QLDIn ForceAct
Environmental Protection Act 1994
sec.4How object of Act is to be achieved
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### sec.4 How object of Act is to be achieved
The protection of Queensland’s environment is to be achieved by an integrated management program that is consistent with ecologically sustainable development.
The program is cyclical and involves the following phases—
phase 1—establishing the state of the environment and defining environmental objectives;
phase 2—developing effective environmental strategies;
phase 3—implementing environmental strategies and integrating them into efficient resource management;
phase 4—ensuring accountability of environmental strategies.
The relationship between each of the phases is shown in the figure appearing at the end of this Act.
Phase 1 is achieved by—
researching the state of the environment, including essential ecological processes; and
deciding environmental values to be protected or achieved by consulting industry, government departments and the community.
Phase 2 is achieved by—
developing environmental protection policies that, among other things—
decide environmental indicators; and
establish ambient and emission standards for contaminants; and
require waste management, including waste prevention and minimisation; and
advise on management practices; and
promoting environmental responsibility and involvement within the community.
Phase 3 is achieved by—
integrating environmental values into land use planning and management of natural resources; and
ensuring all reasonably practicable measures are taken to protect environmental values from all sources of environmental harm; and
monitoring the impact of the release of contaminants into the environment; and
requiring persons who cause environmental harm to pay costs and penalties for the harm.
Phase 4 is achieved by—
reviewing the results of human activities on the environment; and
evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental strategies; and
reporting publicly on the state of the environment.
s 4 amd 2024 No. 30 s 4
(sec.4-ssec.1) The protection of Queensland’s environment is to be achieved by an integrated management program that is consistent with ecologically sustainable development.
(sec.4-ssec.2) The program is cyclical and involves the following phases— phase 1—establishing the state of the environment and defining environmental objectives; phase 2—developing effective environmental strategies; phase 3—implementing environmental strategies and integrating them into efficient resource management; phase 4—ensuring accountability of environmental strategies.
(sec.4-ssec.3) The relationship between each of the phases is shown in the figure appearing at the end of this Act.
(sec.4-ssec.4) Phase 1 is achieved by— researching the state of the environment, including essential ecological processes; and deciding environmental values to be protected or achieved by consulting industry, government departments and the community.
(sec.4-ssec.5) Phase 2 is achieved by— developing environmental protection policies that, among other things— decide environmental indicators; and establish ambient and emission standards for contaminants; and require waste management, including waste prevention and minimisation; and advise on management practices; and promoting environmental responsibility and involvement within the community.
(sec.4-ssec.6) Phase 3 is achieved by— integrating environmental values into land use planning and management of natural resources; and ensuring all reasonably practicable measures are taken to protect environmental values from all sources of environmental harm; and monitoring the impact of the release of contaminants into the environment; and requiring persons who cause environmental harm to pay costs and penalties for the harm.
(sec.4-ssec.7) Phase 4 is achieved by— reviewing the results of human activities on the environment; and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental strategies; and reporting publicly on the state of the environment.
- (a) phase 1—establishing the state of the environment and defining environmental objectives;
- (b) phase 2—developing effective environmental strategies;
- (c) phase 3—implementing environmental strategies and integrating them into efficient resource management;
- (d) phase 4—ensuring accountability of environmental strategies.
- (a) researching the state of the environment, including essential ecological processes; and
- (b) deciding environmental values to be protected or achieved by consulting industry, government departments and the community.
- (a) developing environmental protection policies that, among other things— (i) decide environmental indicators; and (ii) establish ambient and emission standards for contaminants; and (iii) require waste management, including waste prevention and minimisation; and (iv) advise on management practices; and
- (i) decide environmental indicators; and
- (ii) establish ambient and emission standards for contaminants; and
- (iii) require waste management, including waste prevention and minimisation; and
- (iv) advise on management practices; and
- (b) promoting environmental responsibility and involvement within the community.
- (i) decide environmental indicators; and
- (ii) establish ambient and emission standards for contaminants; and
- (iii) require waste management, including waste prevention and minimisation; and
- (iv) advise on management practices; and
- (a) integrating environmental values into land use planning and management of natural resources; and
- (b) ensuring all reasonably practicable measures are taken to protect environmental values from all sources of environmental harm; and
- (c) monitoring the impact of the release of contaminants into the environment; and
- (d) requiring persons who cause environmental harm to pay costs and penalties for the harm.
- (a) reviewing the results of human activities on the environment; and
- (b) evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental strategies; and
- (c) reporting publicly on the state of the environment.