Environment Improvement Plans are voluntary standards created under the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic).

An industry can participate voluntarily in an Environment Improvement Plan (s. 31C of the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic)). This will exempt an industry from the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic) requirement to conduct an environmental audit.

Environment Improvement Plans include;

• emission and waste production standards;
• requirements that State Environment Protection Policies ("SEPPs") and other policies are met; and
• regulations and licence conditions are complied with. They also provide for community participation in the evaluation of environmental performance.

Although entering an Environment Improvement Plan makes the reporting and audit requirements on the polluter less stringent, if they breach this plan the Environment Protection Authority (“EPA”) must require the polluter complete an environmental audit; (see section 31C(4) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic))

Neighbourhood Environment Improvement Plans (“NEIPs”) are mechanisms for protecting local environments under the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic).

NEIPs are designed as a mechanism for protecting local environments and improving the livability of neighbourhoods. The term 'neighbourhood' is not defined in the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic), but a neighbourhood is referred to as 'a segment of the environment'.

Important features of an NEIPs include:

• they are designed to involve the consultation of all persons to be affected (s. 19AI(3)(d) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic));
• they should be be consistent with the relevant planning scheme, State Environment Protection Policies ("SEPPs"), regional catchment strategy, and any other relevant policies, regulations and licences (see s. 19AI(3) (b) and (h) and (l) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic));
• they should provide for the monitoring and compliance of the NEIP (see s. 19AI(3)(c) of the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic));

Providing the applicable criteria have been met and an audit has been conducted, the EPA can direct a 'Protection Agency' such as a Catchment Management Authority to prepare a NEIP; (see s. 19AF of the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic)).

Conversely, a protection agency may submit a proposal for a NEIP to the EPA for endorsement; (see s. 19AE of the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic)). However, the legislation does not afford individuals the opportunity to do so. Any person who believes their neighbourhood requires protection can request the EPA to conduct an audit or undertake an investigation.

For further information about NEIPs, contact the NEIP Project Team at neips.team@epa.vic.gov.au or the EPA.

• The Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic) on Austlii

• Victorian Government - Environment Protection Authority

• Environment Protection Authority - Neighborhood Environment Improvement Plans