EPA grant of environmental authorisations (s 40): The EPA may grant or refuse works approvals and licences. It must consider the criteria in s 47, which include the impact on the environment and human health, the nature of the activity, the applicant's capacity to comply, and the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
EPA conditions (s 45-54C): The EPA has wide discretion to impose conditions on environmental authorisations, including the special conditions in Division 5. Financial assurance conditions (s 51) can require bonds or other security.
Suspension and cancellation (s 55): The EPA may suspend or cancel an environmental authorisation on various grounds, including serious or persistent breach of conditions, material false information in the application, and public interest considerations.
Environment protection orders (EPOs) (s 93): Authorised officers may issue EPOs requiring persons to cease or take action to prevent, minimise, or remediate environmental harm. EPOs may be registered on the title of land (s 94). Failure to comply allows the EPA to take action and recover costs (s 95).
Clean-up orders and authorisations (ss 99-103): The EPA may issue clean-up orders requiring persons to carry out clean-up activities at their own cost. The EPA may issue a clean-up authorisation to an authorised person to enter land and carry out clean-up, with costs recoverable from the responsible person (s 103).
Site contamination orders (Part 10A): The EPA may issue site contamination assessment orders and site remediation orders to appropriate persons. If not complied with, the EPA may take action and recover costs (s 103Q).
Authorised officers' powers (s 87): Authorised officers may enter premises, inspect, take samples, require production of documents, seize items, and take other enforcement action. Senior authorised officers have additional powers to investigate illegal dumping (s 88A).
Civil penalty recovery (s 104A): The EPA may apply to the Environment, Resources and Development Court for a civil penalty for contraventions of the Act.