waste management groups; (l) publishing guidelines and codes of practice for the collection of recyclable 30 containers, packaging and materials 9 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 6 Act No. after consultation with the relevant regional waste management and industry groups; (m) developing and supporting programs and technologies for the prevention, 5 control and collection of litter; (n) developing and supporting programs for the training and education of staff involved in waste reduction and management; 10 (o) advising the Minister on any matter referred to it by the Minister. 49C. Powers EcoRecycle Victoria may do all things that are necessary or convenient to enable it to do 15 anything referred to in section 49B. 49D. Members (1) EcoRecycle Victoria consists of up to 10 people appointed by the Minister who, in the opinion of the Minister, have skills, 20 experience or knowledge that will assist EcoRecycle Victoria to carry out its function. (2) The Minister must appoint one of the members of EcoRecycle Victoria to be its 25 Chairperson and one of its members to be its Deputy Chairperson. (3) An act or decision of EcoRecycle Victoria is not invalid by reason only of vacancies in the membership of EcoRecycle Victoria or of 30 defects in the appointment of members of EcoRecycle Victoria. 10 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 6 Act No. 49E. Conditions of appointment of members (1) A member of EcoRecycle Victoria-- (a) holds office for the period specified in her or his instrument of appointment, which must be a period of not more 5 than 3 years; (b) holds office on the terms and conditions determined by the Minister; (c) may be re-appointed; (d) may resign from office by delivering a 10 signed letter of resignation to the Minister; (e) may be removed from office at any time by the Minister. (2) The Public Sector Management Act 1992 15 (including Part 9) does not apply to a member in respect of the office of member. (3) The Minister must remove a member from office if the member-- (a) becomes an insolvent under 20 administration within the meaning of the Corporations Law; or (b) is convicted of an indictable offence or is imprisoned for any offence. (4) In fixing the fees and allowances that are to 25 be paid to members, the Minister must comply with any relevant guidelines that are published from time to time by the Office of the Public Service Commissioner. (5) All fees and allowances paid to members 30 must be paid from EcoRecycle Victoria's funds. 11 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 6 Act No. 49F. Meetings of the members (1) The members of EcoRecycle Victoria must meet at least 6 times each year. (2) A matter cannot be decided at a meeting unless at least a majority of the current 5 members of EcoRecycle Victoria are present. (3) The decision on a question of the majority of the members present and voting on the question is the decision of EcoRecycle Victoria. 10 (4) Meetings of EcoRecycle Victoria are to be chaired by the Chairperson, if present. (5) If the Chairperson is not present at a meeting, the meeting is to be chaired by the Deputy Chairperson. 15 (6) If neither the Chairperson nor the Deputy Chairperson are present at a meeting, the meeting is to be chaired by a member chosen by the members present at the meeting. (7) The person chairing a meeting has both a 20 deliberative vote and a casting vote. (8) EcoRecycle Victoria may conduct all or any part of a meeting by using telephones, video links or any other system of telecommunication. 25 (9) In all other respects EcoRecycle Victoria may regulate its own procedure. 49G. Pecuniary interests of members (1) A member who has a direct or an indirect pecuniary interest in a matter being 30 considered, or about to be considered, by EcoRecycle Victoria must declare that interest to a meeting of EcoRecycle Victoria 12 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 6 Act No. as soon as practicable after she or he becomes aware of the relevant facts. (2) A member of EcoRecycle Victoria must not-- (a) chair any meeting that is considering a 5 matter in which she or he has a direct or an indirect pecuniary interest; or (b) vote on such a matter. (3) The person presiding at a meeting at which a declaration under sub-section (1) is made 10 must ensure that a record of the declaration is made in the minutes of the meeting and that the minutes also record full details of who voted on any matter in respect of which the declaration was made. 15 (4) If a member votes on any matter in which she or he has a direct or an indirect pecuniary interest, the vote must be disallowed. (5) A member is not to be regarded as having a 20 pecuniary interest-- (a) in a matter relating to the supply of goods or services to the member if the goods or services are, or are to be, available to members of the public on 25 the same terms and conditions; or (b) in a contract or arrangement only because that contract or arrangement may benefit a company or other body in which the member has a beneficial 30 interest that does not exceed 1% of the total nominal value of beneficial interests in that company or body. 13 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 6 Act No. 49H. Staff (1) EcoRecycle Victoria may appoint employees to assist it to perform its functions. (2) EcoRecycle Victoria is to determine the pay and conditions of employment of its 5 employees, subject to the approval of the Minister. 49I. Minister may give directions to EcoRecycle Victoria (1) The Minister may issue written directions to 10 EcoRecycle Victoria. (2) EcoRecycle Victoria must comply with a written direction of the Minister. 49J. Annual business plan (1) Each year EcoRecycle Victoria must submit 15 to the Minister for approval, on or before the date required by the Minister, a business plan that sets out-- (a) its objectives and priorities for the next 3 financial years; and 20 (b) financial projections for that period; and (c) its budget for the next financial year; and (d) what it intends to do over the next 25 financial year; and (e) any other matters that the Minister requires in writing. (2) EcoRecycle Victoria must not depart significantly from its budget without first 30 obtaining the approval of the Minister. 14 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 7 Act No. (3) EcoRecycle Victoria must have regard to its current business plan in carrying out its function. (4) EcoRecycle Victoria must ensure that a copy of its current business plan is available for 5 inspection by members of the public at its principal place of business whenever that place is open to the public. 49K. Compulsory distribution of copies of strategies 10 EcoRecycle Victoria must ensure that a copy of any waste management strategy that it publishes is sent to every regional waste management group.". 7. Insertion of section 50GA 15 After section 50G of the Environment Protection Act 1970 insert-- "50GA. Formation of regional waste management groups on the Minister's initiative (1) This section applies if-- 20 (a) an Order has been published under section 50E declaring a waste management region; and (b) no regional waste management group is declared for that region under section 25 50F or 50G within 6 months of the publication of the Order. (2) On the recommendation of the Minister, the Governor in Council may, by Order published in the Government Gazette, 30 declare the creation of a regional waste management group consisting of all the councils in that region. 15 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 8 Act No. (3) The Minister must not recommend the creation of a regional waste management group unless she or he-- (a) has consulted all the councils that are to be members of the proposed group; and 5 (b) has fixed a constitution for the proposed group that is consistent with this Act. (4) On the date an Order is published under sub- section (2), the regional waste management 10 group created by the Order becomes a body corporate that-- (a) has perpetual succession; and (b) is capable of acquiring, holding and disposing of property; and 15 (c) may sue and be sued in its corporate name; and (d) has a common seal; and (e) subject to this Act, may do and suffer all acts and things that a body corporate 20 may by law do and suffer. (5) All courts and people acting judicially must take judicial notice of the seal of the group. (6) On the date an Order is published under sub- section (2), the constitution fixed by the 25 Minister under sub-section (3)(b) becomes the constitution of the regional waste management group created by the Order.". 8. Changes to the functions of regional waste management groups 30 For section 50H(1) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- 16 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 8 Act No. "(1) The functions of a regional waste management group are to facilitate and foster best practices in waste management by-- (a) planning for waste management in its region including-- 5 (i) preparing and keeping up to date a regional waste management plan; (ii) implementing and promoting the plan; (iii) setting performance targets for 10 municipal waste reduction programs; (iv) developing, implementing, supporting and promoting waste reduction and recycling programs; 15 (b) co-ordinating the waste management activities of its members including-- (i) introducing measures that lead to conformity of standards for waste reduction, waste management and 20 litter prevention and control between its members; (ii) investigating and advising on landfill disposal costs and charges in the region; 25 (iii) encouraging the training of staff involved in municipal waste management; (c) promoting, commissioning and undertaking research into waste 30 management; (d) advising its members on best practices in waste management; 17 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 9 Act No. (e) promoting improved waste management technologies; (f) promoting and co-ordinating relevant community education in its region; (g) mediating disputes between its 5 members.". 9. Additional matter to be provided for in constitutions After section 50I(d) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 insert-- "(da) the preparation and adoption of an annual 10 budget;". 10. Changes concerning group budgets For section 50L(5) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- "(5) The group must only use any money it 15 receives for the purposes and in the way set out in its budget.". 11. Substitution of section 50QC For section 50QC of the Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- 20 "50QC. Groups must provide certain reports to the Minister etc. (1) Each year a regional waste management group must give the Minister a report on all the activities it has undertaken that were 25 funded by the landfill levy. (2) The Minister or the Authority may at any time require a regional waste management group to provide her, him or it with a report on any aspect of its operations. 30 18 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 12 Act No. (3) The group must comply with any such requirement by the date specified in the requirement.". 12. Changes concerning regional waste management plans 5 (1) In section 50R(1) of the Environment Protection Act 1970, after "section 50G" insert "or 50GA". (2) After section 50R(3)(h) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 insert-- "(ha) a schedule listing-- 10 (i) all landfills in the region that are controlled by the group and that the group intends to close; and (ii) all landfills in the region that are not controlled by the group and that are 15 likely to close within the likely life of the plan; and (iii) the intended or likely date of each closure;". (3) For section 50R(4) of the Environment 20 Protection Act 1970 substitute-- "(4) A plan must not conflict with any relevant-- (a) State environment protection policy; or (b) industrial waste management policy; or (c) waste management strategy published 25 by EcoRecycle Victoria.". (4) After section 50RE(1)(b) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 insert-- "; or (c) there is no regional waste management plan 30 for the region.". 13. Substitution of section 50S 19 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 13 Act No. For section 50S of the Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- "50S. Landfill levy--amount payable (1) The holder of a licence in respect of a prescribed schedule two premises that is in a 5 municipal district listed in Schedule C must pay to the Authority a landfill levy of $3 for each tonne of waste that is deposited on to land at the premises. (2) The holder of a licence in respect of a 10 prescribed schedule two premises that is in any other municipal district must pay to the Authority a landfill levy of $2 for each tonne of waste that is deposited on to land at the premises. 15 (3) The levy must be paid in accordance with section 50SB. (4) The levy does not apply to clean soil, sand or other material used to cover waste. (5) The Governor in Council may make 20 regulations once each year increasing the amount of the levy by up to 10%; 50SA. Rebate for recycled waste (1) This section applies if waste is removed from a prescribed schedule two premises to 25 enable it to be recycled, reprocessed, recovered or purified by an operation separate from that which produced it. (2) The holder of the licence in respect of the premises is entitled to a rebate for each tonne 30 of that waste that is removed from the premises within 12 months of being deposited at the premises. 20 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 13 Act No. (3) The amount of the rebate is the amount of the landfill levy that applies to a tonne of waste deposited at the premises at the time the waste is removed from the premises. 50SB. Payment of the levy 5 (1) The holder of a licence in respect of a prescribed schedule two premises must calculate the amount of landfill levy that is payable in respect of waste deposited at the premises for each of the following 10 quarters-- (a) 1 July to 30 September; (b) 1 October to 31 December; (c) 1 January to 31 March. (2) In calculating an amount under sub-section 15 (1), the holder of the licence must not take into account any rebate that he, she or it is entitled to under section 50SA. (3) The holder of the licence must pay to the Authority the amount of landfill levy 20 calculated under sub-section (1) for-- (a) the July-September quarter on or before 31 December; (b) the October-December quarter on or before 31 March; 25 (c) the January-March quarter on or before 30 June. (4) The holder of the licence must ensure that any payment made under sub-section (3) is accompanied by details of how the amount 30 of the payment was calculated. 21 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 14 Act No. (5) On or before 30 September each year, the holder of the licence must-- (a) calculate the amount of landfill levy that is payable in respect of waste deposited at the premises for the last 5 financial year; and (b) deduct from that amount-- (i) the instalment payments made under sub-section (3); and (ii) the amount of the rebates that the 10 licence holder calculates he, she or it is entitled to under section 50SA in respect of the financial year; and (c) if the result is a positive amount, pay 15 that amount to the Authority. 50SC. Refunds by the Authority (1) If the calculation required by section 50SB(5) in respect of a premises results in a negative amount, the Authority must refund 20 the amount the holder of the licence has overpaid in respect of the premises within 30 days of it receiving the statement required by section 50W. (2) Sub-section (1) does not apply if the 25 Authority serves a notice under section 50X(3)(a) in respect of any estimate used in the calculation. (3) The Authority is not liable to pay any interest in respect of any refund that it is 30 required to make under this Division.". 14. Consequential amendments 22 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 15 Act No. (1) Section 50T(1) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 is repealed. (2) In section 50W(1) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute-- 5 "(a) details of the amount of waste (in tonnes) that was deposited (or that he, she or it estimates was deposited) at the premises in the last financial year; and (b) details of the amount of waste (in tonnes) for 10 which he, she or it is entitled to a rebate under section 50SA; and (c) details of any estimates made in respect of the last financial year for the purposes of this Division that have not already been given to 15 the Authority; and (d) any other information the Authority requires to enable it to determine the amount of landfill levy the person is liable for (or the refund the person is entitled to) under this 20 Division.". (3) Section 50Y of the Environment Protection Act 1970 is repealed. 15. Substitution of sections 50U and 50V For sections 50U and 50V of the Environment 25 Protection Act 1970 substitute-- "50U. Calculation of estimates of weight (1) If the holder of a licence in respect of a schedule two premises is not able to weigh the waste that is deposited at the premises in 30 any relevant period, he, she or it may estimate the weight of the waste. 23 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 15 Act No. (2) The holder of the licence may use different methods for estimates relating to-- (a) the weight of the waste that was deposited at the premises in the quarters referred to in section 50SB(1); 5 and (b) the weight of the waste that was deposited at the premises in a financial year. (3) The holder of the licence may only make an 10 estimate using a method approved by the Authority. 50V. Requirement to keep appropriate records (1) A person to whom section 50S applies must keep records sufficient to enable him, her or 15 it to calculate-- (a) the amount of landfill levy that he, she or it is required to pay; and (b) the amount of any rebate that he, she or it is entitled to under section 50SA. 20 Penalty: 100 penalty units. (2) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Authority, specify by Order in Council published in the Government Gazette categories of waste for 25 the purposes of this section. (3) A person to whom section 50S applies must keep records of the categories of waste specified by an Order in Council made under this section.". 30 24 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 16 Act No. 16. Insertion of section 50WA After section 50W of the Environment Protection Act 1970 insert-- "50WA. Information about waste categories must be given 5 A person who is required to give the Authority a statement under section 50W must also ensure that the statement contains details of the categories of waste (as specified by an Order in Council made under 10 section 50V) that were deposited at the premises in the last financial year.". 17. Substitution of section 50X For section 50X of the Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- 15 "50X. Authority may increase low estimates (1) This section applies if the Authority is of the opinion that an estimate on which a levy instalment or other payment required by this Division is based is too low. 20 (2) The Authority may substitute its own estimate for the estimate submitted to it. (3) Before doing this, the Authority must-- (a) notify the holder of the licence in writing that it is of the opinion that the 25 estimate is too low and of the basis on which it is proposing to make its own estimate; and (b) consider any response made by the holder within 14 days of notifying the 30 holder. (4) If the Authority still believes an estimate is too low after it has complied with sub- 25 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 17 Act No. section (3), it may give the holder of the licence a notice setting out its estimate and the additional amount of landfill levy (if any) the holder is liable for as a result of the revision of the estimate. 5 (5) The holder of the licence must pay any additional amount set out in the notice within 30 days of being given the notice, unless she, he or it applies to have the estimate decreased under section 50XA. 10 (6) The Authority may only exercise the powers given to it by this section if it gives the notice required by sub-section (3)(a) within 15 months of receiving written notice of the estimate made by the holder of the licence. 15 (7) The estimate set out in a notice under sub- section (4) may differ from any estimate set out in a notice under sub-section (3)(a), but it must be calculated either on the basis set out in the notice under sub-section (3)(a) or on a 20 basis that was put forward by the holder of the licence in response to that notice. (8) If the effect of a reduction in an estimate is to reduce (but not eliminate) the amount of the refund the Authority must pay to a 25 person, the Authority must pay the refund to the person within 30 days of the determination of the final estimate under this Division. 30 26 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 17 Act No. 50XA. AAT may review revised estimates (1) If the holder of a licence is aggrieved by a notice under section 50X(4), she, he or it may apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal to have the estimate set out in the 5 notice decreased. (2) The holder of a licence must lodge the application within 30 days of receiving the notice. (3) The Administrative Appeals Tribunal may 10 decrease an estimate of the Authority if it is of the opinion that the estimate is too high. (4) If the Tribunal decreases an estimate, the Authority must refund any money that it has been overpaid under this section within 30 15 days of receiving notice of the Tribunal's decision. (5) If an application to the Tribunal is dismissed, struck out or abandoned, the holder of the licence must pay any additional amount 20 sought in the notice under section 50X(4) within 30 days of the dismissal, striking out or abandonment. 50XB. Rights and powers of the Authority if levy not paid 25 (1) If any payment required by this Division is not made when it is due, the Authority may suspend the licence in respect of the premises in respect of which the payment is due until the payment (and any accrued 30 interest) is made. (2) Interest is to accrue on the amount of the required payment from the date it falls due at the annual rate fixed from time to time under 27 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 18 Act No. section 2 of the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983. (3) The Authority may recover any amount due to it under this Division in the Magistrates' Court as a debt due to it at any time after the 5 amount falls due. (4) The Court may make an order for payment under this section even though the amount of the order exceeds the upper monetary limit of the Court's civil jurisdiction. 10 50XC. Agreement to offset refund owing (1) This section applies if a person is entitled to a refund from the Authority. (2) The person and the Authority may agree that the amount of the refund is to be deducted 15 from any future payment that the person makes to the Authority, instead of being paid as otherwise required by this Act.". 18. Changes concerning industry waste reduction agreements 20 In the Environment Protection Act 1970-- (a) in section 51(1), after "or first sells" insert "materials or"; (b) in section 51A(2)-- (i) omit ", in accordance with the 25 regulations"; (ii) in paragraph (f), omit "and the Recycling and Resource Recovery Council"; (c) in section 51B, omit all words and 30 expressions after "in section 51A(2)"; (d) sections 51C(3) and 51D(b) are repealed. 28 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 19 Act No. 19. Substitution of Division 5 of Part IX For Division 5 of Part IX of the Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- "Division 5--Amendment of Schedule C 51R. Governor in Council may amend 5 Schedule C The Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Authority, may by Order published in the Government Gazette-- 10 (a) add the name of a municipal district to Schedule C; (b) delete the name of a municipal district from Schedule C; (c) amend the name of a municipal district 15 in Schedule C.". 20. Change concerning the Resource Recovery Fund For section 52A(3) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- "(3) The Authority may pay out of the Fund-- 20 (a) any amount the Authority is required to pay to a person under this Part; and (b) any amount needed to refund any money paid into the Fund as a result of a miscalculation or other error.". 25 21. Substitution of sections 52B and 52C For sections 52B and 52C of the Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- 29 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 21 Act No. '52B. How landfill levy to be distributed (1) In this section "net payment into the Fund" means the total amount of landfill levy paid into the Fund in a particular period less any amount paid out under section 5 52A(3) in that period in respect of the landfill levy. (2) The Authority must-- (a) draw out of the Fund 20% of each net payment into the Fund to cover the 10 costs incurred by it under this Part and to further its waste avoidance, waste management and waste reduction objectives; and (b) pay out of the Fund 10% of each net 15 payment into the Fund to regional waste management groups; and (c) pay out of the Fund 70% of each net payment into the Fund to EcoRecycle Victoria. 20 (3) The Authority must comply with sub-section (2) not more than 90 days after any money under section 50SB is paid into the Fund. (4) The Authority must ensure that the payment to regional waste management groups under 25 sub-section (2)(b) is distributed as follows-- (a) 50% of the payment must be distributed equally among the regional waste management groups; and (b) 50% of the payment must be distributed 30 in accordance with the following formula-- 30 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 22 Act No. P= A x N M where-- "P" is the amount a particular regional waste management group is to be 5 paid under this paragraph; "A" is the total amount available for distribution under this paragraph; "M" is the number of municipal districts in Victoria; 10 "N" is the number of municipal districts that are within the group's waste management region. (5) The Governor in Council may make regulations varying the percentages set out in 15 this section.'. 22. Additional regulation-making power After section 71(2) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 insert-- "(2A) Any such regulation may-- 20 (a) leave any matter or thing to be determined, applied, dispensed with or regulated by the Authority; or (b) confer a power or a discretionary authority, or impose a duty, on the 25 Authority.". 23. Substitution of Schedules C and D For Schedules C and D of the Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- 30 31 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 25 24 Act No. "SCHEDULE C MUNICIPAL DISTRICTS TO WHICH SECTION 50S(1) APPLIES Banyule Golden Plains Moonee Valley Bayside Greater Dandenong Moreland Ballarat Hobson's Bay Mornington Greater Bendigo Hume Peninsula Boroondara Kingston Nillumbik Brimbank Knox Port Phillip Cardinia Manningham Stonnington Casey Maribyrnong Whitehorse Darebin Maroondah Whittlesea Frankston Melbourne Wyndham Greater Geelong Melton Yarra Glen Eira Monash Yarra Ranges". 24. Minor and consequential amendments (1) In section 4(1) of the Environment Protection 5 Act 1970, the definition of "Council" is repealed. (2) In the Environment Protection Act 1970-- (a) Division 6 of Part IX is repealed; (b) sections 52D and 52E are repealed; (c) in section 60(4), for "the Waste Management 10 Council" substitute "EcoRecycle Victoria"; (d) the headings to Schedules C and D are repealed; (e) all sub-headings in Schedules C and D are repealed. 15 25. Abolition of the Environment Council (1) The members of the Environment Council cease to hold office. (2) The Environment Protection Board is the successor in law of the Environment Council. 20 32 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 28 Act No. (3) Any reference to the Environment Council in any Act, subordinate instrument, agreement or other document as far as it relates to any period after the commencement of this section is to be treated as a reference to the Environment Protection Board, 5 unless the contrary intention appears. 26. Abolition of the Recycling and Resource Recovery Council (1) The members of the Recycling and Resource Recovery Council cease to hold office. 10 (2) EcoRecycle Victoria is the successor in law of the Recycling and Resource Recovery Council. (3) Any reference to the Recycling and Resource Recovery Council in any Act, subordinate instrument, agreement or other document as far as 15 it relates to any period after the commencement of this section is to be treated as a reference to EcoRecycle Victoria, unless the contrary intention appears. 27. Abolition of the Waste Management Council 20 (1) The members of the Waste Management Council cease to hold office. (2) EcoRecycle Victoria is the successor in law of the Waste Management Council. (3) Any reference to the Waste Management Council 25 in any Act, subordinate instrument, agreement or other document as far as it relates to any period after the commencement of this section is to be treated as a reference to EcoRecycle Victoria, unless the contrary intention appears. 30 28. Updating of the constitutions of existing regional waste management groups (1) This section only applies to regional waste management groups that are in existence 33 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 30 Act No. immediately before this Act receives the Royal Assent. (2) After the expiry of 6 months from the date this Act receives the Royal Assent, a regional waste management group ceases to be eligible to receive 5 any money derived from the landfill levy under the Environment Protection Act 1970 unless the Minister certifies in writing that its constitution is consistent with Division 2A of Part IX of the Environment Protection Act 1970. 10 (3) If a regional waste management group submits its constitution, or proposed amendments to its constitution, to the Minister within 6 months of the date this Act receives the Royal Assent for the purpose of obtaining the Minister's certification, 15 sub-section (2) does not apply to the group until the Minister gives the group written notice that the certification has been refused. (4) If a regional waste management group is not eligible to receive any money derived from the 20 landfill levy, the money that the group would otherwise have been entitled to be paid under section 52B must be paid to EcoRecycle Victoria. 29. Initial quarterly payment of the landfill levy The first quarterly payment of the landfill levy 25 under section 50SB of the Environment Protection Act 1970 must be made on or before 31 December 1997 in respect of the quarter starting on 1 July 1997 and ending on 30 September 1997. 30 30. Statute law revision (1) In the Environment Protection Act 1970-- (a) for section 7(1)(b) substitute-- "(b) is entitled to be paid the remuneration and travelling and other allowances 35 34 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 Act No. fixed by Order of the Governor in Council from time to time."; (b) section 7(5)(a) is repealed; (c) in section 14(2)-- (i) for "employe" substitute "employee"; 5 (ii) for "Public Service Act 1974" substitute "Public Sector Management Act 1992"; (d) in section 18D(6), for "Sections 6 and 6A of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1962" 10 substitute "Sections 23 and 24 of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994"; (e) in section 19(3), for "section 13(2)" substitute "Part 7 of the Financial Management Act 1994"; 15 (f) in section 27(4), for all words after "if the corporation is" substitute "a subsidiary of the corporation within the meaning of the Corporations Law"; (g) in section 61(1A), for "sections 528, 529 and 20 530 of the Companies (Victoria) Code" substitute "sections 220 and 363 of the Corporations Law"; (h) in section 66B(5), in the definition of "officer"-- 25 (i) for paragraph (a) substitute-- "(a) in relation to a corporation within the meaning of the Corporations Law, has the same meaning as it has in the Corporations Law"; 30 (ii) in paragraph (b), for "Companies (Victoria) Code" substitute "Corporations Law". 35 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 s. 30 Act No. (2) After section 7(6) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 insert-- "(7) The Public Sector Management Act 1992 (including Part 9) does not apply to the person appointed as Chairman or as Deputy 5 Chairman in respect of those offices.". (3) For section 14(1) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 substitute-- "(1) There may be appointed or employed under the Public Sector Management Act 1992 10 any officers and employees that are necessary for the purposes of this Act.". 15 36 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 Notes Act No. NOTES By Authority. Government Printer for the State of Victoria. 37 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 1996 Act No. 38 531082B.I1-12/11/96 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 12/11/96

 


 

 


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