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Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate - Environment

Public Health Emergency in the ACT

A Public Health Emergency has been declared in the ACT for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

2020 Caretaker Conventions

On 11 September 2020, the ACT Government assumed a Caretaker role, with an election to be held 17 October 2020. Information on this website will be published in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions until after the election and conclusion of the caretaker period.

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Residential information

Protect Our Environment

The Environment Protection Act 1997 (the Act) provides the regulatory framework to protect the environment from pollution and its effects. The Act establishes the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) as the statutory decision maker for environmental regulation. The EPA administers legislation covering air and water quality, waste, contaminated land, noise control, pesticides and hazardous waste.

The Act provides for each person in the ACT to take all practicable and reasonable steps to prevent or minimise environmental harm or environmental nuisance. That means that all Canberrans have a duty to protect the environment.